Pokémon GO brings Pokémon to the real world
When Nintendo announced that they would be releasing 5 mobile games by 2017, they created quite a bit of buzz. After all, Nintendo has always been a closed eco-system. Perhaps after the Wii U suffered lackluster sales, Nintendo has decided that a more multifaceted approach is best.
So today, Nintendo in conjunction with Niantic announced that Pokémon GO would be released sometime next year. If Niantic sounds familiar, it’s because they are the developer spun off from Google that is responsible for the popular real-world augmented reality game Ingress.
Pokémon GO seeks to combine Niantic’s augmented reality with Pokémon. Take a look at the trailer.
The game will allow Pokémon trainers to explore real-world locations to catch, trade, and battle with each other in their search for Pokémon. There will also be a separate Bluetooth device for their smartphone called Pokémon GO Plus, developed and manufactured by Nintendo, alerting Pokémon trainers to nearby events (such as Pokémon in the vicinity) with flashes and vibrations, and the ability to catch them with the press of a button.
“Our challenge was to develop a great game for smart phone devices that expressed the core values of Pokémon,” said Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company. “Pokémon GO is the answer to that challenge.”
“Pokémon GO is a wonderful combination of Niantic’s real world gaming platform and one of the most beloved franchises in popular culture,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, Inc. “Our partnership with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo is an exciting step forward in real-world gaming and using technology to help players discover the world and people around them.”
Pokémon GO will be a free download on Google Play in 2016 with available in-app purchases.
This game sounds really interesting to me. I had a hard time getting into Ingress because I didn’t really have time to spend away from home capturing spots. I have 3 children. However, this looks like a game that I can take the kids with me to play.
What do you think? Will you be downloading Pokémon GO next year? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Pokémon GO brings Pokémon to the real world appeared first on AndroidGuys.
‘Pokémon Go’ uses your phone for real-life Mewtwo hunting
We’ve seen Pokémon in VR before, but how about getting them about and playing with them in the real world? That’s what Pokémon Go wants to achieve. It’s a collaboration between Niantic Labs (the folks behind the GPS-based Ingress) and the Pokémon Company. From what we can tell, it’s going to use Niantic’s location-based backend to have you catching and fighting the pocket monsters in the streets all around you. Of course, there’s a wearable involved dubbed the Pokemon Go Plus. It’s a Bluetooth device from Nintendo that’s shaped like one of the series’ Pokeballs (capture-gizmos that store monsters after defeating them) that pairs with both Android and iOS to flash and vibrate, giving you alerts when something is happening in the game in your vicinity. It goes a bit further than that though, and you can even use the Go Plus to capture a monster with it.
When it launches next year, Go will be free-to-play and involves you catching, trading and battling the beasties, and will apparently have you scouring the real world for hidden ones near you. “Our challenge was to develop a great game for smartphone devices that expressed the core values of Pokémon,” the Pokémon Company’s president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara says in a prepared statement. This isn’t the first time the adorable little creatures have appeared on mobile devices, and it’s further steps of Nintendo tip-toeing into the space. There’s no way that playing the game is going to be anything like what the involved parties are selling in the video below though, but you can always dream, right?
Filed under:
Cellphones, Gaming, GPS, Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Nintendo
Source:
YouTube
Tags: gaming, hd, hdpostcross, ingress, mobile, mobilepostcross, nianticlabs, nintendo, pokemon, pokemongo, pokemongoplus
New in our buyer’s guide: the Galaxy Note 5, OnePlus 2 and Moto G
Phones and gaming. Gaming and phones. That’s about all we’re adding to our buyer’s guide this month. Since we last checked in, we’ve inducted a trio of new handsets, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Moto G and the OnePlus 2. (And yes, we’ll soon have to update the iPhone part of the guide too.) Meanwhile, we also decided that the Wii U and the New 3DS XL deserved spots in our gaming guide, along with a nod to toys-to-life products like Amiibo, Skylanders and Disney’s Infinity series. We’ll be back next month, but until then, feel free to poke around our complete guide to see our top picks.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Gaming, Mobile, Samsung, Lenovo, Nintendo
Source:
Engadget Buyer’s Guide
Tags: 3dsxl, amiibo, buyers guide, buyersguide, disneyinfinity, engadget buyers guide, galaxynote5, lenovo, mobilepostcross, motog, motorola, nintendo, NintendoWiiU, oneplus, oneplus2, samsung, Skylanders, WiiU
‘Pikmin 4’ is not only real, but nearly finished
You may have had to wait the better part of a decade to get a third Pikmin game, but its follow-up won’t take nearly so long. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has revealed to Eurogamer that his company is not only working on Pikmin 4, but that it’s “very close to completion.” Surprise! Mind you, that’s about all that Miyamoto is willing to divulge at this point. He’s not talking about release dates, game mechanics (hint: it probably involves marshaling Pikmin) or even the choice of platform. Will this be one of the first games for the upcoming NX system, a swan song for the Wii U, or something else? Whatever the answer, you’ll have to sit tight and hope that Nintendo does justice to its cult favorite game franchise.
