If you've been playing Pokémon Sword and Shield since it was released, you've probably already got the Hi-Tech Earbuds. If you haven't found them or heard about what they do though, you might want to keep reading.
In order to adjust the volume in Sword or Shield, you'll need to first locate this in-game item. So just to clarify, basic sound adjustment options are locked behind an item within the Galar Region. It means you can't adjust the background music, sound effects or Pokémon cries until you do locate this high-end tech.
Here's what the options menu looks like before you get your hands on this item:
Some fans are reportedly up in arms, suggesting the feature should be a menu option from the start, while others don't seem to think it's as much of a problem – stating how the master volume can be adjusted within the Switch HOME Menu settings.
If you still need to locate these earbuds or missed them the first time around, you'll have to make your way to Motostoke and then head over to the man near the main elevator who is standing outside the music shop. Talk to him to then receive the item. After this, you'll be able to adjust the volume in your options menu:
As simple as it is to obtain this item, it's admittedly a bit of an odd design choice when so many other games make this a standard feature in the sound menu.
What do you think about this design choice? Comment down below.
[source dualshockers.com]
Comments 53
They only had time to either add in this pointless earbud quest, or add in some of the deleted Pokémon...
On the one hand, having items in game that add new options is a fun and unique idea.
However, having missable items tied to a very basic option which might have a negative impact for people with hearing issues (not liking the music) could be a problem.
Should’ve made an in-game item that would only allow access to the game from the Switch home menu only after you found it. That way no one would have to play this crap excuse for a Pokemon game.
*Said 50% of Pokemon “fans” ever.
Found that and thought it was pretty weird. Not a big deal as it's available fairly early in the game but there's no reason to not just have the volume control settings in the options to begin with, especially for a game with such grating music. I never want to hear that wild Pokemon battle theme again if I can help it.
If this kind of option is considered "hi-tech" by Game Freak, I guess that explains a lot lol
I had the item (the way I play Pokémon games would make it impossible to miss) but I didn't know what the heck it even was.
Pokemon Devs: “Well, you wanted Autosave so now we’ve had to take out sound options.”
Gamers: “No, we wanted more Pokemon.”
Pokemon Devs: “Got it! Very pixelated trees!”
Gamers: “Aargh! I’m going blind!”
Pokemon Devs: “We have a solution - giant Pokemon!”
I honestly think it's kinda neat, but also guess I understand how it would annoy some people.
So, has anyone found the "High-res Canvas" item yet? You know, the one that adds an option for prettier textures?
Sorry, couldn't resist. In my honest opinion the game is fine the way it is, and if you care to look you'll see that even though corners were obviously cut to meet a deadline that could not be extended, it is far from a heart- and effortless "rush-job" and a considerable effort must have been put into it either way.
I get that many are disappointed who expected some sort über-Pokémon with current-gen graphics. But thinking back I wonder where these expectations came from. After all: Since when have Pokémon games had state-of-the-art graphics (considering the hardware they were on)? The GameBoy Advance iterations may have been the last ones using the hardware to its full extent. Since then they have always been behind current technology graphics-wise. So there shouldn't be any surprise. And I sincerely believe that this may even be a design choice rather than inability, considering the target demographic. And it's okay anyway. It still has a lot of charme, there's still a lot to like, design-wise. There is much to "feel" there, even if there is not as much to "see" as many have apparently hoped.
"Some fans are reportedly up in arms" - don't care about them or this - though clearly bothered enough to commentbon this. Loving the game as are my kids.
So every copy automatically comes with the accessory "rushed out for Christmas money"?
@Bondi_Surfer,
In the words of the famous song from Frozen "Let it go", we all know the issues people have with this game, but surely you guys don't have to moan on each and every thread, move on and realize the game just ain't made with you in mind anymore.
Seams like half the time Game freak have good ideas & the other half the time have now idea what to do.
From gimmicky battle elements (Z Moves, Mega Evolutions & Dynamax) that doesn't really doo much.
