January2014
News Pokémon Composer Leaves Game Freak for Independent Quest
Possibilities for the Poké-future still open
Shota Kageyama, a composer for recent Pokémon titles including X &Y and Black & White, has announced via Twitter that he has left developer Game Freak to pursue independent music. Kageyama's tweet has been translated and reported by
December2013
Feature 12 Days of Christmas - Pokémon X & Y and the 2DS, Perfect Together
Rapidashing through the snow with a Horsea on our sleigh
The Pokémon series has certainly evolved (some might even say mega-evolved) since the days of Pocket Monsters Akai and Pocket Monsters Midori in 1995. While franchise creator Satoshi Tajiri still has a hand in the development of main series Pokémon games, things have certainly moved on since...
News Pokémon X & Y Update Mandatory for Online Play, Reportedly Blocks Data Cheats
Rating Battles reactivated
Not too long ago we reported on an issue with online play in Pokémon X & Y, which saw cheats using software to intercept and view an opponent's team and data before a battle, providing a notable advantage. It seems that Game Freak was aware of the issue, with reports that a new update for the game shuts out exploits...
News Soundtrack for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Released on iTunes
Kanto allegro
Looking for a soundtrack to emphasize a day spent roaming through tall grasses or being challenged to battle by everyone you make eye contact with? Game Freak has released a new option on iTunes for your listening pleasure. Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen: Super Music Collection hit the iTunes music store today, joining its...
November2013
News Pokémon X & Y Online Battles Vulnerable to "Battle Analyser" Cheaters
There should be no place for cheats
It's an unfortunate part of Pokémon battles that some opt to cheat or gain unfair advantages, with official tournaments also falling victim. Unfortunately it's a blight now potentially affecting Pokémon X & Y, as details of a "Battle Analyser" tool are emerging. The tool works by setting up a PC as a Wi-Fi...
Weirdness Pokémon Cards Tell A Story of Family
I've just...got something in my eye...
The Pokémon series practically glows with nostalgia and childhood memories for many of us, and Nintendo seems determined to find new ways to break through the cold, callous, adult exteriors of some to appeal to that sentiment again. With this surprisingly emotive trio of cards it may have done just that, so...
News Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection Now Available on iTunes
Includes 212 tracks as promised
Way back in August we brought you the happy news of a 212 track Pokémon X & Y soundtrack to arrive after the games were released; while Japanese fans can look forward to the lovely physical release (above) on 13th November, it's now available for the rest of us to download on iTunes. In truth, some of those...
Weirdness This Chart and Range of Tips May Help With Those Confusing Pokémon Weaknesses in X & Y
You'll need a memory like an elephant, er, Phanpy?
The world of Pokémon can be baffling to outsiders, which is perhaps more prevalent now that X & Y have sold millions of copies around the world. There are sure to be some that are new to the franchise, and they may be struggling to keep up with the many types, attacks and weaknesses that need...
Weirdness CollegeHumor Updates The Pokérap With All 718 Pokémon
"Your dream of a new PokéRap is now a nine minute nightmare"
The Pokérap is probably something that older, veteran Pokémon fans cherish, a musical treat that lasted through the first three generations of the franchise. Of course, as the generations have passed and a lot more 'mon have been added, the practicalities have made it a thing of the...
Parent Trap Helping Newcomers Start Playing Pokémon, Zelda and Metroid
Andy Robertson on bringing new players to the Nintendo banner
One of the difficulties of big video game series for any newcomer (never mind families) is when and how to jump in. Franchises like Skylanders, Zelda and Metroid offer lots of different games on lots of different formats that a family could buy to get started. However, the problem is that...
Weirdness Shiny Pokémon Finder Takes No-Hands Approach
This will probably void your warranty, though
There is a certain breed of Pokémon player out there who would do just about anything to capture the rare, “shiny” variety of each creature. Their fascination with shinies borders on a raccoon-like intensity — yet unlike most raccoons, many of these humans have access to technology. YouTube user...
Rumour Hacker Unlocks Three New Legendary Pokémon in X & Y
Spoiler alert...
It’s common knowledge people love to hack Nintendo’s games, and the latest entries in the Pokémon series are no exception. Less than a month after the release of X and Y, a skilled fan has reportedly uncovered new Pokémon. According to Serebii.net, hacker Smealum has revealed the existence of three new legendary Pokémon...
October2013
News Data Says - Choose Squirtle in Pokémon Red & Blue
Logic once again seeks to ruin an Internet debate
It is one of the greatest questions of our common era: who is the best Pokémon to begin with in Red & Blue? Everyone has their own opinion they will likely take to the grave, but science writer Kyle Hill decided to try a data-backed argument in a recent blog article for Scientific American. In...
