Rumor: Pokemon Switch RPG starters leak online

It looks like it’s that time again. Pokemon leaks are back, and if rumors are to be believed, the Nintendo Switch’s announced Pokemon RPG is going to represent an eighth generation and feature all-new Pokemon. Leaked images of what is said to be Pokemon Switch’s starter Pokemon appeared on 4Chan earlier today, showing off framed concept art with a “Confidential” designation tag attached.

It’s worth noting that the thread was deleted from the site, but Twitter user SkinnySnubbull managed to snag the images and posted them online. Check them out:

What’s most peculiar about the Starters is their typing. The Grass bear will allegedly take on an Electric sub-type while the Pony will go the Heatran route and become a Fire and Steel type. Heatran is regularly used in competitive Pokemon tournaments as its Steel sub-typing brings a ton of resistances and is protected by its main Fire typing, which could potentially open up long-term value for this new Fire Type starter.

Interestingly, the Water Pokemon is said to be pure, making it the first time since Generation 3’s that we’ll only have one pure typing starter. The last two generations have had all starters be dual-typed, so it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it made a return.

Granted, this is all far from confirmed, so it’s better to take it with a grain of salt. That said, there are a couple of reasons for optimism.

For one, leaked Pokemon starters have been accurate in the past. In fact, it was most recently on the money with Sun and Moon’s starters with their final evolutions. Also, if you look at the “Confidential” tag on the supposed Gen 8 starters, you’ll notice that it’s the exact same one as the Sun and Moon leak above, which would seem to be a minor detail that a faker would get wrong.

Then again, this could all be horribly wrong, but we won’t know for sure until Nintendo pulls back the curtains on the game. Pokemon Switch was recently listed by Nintendo for release in 2018, so we may not have to wait long. Fingers crossed, trainers.