Plus XY's updated the Pokémon cries to ear sores despite something that they could have easily done 11 years prier with Ruby & Sapphire
Plus whats the ddeal with Pikachu with the anime cry & the weak excues to go with it.
. "You can go all around the world and ask people what Pikachu sounds like and it'll always be the 'Pi-kaaa!'"
Well that can easily said about any other Pokémon so to have it to be the anime cry as absolutely nonsense.
Sure there have been improvements & neat ideas like TM'S no longer single use only for example, yet from xy onwards it seam like GameFreak has gone & jumped the Sharpedo.
Can I get ancient tech earbuds for BotW, please?
These games are great but they feel completely rushed to market. Because hiding basic game options behind ingame items? WHAT THE PSYDUCK?!! (Sorry for that) This game would have been a sure 9 if they'd delayed it to 2020. Maybe they could've even given the game a full national PokéDex by that time.
GameFreak should learn from Miyamoto.
"A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad."
And yeah, I already had discovered the item. But only because I talk to every NPC in the game. If hadn't I would have walked right past the guy.
@sanderev I don't think the game could have ever been a 9 without scrapping the whole thing and starting over from scratch but maybe with another year to iron things out it could have at least been a 5 or 6/10 quality game I suppose.
Speaking of the music, is it just me or is there almost no bass? In portable mode this isn't much of an issue because the speakers can't produce much bass anyway, but when I played it docked, I genuinely thought my tv's subwoofer had blown and had to go back and forth between the Switch and a TV channel to make sure it wasn't a hardware problem. Other games, including Let's Go, don't sound virtually bassless either, the issue is restricted to Sword and Shield. It sounds so odd!
So wait i need an in game item to adjust the music volume mix etc so in unniverse in the region is there just magicially music playing that you need tech to stop! .....Pokemon i cant stop the music in my head version.
@BenAV No, I do agree with the 8 NLife gave the game. It's still a very good game nonetheless, but it's absolutely rushed. I wouldn't have mind having another Let's Go game this year (for Gold & Silver) and play Sword & Shield next year if that meant we would get a finished game.
This game is the Anthem of Pokémon.
@sanderev I can't name a single redeeming factor the game has going for it, honestly. Worst game I've played this year. Would still take it over Let's Go though.
@BenAV I disagree. I really didn't like Fire Emblem or Astral Chain for that matter. So it's not the worst game. And I honestly did like Let's Go more than I initially thought.
Do you find hi-tech glasses to stop cyclists clipping in and out in the wild area?
You know what else I find annoying about this game's options?
No options for rumble intensity. I'm aware you can probably disable rumble in the Switch's system settings, but I'd rather not do that.
This means you'll have to keep up with the rumble effects when anything dynamax is happening on screen, which can be annoying if you want to multi-task and put the controller or Switch system down for a moment.
I found them, but didn't really get what they were all about. I like the music and pokemon cries so why would i want to turn them down? I get that some people are disappointed with the game and if that's your opinion that's great but as someone who has played a couple games since gen 1 but never got really into it, I'm really enjoying my time with the game. This has got to be the first time that i'm actively trying to avoid finding out what my pokemon will evolve into because its exciting to wonder what they could turn out like. I completely agree that this isn't a re-imagining in the same way BOTW was but I don't think it deserves the hate its getting.
@Galenmereth literally.
This was my game yesterday https://twitter.com/archius9/status/1196525449234411520?s=19
@Galenmereth it's also empty.
Well, I for one think this was rather funny, though it seems like it should’ve been explained to the player somehow.
Yeah, locking sound volume settings behind an in-game item is just a bizarre idea. If it was a jukebox option where you can choose background music and maybe collect tracks, sure. But for basic volume sliders? It’s simply bewildering.
I usually like having music a little lower in volume than speech/fx but since Pokémon has no voice acting and the Pokémon cries are a bit grating I didn’t think of changing anything. I would prefer to have that option from the start though.
