Pokémon News
February2016
Review Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (Wii U eShop / DS)
Pokécrawler: Blue
Many Pokémon are finding themselves in trouble and it's up to you and your rescue team to go and save them in this dungeon crawling spin-off from Chunsoft. Released for the DS in 2006, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team sees you fighting ill-tempered Pokémon as you search a randomly generated floor for the staircase that...
Weirdness Drew Barrymore Is Now Pokémon's Fashion Ambassador
"I like things that are colorful and happy"
Pokémon turns 20 this year as we all know, and no time is being wasted when it comes to exploiting this landmark event. Nintendo has just released the games that started it all on the 3DS eShop, and long-time merchandising partner Tomy is planning a year of special promotions. Later in the year
Talking Point The New 3DS Can Revive the Portable Family With Help From Pokémon and amiibo
Pokemon amiibo cards could print money
Nintendo knows how to bury bad news. Not long before the Pokémon Direct and the reveal of Pokémon Sun and Moon, it announced cuts to its estimated profits and sales. Net sales could be the lowest in 15 years for the
Feature Why We're Still Playing… Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
The winners of your community vote on favourite Pokémon games
This is a series of features that focuses on games that we keep playing again and again, either over an unhealthy number of hours or those that keep getting return visits long after they first graced our systems. In this entry Mitch talks about his favourite Pokémon games, which also...
Feature Nintendo Life's Favourite Pokémon Games - 20th Anniversary Edition
They all want to be the very best...
Not too long ago we asked you, the Nintendo Life community, to vote for your favourite Pokémon games, in order to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the franchise; to say that the voting was close would be an understatement. As for the rules, only 'main' or 'core' games were included, which was nevertheless a...
Nintendo Life Weekly Pokémon Generation 7 Sun & Moon Revealed, EA NX Rumours and More
Praise the sun!
It's been a whirlwind of a week for all those interested in the happenings of Nintendo, so we can't blame you if some of the big news somehow slipped under your radar. That's why we have once more cobbled the biggest and best news of the week together with all the eShop releases, our reviews and more. This week we're looking at...
Feature Reflections on 20 Years of Pokemon
Our staff and contributors shared their thoughts on the series
Pokémon is now 20 years old, with the celebrations having included a Pokémon Direct and the release of the gen 1 Game Boy titles on the 3DS Virtual Console. It's become one of the most important franchises for Nintendo both commercially and in broader terms, with a popular culture...
Reaction The Pokémon Direct Was Short and Slick, But Had a Blunted Impact
Sun and Moon remain a mystery despite their leaks and then reveal
Well, the first Nintendo Direct of the year has aired, and it was short and snappy. The Pokémon Direct was confirmed to be around five minutes long when announced, and it only edged up to 'approximately 6 minutes' when it actually arrived; there was no double bluffing to be found...
Review Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Pokécrawler: Red
As well as the regular series of Pokémon RPGs, a number of spin-off games have appeared over the years. Developed by Chunsoft, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team arrived on the Game Boy Advance in 2006 and (like a number of the studio's titles) takes the form of a dungeon crawler that has you battling against numerous enemy...
News Pokémon Bank Support Confirmed for Virtual Console Releases of Red, Blue and Yellow
Will also support Moon and Sun, obviously
The Pokémon Company has concluded its special Pokémon Direct, and in addition to announcing Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, it had another announcement up its sleeve that we can enjoy very soon. It's been confirmed that the Virtual Console releases of Pokémon Red / Blue / Yellow on 27th February will...
News Pokémon Sun And Moon Confirmed For 3DS Release This Holiday Season
In 9 languages!
While yesterday's leak may have ruined the surprise, Pokémon fans will no doubt be ecstatic at the news that the venerable 3DS is getting a new mainline outing this year. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon
Live Blog Watch the Pokémon Direct - Live!
Talking 'bout our generation
It's the first Nintendo Direct of the year and, rather excitingly, it's a Pokémon Direct. Trademarks and logos have emerged, but are they the definitive picture? What will Nintendo and The Pokémon Company bring in its short, but action packed, broadcast? We look forward to finding out. <liveblog...
News Pokémon Launches a Fresh Twitter Account for UK and Ireland
Moving into new regions
The word Pokémon is going to appear a lot in the next few days. Pokémon, Pokémon, Pokémon. Editing tools will have the accented 'e' programmed, and there'll be plenty to keep 'mon fans happy. We have a Pokémon Direct, the releases of the generation 1 originals on the 3DS Virtual Console, and the fact it's the series'...
