Pokemon Day 2024: Pokemon Pocket and Legends Z-A - What was announced?

Happy Pokemon Day 2024!

If you love Pikachu, Eevee and Charizard then Pokémon Day is for you!

Pokémon Day is a day to celebrate the anniversary of the release of the first Pokemon games, and look ahead at what is to come.

It takes place each year on Tuesday 27 February, and this year Pokémon is celebrating its 28th anniversery.

As part of a special celebration livestream, Pokémon Presents, the company's CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara and COO - Takato Utsunomia announced some new updates and games coming in the future.

From virtual Pokémon cards, to a trip to Kalos and a 'Mega' comeback, here are some of the big updates...

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

There was a huge announcement for fans of the Pokemon trading card game.

A new app called Pokémon Training Card Game Pocket is on its way, and is turning Pokemon cards virtual!

Pokémon Training Card Game Pocket allows players to open packs, collect virtual cards, as well as trade and battle with friends, using a mobile phone.

Special "immersive cards", which The Pokemon Company says would allow players "to leap into the world of card illustrations like never before", are also on their way.

They also said the app would be 'free-to-start' - which means that players would not pay to download the app, but that there may be extra costs within the app. In the trailer it said that players would be able to open two packs of cards for free each day.

Players will be able to take part in 'quick battles' with friends

Pokémon Training Card Game Pocket is a collaboration between the Pokémon Company, the Pokémon Training Card game creator Creatures Inc, and Masters Ex creator DeNA.

It will be released on iOS and Android phones sometime in 2024.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

The Pokemon Company said: "A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon."

The final big announcement from the livestream was a teaser trailer for a brand new Pokémon video game, and although no actual gameplay was shown, the trailer hinted at what fans will be able to expect.

The new game - Pokémon Legends: Z-A - takes place in Lumiose city.

Fans of the series will remember Lumiose city is from the Kalos region where the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games are set.

The word 'Legends' in its title also means it could be another spin-off game, like Pokemon Legends: Arceus - which took players back in time in the Sinnoh region.

Will Pokémon Legends: Z-A take place in a futuristic version of Lumiose city?

It also teased that a fan favourite, Mega Evolution, would be returning.

First introduced in Pokemon X and Y, Mega Evolution is a different type of evolution, which happens when a Pokémon holds a special item called a Mega Stone. When activated alongside a trainer's Key Stone, it allows the Pokemon to temporarily change its form, and gain new strengths and abilities.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is coming to the Nintendo Switch console some time in 2025.

Pokemon Go and Pokémon Horizons: The Series

As well as this, the Pokemon Company also announced a few updates to some of their other apps and games.

A special collaboration, between Pokemon Go and Pokémon Horizons: The Series, is coming to the app on 5 March 2024.

During the event players will be able to catch a special version of Pikachu wearing Cap's hat, which will know the move: Volt Tackle.

Charcadet, Armarouge, Ceruledge and a special pikachu are coming to Pokemon GO.

Charcadet, Armarouge, and Ceruledge will also be appearing for the first time in Pokémon GO.

As well as this the stars of Pokémon Horizons: The Series - Liko and Roy - will join players for a picture in the photo mode.

Pokemon Unite and Sleep updates

Miraidon, Falinks and Ceruledge are coming to Pokemon Unite.

In Pokemon Unite it was announced that a special event where you can earn legendary Pokemon Miraidon's Unite license is now under way.

As well as the announcement that Falinks and Ceruledge would be joining teams soon.

It was also announced that the legendary Pokemon Raikou would be joining the app Pokemon Sleep, with Entei and Suicune joining in the near future.