@Galenmereth That’s par of the course for not just Pokémon, but video games as a whole, especially RPG or action adventure with multiple ones. The towns in Breath of the Wild were similarly tiny. Tarrey Town was literally like six houses, that’s barely a village. Actual big cities in games tend to dominate the entire game (as in the game takes place almost entirely in the city itself).
@Galenmereth
There were also a lot of complaints that Lumiose City was too large and difficult to navigate.
But I think that it was compounded by the poor camera and controls in X and Y, if they were to reconstruct the city in the Sun/Moon engine, it would've been much better.
I play with my sound off anyway. So it’s no bother to me. The game is not bad, but it’s not great either.
@Rayquaza2510 same here. I got them and soon afterwards I got a conversation with an NPC about missing pokemon who makes a specific noise, so i thought the two were connected. I have been looking how to use the earbuds to find that bloody pokemon and now it turns out that is not even a quest !
Why stop with the volume? How about when you start a game only the “up” motion of one analogue stick works until you find the additional mo events, the the BAXY button functions?
It’s also dark as the Witcher until you find the Brightness mode...
Ok, I’m off to Kickstarter to get this gem funded, who’s with me?
This is really very stupid. But it doesn't bother me as I haven't bought this Pokemon generation and I probably won't bother.
I'm not at all on the hate bandwagon, but this is a truly bizarre design choice.
Interesting mechanic.
I rarely mess with volume sliders in games (translation: almost never), so this wouldn't both me.
The only game I have messed with volume sliders is Shenmue 1 & 2 HD because the Voice volume is so overblown, it needs to be dropped in order to properly hear all of the games glorious soundtrack and ambiance without risk of my speakers exploding when someone speaks.
Disappointed in Nintendo Life for attempting to add misleading controversy to the already deafening furore surrounding this game.
You can still adjust the volume on your Switch whenever you want! You don't need an in-game item to do that.
All the Hi-Tech Earbuds do is allow you to tinker with the in-game sounds and their balance in respect to each other.
For example, you can alter the cries of Pokemon to be more overt in the Wild Area or silence them.
They could have just removed this feature entirely and no-one would have batted an eyelid (as far I'm aware no previous Pokemon game has allowed you to alter the balance of in-game sounds).
@johnvboy You keep saying that, it doesn't make it more true.
@Kalmaro,
What is not true?, these games are not made for the demographic that is complaining, or the fact they keep complaining on each and every thread.
@johnvboy That extire statement was wrong. They explicitly said this is aimed at older players and newcomers alike. That does not exclude people who have criticisms. There are people who bought the game and still have criticisms.
@Kalmaro,
I never said people can't have complaints, but there has to be a point where enough is enough.
@johnvboy And where would you say that line is?
@Kalmaro What i think he is saying, if a product has too many complaints, we should stop complaining?
@Kalmaro,
I suppose you are correct there should be no line or time when people stop trying to get what they want, but sometimes it's a little draining on each and every comment section.
@Paul1994,
On some comment sections I have very little issue apart from offering a counter argument, and I have never stated people could not complain or there issues were invalid, but a story like this does not seem to me at least to evoke the major concerns people have with the game.
@johnvboy I can understand that getting tiring after a while.
I think it goes both ways too, people who have issues with the game seeing constant praise in some areas with no criticisms.
I expect it to die down eventually, though Game Freak isn't making that happen sooner.
@Paul1994 When are there too many though? That line is going to be arbitrary no matter where you put it.
Thank God I can turn the god awful midi music off. Pokemon really does have the worst music out of all big Nintendo Franchises.
OK, this is just stupid.
No why would we need stupid so call ear buds..
The problem here is that adjusting volume levels is not just a fancy thing one can do in the settings, it's also an accessibility option.
They should not have locked this behind an in-game item.
Okay, I think this is actually pretty cute. Let's get a switch-exclusive Witcher quest to get some graphics options.
Yeah gamefreak was pretty dumb with this one. Why hide menu options like this?
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