[Image credit: Daniel Boczarski/WireImage]
Source:
Eurogamer
Tags: gaming, nintendo, pikmin, pikmin4, ShigeruMiyamoto, videogames
A time capsule of ridiculous video game box art
Nostalgia is a weird, powerful thing. It’s the force of nature that resurrected Captain EO at Walt Disney World and turned a children’s cartoon about living robot cars into a blockbuster movie franchise. For me, it’s also the reason I collect video game packaging from the 1980s and ’90s. It feels silly, coveting a glorified advertisement designed to sell Nintendo games, but I can’t help myself: A lot of these boxes are minor works of art. Don’t believe me? Check it out: a full gallery of NES-era game boxes with deliciously over-the top plot descriptions, fantastic pulp artwork and even the occasional free-pizza coupon. Have a favorite retro game box of your own? Tell me all about it in the comments section below.Slideshow-316536
Filed under:
Misc, Gaming, Nintendo
Tags: gallery, nes, nesgames, nintendo, videogames
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly!
Sponsored by: Perbby
[Price: Free]
This week’s Android Apps Weekly is sponsored by Perbby. Perbby is a social application where you can post what you’re doing and where you’re doing it. Other members who are near you will be able to see your posts and “heart” them if they’re interested in doing the same activity. Once that happens, you’ll have the option to chat with them and set things up! It’s a fun little app with a clean design and a fairly straightforward premise. It also uses Facebook login. It’s free to download so why not try it out?
Get it now on Google Play!
Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly! Let’s jump right into the headlines!
- Google is giving a look at its new design language which is aimed to make everything on the web and mobile look the same. So far Google Search has been updated to mixed reviews thanks to the colored microphone but otherwise it looks pretty good. Google also has a new logo!
- Samsung has announced that they’ve been working with European digital publisher Axel Springer to create a curated news app for their Galaxy devices. It’ll be known as UPDAY which will debut in select markets soon and slowly roll out to everyone else.
- Noodlecake Studios has announced that they’re working with Built By Snowman to bring the hit iOS game Alto’s Adventure to Android. The snowboarding game was hailed for its slick graphics and unique game play. We’re excited about it!
- Dendroid developer, Morgan Culbertson, pleaded guilty to federal charges revolving around the creation of his malware app. The malware would infect devices and give the hacker access to all kinds of wicked things. If convincted, Morgan could face up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
- YouTube is preparing for a fundamental change. According to multiple sources, it will evolve into a mixture of free videos, ad-supported videos, and premium videos complete with a paywall. According to other sources, this is because YouTube actually doesn’t contribute to profit and Google wants to change that.
If you want to see all of the Android apps and news headlines, updates, and new releases, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter using the box below or check out the full version here! There we’ll have everything rounded up for you to check out and we’ll beam it straight to your inbox every single Friday!
- Android Weekly
- Apps Weekly
While you’re at it, why not check out our Twitch channel? There we stream games and have some fun. Our next scheduled stream is at 4PM EST on Monday, September 7th. Why only one day this week? The other days we usually stream we’ll be dedicating to getting our YouTube Gaming channel up and running!
