Indeed, Pokémon Go looks very interesting! It's created by the people who also made the mobile game Ingress, it's a bit like Pokémon Go and a lot of people play it.
Here's the trailer for Pokémon Go, I love this trailer!
"Rob? Tsk tsk tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it." - Robin Hood
Pokemon CEO talks Pokemon Shuffle, Pokken Tournament, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, future
This week, Famitsu has an interview with Pokemon president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara. Ishihara touched on Pokemon Shuffle, Pokken Tournament, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, and a bit about the future – including an extremely brief NX name-drop.
Regarding Pokemon Shuffle, Ishihara reconfirmed that the game has reached five million downloads. The title, which just recently hit smart devices, was originally intended to be released from the start on smartphones and 3DS. The 3DS demographic is more around those at middle school while smartphones users are geared more toward adults. The main message they wanted to convey is that the app can be cleared from the start with no charges.
Pokken Tournament came about from a desire to see more realistic Pokemon movements. Even though it’s made by the Tekken team, it has a different flavor and feel than that series and it does not necessarily appeal to a different demographic. Ishihara points out that it’s easy to understand fighting games, and its systems are straightforward and simple to pick up on.
There was an emphasis with Bandai Namco about making it different from Tekken. They didn’t want a parent and child or a couple to come to an arcade only to face off with an extremely powerful stranger they don’t even know, as this can happen in Pokemon games.
Ishihara also mentions/reiterates that he wishes to do a worldwide spring 2016 release on Wii U. This version of the game is for people to who want to play at their own pace. He wonders if by letting people train within their own home, this will lead to more people eventually going to the arcade tournaments.
Famitsu’s interview has some talk about Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon as well. The title is a “big adventure for kids” sort of game. People said while mobile games are fun and all, they want a larger adventure. They thought of making a longer game packed with content – so much so that Spike Chunsoft said never had any other Dungeon game been so packed before. Mega Evolution, legendary Pokemon, the rescue system, and more are all included. Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon is pretty much a culmination of all the previous games before it, which leaves the question as to where they can possibly go from here.
Finally, we have a few other tidbits from Ishihara:
– Noted that a lot of the above was talk about casual games, will continue to do so due to high appeal – Hopes to continue to expand Pokemon, utilizing features such as Pokemon Global Link and Pokemon Bank on future platforms and services such as on the NX with a large emphasis on cloud service, where you can bring them to a game you want to play and move them back to the cloud when done – These are just some of many ideas they’re brainstorming – More titles like Pokemon Shuffle for 3DS/smart devices depends on the ideas they come up with and which devices have the best “fit” for the idea – There will be more on that at a later day (possibly referring to Pokemon Go), please be patient
Junichi Masuda Appearing on Pokémon no Uchi November 15th
Pokémon director Junichi Masuda looks to be hinting at a major Pokémon announcement incoming. In a tweet from this morning, Masuda-san announced he will be on the November 15th episode of Pokémon no Uchi, a Pokémon-themed variety show airing in Japan. Nothing is known about the nature of his appearance thus far, but there has been plenty of speculation.
Junichi Masuda has a history of making guest appearances on Pokémon’s variety series in the past. On Pokémon Sunday in 2010, he teased the 1st 5th generation Pokémon Zoroark. In 2012, he appeared on Pokémon Smash for the worldwide premier of Pokémon Black and White 2. With the recent reveals of new formes for the Pokémon Zyngarde, many fans are predicting a reveal of a new Pokémon game for Nintendo 3DS, perhaps the inevitable Pokémon Z.
Zyngarde’s new formes, including Zyngarde Core and Zyngarde Complete, began to be teased back in July with the 18th Pokémon movie. They were formally revealed in the September issue of CoroCoro Magazine, and will make their debut on the Pokémon anime season ‘Pocket Monsters XY & Z’ this October.
With no new core series Pokémon game this year, it would line up for Masuda-san to announce a Pokémon game on for 2016. His guest appearance on Pokémon no Uchi will air on November 15th at 8 AM local Japan time.
Pikachu Will Be Available In Build-A-Bear Workshop Next Year
The Pokémon Company will be collaborating with the Build-A-Bear Workshop to allow you stuff and dress up your very own Pikachu plushie.
It won’t happen until next year, but the plushie will be available in the Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online in North America, Europe, and Australia. Pikachu can be dressed up in a Poké Ball Hoodie and if you order online you will also have the option of a Charizard Costume. Pikachu will also come complete with his very own sound chip, and you’ll receive a special promo Pokémon Trading Card with your purchase.
Japan: Pokkén Tournament Being Pulled From Arcades Due To Unpopularity
Looks like in at least one arcade, Pokkén Tournament is being removed for not hitting specific benchmarks. The owner of a popular Japanese arcade has announced via their blog and Twitter that they will be removing Pokkén Tournament due to unpopularity. The tweets detail that the game isn’t producing enough income to net out the expense and the removal will come in early November. While the performance in one chain of arcades does not indicate the performance of Pokkén Tournament as a whole, one may wonder if the game is better suited for Western audiences.
The definitive Pokémon Mystery Dungeon! Prepare yourself for a grand adventure where you become a Pokémon and battle alongside Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to help save the world! Befriend Pokémon and explore ever-changing mystery dungeons with them! For more information Checkout the Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon site!
ESRB Rating: E for EVERYONE with Mild Cartoon Violence
Can't wait to play Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon? Check out the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon animated specials on YouTube!
David Archuleta, Pikachu, Disney, Frozen and Smash Bros fan :D