Ninterview How NeoGAF's Watch Da Birdie Is Creating The Most In-Depth Pokémon Retrospective Yet
Gotta discuss 'em all
With Pokémon celebrating its 20th anniversary and a mysterious Pokémon-related broadcast imminent, there is certainly no shortage of content to keep fans engaged and excited about the future of the series. We've seen that the Pokémon fandom is capable of some truly amazing feats, including fanart and other impressive...
News Missingno is Still in the Virtual Console Releases of Pokémon
Everybody's favorite Bird type
Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow are soon to be available on the 3DS eShop, providing an excellent way of celebrating the 20th anniversary of the franchise. Naturally, there are questions surrounding how well these versions have preserved the originals, and whether or not all the same glitches and bugs are still present...
Video See How Pokémon on the 3DS Virtual Console Compares to an Original Cartridge on a Retron 5
The Game Boy doesn't do HDMI
The three first generation Pokémon games are nearlyavailable on the 3DS Virtual Console, and to celebrate just a wee bit we though it might be fun to see if there are any subtle performance or graphical variations between this version and the original cartridges. Using Pokémon Blue as a benchmark for no reason other...
Video Let the Hype Intensify With the Pokkén Tournament CGI Intro
Just weeks away...
Pokkén Tournament is one of the Wii U's biggest releases this year, with the fighting title escaping arcades to arrive on the home console with extra modes and content. It's not far away from its 18th March release date, either, and Nintendo is keen to build the hype. Nintendo's official channels have released the CGI intro...
Spoilers contained within...
There's a special Nintendo Direct tomorrow regarding some exciting Pokémon news - but it would appear trademarks and logos found online have already ruined the surprise. The information has cropped up on the EU trademark website and lists Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon (and not Pokémon Rainbow as
News Pokémon Photo Booth Can Now Be Downloaded Off of the App Store
Pokémon Snap
It seems that the Pokémon company is trying to get the hype machine moving at full speed, with a planned Pokémon Direct this Friday that will no doubt have some big announcements. The Pokémon company has especially shown interest in mobile devices lately, with Pokémon Shuffle being ported over and Pokémon GO on the way later this...
Poll Vote for Your Favourite Main Series Pokémon Games - 20th Anniversary Edition
It's getting serious now...
Just recently we celebrated the 30th Anniversary for The Legend of Zelda with a poll to determine the Nintendo Life community's favourite games in the series. With the 20th Anniversary of Pokémon almost upon us, we thought we'd do the same once again for the iconic Pocket Monsters franchise. We'll have plenty of...
News Grab Yourself a Mew Puzzle in Pokémon Picross
No annoying Picrites required
When we reviewed Pokémon Picross we rather liked it, but felt that the free-to-play aspect was stingier than Cranky Kong's Black Friday discounts. Nevertheless, those happy to spend some money that like both Pokémon and Picross should have much to like in the download. For those of us trapped in the purgatory of its...
News Zavvi's 20th Anniversary Pokémon Pokébox Is Now Available For Preorder
Limited to 500 units
UK online retailer Zavvi is producing a special Pokémon-themed "loot" box to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series. The store has 500 Pokéboxes up for grabs, and you can pre-order one of them today for £29.99. Inside there are "exciting items commemorating both the classic series and the anniversary itself". This...
News The Pokémon Splatfest Results Have Been Confirmed
And the winner is...
The Splatoon Splatfest events have often focused on fairly simple conflicts, only dipping into feisty brand-related tussles occasionally. The Transformers event in North America was one example, and this weekend we had the Pokémon generation one event worldwide. With the Virtual Console games arriving on 27th February fans have...
Video Watch the Climactic Final Boss Battle in Pokkén Tournament
Spoilers ahoy
Before going any further we'd like to make it abundantly clear that this video does contain content which some may consider to be spoilers. If you'd rather experience the wonder shown below for yourself first hand we advise you divert your eyeballs elsewhere. A new feature in the Wii U version of Pokkén Tournament is the Ferrum...
Reminder Register and Gear Up for the Pokémon Red & Blue Splatfest
Results to get a global airing
The Splatoon Splatfest events have been a fun regular addition to the outstanding shooter, though the upcoming Pokémon Red and Blue showdown is arguably the best yet. With the Pokémon anniversary around the corner it's perfectly timed and will also likely be extremely close - one Nintendo UK poll on Twitter for...
