© Nintendo LifeThere are definitely a lot of things happening this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, including games, merchandise and even music, but it’s fair to say that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company did not release it everything taking place over the next few months – which means people are on the lookout for any hint related to other Pokémon related festivals.
Take, for example, the Nintendo Life reader Ash. He sends an email to point out that a new search category has been added to the Nintendo UK website called the Pokémon Mini. In the “Original for” section, Pokémon Mini now has its own listing, along with such as Game Boy, GameCube and Super Nintendo.
What is interesting is that there is also a category “Other systems”, where you would be expect Nintendo to place the Pokémon Mini, unless of course there are plans to revive the device in some way.
Look, we realize we’re making a pretty big assumption here, but think about it – the Pokémon Mini is ripe for rediscovery, especially if you think many younger fans would not experience it for the first time.
Since it is listed in the “Original for” category, we would suggest that the possibility of some kind of digital reissue is likely. Nintendo may be planning to release a Pokémon Mini app for Switch or smartphones, which can be downloaded for free, but which allows you to purchase individual Pokémon Mini games for a small fee, such as Capcom Arcade Stadium?
If you do not know what Pokémon Mini is, it is a small Tamagotchi-sized device that was released in 2001 and you could place small cartridges containing mini games. It cost around $ 40 (£ 30 in the UK) and with software costing around $ 20 / £ 15 per doll, it had the potential to be a huge success, but it may not have sold as well as which Nintendo had hoped for and quickly faded from view – something that could possibly be attributed to the fact that it was launched in the same year as the Game Boy Advance.
Only ten games have ever been produced for the Pokémon Mini, each with a Pokémon theme, so this would be an ideal digital collection for Switch.
Is this wishful thinking on our part? Let us know what you think by posting a comment below.