Tera Leak: Game Freak in a Tizzy, New Info on the 10th Generation and the Switch 2

The Tera Leak: An Unprecedented Leak in the Pokémon Universe

The Tera Leak quickly became one of the most significant data leaks in Pokémon history. Happening in August 2024, it revealed sensitive information about several projects under development at Game Freak. Unlike previous leaks, which often concerned games already released, the Tera Leak unveiled unprecedented details about upcoming titles, such as Pokemon Legends: Za and the mysterious 10th generation of Pokémon. This leak also includes internal documents, source files, and beta versions that allowed fans to discover canceled projects, abandoned game mechanics, and Pokémon that never saw the light of day. The leak plunged Game Freak into a delicate situation, exposing their working methods but also their development challenges.
It also opened a new wave of speculation about the future of the franchise, with surprises about the next Nintendo console, the Switch 2, and long-awaited evolutions, such as the reintroduction of certain Mega Evolutions.

1. Pokémon Legends: Za – Two New Mega Evolutions Confirmed

One of the biggest scoops concerns Pokémon Legends: Za, scheduled for 2025. This game, inspired by the success of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, will introduce new Mega Evolutions, with Zygarde and Zeraora as leading stars. The presence of Mega-Zygarde is not so surprising given this Pokémon's importance in the game's mythology, but the addition of Mega-Zeraora is truly explosive. Zeraora, very popular among fans, will benefit from a Mega Evolution in this game.

Surprising Fact: Another Mega Evolution, Mega-Jynx, was discovered in the beta files of Pokémon X and Y, but it never came to fruition. Data suggests that this evolution could return in a future project, possibly even in Pokémon Legends: Za. Fans wonder if this "forgotten Mega" will finally be reintegrated into a game after all these years.

2. Shiny Pokémon Alerts Return in Legends: Za

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players loved the visual and auditory alerts signaling a Shiny Pokémon's presence. These leaks confirm that these alerts will make their return in Pokémon Legends: Za, ensuring that players won't miss these rare creatures. Unlike Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which removed this feature, Za will enhance the experience for shiny hunters.

Note: One of the leaks shows a Shiny Stunfisk caught by the leaker in a preliminary version of the game, confirming that these Pokémon will be present and huntable in this new installment.

3. Mega-Jynx: An Abandoned Project Making a Comeback?

A particularly intriguing revelation concerns Mega-Jynx, a Mega Evolution canceled in Pokémon X and Y. It was discovered in the data of a beta version, where Jynx underwent an impressive transformation, but it was never implemented in the final versions. Even more fascinating, some Pokémon Home data contains traces of this evolution, suggesting that Game Freak may consider bringing it back in a future game, possibly Pokémon Legends: Za.

Juicy Detail: Information shows that Jynx's cry was altered in Pokémon Home files, reinforcing speculation about a possible return of this forgotten Mega Evolution.

4. "Synapse": A New Multiplayer Game Inspired by Splatoon

The leaks also reveal a new multiplayer project called "Synapse", developed in collaboration with ILCA (the creators of the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes). This game would be a mix of an arena strategy game and a competitive Splatoon-style game, where players would directly control their Pokémon in real-time battles. Imagine team matches where you control Pokémon like Lucario or Charmander in capture arenas.

What's Exciting: This project aims to renew the competitive gameplay of Pokémon games and could be a response to the current demand for online fighting games.

5. Pokémon Gaia: The Cross-Gen Project of the 10th Generation

The Gigaleak reveals that the 10th generation of Pokémon, dubbed Pokémon Gaia, is already in development, with two distinct versions, "K" and "N". Furthermore, this game is set to run on both the current Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo console, codenamed "Ounce" in the files. This choice to develop a cross-gen game poses technical challenges but would allow Game Freak to experiment with new mechanics while ensuring a wide audience for their game.

Interesting Detail: Fans speculate that the code names "K" and "N" could refer to environmental or elemental themes, with a focus on nature and ecosystem, potentially similar to Pokemon Legends: Arceus's approach.

6. Pokémon Development on PC

Another astounding fact revealed by the leaks is that Pokémon games are actually developed and tested on PC before being ported to Nintendo consoles. This practice was confirmed by the presence of visible mouse pointers in the files of finalized games like Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. These details show that some errors, such as visible mouse pointers in the final versions, slipped past testing phases before the games' release.

7. Abandoned Music from HeartGold & SoulSilver

Gigaleak files reveal unused music in iconic games like Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver and Pokémon Black & White 2. These tracks, darker or more experimental than those in the final versions, show that Game Freak explored different musical atmospheres. Some of these abandoned tracks might reappear in future remakes or special projects.

8. Unfinished Side Quests in Scarlet and Violet

The leaks confirm that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launched with many incomplete side quests, leaving fans with a game far from fully completed.
Some quests were cut due to time constraints, and the game also suffers from numerous technical issues, such as slowdowns. This raises questions about the development conditions of these games, often under high pressure.

9. Return of Exclusive Pokémon in Legends: Za

One of the exciting revelations is the return of certain exclusive and rare Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Za. Files indicated that Pokémon such as Stunfisk and Zeraora will play a significant role in the game, with Shiny versions already visible in the test data. Fans can expect to encounter popular, yet rare creatures in this new installment.

10. Beta Designs of Pokémon: What Could Have Been... and Wasn't!

Finally, the Gigaleaks have revealed several beta designs of Pokémon, showcasing the initial creation stages of some popular creatures. Pokémon from the 3rd generation had very different shapes and colors in these versions, allowing fans to see the evolution of design at Game Freak. These beta versions offer a fascinating window into the iterative creation process, where some ideas are adjusted or completely abandoned.