Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Jul 232025
 

Well, none of my Pokémon Presents predictions came true except for the obvious – a new look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

They did announce a new spin-off, a puzzle game for Switch and mobile that’s free-to-start on mobile and $9.99 on Switch, both with additional DLC packs for more puzzles.

It looks cute, but I don’t think I’ll get it.

So let’s focus on the real highlight of the presentation, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Two new trailers have come out of the presentation. They introduce Team MZ (the group you’ll be working with), show how Lumiose City is different at day or night, and reveal the Rust Syndicate, which seems to be this game’s villain team. They also show off the customization options, which look better than ever.

And remember how I was excited to see Looker’s office after the previous Pokémon Presents? I don’t know if he’ll be back, but Emma is returning as a detective who gives you quests, so that’s great! Mable from Team Flare is back, as well.

The story involves Pokémon Mega Evolving on their own and going rogue, so that could be interesting.

I still don’t have as much excitement for this one as I did when it was first announced. I loved the exploration in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and the city-based focus of Z-A just isn’t quite grabbing me in the same way. I wish it had stuck with turn-based combat, too.

On the other hand, the story seems interesting, and it’s nice to see some returning characters. Arceus was a pleasant surprise for me, so maybe this one will be too.

What do you think about the newest trailers for Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Jul 212025
 

Has any game been delayed more than Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road?

The upcoming Inazuma Eleven game was first announced back in 2016 as Inazuma Eleven Ares and was set to be released in 2018. It got delayed to 2019, after which time it was renamed Inazuma Eleven: Great Road of Heroes and delayed to 2020. In 2020, it was delayed to 2021, and then in 2021 it was delayed to 2023.

By the time it was shown again, it was Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and then in 2023 it was delayed to 2024. In 2024, it was announced for June 2025, but was then delayed to a final release date of August 21, in a live stream that promised this was the release date “for sure.”

But now Level-5 has announced that Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has been delayed one last time, to November 14 (or November 13, depending on where you live).

Another delay this late feels concerning, but it seems it’s mostly because of the voice recording and localization time due to the amount of content in the game. Fantasy Life i turned out well despite its concerning number of delays, so hopefully the same will be true of Inazuma Eleven.

…But I have to admit, this is making me a little nervous for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

Do you think this is truly the final delay for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road?

Jul 162025
 

The next Pokémon Presents is set for July 22 at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET, which means we’re less than a week away.

The last Pokémon Presents back in February showed pretty much nothing of interest to me besides Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which left me with mixed feelings.

What will be shown at this one?

Another look at Legends feels like a safe bet. It’s coming out on October 16, so they’ll want to feature it.

And they always have a section devoted to mobile games and things like that, so I expect to see those as well. But what about some new announcements?

Gen 10 is probably the biggest question.

A lot of fans think they won’t announce the next generation ahead of Z-A, but I’m not so sure. A tiny teaser trailer might not be enough to overshadow it.

But how about a new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game? The last one released was Rescue Team DX in 2020, and that was a remake. The last entirely new entry was Super Mystery Dungeon all the way back in 2015. It sounds to me like we’re more than due for a new game. And it would provide me with good incentive to finally start one of them, too!

What are you hoping or expecting to see announced in next week’s Pokémon Presents?