There have been reports that an updated version of Pokemon Sun and Moon is being developed. This version is currently codenamed Pokemon Stars and will be released for the Nintendo Switch. A previous report mentioned that a new Zelda, Mario, and Pokemon game would be released on the Switch within six months after its launch.

Pokemon Stars was slated for release in summer 2017 but the release window has been moved to late 2017. The delay may be due to the development of Pokemon Stars being postponed in order to devote resources to the completion of Pokemon Sun and Moon on the Nintendo 3DS so they could be released on schedule.

According to gaming websites GameSpot and VG247, the game is well into development at long-time Pokemon developer Game Freak. Pokemon Stars will be an improved version of Pokemon Sun and Moon similar to how Pokemon Yellow was to Pokemon Blue and Red, Crystal was to Gold and Silver, and Platinum was to Diamond and Pearl.

Pokemon Stars was developed alongside Pokemon Sun and Moon. Stars will have the same content as Sun and Moon. The games will have the same art style, journey, and map but Pokemon Stars will have new Pokemon and additional features as well as have higher-resolution assets that makes use of the stronger hardware of the Switch.

According to Forbes, if released, Pokemon Stars would be the first major Pokemon game to be available on a Nintendo home console even though the Nintendo Switch can also be considered a portable console. Long-time Pokemon producer Junichi Masuda recently mentioned that Game Freak was already beginning to plan for their next game and that the platform they will release it on will be determined by the release window.

Pokemon Stars on the Nintendo Switch will apparently have the capability to communicate with Pokemon Sun and Moon on the Nintedo 3DS. Players will be able to trade Pokemon between the two versions through the Pokemon Bank app.