Nintendo has fanned the flames of speculation surrounding a potential return to the Johto region, the setting for the beloved Pokémon Gold and Silver games. A recent post on X, formerly Twitter, featured a screenshot from the game Pokémon Pokopia with a caption that directly referenced "silver" and "gold," the subtitles of the second generation of Pokémon titles. The image itself depicted a scene from the original games, showing the player's rival looking through Professor Elm's laboratory window.
The second generation of Pokémon games is highly regarded for introducing key features that became series staples, including a day/night cycle, new Pokémon types like Steel and Dark, and the breeding mechanic. It also offered players the expansive endgame of revisiting the Kanto region after defeating the Elite Four. This enduring popularity has fueled ongoing rumors of a future Johto-focused project.
Several theories have emerged regarding Nintendo's cryptic post. One possibility is that the next region in Pokémon Pokopia, slated for a 2027 expansion, will be themed after a Johto town, following the current trend of Pokopia regions being based on towns from the first generation's Kanto region.
Another theory suggests a hint towards a new entry in the Pokémon Let's Go series, similar to the Kanto-based Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee. The aesthetic similarities between Pokopia and the Let's Go titles, including the reuse of assets, lend credence to this idea, especially given that eight years have passed since the release of Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee. This could also serve as a platform to showcase popular second-generation Pokémon like Togepi, Elekid, and Mareep.
There is also the prospect of Johto games being ported to the Nintendo Switch. Following the successful release of Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green, remakes of the first generation games, onto the console, there is anticipation that Heart Gold & Soul Silver, the 2009 remakes of Gold & Silver, could follow.
Furthermore, fans are considering the possibility of entirely new, modern remakes of the Johto region games. While the reception to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, remakes of the fourth generation titles, was mixed, a new Johto remake would undoubtedly generate significant interest, despite potential apprehension stemming from the previous remake's reception.
A specific fan theory circulating on Reddit proposes that the post might indicate that the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh and Lugia will become recruitable characters within Pokopia. Currently, these iconic second-generation legendaries can be seen flying in the sky and dropping special feathers, but they cannot be obtained by players in the same manner as the legendary bird trio from the first generation.
Alternatively, the post could simply be a lighthearted social media update without any deeper meaning. Nintendo did follow up the tease with an advertisement for Pokémon Pokopia, encouraging players to "recreate memorable moments." However, many fans remain hopeful for an official announcement regarding a new Johto-related game.