News Pokémon Red, Blue And Yellow European Pricing Is Confirmed
Language details also revealed
Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow launch on the 3DS Virtual Console later this month, and the relevant game pages have just gone live on the North American and European eShops. The big news here is that European pricing has finally been confirmed. Each game will cost £8.99/€9.99. Furthermore, the various language...
News Pokémon Rumble World Comes to Retail in North America on 29th April
No microtransactions either!
About a year ago, Nintendo published Pokémon Rumble World on the eShop, a notable new experiment built on the free to play model. We really liked it in our review, and the free to play model wasn't too exploitative. Considering that there is functionally a full game here, it came as no surprise that Nintendo chose to...
Video Take a Tour of Pokkén Tournament
Full character roster as standard
Earlier today we hosted a livestream where we looked at Pokkén Tournament's various features. If you weren't around for that then fret not, for we've archived the whole thing and slapped it up on our YouTube channel for you all to enjoy on demand. We look at the raw combat with stammering commentary, avatar...
News Pokkén Tournament Is Joining The Pokémon Championship Series This Year
Early Access competitions coming to GameStop stores in the US
Fighting game crossover Pokkén Tournament is officially becoming part of the Pokémon Championship Series, it has been confirmed today. The Wii U brawler will be added to the roster for the 2016 event, with the crowning of the Pokkén Tournament World Champions taking place at the...
News Pokémon Company CEO Reveals Pokémon GO Rollout Details, Teases Another "Big" Project
Japan, Europe and North America first in line
Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara has revealed in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper that Pokémon GO will hit Japan, Europe and North America first. According to Ishihara, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East will get the game later on. Despite the finer...
Video Watch Every Single One of Pokkén Tournament's Take on Fatalities
'Synergy Burst Moves' doesn't sound as cool
Before going any further we'd like to make it abundantly clear that this video does contain content which some may consider to be spoilers. If you'd rather experience the wonder shown below for yourself first hand we advise you divert your eyeballs elsewhere. Although Pokkén Tournament doesn't contain...
Video Bask in the Nostalgia of the Latest Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow Virtual Console Trailer
Just 10 days away...
It's not long now until The Pokémon Company goes all out for the 20th Anniversary of its franchise, bringing the original first generation games to the 3DS Virtual Console along with various hardware bundles. Pokémon Red and Blue will be joined by the Yellow Version on the eShop, making this the first occasion when these...
News Pokémon "Train On" Ad Was The Most Popular Super Bowl Commercial, According To YouTube
The very best, so we're told
During this year's Super Bowl, YouTube ran its AdBlitz 2016 contest which allows viewers to vote for their favourite commercial shown during the game, and the winner might not be that much of a shock to Nintendo fans - especially when you consider that the competition was largely unfunny mobile network ads and junk food...
News Meet The Mythical Pokémon Created By Humans 500 Years Ago
Say hello to Magearna (or Magiana, if you prefer)
The announcement of a brand new Pokémon is always noteworthy, and last week fans were introduced to Magearna, a robotic pocket monster due to star in the 19th (yes, 19th) Pokémon movie, which has the provisional English title of Volcanion and the Mechanical Magearna. We reported on the tease and...
Reminder US Pokémon Fans Can Still Pre-Order the New Nintendo 3DS Gen 1 Bundle
Huh, it didn't sell out in 15 minutes
When Nintendo and The Pokémon Company unveiled a whole load of 20th Anniversary plans earlier in the year, one of the announcements was for a New Nintendo 3DS bundle (pictured above) in the US. It includes both Pokémon Red and Blue pre-installed on a white version of the smaller model, with cover plates for...
News Here's How Much Of Your Wii U's Internal Memory Pokkén Tournament Will Gobble Up
Details on control options revealed, too
Pokkén Tournament - a glorious mash-up of Pokémon and Tekken - is due for worldwide release on the Wii U on March 18th, and Nintendo has updated the game page on the eShop with more details on control options, online features and file size. While the game is being rele
News Tomy Is Bringing Mythical Pokémon To Selected North American Retailers Throughout 2016
To mark 20 years of the franchise, naturally
Toy maker Tomy has been part of the Pokémon story from the very beginning, working with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to produce a wide range of related merchandise, including action figures and plush toys. To mark the 20th birthday of the series, Tomy is really pushing the boat out by collaborating...
News The Original Pokémon Starters Have Been Added as Costumes in Super Mario Maker
I choose you!
The endless line of Super Mario Maker costumes continues to move at full speed, and naturally these next costumes fall in line with another popular Nintendo franchise. It's Pokémon's 20th anniversary and so Nintendo has opted to celebrate this in part by adding Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charmander costumes into Super Mario Maker...
