Prominent Pokemon Development Studio Returns to Work on Pokemon Legends: Arceus
By Jack O'Dwyer
Nintendo's longtime development partner studio, Game Freak, is officially taking point on the next evolution of Pokemon games—Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
With a game as mechanically rich and diverse as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it's no wonder fans want to make sure its development is trusted to the best group. A choice of the studio can make or break any title as the studio, itself, is responsible for the nitty-gritty gameplay experience the players will actually work with firsthand. Nobody wants a clunky control scheme or confusing overworld.
Fortunately, it appears that Legends: Arceus is in the best possible hands.
Who is Developing Pokemon Legends: Arceus?
Game Freak is developing Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Veteran franchise fans should recognize the studio from its work on previous games. The studio has had a hand in every almost every—if not all—single main series Pokemon games. Its full repertoire, alone, is impressive, comprised titles such as:
- Pokemon Red & Blue
- Pokemon Yellow
- Pokemon (Heart) Gold & (Soul) Silver
- Pokemon Crystal
- Pokemon (Alpha) Ruby & (Omega) Sapphire
- Pokemon Fire Red & Leaf Green
- Pokemon Emerald
- Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
- Pokemon Platinum
- Pokemon Black (2) & White (2)
- Pokemon X & Y
- Pokemon (Ultra) Sun & (Ultra) Moon
- Pokemon Let's Go (Pikachu/Eevee)
- Pokemon Sword & Shield
- Pokemon Quest
Legends: Arceus is only the second "spin-off" style game the studio has taken under its wing—the first being the blocky dungeon-crawler-like title, Pokemon Quest, released on the Nintendo Switch in June 2018.
Other spin-off titles—such as Pokemon Cafe Mix, Pokemon Ranger, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, and Pokemon Snap—have been handled by other studios. The majority are based in Japan, including names like Bandai Namco and HAL Laboratory.