Nintendo Switch release date, news: updated 'Pokémon Sun and Moon' rumored to come to hybrid console

A promotional image for the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo

After its much-publicized confirmation last month, Nintendo is once again silent about their upcoming console, the Switch. Naturally, this amplifies rumors about the content that will be compatible with the hybrid device with the latest reports putting "Pokémon Sun" and "Pokémon Moon" on top of the theory pool.

The latest speculations indicate that an updated version of "Pokémon Sun" and "Pokémon Moon" will eventually be released for the Nintendo Switch once it rolls out during the first quarter of next year. Currently codenamed "Pokémon Stars," this particular version follows the trend of past "Pokémon" games that eventually came out with enhanced versions. For example, "Pokémon Red and Blue" later on had "Pokémon Yellow" while "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl" ended up having "Pokémon Platinum."

An article by Eurogamer predicted that "Pokémon Stars" actually entered production around the same time as the preceding games. While the release of "Pokémon Sun" and Pokémon Moon" resulted in the improved title's production being halted, it resumed once the Nintendo 3DS games made their way to the public just last week, except in Europe.

Another reason to be excited about with this rumor is that it seems like "Pokémon Stars" will have the ability to connect to "Pokémon Sun" and "Pokémon Moon" via the "Pokémon Bank" app which lets players trade creatures across game and console lines.

Forbes tried to reach out to the Japanese company but they did not give out any answers regarding these rumors.

"We have nothing to announce on this topic," a spokesperson said, further fueling the claims.

Meanwhile, an official press launch for the Nintendo Switch has been scheduled for January 2017 where journalists will finally be able to sample the hybrid console. A software lineup is also expected to be announced during the event with company president Tatsumi Kimishima teasing the extensive game collection.

"In January next year, when you will see the software lineup and have a chance to experience it hands-on for yourselves, you will be able to understand for the first time how Nintendo Switch, with the combination of its hardware and software, will be able to provide you with new experiences," the 66-year-old executive said during the company's latest financial results briefing. "I believe you will then be able to feel that Nintendo Switch has a distinctive appeal that will be embraced by a variety of different people across many different age demographics."

The Nintendo Switch is scheduled to hit the market in March 2017.

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