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Pokemon Rumble U shakes a trailer, rattles off new features
Pokemon Rumble U hurls itself at North America on August 29, landing on the eShop with a $18 price tag. The Poke-brawler uses NFC tech to 'scan' figurines into the game, where up-to-four players can rough it up in 100-monster skirmishes. There are 18 figurines, available at GameStop for $4 a pop, but it's worth noting they aren't needed to play the game.
Pokemon dev's Soriti Horse announced, crosses 3DS finish line next week
It may surprise you to learn that the next 3DS game from Pokemon developer Game Freak is about horse racing. Titled Soriti Horse, the game is split into two phases that switch back and forth, according to Japanese site 4Gamer (translated on NeoGAF). There's the racing phase, obviously, during which players control their horse with the stylus. The other phase involves playing solitaire – the card game – to train and improve the bond with your horse. The two phases alternate throughout the race until a horse (hopefully yours) crosses the finish line. Players will be able to trade horses with one another using QR codes. Soriti Horse is slated to hit the Japanese 3DS eShop on July 31 for ¥500 ($5), and it will be self-published by Game Freak. The horse racing / solitaire genre isn't exactly thriving in the west, but it's worth mentioning that Game Freak's last eShop game, Harmoknight, did receive a western release.
Pokemon Rumble U coming to NA, EU next month [update]
Update: The Pokemon Company announced Pokemon Rumble U is coming to North America on August 29, with 18 figurines sold exclusively at GameStop stores. The game, available via the eShop, is priced $18, while each individual figure goes at $4. The announcement notes the figures are not required to play the game. Pokemon Rumble U, a western version of Japan's Pokemon Scramble U, is headed to the Wii U eShop in Europe on August 15, but plans for figurines aren't finalized. Nintendo released Scramble U in Japan earlier this year with physical figures which players can scan into the game a la Skylanders, using the Wii U's Near Fields Communication tech. However, Nintendo of Europe told MCV , "We're still working through the plans for the small number of figurines we plan to release, and will update people in due course." While Nintendo's statement confirms figures for Europe, when they'll be released remains unclear, and with the game a month away it raises doubts over their availability at launch. As per Scramble U, Rumble U features all 649 Poke-critters available in the series - that doesn't include those coming to X and Y - and the game lets up to four players and 100 monsters face off against each other. Nintendo of Europe didn't announce a price for either the game or the individual figurines. %Gallery-193994%
Pokemon X, Y hurl dazzling limited edition 3DS XLs at Japan
A pair of stunning Pokemon X and Y 3DS XLs is coming to lucky, lucky Japan. If you've been holding out on a 3DS for X and Y, or on upgrading to a 3DS XL, you'll likely be crossing all available fingers and toes (and fingers with toes) for the Xerneas-Yveltal Blue and Premium Gold units to head west. The portables, unveiled along with a new trailer at this week's Japan Expo in Paris, include a 4GB SD card and a pre-installed copy of either X or Y. They're both priced ¥22,000 ($219), but the Gold number is limited to Pokemon Center stores in the country. Check them out in full glossiness past the break. Another new video courtesy of Game Freak's Junichi Musuda goes into how France inspired the charms of the new Kalos region. You can definitely see Paris in the cobbled streets and, er, the Eiffel Tower-a-like of Lumiose City. Musuda also unveiled another new critter, a Ghost and Steel-type Pokemon called Honedge who for all extents and purposes looks like a floating sword with an eye - how do they come up with this stuff? Pokemon X and Y choose the entire world on October 12. We've checked in with The Pokemon Company to see if they'll arrive here with any special 3DS units in tow. %Gallery-193178%
Pokemon X and Y gets four new characters of various types
Four new Pokemon for Pokemon X and Y grace the pages of CoroCoro magazine, spotted and captured on film by Serebii.net. The fresh faces are a Fighting-type panda, Yanchamu; a rideable Grass-type, Gogoat; a Normal, Flying-type bird, Yayakoma; and an Electric-type, floppy-eared lizard creature. The scan places Pokemon X and Y in the Karos region and says the game will support trainer hair and skin color customization. These four new Pokemon follow Pokemon X and Y's Mewtwo-inspired character, whom we've come to call Mewtwo With a Handle, or more lovingly, Super Saiyan Mewtwo.
