Just-Revelead "Pokemon" Game Crosses Series with Strategy RPG "Nobunaga's Ambition" in Feudal Japan

A brand new Pokemon game has been revealed at Jump Festa, an annual manga and anime festival held in Japan, and for the first time in years it seems the series may go in a new and interesting direction. It's a cross between Pokemon and a Japanese strategy-RPG series known as Nobunaga's Ambition. Since we've never heard of the latter, we're not exactly sure what to expect, but there is a trailer and more info here if you want to take a look.

It's a collaboration between Tecmo Koei and The Pokémon Company, and like previous Pokemon games, appears to have a male and female version of the main character to choose from. Although it's set in feudal Japan, it mixes up monsters from every generation; five characters are shown off, each with their own signature companion, including Articuno, Groudon, Zekrom, Mewtwo and Jigglypuff. The protagonist's main Pokemon is Eevee, a very interesting choice, considering the little fox-thing has seven possible evolutions.

The SRPG battle format is new for Pokemon, and it may work really well with the different monsters' varying abilities. It's strange that it's only on DS, given how hard Nintendo's pushing for 3DS, but we'll be happy to dust off our DS Lites if it hits US shores.

Is this the "shocking" Pokemon revelation that was hinted at earlier this week, though? We doubt it, considering it was specifically stated that that game wouldn't be revealed at Jump Fest. It looks like the Pokemon Company may have yet another surprise up their sleeves come January 14.