Pokémon Presents – everything announced and our coverage of the event as it happened

Hello and welcome!

Hello and welcome to my live coverage of today’s Pokémon Presents event. I’ll be following the show live, and posting every announcement, as well as my thoughts, right here on this live blog. Hopefully, we’ll get some info on future games, as well as some nice surprises. Let’s get started.

What time does Pokémon Presents start?

Let’s start by taking a look at when the event starts. Pokémon Presents will go live at 6am PT, 9am ET, 2pm BST, 3pm CEST, 11pm AEST. The show will last 24 minutes, and can be watched via the official Pokémon YouTube and Twitch channels.

Will we see more on Pokémon Legends Z-A?

The safest bet for today’s announcements is easily more info on Pokémon Legends Z-A. The game focuses on Mega Evolution, so I’m betting we’ll see some more on that. We also need to see more on multiplayer, which will no doubt be a big part of the endgame.

Pikachu is a DJ now?

The only tease we’ve gotten for today’s show came from the official Japan Pokémon X account. It’s an image showing Pikachu standing beside DJ decks (shown above). What this actually means is anyone’s guess, but I’m hoping to see a new Pokémon music game, perhaps in the style of DJ Hero. One can hope.

Gen 1-3, is now the time?

One thing I've always wanted to happen in a Pokémon Presents broadcast is the announcement of the series' first three generations coming to Nintendo Switch Online. That's Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow for the Game Boy, Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal for Game Boy Color, and finally Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald for Game Boy Advance.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have always seemed oddly reluctant to host these legendary titles on Nintendo Switch Online's various libraries, and I'm not really sure why. Some of these games have been re-released in the past, on 3DS as Virtual Console titles. They'd surely also bring in new Switch Online subscribers in droves, especially while we wait on Pokémon Legends Z-A and a potential Gen 10.

Hopefully today is the day, but I won't hold my breath.

How likely is a Generation 10 reveal?

While there's certainly an outside chance the next mainline Pokémon titles get announced today, I don't think it's overly likely. Pokémon Legends Z-A is on the horizon, as well as Pokémon Champions.

Furthermore, Game Freak is currently developing Beast of Reincarnation, a multiplatform action game for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The developer will undoubtedly have its hands full with the upcoming game, so I'd estimate we're at least another year or two out from Pokémon's tenth generation.

That said, Pokémon games have routinely been on a notoriously rushed schedule. Most recently, we saw this with Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launching within the same year, and you could clearly see the effects of this. I would hope Game Freak is instead given the proper amount of time to create Gen 10, better suited to the Switch 2's increased power.

One hour warning klaxon!

This is your one-hour warning, people!

Only 60 minutes until we hopefully get a glimpse of some exciting new Pokémon news and details.

Get your snacks in order and your live stream of choice lined up! Remember, you can catch the presentation on YouTube or Twitch.

Eevee Mass Outbreak in Pokémon TCG Pocket

While you wait for the show to start, why not check out Pokémon TCG Pocket’s new limited time event? There’s now Eevee and Eevee evolutions in Wonder Picks, and even Missions that give out shop tickets as rewards. This event runs until July 29, so make sure to jump in and make the most of the new bonuses and rewards. It’s likely we’ll see more on Pokémon TCG Pocket during the event too.

Just 20 minutes til the show starts!

There's just 20 minutes until Pokémon Presents, so make sure to leave this live blog open if you'd like to follow along with my live coverage. What announcements are you hoping to see? Personally, I'd love to see the Pokémon Colosseum games added to the GameCube section of Nintendo Switch Online. I'm also excited for Pokémon Unite's upcoming fourth anniversary celebrations, which are usually announced in July.

10 minutes to go, and I'm betting we see more on Pokémon Champions

Just 10 minutes to go, so time for one final prediction. Pokémon Champions is an upcoming battle-focused game set for Nintendo Switch and mobile. Currently, there’s no release date or even a vague release window, so I’m betting we’ll see more on the game later today. Players will be able to use Pokémon Home to bring in their stored Pokémon, and there’s cross-platform play confirmed between Switch and mobile users

Pokémon Friends out now on the App Store?

So the Pokémon Company has just launched an app called Pokémon Friends on the App Store, ahead of the showcase. According to the description, it's a puzzle game with other 1,200 puzzles. It has a cutesy plushie aesthetic, and is free to download now.

Pokémon World Championships kicks off the presentation

Pokémon World Championships details kicks off the Pokémon Presents showcase. The event will actually take place in an arena for the first time ever, similar to EVO. Attendees will also receive a code to receive Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet.

Pokémon Concierge next!

The highly-rated Pokémon Concierge gets more details at the Pokémon Presents showcase. The Netflix show is set to receive new episodes on September 4.

Pokémon and Aardman

Legendary British stop-motion studio Aardman is teaming up with the Pokémon brand for a new show. The Wallace and Gromit creator revealed a few details about the show along with some humorous footage. It looks cute!

Coming 2027, the show is called Pokémon: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu.

Poképark Kanto

A Pokémon theme park, Poképark Kanto will provide an experience similar to Super Nintendo World, offering an interactive, walkable Pokémon world. Grand opening planned for 2026.

Obligatory Pokémon Go bit

Pokémon Go Fest 2025 Max Finale is coming to the popular mobile app.

Pokémon Masters EX and Cafe Remix

The usual mobile updates here, unique Pokémon and characters up for grabs. 3,000 gems also on offer in Pokémon Masters EX.