News Pokémon Splatfest Hitting Splatoon in February
A decision harder than choosing your starter
In continuing the celebration of Pokémon's 20th anniversary, the festivities have spread to another popular Nintendo franchise, Splatoon. A Pokémon themed Splatfest will take taking place the weekend of 20th February through 21st February in all regions pitting players against each other based on their...
Video Why We Want Detective Pikachu Translated for North America & Europe
Go west, young Pika
Detective Pikachu: Birth of a New Duo is the latest in the line of Pokémon spin-off games that The Pokémon Company have produced, but for the moment at least it's only available in Japan. We're sure every Pokémon fan and their Houndoom is frothing at the gob over this title due to its lustrous visuals, charming animation and...
News Man-Made Pokémon Magiana is Revealed, to Star in Upcoming Movie
It'll be called Volcanion and the Exquisite Magiana
Earlier today we shared a scan of an upcoming issue of CoroCoro Magazine that featured a silhouette of a new Pokémon called Magiana. Now the diligent Joe Merrick over at Serebii has dug up a full image of the 'mon in question, along with some details of how it'll emerge onto the scene. It has...
News Brand New Pokémon To Be Revealed By Japanese Magazine CoroCoro
Meet Magiana
Japanese magazine CoroCoro is teasing the fact that it will announce an entirely new Pokémon in a forthcoming issue. Named "Magiana", the 'mon has been shown off in a trailer for the next issue - in silhouette form, at least. The issue in question hits newsstands in Japan on February 15th, which is next Monday. It's not clear how...
Parent Trap Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Gets Personal
Family Gamer's Andy Robertson gets asked some probing Poké-questions
Creating games for children is tricky because it's the small things that make the biggest difference. My kids often get as much fun from unintended consequences of the main game as they do completing the campaign. I've been reminded of this while playing Pokémon Super Mystery...
That's not effective
Well-known Pokémon fan project Pokémon Reorchestrated - a channel dedicated to orchestral covers of music across the Pokémon games - has had its full Kanto Symphony playlist removed from YouTube by The Pokémon Company. Channel creator Braxton Burks covers this in detail via the video below, but the key notes to take away...
Random Don't Forget to Celebrate Mewtwo's Birthday
For he's a jolly good genetically engineered lifeform
February 27th is a big day for Pokémon, marking the series' 20th anniversary since its début games in 1996. However, information contained within those games mentions another special day too - February 6th is Mewtwo's birthday! Players of Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow/FireRed/LeafGreen will...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 6 - 2013 To 2016
Talking 'bout this generation
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon later this month, and look hotly ahead towards brand new things, we're concluding our journey through each generation of Pokémon; this month we cover the most recent generation, the one we are still in! Be sure to also check out our retrospectives on generation 1,...
News Pokémon's Ash And Gary Are Getting The Nendoroid Treatment
Plastic fantastic
As we all know, the Pokémon turns 20 this year, and we're seeing plenty of promotional activity to mark this fact - including digital re-releases of the games that started it all on the Game Boy. There's more good news for Pokémon fans, as stars Ash and Gary (or "Red" and "Blue" if you'd prefer) are getting immortalised in...
News Overheating Computers Almost Cost The World The Original Pokémon Games
"I sure am glad I fixed those computers back then"
Pokémon turns 20 this year, and to mark the occassion Game Freak's Junichi Masuda has posted a video online in which he shares some of his strongest memories regarding the creation of this iconic series. Masuda - who served as a programmer on Pokémon Red and Green and created the music and sound...
Video Check Out Pikachu And Lucario's Fancy Moves In This New Pokkén Tournament Clip
Plus a brief look at the next Pokémon movie
A new video has just gone live which shows of the basic movesets of Pikachu and Lucario in the forthcoming Wii U brawler Pokkén Tournament. Due for release worldwide on March 18th, the game is being co-developed by Tekken creator Bandai Namco and will see various characters from the Pokémon universe...
News Catch Your Valentine With These Official Pokémon Cards
Will yours be super effective?
If you're looking for the perfect card for your true love this Valentine's Day then the Pokémon Center should be your first port of call - the store is selling a selection of Pokémon-themed cards which are sure to catch anyone's heart. Available in packs of 12 - presumably for those trainers who have plenty of...
Video Bask in the Monochrome Glow of Extended Pokémon Virtual Console Footage
20 years of hype
It's not often that Virtual Console releases of 20-year-old games have their own hardware bundles and weeks of hype, yet that's the case with Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow ahead of their 27th February arrival on the 3DS eShop. Such is the power of the brand that a nostalgia-tinged release date, combined with a first official...
