If they are smart at all what they would do is something along the lines of making a Gen V remake for 2025 (maybe cross gen) with another dev and let GF cook until 2027 or so for next mainline Switch 2. The V remakes are an easy win since people love that Gen and should easily sell 15-20m being on both systems, which keeps the Pokemon money machine flowing without a 5 year break. You make an epic Gen X Pokemon that captures all the old fans and explodes with new gens like BotW did and probably becomes the best system seller Switch 2 could ever get.
This would by far be the most lucrative route for the franchise for its success and rep in the industry. Nothing changing is getting way too close to the floor caving in, the signs are there whether some want to pretend they’re not is irrelevant. I trust Nintendo is smarter than that, but hey it’s their funeral of their biggest cash cow (and an IP that should be beloved in the industry).
