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'Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!' doesn't feel like a remake
Those of us that have enjoyed the series since Red know an uncomfortable truth: Nintendo doesn't have to do much to sell us on a Pokémon game. Millions of us had formative experiences playing the Gen I titles, and since then we've obediently picked up every game that followed. The series has, of course, evolved over time. Hundreds and hundreds of new Pokémon have joined the fray, along with new mechanics and types. But that's all incidental -- I would still enjoy the core loop of exploring, capturing and battling my way to a new Elite Four, regardless of the effort Nintendo puts in.
Experience Nintendo's E3 2018 booth without having to go to LA
I made a beeline for Nintendo's booth as soon as E3's showfloor opened. (Bizarrely, this is actually the first official show day.) The company had wrapped up its big Nintendo Direct presentation just an hour earlier, so I knew exactly what was on the table: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. (Oh and the first chance to play Pokémon Let's Go!) Nintendo has a strong booth game, too, so that's a happy bonus, with a pretty hilarious faux museum exhibition of Smash Bros. weapons which included Princess Peach's gloves, a legendary sword or two and Bayonetta's own specs. Follow all the latest news from E3 2018 here!
If you buy Nintendo's Poké Ball Plus accessory, you'll get a free Mew
We already knew that the Switch's Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go Evee! would land alongside the Poké Ball Plus, but Nintendo is now trying to sweeten the deal. Each optional accessory will land with the mythical Pokémon Mew inside. Overpowered from the start? Well, that would depend on the stats, but a psychic Pokémon from the outset sounds great. The game (and peripheral) both land on November 16th. Follow all the latest news from E3 2018 here!
It's the perfect time to give 'Pokémon Go' another chance
I loved the idea of Pokémon Go when it launched in the summer of 2016. Like so many others, though, I eventually deleted the app due to numerous bugs and the toll it was taking on my smartphone's battery. If you fall into the same camp, but still love the Pokémon franchise, I have a proposition for you: give the game one more try. A lot has changed since its release, and the reveal of two new Switch titles -- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! -- has created some extra incentives to play.
'Pokémon: Let's Go' will connect 'Pokémon Go' and Switch this fall
A new series of Pokémon games coming to the Switch this fall will link the "classic RPG experience" with 2016's augmented reality hit Pokémon Go. Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go Evee! will also support multiplayer, and there's a Poké Ball Plus accessory that works to throw Poké Balls in-game as a motion controller and works as a Pokémon Go Plus when you're away from home.
Free 'Pokémon Quest' RPG released today on Nintendo Switch
The newest Pokémon game is available right now for Nintendo Switch owners. Just announced at a press conference in Japan, Pokémon Quest features creatures from the series' Kanto region, but with a Minecraft-ish blocky appearance. The game is advertised as "free to start" so we'd expect some pay options, but it also includes new Power Stones that can upgrade your monsters and help them become any kind of Pokémon you'd like. Plus, if you don't have a Switch, Nintendo plans to release versions of Pokémon Quest for iOS and Android. Beyond that free-to-play game, the company also announced a new "core series" game that will be released in the second half of 2019, and two new Pokémon Let's Go games for Switch that connect to the Pokémon Go mobile game.
Niantic details this year's 'Pokémon Go' events
Last year, Niantic hosted a day-long Pokémon Go festival in Chicago with 20,000 diehard fans of the smash hit mobile game. Unfortunately, it was a disaster, with both the local data networks, and the game's servers, unable to cope with that many players at once. It recovered from that initially bumpy (and expensive) start to host events in Japan, Korea and Europe, and now it's hoping to maintain that streak this year.
‘Pokémon Go’ Community Days bring exclusive captures every month
Starting this month, Pokémon Go players will be able to participate in monthly events that will bring out special Pokémon with exclusive moves. Community Days will be worldwide events and to take part, you'll just have to head outside to your local park. Each Community Day will feature a special Pokémon that will pop up more frequently for a few hours. Other event perks could include increased XP or Stardust, and Lure Modules activated on Community Days will last for three hours.
'Detective Pikachu' game's US debut set for March 23rd
Ever since the Detective Pikachu game launched in Japan in early 2016, there's been a lingering question: when would it be available elsewhere, if it ever left Japanese shores? At last, there's a date. The Pokémon Company has announced that its 3DS sleuth title will reach the US and Europe on March 23rd, 2018 for $40. On top of that, there will be a $30 giant Detective Pikachu amiibo (nearly double the usual height at 5.35 inches tall) which unlocks videos that might provide clues.
Say goodbye to 'Pokémon Go' on older iPhones
If you're a hardcore Pokémon Go trainer with an old phone, it might be time for an upgrade. Niantic has announced its plans to drop support for iOS devices that can't be updated to iOS 11, so phones released in or before 2013 (that's the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C) aren't going to work with the game anymore.