Reminder The Current-Gen Mew Special Distribution is Underway
X & Y and Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire included
The Pokémon Company has plenty going on for the franchises' 20th Anniversary, and the first of a number of monthly special distributions - Mew - is now up and running. We've covered some details in separate posts, but as serial codes are now available in multiple countries we thought it'd be worth...
Random Of Course There's Already A Custom Detective Pikachu amiibo
This needs to happen, for real
Detective Pikachu was officially revealed to the world last week, and the unusually deep-voiced sleuth already has his own amiibo, albeit a custom one. Crafted by GandaKris, the keen-eyed investigator comes with a hat, rug, tea and a pipe- everything a good detective needs, basically. To top it
January2016
Where's that salt?
Another week, another boatload of news that every fan is expected to digest alongside all the other things that are apparently happening outside the world of video games. Once again Nintendo Life Weekly is here to save you from the fate of current event vacuousness. This week we look at the rumours surrounding a title in the...
News Current-Gen Pokémon Mew Distribution Details are Confirmed for Europe
Legendary
When The Pokémon Company unveiled some of its 20th Anniversary plans it confirmed that Mew would be included as a serial code in the upcoming first-gen Virtual Console releases, and also as a distribution in the current-gen releases - Pokémon X & Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
News Pokémon Yellow, Red And Blue 2DS Bundles Now Up For Pre-Order In The UK
Gotta pre-order 'em all?
The Nintendo UK store has opened pre-orders for the new Pokémon Yellow, Red & Blue 2DS bundles. Each one comes with a carry case of the appropriate colour (well, almost - the yellow system has a grey one), as well as a preinstalled version of the relevant game. The asking price is £79.99, while the yellow version of...
Video Watch The Epic Pokémon Super Bowl Commercial Right Here
Train on
Pokémon is 20 this year, and to mark the anniversary, The Pokémon Company ran a special commercial during the recent Super Bowl. That commercial is now available for viewing online, and you can feast your eyes on it below. The clip shows several different individuals from all over the world who are aiming for monster-training greatness,...
News 13 Pokémon Movies Are Now Available on iTunes and Google Play
Interactive eBooks also on the agenda
As part of a recent news bonanza related to Pokémon, it was confirmed that the franchises' various movies would be making their way to iTunes and Google Play in the West. A number are now available, some of which have only recently arrived. The full list of 13 movies that you should now be able to find on the...
News The 3DS Virtual Console Pokémon Titles Won't Support Restore Points
Backup saves also off the cards
The Pokémon titles that started it all are coming to the 3DS Virtual Console soon, and fans are understandably excited about the prospect. That excitement may be tempered somewhat by fresh reports relating to how the games use - or, in this case, don't use - the unique features of the Virtual Console platform. Our...
Nintendo Life Weekly Twilight Princess HD amiibo Dungeon, Pokémon Yellow 2DS
Model business
Another week, another look back and round-up in the form of a video. If you've been caught up in the tide of nonsense that many are currently calling January, you may well have missed some important Nintendo news. Thankfully, we've got the solution! This week we look at the rumour surrounding a new dungeon in The Legend of Zelda:...
News Pokémon the Series: XYZ Airing On Cartoon Network In February
Could this finally be Ash's year?
The Pokémon hype train won't be stopping anytime soon, for there's more Pocket Monster content on the way in the coming weeks - in addition to Pokkén Tournament and 20th anniversary goodies. The Pokémon Company's official website confirmed earlier this month that the latest animated television series, Pokémon...
Video See What Pops Does While You're Away in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
Begone, foul fantasy!
For those of you that have played Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, you may remember Pops the Carracosta. This Pokémon acts as the parent of your partner in the game, and rebukes the two of them on occasion as they get into mischief. Pops is arguably one of the more memorable characters in this roguelike adventure, and evidently...
Feature Five Alternative Nintendo Reveals and Releases We're Interested in for 2016
Not just the obvious 'NX please" entries
One of our earliest articles of 2016 was focused on five key reveals and releases that will define Nintendo's 2016. That was focused very much on the tentpole announcements and releases that are confirmed or suspected, such as NX, My Nintendo accounts, major Anniversary franchise celebrations and more...
