Pokémon

Pokémon, Japanese Icon

Pocket Monsters first launched in Japan back in early 1996 on the Game Boy. Later that year, a card game followed. By the late 1990s, the series was supposed to be a fad, a passing fancy. Yet this month in Japan, two Pokémon feature films hit Japanese theaters. Pocket Monsters isn’t a fad, in Japan,…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 26, 2011

In Search of New and Exciting Collectible Card-Based Video Games

Appropriately named commenter Tengen Toppa Duck Face has a craving for video games based on collectible card games, but his experience is limited to Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon. Somebody help a brother deal a fresh hand in today’s Speak Up on Kotaku. Are there any collectible card video games that come highly recommended, new or old?…

By Mike Fahey Published July 25, 2011

Did Pokémon Beat Ghibli?

In its first weekend, anime Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! The Movie placed second at the Japanese box office, behind the new Harry Potter. Ghibli’s Kokurikozaka kara, co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by his son, placed third. [Eiga.com via ANN]

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 20, 2011

Watch the New Pokémon Airplane for Almost Six Whole Minutes

There’s a new Poké jet. This is it! On July 18, this All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300 Peace Jet landed in Hokkaido. The plane then taxied to the arrival gate. This isn’t the first plane featuring Pocket Monsters, and this plane aims to promote the latest Pocket Monster animated feature film. However, the “Peace Jet”…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 20, 2011

Pokémon Rumble Blast Scrambles to America

This fall, Pokémon Rumble Blast lets players take control of wind-up Pocket Monsters and battle it out. The game will be released this month in Japan as Super Pokémon Scramble, and it’s a sequel to a WiiWare title. In Pokémon Rumble Blast, players can collect over 600 Pocket Monsters (including monsters from Pokémon Black and…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 19, 2011

A Packed House for Pokémon

Catch ‘Em All | TOKYO, JAPAN: It’s summer in Japan, which means only one thing: a new Pocket Monsters flick. (Photo: Famitsu) Don’t Just Sit There, Let These Toys Blow Your Mind Gundam. Draonball. Kamen Rider. Great Mazinger, even. Namco Bandai’s 2011 Tamashii Nation toy show proves just how wonderful (and awesome) Japanese figures can…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 18, 2011

Oh Jigglypuff…

…why so serious? By Dan Hipp

By Luke Plunkett Published July 18, 2011

She Didn’t Have Friends. She Had Pocket Monsters.

Ever wonder why nerd heroine Shoko Nakagawa is the queen of Pokémon? Because growing up, she was lonely. Very, very lonely. “When I was a kid, I didn’t have friends,” Nakagawa recently said at press event. “But I did have Pokémon.” Nakagawa has previously discussed her experience with bullies in junior high school. Seeing kids…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 18, 2011

So How’s That Non-Nintendo Pokémon Game?

As of today, Pokémon is available on non-Nintendo hardware, namely smart phones. Pokémon Say Tap? was released on the Apple App Store, and sister site Kotaku Japan checked it out. Pokémon Say Tap? is a free rhythm game for the iOS and Android. It’s free, so you get what you pay for. The point here…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 15, 2011

Do You Have Ten Hours? Over a Hundred? This Post Is for You.

YouTube user TehN1ppe posts ten hour clips. Ten hours! Ten hours of endless loops, like Mario climbing a vine. For ten hours. Or Mudkip. Yep, Mah, Hiep, Mah, Hiep. For ten hours. Or Nyan Cat. For ten hours. Or epic sax guy. For ten hours. Trololo? Ten hours. As website Game Set Watch points out,…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 14, 2011

A Green Lantern Finale, an X-Men Split, The Old Republic and More New Comics Recommendations

There are new comics in comic shops and available for download on many of your favorite digital devices (no, not your microwave) every Wednesday. I have recommendations for you. One of them is a limited time offer… for a digital comic. Go figure. Comics You Should Consider Buying (from comics shops) American Vampire: Survival of…

By Stephen Totilo Published July 13, 2011

Nintendo Nixes Future iPhone, Android Games Despite Pokemon Title

The decision to bring a Pokemon game to the iPhone doesn’t mean that Nintendo has softened its views on Apple’s gaming phone. Speaking with Bloomberg, a spokesman said that Nintendo’s decision to only develop games for its own hardware “hasn’t changed and won’t change.” While Pokemon is typically only published on Nintendo game systems, it…

By Brian Crecente Published July 6, 2011

Here It Is, an Official Pokémon App

There are unofficial Pokémon apps, such as this. Nintendo and Game Freak are *finally* releasing an official Pokémon app for the AppStore and the Android Market. The app, Pokémon Say Tap? BW, uses music and on screen Pokémon cards in a timing game. The free app is slated to be out this summer, making it…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011

‘Portalmon’ Design Now a Catchable, Testable T-Shirt [Updated]

Remember Matt Parson’s ‘Portalmon’ mash-up design? For the next 48 hours, you can now buy it as a lovely t-shirt for €20 (plus modest shipping). Update: Qwertee has set up a special promotion for Kotaku readers. Simply add the code ILoveKotaku when checking out to get the Portalmon tee for €10—half off!—with €3 shipping anywhere…

By Joel Johnson Published June 27, 2011

Realistic Gengar is the Pokémon of Your Nightmares

The dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon Gengar gets a super creepy redesign by artist Gavin Mackey. Just try going to sleep tonight… Related Rampages: Patrick Star | Raticate Gengar – Commission by Gavin Mackey / SoupAndButter Need your daily fill of geek eye candy? If so, head over to Justin Page’s Rampaged Reality and get your fix.…

By Michael McWhertor Published June 24, 2011

Kid Gets School Ban On Pokémon Overturned

New York student Lucas Ayala, who goes to Out World Neighbourhood School in Queens, was so sick of a ban on playing with Pokémon cards during breaks that he wrote the school a letter, asking them to reconsider. Somehow, that actually worked The school’s assistant principal, moved by Ayala’s politely-worded letter, not only replied, he…

By Luke Plunkett Published June 17, 2011

The Japanese Earthquake’s Unexpected Impact on Pokémon

March 11’s earthquake has impacted car companies and electronics makers. That’s expected. But it’s also had an unforeseen effect on Pocket Monsters, namely Pokémon branded noodles. Coming in flavors like soy sauce and seafood, Pokémon Noodles feature small slices of kamaboko with characters faces on it, such as Pikachu. The earthquake and tsunami wrecked havoc…

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 17, 2011

Link is the Hero of…Pokémon?

It’s no Master Sword, but if Link needs to knock out some annoying little monsters, it’ll do. Link with Pikablade by pyrofire2007

By Luke Plunkett Published June 16, 2011

Pikachu, in Wonderfully Disturbing Song Form

I shouldn’t like this. I should think this is stupid. It’s not, and I don’t. For some reason, I cannot stop watching this. “Singachu” was written and performed by A.J. Pinkerton. He also has a Sonic musical showtune. Likewise, I like it, but I don’t know why!

By Brian Ashcraft Published June 16, 2011

If Pokémon Was Street Fighter, the World Would be a Better Place

Turn-based battles and tiny sprites are for children. Those who grew up on Pokémon and are now a little more, well, grown up, deserve something more violent This custom fan-made game may not have the world’s slickest front-end, but those character animations are to die for. Well. Faint for. If you want to play it…

By Luke Plunkett Published June 15, 2011