Nintendo released a 20-minute Direct earlier today that was focused on their Pokemon franchise. While there is a remake of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue/Red Rescue Team games on the way as Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, the co-op specific news we're interested in is the new DLC that's coming to Pokemon Sword and Shield this year via the $30 Expansion Pass.

Last week, Nintendo held a special Pokémon Direct that was focused entirely on the two forthcoming games for the Switch: Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Similar to past titles in the popular franchise, you'll be running around a fictional world with all sorts of wild creatures for you to capture, train, and use in battles. Those battles - whether against other players or the various Gym Leaders - have always been a big part of the Pokémon series, but they're about to get even bigger with a new co-op feature: Max Raid Battles.

Because I'm apparently a grumpy luddite who hates all things new, charming, and fun, I never got into the Pokémon Go craze last year. Since I'm pretty sure I'm the only one on the face of the planet for whom that's true, then the news that Pokémon Go is adding a cooperative mode this summer will likely be of interest to you.

While browsing through Gamestop this weekend I picked up the box for the new Pokémon game, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, and noticed that the title listed co-op play for 2 to 4 players on its features list. So I did what any good site owner would do, I bought the game (for science) to determine whether or not we should be covering it.

I want to be the very best, like no one ever was.  To watch the new Pokemon Rumble U trailer is my real test, to absorb it my cause.  Pokemon Rumble U (4 player local co-op), it's you and me, I know it's my destiny.  Pokemon Rumble U trailer, you show off the multiplayer, in a trailer we must defend.

Skylanders might have more insane competition in the near future. The upcoming Wii U Pokémon game coming out in Japan will have the same sort of toy accessories that Skylanders has been known for, only with mega-popular Pokémon characters.