Pokémon

Those Two New Legendary Pokémon Have Names, You Know

Spied at the end of the announcement trailer yesterday, two new Pokémon in the upcoming Pokémon X and Y have been confirmed as the game’s Legendary Pokémon and named. The Pokémon company has included a handy pronunciation guide. The one at left above is Xerneas. Say its name like this: “ZURR-nee-us.” The one at right?…

Pokémon X/Y Is Already Teaching Children English in South Korea

The newest Pocket Monster games, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y aren’t even 24 hours old, but they’re already making learning English in Korea fun—and heart-meltingly cute. According to Kotaku reader Justin, who teaches English in Seoul, South Korea, his kindergarten students are bananas for Pocket Monsters. Writes Justin: “I hyped them up with the announcement.…

To Train This Charizard Action Figure, You Don’t Need Badges. You Need Money.

While you might come up short with badges to train Charizard, you probably have enough cashola to do that. Slated for an April release, the fully poseable action figure is priced at ¥3,990 (US$46)—though, I’ve seen it priced at around $30 online in Japan. The Charizard figure is part of Bandai’s D-Arts line of action…

The Hidden Inspiration (OK, Not Really) Behind The New Pokémon Starters

You may not think animated series Bob’s Burgers and the just-announced Pokémon X/Y have much in common, but they do. And once it’s seen, it cannot be unseen. Guys, I noticed something about the new starters [Nick DeWitt]

Why The First Truly “New” Pokémon Game In Ages Is On 3DS, And Not Wii U

A Pokémon game that looks new? Amazing. If you’re wondering why the company chose to release a 3D Pokémon adventure on a handheld, though, and not the Wii U, there’s a simple answer. Well, a simple answer that’s different from “because we’ve only ever released main Pokémon games on a handheld”. In an interview with…

Watch 15 Years Of Pokémon Graphics Evolve, Slowly But Surely

The Pokémon games gradually become more lovely to look at year by year and system by system, at about the rate that mighty rivers turn into Grand Canyons. But graphical improvements do occur! Here are the six main Pokémon games. See how they’ve evolved… (But, before you do, click and drag the slider on the…

Let’s Marvel at How Pretty Pokémon X/Pokémon Y Looks

There are new Pokémon games! And if this batch of screens is anything to go by, the games are going to be pixelated purdy. “We brought Pokémon into an entirely new dimension and we’re incredibly excited to bring Pokémon X and Pokémon Y to fans,” said game designer Junichi Masuda, in an official release. “The…

Here’s the Newest Pokémon. It’s Out Worldwide This October.

Tonight, Nintendo unveiled the newest Pokémon games, Pokémon X/Pokémon Y. They’re completely new titles for the 3DS. One point of interest: in the core series, as long as you consider diamond, pearl and platinum color shades, these are the first Pocket Monster games that are not named after colors. The three starters look to be…

These Pokémon Are So Ugly

Pocket Monsters are supposed to be cute. That’s just the way it is. Or rather, the way it should be. But these Pokémon are anything but cute. They’re butt ugly. Bad teeth, simpleton stares, and generally surly dispositions turn some of the cutest Pocket Monsters into some of the ugliest. Even the teeth hurtingly cute…

Get ready to wake up early, Pokémon fans. Pokémon news coming in a Nintendo Direct tomorrow at 6am ET

The official Japanese Pokémon website teases an “important announcement” for January 8—next Tuesday. What could it be?

“Hater Used Hate”: This Hip-Hop RPG Video Is Super Effective at Making You Laugh

At first, the vibe of SG Grey Days’ retro-RPG-styled video didn’t grab me. An overworld that looked like something out of a Genesis-era game? Yawn. But when the random encounter battle with a Wild Hater got underway, I couldn’t stop laughing. The clip is for the Frames of Invincibility EP by rap duo SG Grey…

151 Pokémon, Transported Back In Time To 1986

Welsh student Chelsea Saunders has gone and rendered all 151 original Pokémon in a super-pixelated style, showing us what the pocket monsters would have looked like if they’d been released on the NES. Or… Commodore 64. pixelated Pokémon [PIXELATED COWBOY]

When Is Cheating In A Game Okay?

I can tell you exactly when I ruined Pokemon for myself. It was when I enlisted the help of an Action Replay and an obscure program that let me do just about anything in the game. It was like playing god. Pokemon god. And having this powerful ability completely changed how I see cheating. I…

This Is What Our Favorite Pokémon Looked Like Before Their Final Designs

I love looking at the early stages of a a creative work I’ve experienced in its finalized form. You get a glimpse of what-almost-was, what-could-have-been, and sometimes the thank-god-that-didn’t-happen. Bulbapedia has a fascinating page on prototype Pokemon and prototype trainers, as well as some Pokemon that just plain never made it into a Pokemon game.…

The Dorkly Weekly: Pokemon Rusty’s First Big Gym Battle

The saga of Pokemon Rusty continues this week, as our hapless hero fights his first gym battle—about 30 levels too early. I’m not sure which line I am going to steal from this one. “Logic is the rarest candy of them all!” is pretty good, but I’m leaning towards “God Digglett!” For more sick and…

Pokémon Designs Aren’t Getting Worse, They May Be Getting Better

Without fail, a new Pokémon generation will bring with it a wave of criticism—the idea that Game Freak has progressively gotten worse at designing new Pokémon. I’ve noticed that folks who are critical of new Pokémon will typically point toward the original 151 Pokémon as examples of amazing, if not the best, Pokémon design. I…

Batman, Mario Kart and Transformers Peel Out as Japanese Toy Cars

Children (and adults) rejoice! Tomy’s Tomica toy cars are getting a handful of iconic wheels, such as the Batmobile, Optimus Prime, and Mario’s kart. The toy cars race out later this month in Japan, with each costing ¥630 ($7.50). Have a look, courtesy of Kotaku Japan 『バットマン』や『ポケモン』がミニカーに！ トミカ新シリーズ「Dream TOMICA」がリリース [Kotaku Japan]

This Japanese Meme Is an Eyeful

Sponsors make television possible. And in Japan, those sponsors dominate the commercial breaks. During each show, they even get one shout out right before a commercial break, with an announcer saying that the program is brought to you by whatever. Normal enough, right? The ensuing meme is anything but. Welcome to the world of “sponsor…

The Dorkly Weekly: Pokemon Rusty Learns EV Training with a Special Musical Guest

EV Training is a special way to play Pokemon that utilizes math to maximize each of your pocket monster’s statistics. Pokemon Rusty doesn’t get it, even after the amazing Mr. Brentalfloss expertly summarizes it in song. “You’re sucking the fun out.” I’ve never been much of a min-maxer myself, preferring to enjoy my games without…