Pokémon fans get ready. Today in a press conference featuring Game Freak, Nintendo, The Pokémon Company and Niantic, we received information on two separate Pokémon endeavours releasing this year.
The most exciting of the pair is Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! coming this November to the Switch.
Inspired by Pokémon Yellow from the Gameboy era, the games will send you back to Kanto with the original 151 Pokémon plus some Alolan alternate forms. The game has taken inspiration from the world wide phenomenon that is Pokémon GO and will integrate with your account to transfer Pokémon between the devices. Niantic also alluded to further integration that would be revealed soon.
The game is designed to be played with a single Joy Con and uses motion control and the Pokémon GO ring targeting to catch the menagerie of pocket monsters. With a graphical update when compared to the previous DS titles, the game looks to be the successor of the long standing brand while embracing the phenomenon of Pokémon GO.
The footage showed a couple of quick battle shots but more interestingly it also featured local cooperative play where two hunters synchronise their skills to capture their prey. Game Freak have confirmed that each Switch account will have their own save so multiple copies of the game won’t be required. Online play will not be a feature of this title.
Since the game is built to be played one handed we’ve also seen the release of an updated controller in the shape of a miniature Poké Ball. The Poké Ball Plus will operate like the single Joy Con but has the added benefit of being able to store one of your Pokémon, similar to the previously released Pokéwalker. This discreet item will let you walk you digital friend in the real word to help power it up, so now Karen can take her Geodude to brunch.
While we are really excited for this leap forward for the franchise it is not the only announcement to be made. There is also an entirely new Pokémon experience launching on the eShop today. A very blocky affair, Pokémon Quest.
Featuring our favourite battle monsters in block form you will take your party of three Pokémon and explore the blocky island of Kanto. Using the touch screen this is a much simpler game style.
Letting you make friends with other Pokémon, you’ll build your dream team and create you own unique base camp. From your camp you’ll personalise your Pokémon’s build and cook up treats to convince others to join your ragtag team when you are out exploring the world.
First game for Switch and smartphones: Pokemon Quest pic.twitter.com/nnCC44D2ZK
— Yuji Nakamura (@ynakamura56) May 30, 2018
Pokémon Quest is available now on the Nintendo eShop and is free-to-start, so expect microtransactions. By late June the game will also move over to mobile devices.
With two slightly out of the box games heading our way this year we were also excited to hear that the next game in the core series for Pokémon will be coming in the second half of 2019. For now we don’t have much information but here’s hoping the team have a little something to show us at E3.
About the Author
Cameron Honey-Swain
Cameron knows what he loves. Witches, animated ducks and a strong burly female protagonist. When he isn't effortlessly defending Dragon Age II he is bothering either his husband or one of his many fur children.
