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Since Nintendo did the “Year of Luigi” from February 2013 to March 2014. Fans have used the “game zodiac” concept for expressions, with both the good and the bad. Focusing on the good, I’m sure many Links out there are calling it “the Year of Zelda” with the series’ 30th anniversary on February 21st, or bounty hunters hoping “Metroid’s 30th” will re-employ Samus for another job. However, to me, it is the “Year of Pokemon” and could you blame me? As the Pokemon Company is going all out this year with Mythical Pokemon distributions each month for the games, toys, and trading card games, digital movie release, Generation I Virtual Consoles, and so much 20th anniversary memorabilia. I’ve already started for myself by getting Mew for my Generation VI games and a Pokeball w/ figure featuring the 151st monster itself.

It has been suggested that Pokemon had practical applications. Will we see it more of that in action in the future?)

So, what did the Pokemon Direct hold for us trainers? Sadly for those of you, who are looking forward to the spin-off titles “Pokemon Go” and “Pokken” they were not featured in the video. However, the Direct did focus on the main series, both old and new. The leaked trademark information may have given it away before the official announcement. Nevertheless, we are getting a new set of main series Pokemon games: Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. At the moment, we’ve seen a few scenes of some concept art and 3D models.

It’s official. We can now bank on it.

In other words, we can expect to hear some news later as we draw closer to the release date. The video has confirmed that the company is making this installment more universe for “would-be-trainers”. By adding both traditional and simplified Chinese to the list of available languages (giving the Sun and Moon versions nine languages they could be played in). From this part of the video, there are three things that make me ecstatic for this release: My favorite series is coming out with a new installment. It’s going to be released this year during the Holiday (Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and whatever you say to celebrate that month.), and I don’t have to update my hardware just yet.

The last part of the Direct was a complete surprise. As Tsunekazu Ishihara said in the video trading and transferring Pokemon from Generation III to VI was possible thanks to the games’ evolution of communication and use of hardware between the GBA and the old DS units with GameBoy Advance Slots. However, due to some issues (Ishihara just mentioning the old Link Cable).

It was hard to transfer Pokemon from Generations I and II to the later games. I say difficult instead of impossible because dedicated fans of the franchise developed a lengthy method of getting their old friends onto Pokemon Bank. I have also brought this up in a previous article about how the Virtual Consoles will help bring nostalgia to us Generation I trainers while giving us accessibility that the good ol´ GameBoy couldn’t. And it turns out. I was wrong. The Virtual Consoles of Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions will be able to utilize Pokemon Bank and allow you to transfer your retro team to Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon.

Now there’s nothing wrong with giving some of the other Nintendo franchises some love (God knows Gunpei’s baby girl Samus and her Metroid series sure needs it). However, for us Pokemon fans this is truly our year. So, train on!

David Lucas
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @GamerFoxem