Pokemon Sword and Shield Will Emphasize Gameplay in Switch’s Handheld Mode, Says Nintendo

While last year's Let's Go titles emphasized gameplay in console mode, this year Pokemon will once again go back to emphasizing handheld gameplay.

Posted By | On 26th, Apr. 2019

pokemon sword and shield

Last year’s Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! were the first  Pokemon RPG titles to ever have been released on a console rather than a handheld, and they took quite a lot of advantage of that fact. One of the chief mechanics the duo of releases made use of was the motion control options in Switch’s Joycons, thus emphasizing gameplay in console mode on a large screen (even though it was still entirely possible to play the entire game in handheld mode).

This year’s Pokemon Sword and Shieldwhich is the first mainline entry in the series to arrive on a console after last year’s Let’s Go offshoots, will be a bit different, and will likely appeal to the hardcore Pokemon audience. Speaking at Nintendo’s recent quarterly investors call, president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed that Pokemon Sword and Shield will be emphasizing gameplay in handheld mode, hewing closer to the traditional experiences the series has always been known for.

“These new titles, first announced in a Pokémon Direct in February, have generated a huge response from consumers,” said Furukawa. “Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, which were released in November of last year, are designed to highlight the fun of Nintendo Switch in TV mode, for example by waving the controller at the TV screen to capture Pokémon. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are being developed to emphasize the fun of playing Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. We want these games to be played not only by longtime Pokémon fans, but also by consumers whose first encounter with the series was on a dedicated video game platform with Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!

Pokemon Sword and Shield are due out some time later this year for the Nintendo Switch, though a concrete release date hasn’t yet been confirmed. Stay tuned to GamingBolt for more updates.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!



Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

SYNCED Launches for PC in Summer 2023

SYNCED Launches for PC in Summer 2023

NEXT Games' free-to-play online shooter finally gets a new launch window. Console versions will arrive "soon a...

Cyberpunk 2077 Will Add Path-Tracing Support with Overdrive Mode in April

Cyberpunk 2077 Will Add Path-Tracing Support with Overdrive Mode in April

The game's PC version will add support for path-tracing to enable improved visuals and ray-tracing with an upc...

Can the PS5 Outsell the PS4?

Can the PS5 Outsell the PS4?

It's not as easy as it might look, but probably.

Destiny 2 Lightfall Guide – All Exotic Armor And Weapons, And How To Get Them

Destiny 2 Lightfall Guide – All Exotic Armor And Weapons, And How To Get Them

A complete list of all the exotic weapons and armor in Destiny 2: Lightfall.

WWE 2K23 Guide: How To Unlock All Wrestlers

WWE 2K23 Guide: How To Unlock All Wrestlers

Here is how you can get hold of every wrestler in WWE 2K23.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Guide How Many Chapters And How Long To Beat

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Guide How Many Chapters And How Long To Beat

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a rather meaty experience.