Grave Gamer News & Views — game freak

First Ever 3D Pokemon Titles Releasing in October

“We brought Pokémon into an entirely new dimension and we’re incredibly excited to bring Pokémon X and Pokémon Y to fans.” - Junichi Masuda

So I’m, oh, twelve hours late to the announcement, but my stoner-level journalism doesn’t make this news any less exciting – plus, my inner eight-year-old would slap the shit out of me, and likely overwrite my save, if I failed to make mention of brand new Pokemon games.

For the first time in gaming history, two main series sequels in the Pokemon franchise are going full 3D.  Coming to the 3DS this October, Game Freak and Nintendo are releasing Pokemon X and Pokemon Y.The fact that the two titles are in 3D doesn’t just refer to the 3DS’ lynchpin functionality; X and Y will be rendered in full polygonal 3D, from simple exploration to in-battle animations (Eight-Year-Old Me informs me that that is quite awesome).

Besides a bolstered visual presentation, fans will find a lot familiar with X and Y, the tried-and-true formula once more pitting you as an up-and-coming trainer traveling the regions of the world in search of new species of Pokemon to catch – with some familiar species, absent in recent games, making a return – and sharpening your skills against battle-hardened trainers itching to both trump your collection of pocket monsters and humiliate you with cringe worthy one-liners.  Lick your wounds, trainer.  It’s all bumps on the road to becoming the very best.  Perhaps…the best there ever was.

Unlike previous games, Nintendo has forgone the staggered release schedule that comes with localizing the titles, promising Pokemon X and Pokemon Y will see a simultaneous worldwide release this October.

Witness the dawn of the Sixth Generation and the three starters you get to choose in this glorious Announcement Trailer.

Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 Announced, Because Just Gray Would Be Bland

The big news Nintendo and developer Game Freak had in store for trainers the world over this weekend was not just a single continuation, but two, count ‘em, two sequels presumably carrying on this generation’s Black and White entries, contractually fulfilling Nintendo’s blood oath to achieve a double-sequel, bringing the Poke-prophecy full circle.

Black 2 and White 2, storming Japan’s market as soon as June of this year for the Nintendo DS (the “2DS”, you could hopefully never say), will likely be mirror versions of each other with the exception of different cuddly, collectible pit-fighters to stash on your belt and certain locales to explore.  So, in actuality, one sequel, two games.  What I call double dipping, Nintendo is sure to call variety.

But, of course, one could also argue if you snag Black 2 and a friend drops coin for White 2, Nintendo is strengthening bonds by allowing players to share Pokemon and train against each other which is a social positive.  So we’ll just call a truce and agree that Nintendo’s double dipping.

Ah, I jest (sort of), if Game Freak pulls an X-2 minus the inanity by continuing the universe instead of just rehashing it, then Black 2 and White 2 may both be worth the price for Poke-fanatics. With a Japanese launch in June, Western shores are liable to see the next two Pokemon games later this year; keep your eyes out for a date in the near future.