Pokémon developer Game Freak working on horse racing 3DS game

With dust still settling around the official announcement for Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon developer Game Freak revealed its next project during today’s Nintendo Direct: Pocket Card Jockey.

Pocket Card Jockey is something of a horse racing simulator, but one controlled by a “fast-paced, simplified” version of classic card game solitaire. By playing and matching cards, players build energy to advance their horse’s position, either immediately or in a by-the-nose finishing burst.

The concept itself is strange enough, but what’s even odder is the level of detail behind it. For instance, Pocket Card Jockey features a wealth of trophies and awards which can be used to attract sponsors for your racing team.

What’s more, you can collect and raise multiple horses and eventually have them breed. Just couldn’t put Pokémon down entirely, could you Game Freak?

Pocket Card Jockey will release on 3DS via the Nintendo eShop in May.