The 3 biggest announcements from February’s Pokémon Direct

The Pokémon company held its latest Pokémon Direct to promote upcoming games and DLC. In addition to the standard updates to titles like Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite, the digital showcase had some surprisingly big news to share with fans. Here are the 3 biggest news stories to come out of the Pokémon Direct, including a peek at the next generation of the franchise.

New Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl content

Last year’s Pokémon remakes are receiving post-launch DLC. Fans can now access the Oak’s Letter mystery gift, which brings the original Pokémon professor, Professor Oak, to the game and makes it possible to encounter and catch the mythical grass-type Pokémon Shaymin. The gift is only available until March 27, so grab it ASAP.

Pokémon Legends Arceus Daybreak update

The first open world Pokémon title, already a smashing success, is receiving new content just a month after its release. The Daybreak update, available now, includes an investigation into the cause of Mass Outbreaks and adds a number of Pokémon Battles to the training ground. The Pokémon Company also announced that an animated series set in the Hisui Region that was featured in Pokémon Legends Arceus will premiere later this year.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The biggest surprise of the event was the early announcement of the next entries in the mainline Pokémon series. The Pokémon Company shared a trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, which you can view above. According to the description of the video, they will be open world titles, just like Pokémon Legends Arceus, which would be a big change for a franchise which has historically shied away from taking risks. Given the success of Arceus, however, it seems like fans of Pokémon are more than ready for some big swings. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will release in late 2022.

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