Today's Pokémon Presents presentation is the latest in The Pokémon Company's attempts to develop its own platform for sharing smaller news and announcements without using Nintendo's Direct branding. While it has used Pokémon Directs in the past to make major announcements regarding main series games (or included information in larger Nintendo Directs), as the franchise grows larger and branches out, it has a variety of smaller announcements to make.
Following last year's Pokémon Press Conference, a live-streamed event where The Pokémon Company announced a variety of spin-off projects like Pokémon Masters, the still mysterious Pokémon Sleep and a collaboration with clothing company Original Stitch, some fans wondered if the format would become an annual event. And while another in-person live-streamed event obviously isn't possible this year, this short presentation seems to be fulfilling its purpose. While these announcements were all smaller, there were some interesting ones mixed in, as well as a tease to watch again next week for what Pokémon Company President and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara called "another big project" being announced June 24.
Pokémon Smile
Just as Pokémon Go gamified walking and Pokémon Sleep is supposed to gamify sleeping, Pokémon is going to, once again, try to use its cute creatures to promote healthy habits. Pokémon Smile is a smartphone game aimed towards children to help them establish good teeth-brushing habits. Using augmented reality, the app appears to track the user's movements with their toothbrush and keep track of where they've brushed so far with a cute Pokémon there to encourage them. It also allows kids to "rescue other Pokémon from cavity-causing bacteria," allowing them to catch a Pokémon Go-style when they're done.
It's not clear if there's any other purpose or achievement for catching Pokémon through Pokémon Smile, though parents with concerns about smartphone games for kids should be glad to hear that the game is both free and has no in-app purchases. It's available today.
Pokémon Café Mix
The next announcement was for a unique puzzle game where players serve Pokémon who come to their café. Through puzzles that involve swirling icons around, players will create food and drinks for their customers to enjoy. Player will also work alongside Pokémon, who will use their unique skills to help out. You'll also be able to expand your café and get more Pokémon to come.
Pokémon Café Mix blends a new art-style with Pokémon Shuffle-like icons. The game will be free-to-start and contain in-app purchases. It will release on June 24 for Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android, and interested players can preload, preorder or preregister the game now.
New Pokémon Snap
Easily the biggest and most exciting news of the presentation, fans are finally getting the long-requested followup to 1999's Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo 64. In this game, players travel to an island inhabited by Pokémon and take pictures of them for research. It's a great way to observe Pokémon existing in their natural habitats and interact with them in a way unlike any other.
This game is set to include Pokémon from all generations, with creatures from throughout the series' history appearing in the trailer. While most of the trailer didn't actually show gameplay footage, a brief glimpse of three Bellossom dancing in an area said to be "under construction" looks promising. New Pokémon Snap doesn't have a release date, but it's said to be coming to the Switch soon.
Pokémon Go
The presentation featured a couple of announcements and teases in regards to Pokémon Go. First, Ishihara reiterated Niantic's efforts to make the game playable while stationary and that this year's Pokémon Go Fest will be digital-only and available to players worldwide. The Unova Mythical Pokémon Victini was also teased for this year, possibly as part of the event. Also teased was the addition of Mega Evolution. It's not clear how this mechanic will be incorporated into the game, but the presentation promises "a new take...that is enhanced by Pokémon Go's unique gameplay."
Finally, it was announced that Galarian Farfetch'd is now available, are new clothing items based on The Isle of Armor DLC that dropped today.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Though the first half of the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, The Isle of Armor releases today, the presentation didn't too much to say regarding it or The Crown Tundra scheduled to come this Fall. However, it was announced that special Max Raid Battles featuring the Generation VII Mythical Zeraora would take place between now and June 28. While players can't catch Zeraora, from the Max Raids themselves, if a million players defeat it, a Shiny Zeraora will be distributed through Pokémon Home.
Zeraora was the final Pokémon released for Gen VII, being a Mythical exclusive to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon that was only distributed once. Because of this, many players missed out on it, so this is a great opportunity to battle (and possibly catch) this rare Pokémon. Additionally, participating in these battles will earn players Armorite Ore depending on how many people participate. While Armorite Ore is an item used in the new DLC, players don't need to have purchased the expansion to participate in these battles or obtain Zeraora.