Pokémon Sleep and Unite

More updates, and Latios and Latias are coming to popular MOBA Pokémon Unite.

Pokémon Trading Card Game update!

All-new cards are coming to Pokémon TCG mobile game. Mega Evolution cards including Mega Lucario and Mega Venusaur, with very nice shiny cards, coming soon on September 26.

Pokémon Friends officially revealed

It shadow-dropped just before the show, but the brand new Pokémon Friends is now available on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch systems. It looks like it offers several types of puzzles. Good for the brain! You can decorate rooms with Pokémon plushies too.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet updates

Just a new Tera Raid battle arriving tomorrow, also showcasing the Switch 2 performance update which came in June when the system launched.

Pokémon Champions update at long last

Pokémon Champions revitalizes the Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Battle Revolution formula. It's compatible with Pokémon Home, too.

As you might expect, you can build a team of six Pokémon, and take part in Ranked or Private Battles. The presentation looks really nice, even if gameplay is the very familiar turned-based system.

The game also has full effort value and individual value stats support. Nice.

No release date as of yet, but it's expected in 2026.

Pokémon Legends Z-A details

We're seeing more footage of the upcoming Pokémon Legends Z-A, coming to both Switch and Switch 2.

Largely a focus on the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, Pokémon reveals, and more exploration and story.

You'll join Team MZ at the start of the game, spending time in Lumiose City across day and night. It seems that different events and situations can happen depending on the time of day. That probably includes different Pokémon too.

The Z-A Royale seems to be the new gym format, and is only accessible at night time.

We're also getting a look at character customization. Hair and clothing options seem pretty robust. Even Pokémon like Furfrou can be customized with various accessories.

Rogue Mega Evolutions are a new feature, where Pokémon can transform themselves, posing a threat. You'll be tasked with taking these on with your own Mega evolved Pokémon, including Mega Dragonite or Tyranitar.

The game is launching on October 16, 2025.

Nope, no 'one more thing' this time

Well, that was one of the Pokémon Presents showcases of all time.

Watch the first teaser for Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu

Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu | Teaser - YouTube

Watch On

The Aardman and Pokémon collaboration is coming sometime in 2027. It's called Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu, and you can check out the teaser embedded above. It looks wonderful, as expected from the Wallace and Gromit studio. I can't wait to see how it comes together.

A new Pokémon Legends Z-A Switch 2 bundle is on its way

A new Switch 2 bundle for Pokémon Legends Z-A was announced shortly after the Pokémon Presents event. Hopefully, this will give players the chance to pick up the new console and the new Pokémon title at a reduced price, like we saw with the Mario Kart World bundle at launch. This new bundle is coming October 16, 2025, with pre-orders starting tomorrow (July 23, 2025).

Dragonite finally gets a Mega Evolution

We got our first look at a new Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends Z-A during the Pokémon Presents showcase. It's a variant on Dragonite, moving its wings up to its head. Mega Dragonite is a brand new mega Pokémon, and one that's been long requested by fans.

Research Amber Canyon in Pokémon Sleep

Research Raikou, Entei, and Suicune | Pokémon Sleep - YouTube

Watch On

Pokémon Sleep is still going strong, and will receive an update in September that adds the Legendary Beasts Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. Then, there's a new area called Amber Canyon to research in November.

I just played Pokémon Friends

Pokémon Friends is a brand new puzzle game that's now available on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. It's a fairly basic puzzle game, which gives you a slate of puzzles to work through each day. By completing puzzles, you'll unravel yarn, which is then placed into a machine to make plushies. In my short play session I unlocked a Pikachu and a Fuecoco plushy. These could then be placed in a display room with shelves and unlockable furniture items.

Having a browse through the in-game store, it looks like you'll only have a limited number of puzzles you can complete each day, before purchases are required to up your limit. These have pretty hefty price tags, though I'll need to play more to see how necessary these paid-for upgrades are in practice.

Watch the new story trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A

Start a New Story in Lumiose City with Pokémon Legends: Z-A! - YouTube

Watch On

Two new trailers for Pokémon Legends Z-A were shown off earlier, the first being a look at the game's story. We see new rivals, more of Lumiose City at night, and a look at multiple outfits for your Trainer.

The trailer ends with two bonuses that can be earned for use in-game. The first is for a Ralts holding a Gardevoir Stone (used for Mega Evolution), available until February 26, 2026. Then there's 100 free Poke Balls for those that pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A digitally.

New Mega Evolution cards are coming to Pokémon Trading Card Game in September

New Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution cards will launch September 26, 2025. There's Mega Lucario ex, Mega Kangaskhan ex, and Mega Gardevoir ex. In addition, the Mega Evolution expansion includes cards featuring Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Mega Venusaur ex that reveal a larger image when connected.

Earn Ruinous Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

From July 23 to September 14, Shiny Wo-Chien, Shiny Chien-Pao, Shiny Ting-Lu, and Shiny Chi-Yu will be appearing sequentially in 5-star Tera Raid Battles. Throughout this event series, Trainers worldwide can unite against these Pokémon for a chance to add Shiny ones to their teams.

These are different from regular Tera Raids, in that players will only earn the Pokémon if the player base collectively wins one million or more battles against each. You can view the event schedule in the image above.

That's all for now

That brings our coverage of the latest Pokémon Presents event to a close. There's no doubt more to come, hopefully in 2025. We still don't know anything about Gen 10, and there's plenty to learn about Pokémon Legends Z-A as well. Until then, I'll be dreaming about Gen 2 remakes, and what a Pokémon DJ game could have looked like.