Google On
[Price: Free]
Google has released a new application called Google On. This nifty little app is used to control, configure, and interface with the Google OnHub router and it remains one of the best router interfaces I’ve ever seen. It has a good design, it’s simple to use, and it makes it much easier to manage. It’s totally free but, of course, you’ll need the Google OnHub router which will run you $199.
Get it now on Google Play!
Mirrativ
[Price: Free]
Mirrativ is a new streaming application that works a bit differently than most. Where Periscope uses your camera and Twitch does games, Mirrativ allows you to stream pretty much anything you’re doing on your device. It is in beta so you can expect bugs here and there, but it’s a nifty idea that even lets people engage with whatever it is that you’re streaming. It’s also free to use.
Get it now on Google Play!
Street View on Google Maps
[Price: Free]
Street View the application has been around for quite some time but it was updated to version 2.0 this last week and has become a full-fledged standalone application. It still does most of the same Street View things like give you 360-degree imagery and it still contributes to Google Maps. With the new update, you can push photospheres to Street View for immediate use. It’ll be a fun app to keep around.
Get it now on Google Play!
UNKILLED
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
UNKILLED is the latest shooter out of Madfinger Games, developers of the acclaimed Shadowgun and Dead Trigger games. This one features fantastic graphics and simple game play where you collect weapons, mow down zombies, and a lot more. There are boss fights, over 300 missions, and over 50 weapons to collect and use. We’re not entirely sure why this wasn’t just called Dead Trigger 3 but it’s still fun. Just beware of those release day bugs!
Get it now on Google Play!
Pokemon Shuffle Mobile
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
For the first time in the history of mobile gaming, there is a real, actual Pokemon game now available for Google Play. Unfortunately, it isn’t the kind we really wanted but at least it’s a start. This Pokemon game is a matching puzzle game where you must match icons and that deals damage to the Pokemon you’re currently battling. It’s cutesy and simple and worth a shot if you like Pokemon.
Get it now on Google Play!
Wrap up
If we missed any awesome Android apps and games news, tell us about it in the comments!
Nintendo opens digital download store on Amazon
US Amazon users can now buy Nintendo titles like Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U through a digital download space on Amazon. According to the page, you can purchase one of the 61 titles listed, including Mario Kart 8, Splatoon and Yoshi’s Island, then just click the Nintendo Network link on the ‘thank you’ page. From there, the content code will be automatically redeemed and the game sent directly to your Wii U or 3DS console. The new store means there’s now another way to purchase downloadable games other than through Nintendo’s eShop — even though it still comes directly from Nintendo.
Pricing on Amazon seems to be the same as Nintendo’s eShop — Splatoon and Mario Kart 8 on Wii U are the same $59.99 on both sites. However, it’s possible that Amazon will have the odd sale or deal (we’ve reached out for more info). Until recently, Amazon didn’t even stock Nintendo consoles itself, choosing to just fulfill orders from other retailers on its site. That led some folks to speculate that there was some kind of feud going on, though neither side ever confirmed that. Recently, however, Amazon started selling the 3DS XL and some other bundles after several years of not doing so. And the new store seems a sign that any dispute — real or imagined — is now in the past.
Filed under:
Gaming, Amazon, Nintendo
Via:
Wario64 (Twitter)
Source:
Amazon
Tags: amazon, DigitalDownloads, downloads, eShop, games, nintendo, NintendoDigitalDownloads
Nintendo’s smaller New 3DS comes to the US on September 25th
When Nintendo decided to release only the New 3DS XL in the US this winter rather than its smaller New 3DS sibling, it left many scratching their heads. Why would Nintendo deprive American gamers of a smaller, more travel-friendly handheld? Well, it’s making amends for that mistake very shortly. Nintendo has revealed that it’s bringing the New 3DS to the US on September 25th as part of a $220 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer bundle. So long as you like having the game’s charming art plastered all over your handheld, you too can have a more portable option. The NFC Reader (needed to load up on Amiibo figurines and card) will also arrive that day for $20.
Unfortunately, it looks like you won’t have an option for a plain vanilla New 3DS, at least not yet. Unlike with the New 3DS XL, that Animal Crossing bundle is all you’re getting — you may actually pay more than you would for the XL if you weren’t bent on receiving a game alongside your system. It won’t be shocking if Nintendo eventually expands the selection, but it’s clear that the larger device remains the star of the show.