New Mewtwo-like Pokemon revealed for X and Y
A Mewtwo-like Pokemon was recently revealed by the Pokemon Company on the Pokemon Smash TV show in Japan. Set to appear in Pokemon X and Y, this unnamed creature bears a striking resemblance to the first Pokemon that fans would reserve their lone Master Ball for in Pokemon Red and Blue, Mewtwo.While the developer hasn't revealed whether the unnamed Pokemon will be a new form or evolution of Mewtwo, the Pokemon Company did specifically refer to it as a new creature. Yes, we want to call it "Mewthree" as much as you do. %Gallery-184958%
Pokémon Rumble U toys revealed
Nintendo officially unveiled six launch figurines for upcoming eShop brawler Pokémon Rumble U in Japan. Following the CoroCoro reveal earlier this week, Nintendo published images of the six toy critters - there's another special figure yet to be revealed - which are being released on April 24 alongside Rumble U, or Scramble U as it's known in Japan. The sextet comprises Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Torchic, Lucario, Victini, and the oh-so-cute Piplup.As the debut trailer shows, the toys use the Wii U's Near Fields Communication tech to inferface with the game, allowing them, much like in Activision's Skylanders franchise, to appear as in-game characters. Rumble U remains unconfirmed for release outside of Japan, but if the game proves a success - who can see Pokémon meets Skylanders being anything but a goldmine? - it would be staggering for it not to make its way west.Rumble U is priced ¥1800 (around $19), and individual figures ¥200 each (around $2). %Gallery-182943%
HarmoKnight hops to Europe March 28
Cutesy 3DS rhythm platformer HarmoKnight bops its way to Europe's eShop on March 28. Nintendo confirmed the same release date for North America earlier this year, but Europe will have to wait a little longer for the demo. It's out in North America now, but won't be across the ocean until March 21.As you might gather from the above trailer, HarmoKnight comes courtesy of Pokémon dev Game Freak. As this Iwata Asks feature reveals, while Game Freak was apprehensive about putting Pokémon songs in a fantasy-themed game, they couldn't resist adding some bonus Pokémon-themed levels outside of the main story. So yes, in HarmoKnight there's a taste of a Pokémon rhythm platformer - something we've never wanted until right now.
Report: Pokémon Rumble U uses Wii U NFC with Skylanders-like toys
Pokémon Rumble U is reportedly taking a leaf out of the Skylanders book by using the Wii U's Near Fields Communication technology with a line of physical Pokémon toys that can appear in-game. The latest CoroCoro magazine, according to Serebii, reveals the toys are going on sale when the game launches in Japan on April 24, and using the NFC tech the Wii U can recognize the figures to have them appear as playable characters.Serebii reports the downloadable game, called Pokémon Scramble U in Japan, is priced ¥1800 (around $19), while the individual figures cost ¥200 each (around $2), with six standard toys and one special toy to go on sale at launch - including a Pikachu one, of course. While the previous Wii and 3DS Pokémon Rumble games made their way west, this Umbrella-developed follow-up has yet to be confirmed for release outside of Japan.
Pokémon Rumble U screens feature a whole bunch of Pikachu
These are the first screens of Pokémon Rumble U, which was announced earlier this week as coming to Japan's Wii U eShop this spring. The Umbrella-developed brawler for up to four players lets 100 toy monsters face off at once, and the best way to showcase that is with plenty-o-Pika. %Gallery-178938%
Pokémon X/Y fanart fans the flames of Fennekin fervor
Based on sheer volume of Internet fanart alone, we're pretty sure Fennekin is the favorite new starter in Pokémon X/Y. Above is one of our favorite pieces of the preliminary collection found on the web so far – there's plenty more to ogle over on Tiny Cartridge.Pokémon X/Y was announced for the 3DS two days, a game slated to emerge from its Pokeball worldwide in October. Pokemon X/Y promises more cinematic battles and a 3D cel-shaded art style that does away with the 2D pixel sprites found in previous Pokémon games in the past.
Pokémon X, Y announced for 3DS, worldwide release this October
Nintendo announced two major Pokémon games for the 3DS this morning. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are coming to the handheld this October, and going against tradition Nintendo is releasing them in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and Australia at the same time.In a Direct broadcast that chronicled the series, Nintendo chief Saturo Iwata introduced the new 3D games via the above brief trailer. The trailer also presents the games' three new starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. %Gallery-175257%
Pokemon's World Tournament is rich with nostalgia
This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer. My first experience with Pokemon was on Christmas Morning 1998. I was visiting my Grandmother in Minot, North Dakota, and there was nothing to do but play as much Game Boy as humanly possible (it's true – I've never been very social, even with family).I was rolling right along with my Charmander until I ran into Brock – the franchise's very first gym leader. For those wielding a Squirtle or a Bulbasaur, he wasn't much more than a speed bump. For a novice trainer with an under-leveled fire-type, he and his Onix were nigh invincible. I beat my head against that stone for an entire morning, only stopping when I was finally dragged out to breakfast.I eventually defeated Brock and collected all eight badges. Then I did it again and again. If I'm not mistaken, there are 48 badges in all now. Forty-eight gym leaders! All of them different; all of them serving as the backbones of their respective games.Gym leaders serve all sorts of different purposes. In the fiction, they are sort of like the town sheriff, serving as both a pillar of the community and a bulwark against troublesome villains like Team Plasma. Frequently, they help to advance the story in some way by helping the player solve a problem. In gameplay terms, gym leaders are convenient bottlenecks that keep players advancing through the game at the pace Game Freak prescribes.%Gallery-155420%
See Genesect in action in Pokemon Black and White 2
This trailer for The Pokemon Company International's first special distribution creature in Pokemon Black and White 2, Genesect, shows off its exclusive Techno Blast move. Genesect can be downloaded for free in the game until November 12.
