Fans of Pikachu sleuthing it up, your time may have come. An untitled Detective Pikachu sequel (the game, not the movie) could have just been inadvertently confirmed via the database of recent Switch RPG re-release Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX, of all places.
What do we know about the Detective Pikachu sequel?
While playing Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX, ResetEra user CyberWolfJV discovered something interesting. Originally, the Monster Rancher games included a system whereby you could summon monsters using other PlayStation discs. In the Switch version, that system has been replaced with a database seemingly including PS1 games, Sega Saturn titles, music CDs, and "the entire Switch library" as parsed through an eShop database. CyberWolfJV says they found upcoming Switch games on this database including Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and another little surprise.
Contained within this database are listings for Metroid Prime 4 and the upcoming Breath of the Wild sequel, which is still unnamed as yet. Interestingly, though, the database also appears to contain a listing for "Untitled Detective Pikachu sequel". While we already knew Detective Pikachu was on its way to Switch, this listing appears to confirm that we're also getting a fully-fledged sequel to the 2018 3DS detective-'em-up. Originally, the game was only referred to as a "project", not an out-and-out sequel, but the database listing seems to point to that being the case.
When is the Detective Pikachu sequel release date?
It remains to be seen whether the original Detective Pikachu will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch in addition to its sequel. Given the popularity of the 2019 movie, as well as the fact that a new game is headed to Nintendo's hybrid console, it would be strange if the original wasn't available to check out as well. Sadly, we don't have any concrete Detective Pikachu sequel release date right now; the Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX database listing is all we have.
Naturally, we'll bring you more on this as soon as we get it. Until then, you can still get Detective Pikachu via the 3DS eShop, although naturally, you'll need a 3DS console to play it. You can also check out our Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX review to see whether you should pick up this re-release of a couple of unfairly-overlooked PS1 JRPGs. Here's hoping Nintendo reveals more about this tantalizing project soon.
Would you play a Detective Pikachu sequel? Let us know in the comments below!
