'Pokémon Z' release date news: Game rumored to be skipped as Nintendo 3DS is set to get 'Pokémon Sun,' 'Pokémon Moon'

Nintendo has just announced a company Direct event that touched on the "Pokémon" franchise. However, for fans who anticipated details about the much-anticipated "Pokémon GO" and "Pokémon Z" games, the recently concluded event is a bit of a let-down as the two titles did not appear.

Nonetheless, there is still a bit of good news for "Pokémon" fans as it is confirmed that two new games will be released this year for the Nintendo 3DS.

The two new games are dubbed "Pokémon Sun" and "Pokémon Moon." While Nintendo did not provide any additional details about the game aside from the confirmation, it is believed that the upcoming titles will feature the recently unveiled Legendary Pokémon, Magearna.

According to Wired, the two upcoming titles are the next-gen and fully original "Pokémon" games to be launched for the Nintendo 3DS, after the release of "Pokémon X and Y" in 2013.

Polygon added that some fans are not counting the "Pokémon Omega Ruby" and "Pokémon Alpha Sapphire" releases as they are only ported and re-released versions of the original "Pokémon Ruby" and "Pokémon Sapphire" games for the Game Boy Advance in 2003.

Meanwhile, most fans continue to wait for the much-anticipated "Pokémon GO" and "Pokémon Z" titles as Nintendo has yet to provide confirmed specifics regarding each game.

According to NeuroGadget, while the augmented reality title from Niantic is already confirmed for release, a "Pokémon Z" game may not roll out at all or, if it does, will come out with a different title. The industry follower stated that new rumors surfaced about a possible "Pokémon Niji" – which translates as "Rainbow" – that will supposedly replace the follow-up to the "Pokémon X and Y" title.

However, The Bitbag believes that "Pokémon Z" is still in the pipeline, and the "Rainbow" game is only a 20th anniversary commemoration title for the franchise. Reportedly, the additional title will feature most of the Pokémon from the first to fourth generations, making the game a compilation title with a "Rainbow" tag.

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