- Primary Subject: Pokken Tournament 2 (Unannounced Concept / Speculative Roster Pitch)
- Key Update: Following the omission of a fighting game reveal during the September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct, community proposals suggest a top 5 wish list of modern Pokemon—including Annihilape, Urshifu, and Tinkaton—for a potential sequel on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Status: Leaked / Wishlist Pitch (Unconfirmed by Nintendo or Bandai Namco)
- Last Verified: September 10, 2026
- Quick answer: Fans are proposing Annihilape, Heracross, Urshifu, Quaquaval, and Tinkaton as top prospective fighters for an unannounced Pokken Tournament sequel on Nintendo Switch 2.
The September 09, 2026 Nintendo Direct came with massive announcements from both first-party and third-party developers, and for the most part, it was exciting as it catered to multiple types of gaming fans.
But something was missing. Pokken Tournament and its much-awaited sequel. The Nintendo Switch 2's hardware and multiplayer capabilities can be argued to be the perfect platform for Pokken Tournament 2, thanks to its detachable Joy-Cons and its more powerful processing power.
Alas, we heard nothing about this beloved fighting game. This doesn't mean we can't wish for additions to its future roster, should it happen (and hopefully soon). So the question is, who deserves to enter the ring? Here are our top 5 picks.
1. Annihilape: The Brawler With Too Much Experience
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At this point, Annihilape is a no-brainer. This Pokemon was introduced in Generation 9 and is the evolved form of Primeape, one of the most recognizable Fighting-type Pokemon in the whole franchise. It has an extremely deadly, pun-intended, design, but what makes it more interesting is its Ghost typing on top of its Fighting.
This can be Pokken's answer to Street Fighter's Dhalsim. Thanks to its eerie second typing, this Pokemon can unleash a potent mixture of melee and range attacks with Close Combat, Rage Fist, Shadow Punch, and more. We can imagine that this Pokemon is the "easy to pick up but hard to master" kind of fighter thanks to its wide range of moves. Annihilape needs to be added soon before it gets too angry and dies a second time.
2. Heracross : Johto's Underdog
Heracross simply has been waiting far too long. It cannot be denied that Heracross's multiple appearances in the video games and in the anime is a clear sign that many fans love this Pokemon. It has an iconic design, the perfect Bug / Fighting typing, and it Mega Evolves. Adding this to Pokken will make many players happy.
But what can make this addition extra spicy is the fact that Heracross has wings. Rather than being just a grounded bruiser, this Pokemon can be an aerial threat too, utilizing the upper ground to execute its combos while also being a tanky receiver. Let's be real, Heracross has the look of a fighter, and it deserves a shot at the Pokken Championship.
3. Urshifu : The Two-In-One Warrior From Galar
This is the easiest inclusion on this list. Everything about this competitively-dominating presence screams "Let me take over Pokken as well". Now why would this be a wonderful addition? Because it can bring with it a character selection gimmick. Imagine choosing your fighter in the character selection screen, and when you choose Urshifu, you're given the choice: Rapid Strike or Single Strike.
Single Strike can be slow but hits like a train, while Rapid Strike can deal smaller damage but is hard to follow. Two fighting modes with extremely varying play styles. Just the variety is enough to spend hours mastering a single Pokemon.
4. Quaquaval : Duck Or You'll Get Knocked Out
We all get it, and yes, this Pokemon looks (and moves) funny. I mean, it's a dancing peacock. But that's exactly why it could be an amazing moment to catch players off guard. This is Pokken Tournament's Eddie Gordo. With its dance moves, erratic movement, and combat language, you just know this Pokemon will not stay still.
Meaning? Every enemy it faces cannot relax and be still as well. You constantly need to be on your toes, trying to predict what it's going to do next. Players will need to maintain momentum if they don't want to be the receiving end of Quaquaval's Aqua Step. This Pokemon can be easy to underestimate, and succumbing opponents might just be surprised it's already over. And wouldn't it be fun to taunt enemy players with its peacock feathers?
5. Tinkaton : Death By A Giant Hammer
And finally we have Tinkaton, Paldea's fan favorite. If Quaquaval was the stylish type, this is the complete opposite. Just pure, unadulterated chaos on the battlefield. Why use your fists when you can bring a massive hammer, right? Like King Dedede from Smash Bros, this Pokemon is a heavy and slow attacker, but when struck, it just sends you flying.
To compensate for its small size and slow movement speed, the hammer can have an enormous hit range while also knocking back opponents at every hit. Not only offensively, Tinkaton's metallic bludgeoning device can also serve as its defensive mechanism. Bottom line, this Pokemon needs to be in Pokken Tournament 2 because of its fan base and its high potential to be a new fan-fave for newcomers.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is relatively young, and the absence of Pokken Tournament 2 from the recent Direct shouldn't deter us from expecting an announcement in the future. Let us give the developers more time because who knows, they might already be cooking up the best Pokemon fighting game we have seen.