Pokemon Black and White 2 review: A generation's true form
With Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, developer Game Freak has finally decided to stop beating around the bush and give us a "true" sequel instead of a Pokémon Platinum-esque expansion pack. The series is better for it too, even if the much touted emphasis on storytelling remains largely superfluous.Set two years after the events of the original Pokémon Black and White, it features a new silent protagonist, a new rival, and a handful of new gym leaders. More importantly, there are new Pokémon – or should I say, old Pokémon. Unova is now rife with Pokémon from previous generations – a welcome sight for fans of the series. It makes the world of Pokémon feel bigger and more connected than it already is, and makes the Unova Pokémon feel like they're "part of the family."Disappointingly, the returning Pokémon aren't the only familiar component. As usual, Black 2 and White 2 rigorously follows the badge/Elite 4 formula that has long since worn out its welcome but will never go away. What a pity that Game Freak didn't use this opportunity to experiment a bit with the formula and trim down the usual rote badge quest (or make it entirely optional). As a franchise, Pokémon can be at once really smart and innovative, and annoyingly set in its ways.%Gallery-155420%
What a Pokemon MMO would be like
This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer. Could the Pokemon series translate into a good MMORPG? For fans, the answer is almost always, "Yes. Definitely. It's perfect for the MMO genre. What's taking so long?"When Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 arrive next week – a game I've written about before – someone, somewhere will probably writing a column saying that very thing. But I think it's time that we debunk this idea that a Pokemon MMORPG would automatically be amazing once and for all. Here's the completely hypothetical scenario that would probably happen if a Pokemon MMORPG were to actually be announced.
Evolving Pokemon: How Black 2 and White 2 points to the future of 'catching them all'
Who says Pokemon never changes? Until recently, the franchise's story wasn't much more than an afterthought. Its main virtue was its consistency – you could always count on an evil organization showing up to destroy the world for no real reason at all. With Pokemon Black and White, a sliver of change was added to adjust the formula and pointed the series toward the possibility of more deft storytelling.That trend continues in Pokemon Black and Pokemon White 2, which takes the time to examine some of the consequences of the previous game. The somewhat deeper story isn't the only new element either. The franchise's first ever numbered sequel brings with it a few other interesting trends, which are apt to continue once the Pokemon series leaps into the Nintendo 3DS market.%Gallery-155420%
Pokemon devs launching 3DS eShop game in Japan next week
Pokémon developer Game Freak is launching a new game, Rhythm Hunter: Harmo Knight, on the Japanese 3DS eShop next Wednesday. The news came from this morning's Nintendo Direct broadcast, hosted by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata.Harmo Knight is a rhythm action game featuring 2D side-scrolling levels and, yup, some Pokémon music. The levels are set to a variety of tunes, and players have to run, jump, and attack in time with the music. The play looks similar to that of rhythm-based platformer Bit.Trip Runner.No word on any international release, of course, but with the Pokémon tie-in it seems likely. Andriasang notes Nintendo will release an Iwata Asks for the game later today.
Pokemon Black and White 2 anime trailer, we choose you!
If you're down with Pokemon, this six-and-a-half minute animated trailer promoting October's DS launch of Pokemon Black Version 2 and Pokemon White Version 2 is going to blow your mind. It has everything Pokemon anime fans live for: Pokemon and anime. Enjoy, you earned it.
Pokemon Black and White 2 announced, hits Japanese DSes this June
Pokemon Black and White 2 has just been announced on Pokemon Smash, an official Pokemon television program in Japan. The sequel to Pokemon Black and White will launch for the DS in Japan this June. No further specifics are yet available regarding North American availability, new Pokemon or any battle-system changes that may occur.This will be the first numbered sequel to a traditional Pokemon game; previous generations have consisted of two initial releases followed by a single, similarly-titled "enhanced" version: Pokemon Diamond and Pearl followed by Pokemon Platinum, for instance. Now, however, we'll have Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2. Whether this distinction is purely cosmetic or carries heavier gameplay implications, remains unclear. All we know for certain is that, by now, the PokeRap must be several hours long.Update: A statement on the US Pokemon site calls the games "Pokemon Black Version 2" and "Pokemon White Version 2" and says that details will be sent out "throughout the year." Looks like the game is heading to the US as well -- surprise!