Video Pokémon Fan Recreates the Kanto Region in Unreal Engine 4
Wibbly-wobbly 'mon
There's only one true way to cement your credentials as a serious fan of a franchise. Sure, you could design T-Shirts, recreate a level out of coloured pins or produce a post-it-note stop-motion animation, but that'd all be so 2014. If you want to be a hardcore fan now you have to recreate an old game in Unreal Engine 4 - it's the...
Digitally remastered movies! Special Edition cards! Merchandise!
It promises to be a great year for Pokémon fans, as 20th Anniversary celebrations are set to be a highlight over the course of many months. Various hardware bundles and the anniversary logo have been revealed, and now The Pokémon Company has released a video highlighting some more...
Commemorative anniversary logo also released
It's a big year for Pokémon as the franchise gears up to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. With that in mind Nintendo has now lifted the lid on some key releases that are on the way to the West, which should certainly please fans. Starting with Europe, it'll receive three variations of 2DS bundles, one...
News Junichi Masuda Turns 48 Today
Here's to many more!
Junichi Masuda has no doubt touched the lives of millions of people through his continued work on the Pokémon games. As one of the founding members of Game Freak, Masuda initially served as a composer for the series and was the sole person responsible for the soundtrack of the first generation Pokémon games. Additionally, he...
Video Learn About The Real World Mythology Behind Pokémon
Shrines, Gods and fantastical tales
Any franchise with a lore as deep and varied as Pokémon will draw from a range of sources when seeking inspiration; an ever-growing Pokédex along with a lot of games, films and anime episodes make that a necessity. It can be interesting, then, to learn about the diversity of the references to be found in the...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 5 - 2010 To 2013
A short gen
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon in February 2016 and look hotly ahead towards brand new things, we're continuing our journey through each generation of Pokémon, this month we cover the generation that's the most recent to be fully completed. If you need to catch up before reading ahead, be sure to check out our...
News Let's Debunk Some Of Pokémon's Biggest Myths Ahead Of This Year's Virtual Console Resurrection
No, you can't capture Pikablu
Nintendo is finally launching the first-gen Pokémon games on the 3DS Virtual Console, and this event has gotten the peeps over at Red Bull thinking about all of the classic myths which grew up around the games back in the late '90s - before the internet came along and made it easy to debunk such nonsense. No, you...
News A Neat New Pokémon Arcade Game Goes For a Literal Approach
A bit like those basketball machines, but better
We're often bemoaning the state of the arcade industry in some parts of the West - especially in the UK - especially when compared to its continued role in Japanese culture. For major Japan-based developers it can be a key part of business, with Bandai Namco being one of a few big-name companies...
December2015
News Tsunekazu Ishihara on How Iwata Helped Bring the Pokémon Series to the West
Good guy Iwata
Though it seems to have levelled out somewhat in recent years, there's no denying that Pokémon is one of the most recognised and prolific Nintendo brands around. It seems that this almost wasn't the case, though, as Tsunekazu Ishihara recently revealed in an interview with 4Gamer. Apparently, Pokémon was initially going to stay...
Gotta catch 'em all, again
1996 saw the introduction of the Pocket Monster - or Pokémon, as it is better known - series in Japan. That means that next year is the 20th anniversary of the birth of the franchise, and to celebrate this milestone fans will be able to purchase the very first base set of Pokémon cards - in Japan, at least. The set will...
Mew will arrive in games old and new
2016 is going to be an exciting year for Pokémon fans as the series gears up to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. Some promising promotions have now been announced for Japan and, naturally, we're hopeful these will also be coming to the West. All of the following are hitting Nintendo's homeland on 27th February,...
Events Gotta Bach 'Em All: A Night Out At Pokémon Symphonic Evolutions
(Disclaimer: No Bach was actually played on the night)
As with many of Nintendo's largest franchises, the music from the Pokémon games has captured its fans' hearts, being just as much a part of growing up as the monster-catching action itself. From the gentle beginnings in Pallet Town, right through to the epic Champion Battle themes, these songs...
Higher ticket sales, but lower takings
The world may be gripped by Star Wars fever at the moment but in Japan, the most-seen movie didn't feature lightsabers or X-Wings, but mischievous ghosts and magical timepieces. More tickets were sold for Yo-Kai Watch the Movie 2: King Enma and the 5 Stories, Nyan! than Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but due to...
News The New Steam Pokémon, Volcanion, is Revealed in Full and Will be Distributed to 3DS Titles
That's number 721
A recent CoroCoro magazine leak announced the Volcanion Pokémon, confirming that it would feature in the 2016 movie for the series. The Pokémon Company has now done an official reveal through a video and web page, giving us some details, footage and screens to gawk at. Volcanion is number 721, for those counting - thanks,...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 4 - 2006 To 2010
Don't call it a comeback
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon in February 2016 and look hotly ahead towards brand new things, we're continuing our journey through each generation of Pokémon; this month we look at the generation that encapsulated the early years of the DS era, in particular. If you need to catch up before reading...