Charizard will look life-size with the 'Pokémon Go' AR+ update
The latest update for Pokémon Go doesn't add new monsters. Instead, it takes advantage of iOS 11's advanced augmented reality tech to give you a better look at them. "The new AR+ feature builds on the core AR gameplay in Pokémon Go and leverages Apple's ARKit framework to enhance the visuals and dynamics of catching Pokémon in the real world," a blog post says. Meaning, Pikachu and pals will now be the proper size based on where you find them. Getting closer or backing up will cause them to change in size and perspective from here on out assuming you have an iPhone 6s or newer.
Live-action 'Detective Pikachu' movie hits theaters in May 2019
You still have a long wait ahead before you can finally watch Pikachu solve crimes while sounding just like Deadpool. According to Deadline, Universal Pictures plans to start showing the live-action Detective Pikachu film outside of Japan on May 10th, 2019. The movie will star Ryan Reynolds as the clearly Sherlock-inspired talking Pikachu -- yes, the Pokémon -- who solves mysteries with his human sidekick. Reynolds will do both voice and motion capture work for the Pokémon, similar to what numerous actors have done for films rich in special effects, such Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata in The Force Awakens.
The best gifts for a console gamer
Don't worry, we're not out to start a console war in our comments: If you're in the market for a new games system, the Xbox One S, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch and 2DS XL all made it into our holiday gift guide, for different reasons. Once you figure out which platform is best for your intended, we have a wide assortment of games and accessories, from a 400GB microSDXC card to a custom Xbox controller to the PlayStation Gold wireless headset, among other things. Find all that and more in our gift guide at the link below.
Ryan Reynolds is Detective Pikachu
The Hollywood Reporter reveals that the upcoming live-action Pokémon movie has found an actor for its title role: Ryan Reynolds. In a performance that its sources say is "motion-capture in nature" (think Jar Jar Binks or Gollum) Reynolds will embody Detective Pikachu alongside Justice Smith (The Get Down, Jurassic Park: The Lost Kingdom) as the teen searches for his missing father. Other details are scarce, but now the movie (which got its greenlight just as Pokémon Go fever exploded last year) is said to start shooting in January, and will include Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies) in the cast. Just something to think about while you're watching Deadpool 2 in June.
‘Pokémon Go’ will soon incorporate real-world weather
Pokémon Go is getting a slew of new Pokémon this week as well as a dynamic weather system later this month. The game will soon reflect the real weather around you and that will affect which Pokémon you see and how strong they are. If it's raining, for example, you'll see more water-type Pokémon than usual and they'll start out with a higher CP than they typically would.
'Pokémon Go' legendary Ho-Oh is catchable for limited time
After amassing 500 million Pokémon in less than 48 hours, Pokémon Go players seemed primed to smash the Global Catch Challenge to nab 3 billion pocket monsters. Sure enough, they did, and (as promised) Niantic made region-locked Pokémon Farfetch'd available globally for two days. As it turns out, that wasn't the only reward the developer was planning. It's now making Ho-Oh, one of the Johto region's two legendary Pokémon, up for grabs in Raid Battles worldwide until December 12th.
Latest 'Pokémon' games include an ode to Nintendo's late president
Developers are still eager to show their gratitude to Nintendo's late Satoru Iwata. Gamers have learned that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon include a clear, heartfelt tribute to the company's long-serving president. It requires that you have a creature carried over from Pokémon Silver (thankfully available in the eShop) and a trek to the Game Freak building in Heahea City, but it's worth the effort to read a short-but-sweet anecdote about one of Nintendo's most appreciated leaders.
'Pokémon Go' is making major changes to raids
Niantic has announced big changes to Pokémon Go raids, designed to even the playing field for trainers at all levels -- and pleasing Magikarp fans in the process. The raid system, particularly EX Raids, has faced criticism because of the way it seems to favor certain players and locations, but the changes -- a result of field-testing and feedback -- should rectify things.
Live-action Pokémon movie lands its lead actor
We're one step closer to finding out what a live-action Pokémon film looks like. Legendary Pictures has already nabbed writers for its Detective Pikachu movie (in the form of Guardians of the Galaxy scribe Nicole Perlman and Gravity Falls penman Alex Hirsch), and now it's secured a lead as well. Rising talent Justice Smith -- best known for playing the protagonist on Baz Luhrmann's short-lived Netflix show The Get Down -- has been tapped to star in the film based on the Nintendo 3DS game, according to Variety. Rob Letterman (Monsters vs. Aliens, Goosebumps) is directing.
'Pokémon Go' players catch 500 million Pokémon in under two days
Spurred by Pokémon Go's latest event, players have caught 500 million pocket monsters in less than two days. Developer Niantic kickstarted the Global Catch Challenge on Sunday (inviting fans to collectively catch a whopping 3 billion Pokémon in return for prizes) and it's well on its way to becoming the game's biggest hunt yet.
