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Pokémon is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, a pretty nice milestone for one of the most popular (and profitable) franchises on the planet. With Pokémon Day 2026 quickly approaching, a number of leaks and rumors have been swirling online, as well as a few official reveals too. But one of its best games is sadly still being ignored by the upcoming festivities.
And, yes, that could simply be because the library of Pokémon games, especially when you include spin-offs and remakes, is so massive that things just fall by the wayside. However, I’m still hopeful 2026 will be the year we see one of my favorite Pokémon games of all time finally make its long-awaited comeback. The 30th Anniversary feels perfect for that.
Pokémon Pinball Deserves A Remaster Or New Entry
I’m talking, of course, about Pokémon Pinball. Although a -up titled Pokémon Pinball Ruby & Sapphire came out in the early 2000s, the original Game Boy Color entry is the one I’m most fond of. I got it for Christmas the year it came out. Do I still put a AAA battery into the back of the cartridge on occasion and play it? Yes. Yes, I do.
And apparently I’m not alone in loving Pokémon Pinball. For years now, fans have asked Game Freak and Nintendo to bring it to Nintendo Switch Online. It looked like that might come to fruition when Game Boy Color games came to NSO, but so far, Pokémon Pinball is still missing from the service.
Pokémon Has Been Quiet On New Pinball Game So Far
It’s a shame that Pokémon Pinball seems to be mostly ignored by Game Freak right now. It’s been over two decades since we’ve gotten a new one. And more than an old entry coming to NSO, I’d love a new game entirely.
If Pokémon Snap can have a comeback after 20+ years, then so can Pinball. And it’s honestly the kind of (fairly) simplistic spin-off that would be great to debut as part of the franchise’s 30th Anniversary. Is it dreaming too much to hope for a shadow drop on Pokémon Day? Probably. But a guy can dream.
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Admittedly, Pokémon‘s full 30th Anniversary plans haven’t been divulged yet, and we won’t know everything until a presumable Pokémon Presents arrives in February. Still, the chances of a new Pokémon Pinball game feel slim, even if the previous two games are remembered fondly by those of us who played them. Here’s hoping Pokémon will eventually stop ignoring one of its best games, and maybe even give us a new entry in the spin-off series.