News Pokémon Now Has an Official Tumblr Page, For All You Trendy Types
Officially sanctioned Pikachu GIFs ahoy!
It can be hard to keep track of which social media platforms are 'hot', and which ones are the new Bebo or Google+, also known as 'that thing I have a login for but haven't used in about four years'. We think Tumblr is a popular thing now, and we like the official Splatoon page in any case - this writer's too...
News You Can Now Blow 367 Bucks On A Single Pikachu
Thanks to German toymaker Steiff
How much do you love Pokémon star Pikachu? Enough to part with $367, perhaps? You now have the opportunity to prove that because German toymaker Steiff - famed for its hand-made teddy bears - has created what has to be the most expensive Pikachu toy in the world. Priced at 45,000 Yen (US$367), pre-orders for this...
Review Pokémon Picross (3DS eShop)
Pika-p and play
During the Nintendo Direct in November one of the surprise announcements was Pokémon Picross. It seemed like a bizarre idea, but crossing over the Pokémon franchise with the quirky Picross series is precisely what the somewhat stagnant puzzle series needed, adding a considerable amount of replayability and strategy onto the...
News Pokémon Rumble World Physical Retail Edition Heading to Europe and Australia
Strips out all microtransactions
Pokémon Rumble World has been one of Nintendo's key free-to-play experiments on 3DS, and was recently reported by the company to be one of its most successful download offerings to date. Perhaps keen to capitalise on that success a remixed version was released as a budget retail title in Japan; that same version is...
November2015
Review Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (3DS)
Gotta recruit 'em all
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon is very much a rollercoaster ride, frequently oscillating between highs and lows. Just when you think you can't bear the tedium any longer something interesting happens that pulls you right back in. On the other hand, just when things are starting to get good it levels off and you're forced to...
News Pokémon Picross Launches on 3rd December in the West
I choose you!
One of the new announcements made in the recent Nintendo Direct was that of Pokémon Picross. The upcoming puzzle game aims to crossover the Pokémon and Picross series by featuring over 300 puzzle based off of various Pokémon from the popular series. Moreover, once each puzzle is solved, the Pokémon that it depicts is "caught" and...
News Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Now Available for Download
Along with an interactive iBook
It was confirmed earlier in the year that Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction would eventually be available in the West; it feature on TV in North America, and now The Pokémon Company has confirmed that the film can be downloaded. It's available for download from three stores, in the UK costing...
Nintendo Life Weekly Huge Pokémon Reveal Next Month, Arguably the Rarest Nintendo Game, and More
Skip, fly, straight to the sky!
With all the hustle and bustle of the recent Nintendo Direct the past week has seemed quiet in comparison, but that doesn't mean we're going to avoid our duties! Once again we've collated the best news of the week as well as all of the releases and reviews you've come to expect of Nintendo Life Weekly. This week we...
News Amazon Lists Pokémon Red, Yellow And Blue At 10 Bucks A Pop
Premium Pocket Monsters
The news that Pokémon Red, Yellow and Blue are finally headed to the 3DS Virtual Console caused quite a bit of excitement when it was announced during last week's Nintendo Direct. The games which launched the phenomenally successful franchise, these monochrome masterpieces are sure to sell well - and it would appear that...
Video Watch Kids React To The Original Pokémon Anime Television Series
"I love it, it's the old one"
What happens when you gather a bunch of kids who were born after the year 2000 and get them to watch the original Pokémon anime which originally aired on Japanese television in 1997? The result is the latest video entry in the Kids React YouTube series. Although the anime series is older than every participant...
News CoroCoro is Teasing a Big Pokémon Announcement for Next Month
What could it be?
For those of you who aren't aware, CoroCoro is a monthly Japanese comic magazine that primarily focuses on manga for elementary school children. Among the comics that appear within its pages each month are Pokémon pieces, and these are sometimes accompanied by news and screenshots that pertain to the game series. Many times in the...
Video Sit Back and Relax With This Jazz Version of the Pokémon Theme
It's super relaxing
It's been an excitable time for fans of the big N, with the first Nintendo Direct in months confirmed to be heading to our screens soon. It's enough to set minds and pulses racing, so perhaps we need to just sit back and relax. Frankly, it's hard to envisage a better way to do that than to chill out with this jazz version of the...
