Highlights

  • Pokemon Johto games may be in the works, as hinted by the inclusion of Johto-related content in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, such as a rare Poké Ball from Gen 2.
  • Ho-Oh and Lugia stand out from other box Legendary Pokemon because they do not have alternate forms, making it likely that a new Johto game could fix this.
  • The possibility of Johto and Unova games releasing in quick succession is not far-fetched, especially considering the Easter eggs and Paradox forms in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

The Pokemon series is one where traditions hold a significant place in the eyes of both players and developers for different reasons, and it's not uncommon for new games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to break some in order to reshape the franchise's formula. Likewise, new traditions are created with modern games, such as each new title having at least some regional forms in it after the gimmick's success in Pokemon Sun and Moon. A recent trend is all about the faces of each generation - the so-called box Legendaries, which all share a unique characteristic with a few notable exceptions. This is the case of Gen 2's Ho-Oh and Lugia, and it's the reason why a new Pokemon Johto game may be around the corner.

New Johto games have been rumored and discussed for quite some time now, and this possibility was even exacerbated by all the "hints" hidden away in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. In fact, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk Perrin quest awards players a Sport Ball, one of the various rare Poke Balls in the franchise, and this one is from the Bug-Catching Contest in Gen 2 games. Another possible clue is that the Legendary Beast trio was given Paradox forms with Walking Wake as Suicune, Raging Bolt as Raikou, and Gouging Fire as Entei - and they would make a lot of sense as side-mascots for a new Johto game.

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Why A Pokemon Johto Game Could Be Next

Pokemon Gen 2's Ho-Oh and Lugia Don't Have Alternate Forms Yet

The reason why Ho-Oh and Lugia stand out from every box Legendary Pokemon in the series apart from Gen 6's Xerneas and Yveltal is that they're the only ones with no new form. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Koraidon and Miraidon even got different forms in their debut game, but both Ho-Oh and Lugia are still waiting for some - and a new Pokemon Johto game could not only explain this, but also fix it.

Box Legendary Pokemon

Alternate Forms and Fusions

Ho-Oh and Lugia

None

Groudon and Kyogre

Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre

Dialga and Palkia

Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Pakia

Reshiram and Zekrom

White Kyurem (Reshiram) and Black Kyurem (Zekrom)

Xerneas and Yveltal

None

Solgaleo and Lunala

Dusk Mane Necrozma (Solgaleo) and Dawn Wings Necrozma (Lunala)

Zacian and Zamazenta

Crowned Sword (Zacian) and Crowned Shield (Zamazenta)

Koraidon and Miraidon

Sprinting Build, Swimming Build, Gliding Build, and Apex Build (Koraidon) and Drive Mode, Aquatic Mode, Glide Mode, and Ultimate Mode (Miraidon)

While one could argue that, since Xerneas and Yveltal also don't have alternate forms or fusions, it seems a stretch that Pokemon Johto games could come next, there's always a possibility they will get them when Gen 6 remakes or new titles are released. Also, Gen 2 games did get remakes already, but they were from a time before the trend of box Legendary Pokemon getting new forms was not yet a thing, so Ho-Oh and Lugia didn't get any.

As such, especially with all the Gen 5 easter eggs in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it doesn't seem far-fetched to believe that both Pokemon Johto and Unova games may be next in line. They could even be complimentary releases in a way, possibly one that's past-themed and the other future-themed to convey the same ideas behind the Paradox forms of the Legendary Beasts and Swords of Justice.

Regardless of the possibility of Gen 2 and Gen 5 getting games in quick succession, it does seem like the perfect storm for Ho-Oh and Lugia to get another Johto game and dedicated forms. Given that most of the existing alternate forms for Legendary Pokemon in the series focus on aesthetic changes and more powerful moves or Abilities, it's plausible that new versions of these Legendary birds may gain new battle tools. For example, Ho-Oh is said to have revived the Legendary Beasts upon their original death, so it could gain Revival Blessing from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet; on the other hand, Lugia could finally be given Water as one of its types.