News Pokémon Developers: Paid DLC Could "Ruin The Worldview" of The Franchise
Kalos does not accept your worthless paper currency
With the popularity, collectibility, and - let’s face it - addictibility of the Pokémon franchise, the specter of micro-transactions for special critters and bonuses seems to loom more menacingly as mobile gaming grows. But according to Pokémon art director Ken Sugimori in a 4Gamer interview...
Weirdness If Pokémon Battles Were in First-Person, It'd Be a Lot Less Cute
Ouch
Pokémon fever has been in force for many weeks and months now, culminating in the recent release of Pokémon X & Y. Like many of the most successful and best-loved franchises on Nintendo systems, it's also a rather peculiar premise that's been going strong for many years. As we suggested in our weekend article, playing Pokémon games can...
Rumour Cryptic Messages In Pokémon X & Y Hint At Forthcoming Ruby & Sapphire Remake
Or is Game Freak just teasing us?
Pokémon X & Y may have only just hit the 3DS, but there are people out there who want more — namely remakes of Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire. There have been calls from fans for Game Freak and Nintendo to update these classic entries, and if mysterious hints left in X & Y are anything to go by, the wait...
Rumour Shipments of Pokémon X & Y Delayed to U.S. Military Exchanges
Government shutdown to blame
The above photo is purportedly taken from a store on a U.S. military base. Although exact details are not known, it is not difficult to believe such a thing could happen, as the partial shutdown of the U.S. government had previously shut down military grocery stores entirely up to 5 days ago and it may take some time to...
News Don't Expect To See A Mainline Pokémon Game On Wii U Or Your Smartphone
Microtransactions also ruled out, for the time being
As you may well be aware, Pokémon X & Y launches worldwide today. VG247 has been speaking to Game Freak's Junichi Masuda about the potential future of the best-selling series. One of the topics up for discussion was the possibility of more Pokémon games on the Wii U. We've already seen...
News Pokemon X & Y Designer: Creature-Making Isn’t Easy
Many more monsters are rejected than make it in the games
For anyone who ever doodled up their own Pokémon on their school papers, getting a chance to create real monsters for new games in the series might seem like a dream job. Pokémon X & Y graphic designer lead Hironobu Yoshida doesn’t dispute this, but he doesn’t say it’s an easy...
September2013
News Pokémon X & Y Will Unlock Multilingual Pokédex Entries Depending on Trades
Like having your own personal Roselia Stone
Pokémon X & Y are already the most globally synchronised entries in the series to date with a simultaneous worldwide release; now it is reportedly confirmed that a feature allowing Pokédex entries in multiple languages will also be part of the titles. Speaking to Nintendo World Report, Director...
Interview Junichi Masuda and Hironobu Yoshida Discuss Pokémon X and Y, Mega Evolutions and the 2DS
On the road to Luminose City
On 12th October budding Pokémon masters will be able to explore first-hand the beautiful polygonal 3D environments of the French-inspired region of Kalos, where trainers rush around on roller-skates and a giant Ryhorn snoozes outside your front door. We caught up with Pokémon X and Y's Director Junichi Masuda and Chief...
News You'll Have to Wait Until December to Get a Pokémon Bank Account
Chip and pin at the ready
Earlier this month, during a special Pokémon Direct Broadcast, Nintendo and Game Freak announced a new cloud-based service called Pokémon Bank, where trainers can store their Pokémon and dig them up again for later use. The news that you would have to pay for this service sparked a quite diverse reaction from fans as...
News Pokémon X & Y Nearly Had a Feature To Translate Pokémon Cries
"Stop force-feeding me Poké Puffs!"
October is just around the bend, which means you'll soon be able to try out the intriguing new features tucked away in Pokémon X & Y, such as Pokémon Amie and Super Training. But what about the features that didn't quite make the final cut? We recently spoke with Director Junichi Masuda and Designer...
August2013
News Game Freak Devs Explain the Origins of Soliti Horse
Just horsing around
When Game Freak teased a new game that featured a franchise popular worldwide, it's safe to say that no-one really thought "that looks like a horse silhouette, so it'll be a horse racing and Solitaire mashup". Yet that's what it is and, perhaps oddly, Soliti Horse looks like a lot of fun. Already released in Japan, its odds for...
Video Game Freak May Have Made Solitaire and Horse Racing an Awesome Combination
This 'aint the Grand National
Not so long ago Game Freak — best known for the Pokémon franchise — teased a new title with a silhouette, and then surprised us all by revealing an eShop title combining horse racing with Solitaire. Anyone who said "I knew that's what it'd be" is clearly not being entirely truthful. But still, HarmoKnight was a...
