POKÉMON GAMES UNVEILED FOR NINTENDO SWITCH
During a
special Pokémon press conference in Tokyo today, The Pokémon Company
International and Nintendo announced three new ways to play Pokémon for
Nintendo Switch™—Pokémon:
Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, and the free-to-start
Pokémon Quest. With the addition of these new titles, Pokémon is broadening the
scope of video game offerings from the franchise to appeal to its wide variety
of fans at all player levels. Pokémon also announced
that the next introduction to its popular core RPG series, which was teased
last year at E3, will arrive in late 2019 on Nintendo Switch for the first
time.
Pokémon: Let’s
Go Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! Arriving Nov and featuring interactivity with Pokemon Go
With Pokémon:
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon is
inviting fans on a new journey by taking them back to a familiar setting.
Inspired by Pokémon Yellow, which was originally released in Japan on
Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1998, these two new titles feature many of the intuitive
gameplay functions offered to players in the hugely popular Pokémon GO and
are designed for players taking their first steps into the Pokémon video
game world. Trainers will embark on an epic adventure set in the iconic Kanto
region joined by their trusty Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or
Eevee in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! They feature brand new gameplay to
make the most of the unique capabilities of Nintendo Switch, such as throwing
Poké Balls to catch Pokémon by swinging Joy-Con™ controllers, as well as the opportunity for family
and friends to battle and explore together in a new two-player mode. The games
were unveiled in partnership with GAME FREAK, the games’ developers and
original creators of the Pokémon video game franchise.
“With the
launch of Pokémon GO in 2016 and the global sensation that ensued, millions of
new players were introduced to the world of Pokémon,” said Junichi Masuda,
director at GAME FREAK inc. “For many people, Pokémon GO was their first
experience with the Pokémon brand, so we have crafted these two new titles to
be an accessible entry point to our core RPG series while giving our longtime
fans a new way to play Pokémon.”
The connection
between these two new titles and Pokémon GO doesn’t end there - literally. GAME FREAK and The Pokémon Company teamed up with Niantic
to bring next-level innovation by offering players the ability to connect their
Pokémon GO to their Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go,
Eevee! game. Players can catch Pokémon originally discovered in
the Kanto region in Pokémon GO and then transfer them into their Nintendo
Switch adventure. Something special will also be coming to the world of Pokémon
GO, making the connection between both games even more appealing for Trainers.
Details for this will be revealed in the near future.
The Poké Ball
Plus* a device that can be used to play Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon:
Let’s Go, Eevee! in place of a Joy-Con or alongside Pokémon GO instead of
the Pokémon GO Plus, was also unveiled, continuing the innovative ways to
connect the games. The Poké Ball Plus features motion controls, lights up with
a variety of colors, vibrates, and plays sounds. When catching a Pokémon in the
Nintendo Switch games, players will be able to feel it moving within the
device. It also does more than function as a controller—using the Poké Ball
Plus, players can bring one of their Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go,
Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! with them as they explore the
real world, giving Trainers the opportunity to spend time with favorite Pokémon
even when they’re not playing the game. Additionally, Trainers can receive a
variety of rewards once Pokémon are returned to the Nintendo Switch games.
Pokémon: Let’s
Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will launch on 16
November 2018, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. The Poké Ball Plus will be
available at participating retailers on the same day.
Pokémon Quest: Released Today
Pokémon Quest,
a rambunctious action RPG game, was also revealed at the press conference,
along with the surprise for fans that it is available today on Nintendo eShop.
Developed by GAME FREAK, Pokémon Quest takes players across Tumblecube Island,
where everything’s a cube—including the Pokémon. Travel the length and breadth
of the island hunting for treasure, battling with wild Pokémon, discovering
unexplored territories, and even cooking tasty treats to tempt new Pokémon to
join your party. Gameplay features of Pokémon Quest include:
- Battle by tapping—Pokémon Quest uses simple touch controls that can be enjoyed by everyone.
- Befriend many Pokémon—Use items collected throughout expeditions to befriend a wide array of Pokémon.
- Create your Pokémon dream team—Partner with three of your Pokémon friends to battle through diverse environments.
- Pokémon unique to you—Use different Power Stones to personalize your Pokémon friends however you want and give them unique stats.
- Customize your base camp—Decorate your home with cute and fun collectibles that not only look good, but can provide in-game benefits.
“This new
Pokémon title, developed by GAME FREAK, lets players explore the island of
Tumblecube with their team of cute, cube-shaped characters known as Pokéxel,”
said Shigeru Ohmori, director at GAME FREAK.
“Players will be able to
personalize their Pokémon and develop a strong bond with their Pokémon friends
while battling their way through the adventure. With the simple touch-screen
controls, Pokémon Quest is a game that Pokémon fans of all ages can pick up and
play.”
Pokémon Quest
is an entirely new way for players to explore and experience the Pokémon
world,”
Pokémon Quest
is free-to-start and available to download today on Nintendo eShop. Pokémon
Quest will also be available on mobile devices via the App Store and Google
Play in late June this year.
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