As the Pokémon community gets fired up over the announcement of "Pokémon Sun" and "Moon" as well as further information that is coming this month, it looks like another anticipated title is getting the axe. Yes, after months of speculation, "Pokémon Z" is reportedly getting cancelled due to focus on "Sun" and "Moon" - or at least that's what the rumors say.
"Pokémon Z" was named as one of the titles expected to come at some point during the current generation, partially due to the presence of "Pokémon X" and "Y" as well as the fact that this year is the series' 20th anniversary, making it a prime year for such an announcement.
However, fast-forward to Februrary, and what was supposed to be an announcement for "Z" during Nintendo's Direct event turned out to be an announcement of "Sun" and "Moon." Of course, that particular reveal should have come to little surprise to anyone considering the leak that came just one day before. But this announcement, though exciting for fans, left many to wonder what was the status of "Z."
"Pokémon Z" is a difficult game to assess, and whether the game will actually come or even began has been a hot topic ever since "X" and "Y" came out in 2013. Both titles feature one of two legendary pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal, who both have references to the letters X and Y in their appearances. In each game, a legendary pokémon named Zygarde can also be found which resembles the letter Z, giving birth to the original "Pokemon Z" rumor. The fact that Nintendo and Game Freak already introduced third entries for a generation, such as "Pokémon Yellow" in the first generation and "Pokémon Crystal" in the second only served to give that rumor more credence.
However there were certain things that went against that rumor as well. For example, even though Nintendo has released third entries for a generations in the past, that practice ended in the fourth generation with "Pokémon Platinum." That didn't mean much back in 2009 when it was released for DS, but it certainly does now that the 3DS is Nintendo's handheld of choice. Nintendo has since fully embraced the concept of DLC, so it makes little sense for Nintendo to commission a director's cut title when it can save effort by creating downloadable content instead.
Furthermore, an interview with Satoru Iwata cast those assumptions into further doubt when he revealed that "X" and "Y" are not about chromosomes, but Cartesian Plane axes. The titling concept for "X" and "Y" is a common meeting point for people with different lifestyles.
Granted, this report has surfaced on April 1, which means that reports of a cancellation should be taken with even more salt then usual. But the topic does warrant some discussion regardless. Nintendo has made it clear that it's willing to do away with old paradigms, but that doesn't mean disprove "Z" - it only makes it is less likely.
Nintendo has yet to make an announcement for the title, not even going so far as to announce that it's in development yet. However it's still "Pokémon's" 20th anniversary, and the year isn't over yet, so anything is possible really.
