Many things are lined up for the Pokémon franchise this as it marks the 20th anniversary. So far, the Pokémon Company's only commemorations for the anniversary are the "Super Bowl" commercial and the re-release of the original Pokémon games on the 3DS.
Latest rumors indicate that the company might launch a new title later this year, which is not Pokémon Z. According to Ninten Gen, MetalDave unveiled that a marketing employee of Nintendo of America claimed that a celebratory anniversary game is slated for a launch this year in the form of Pokémon Rainbow. The employee shared "an internal US marketing budget and scheduling overview for 2016 focusing on Wii U and 3DS with MetalDave.
Based on the report unveiled by the unnamed employee, $34.5 million will be the allotted marketing budget for the Wii U this year, of which $10 million will be set aside entirely for the next "Legend of Zelda" Wii U title. On the other hand, the 3DS will have a relatively bigger budget of $56.25 million.
Pokémon Niji is among the codenamed project for the 3DS. "Niji," translated as Rainbow is a very odd name for the title, but MetalDave pointed out that his source said that the code name is hardly the final title for the game when it comes out. In addition, the code name confirms that the game will be the Pokémon 20th anniversary one.
Previous rumors indicated that Pokémon Z, the precursor to the 2013 Pokémon X and Y, would be the next major title. However, there is no official confirmation from the developer company about Pokémon Z. With Nintendo listing Pokémon Rainbow, it is very likely that it will replace Pokémon Z instead for the 20th anniversary.
Pokémon Rainbow is not a new title for fans. The game was rumored years back, ahead of the January 2013 Nintendo Direct. The game will come along with Wii U app, and it features most of the Pokemons, both old and new, according to Go Nintendo.
Watch the footage below for more information.