The Nintendo Direct Thread (10th January currently rumoured)

[Jumpin]

StarDoor said:

Jumpin said:

I'm actually thinking we'll see Pokemon in the Spring or Summer (given the history of the franchise) and Animal Crossing for the holiday season (again, given the history of the franchise).

I'd be a little surprised if Pokemon wasn't on the first Direct of the year.

Pokemon is already confirmed to release in the second half of 2019. Also, it wouldn't make sense for the most ambitious Pokemon games yet to release sooner after the previous generation than any other Pokemon generation. Three years is the absolute shortest gap that there's been, and Sun/Moon released in November 2016.

Summer is in the second half.

Sun/Moon releasing in November was an abnormality for the franchise.