Feature Why We're Still Playing... Pokémon Gold / Silver / Crystal
The revolution of a revolution...
This is a series of features that focuses on games that we keep playing again and again, either over an unhealthy number of hours or those that keep getting return visits long after they first graced our systems. In this entry Arjun talks about his favourite Pokémon games. The beginning: There's no doubt that the...
Feature A Pokémon Retrospective: Generation 3 - 2002 To 2006
A period of evolution
As we build up to the 20th anniversary of Pokémon in February 2016, and look hotly ahead towards brand new things including the new Zygarde forms, we're continuing our monthly journey through each generation of Pokémon, this month we cover the generation that many ignored, the one that came after the Pokémon "fad" ended, but...
Video The Pokémon Company Shows Off the Current Zoroark Distribution
Available in North America now in ORAS
The Pokémon Company likes being random sometimes, and has released a Zoroark distribution for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to prove that very point. This particular version of the tricky 'mon comes with the Sludge Bomb move, which it can't learn in normal gameplay, with Dark Pulse, Flamethrower and...
Video Learn a Little About Pokémon Snap and Five 'Impossible' Pocket Monsters
From Did You Know Gaming? and our own Alex
Trivia and fictional logic are fundamental parts of the gaming landscape - it can be fascinating to learn more details on games and how they're made, while we may also fantasise over whether Bowser is really a bad guy. Either is an entertaining way to pass some time. So we thought we'd share a couple of...
News Grab Your Children's Day Pikachu Poké Plush While You Can
Won't somebody think of the children?
Pokémon fans might want to throw some money at the screen, as Pokémon Center is selling the Children's Day Pikachu Poké Plush for just $17.99 as we speak
October2015
News Yo-Kai Watch Will Be The Next Pokémon, Claims Viz Media
"We are certainly bigger than Pokémon in Japan"
Viz Media - the firm which is handling the release of the Yo-Kai Watch comic and TV show in Europe and America - has confidently claimed that the series will be "the next Pokémon". Waell Oueslati, EMEA associate brand manager at Viz Media, is clearly bullish about the chances of the franchise in the...
News Pokémon Hoopa Distribution Confirmed for McDonald's in the US, XY & Z Anime Opening Emerges
Dramatic...
While Pokémon fans in Europe have had the opportunity to pick up Hoopa for Pokémon X & Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, some other territories have had to wait a little longer. The good news for 'mon fans in the US is that the powerful pocket monster now has confirmed distribution details for the country. As rep
Random Fan Creates Custom amiibo of EarthBound Cast and Pokémon Trainer Red
Because wave-waiting just doesn't cut it...
Custom amiibo have become a growing craze since shortly after the launch of Nintendo's NFC figurines, and have ranged from simple paint-jobs to full-blown model changes. It's impossible to keep track of everyone's creations, but Insomniac Games' Environment Artist Bryan Renno has joined the party and has...
Video Remember the Good Old Days With These Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Animations
The nostalgia may overpower you
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon is coming to the 3DS in North America pretty soon - early 2016 in Europe - and The Pokémon Company wants to build a little hype for the latest entry in the spin-off series. To do that it has revisited past entries of the series, or their accompanying animations, in any case. The...
Random This Real Life Pokémon Gym Looks Rather Fun
Better than a real gym, anyway
Going to the gym isn't necessarily fun for a lot of people - yes, some enjoy getting sweaty and having minor heart issues after doing one too many reps, but it's considered by many to be more of a thing to do if you don't want to be particularly chunky in body shape. A Pokémon Gym though, that's something else...
Pokémon Features
Forum Topics
70,057 replies |
Comment on the Avatar of the Person Above You
48,763 replies |
Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door!!!!!!!
185 replies |
The Dungeon and Dragons Thread
640 replies |
The Nintendo Switch Rumor and Speculation Thread
4,242 replies |
96,557 replies |
1,887 replies |
Most Read
News The Pokémon Company's 'monpoké' Kids And Babies Brand Is Going Global
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Blueberry Pokédex, All Pokémon Location...
Guide Upcoming Pokémon Games - Release Dates, All Announced Pokémon Titles
News The Next Pokémon Squishmallows Have Been Officially Revealed, Pre-Order...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC - How To Defeat The B...
Reminder The 3DS Pokémon Bank & Transporter Services Are Still Online
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All 25 Returning Legendary Pokémon Locat...
Guide Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Best Ways To Farm BP In The Indigo Di...