Filed under:
Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo
Via:
Nintendo of America (Twitter)
Source:
Nintendo (BusinessWire)
Tags: 3ds, amiibo, animalcrossing, animalcrossinghappyhomedesigner, gaming, handheld, legendofzelda, new3ds, nfc, nintendo, videogames
Netflix for the Wii U adds new features like individual profiles
While the Wii U is among our favorite ways to game, its Netflix experience has been lagging behind a bit. New features like (optional) autoplaying episodes, switching between individual profiles and easy resuming just never came to the console, until now. A new update went out last night — just in time for the debut of the excellent-looking Narcos series — that should bring things up to par with the rest, however some gamers on NeoGAF are still looking for the ability to control it with the Pro Controller instead of Nintendo’s GamePad. Also, the new app defaults to streaming video to your GamePad instead of leaving it for information and navigation, so keep that in mind if you’re checking out a few episodes in between rounds of Splatoon this weekend.
Filed under:
Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Nintendo
Tags: GamePad, hdpostcross, Netflix, nintendo, streaming, update, video, WiiU
Nintendo@PAX: Wii U gets ‘F-Zero’-style racer, ‘Kerbal’ and more
Nintendo helped kick off Seattle’s annual PAX Prime gaming convention with a focus on the indie scene. The Nindies@Night event at the EMP Museum gave fans a chance to check out 19 indie games on the Wii U and 3DS — and interact with the developers themselves. Among the highlights: Developer Shin’en showed off two-player split-screen support in its very F-Zero-esque Fast Racing Neo; Squad talked about bringing Wii U-specific features to Kerbal Space Program; and Yacht Club Games unveiled a certain shovel-wielding Amiibo figure.Slideshow-316038
Fast Racing Neo
While a number of Nintendo franchises have made an appearance on its current-gen system, there’s still no sign of an F-Zero entry on the horizon. Those longing for a sci-fi racing fix might get just what they need in Shin’en’s upcoming Wii U exclusive: Fast Racing Neo. A follow-up to the dev’s 2011 WiiWare title, Fast Racing Neo aims to provide the kind of futuristic, sci-fi antics that fans of F-Zero and Wipeout can appreciate.
Players can race their rocket sleds in a variety of sci-fi settings — from futuristic cityscapes to space stations. Shin’en Art Director Martin Sauter walked me through the game as we watched a pair of attendees try out the newly announced split-screen mode. “We really tried to make it like a Hollywood movie — really exciting,” he said just as a massive, robotic worm arced over the racetrack. The game will feature 16 tracks split into four cup events, and supports single-player, up to four-way splits-screen and eight-player online.
A solid frame rate is a major component of any racing game and the developer is working hard to maintain 60 fps even during two-player split-screen — while Sauter expects four-player mode to hit “30 for sure.” The split-screen mode looked impressive in person and Sauter added that optimization is still ongoing. “At E3, I couldn’t even say 60 frames,” he said.
And while the Wii U might be capable of better graphics than some give it credit for, Sauter also touted his team’s experience with its in-house engine. “The Wii U has some power. … But you can’t just plug in Unity [a cross-platform game engine] and have everything run great,” he said. “We have our own engine and we’ve been developing it for 20 years.”
Of course, being a sci-fi racer set in the future, even Fast Racing Neo‘s rocket sleds can’t evade comparisons to genre classics like F-Zero and Wipeout. Sauter said the dev is, unsurprisingly, a big fan of those games and thought of those titles when considering what to bring to the Wii U’s eShop. “We don’t mind people seeing F-Zero,” he added, “[but] we want it to stand on its own feet.” Fast Racing Neo is expected to ship later this year.
Shovel Knight
Elsewhere on the show floor, developer Yacht Club Games showed off the Plague of Shadows DLC for its popular side-scroller, Shovel Knight. But some of the biggest applause came during the official unveiling of a Shovel Knight Amiibo figure. Several attendees queued up to get a good look at the blue-hued protagonist (housed safely in a display case). Yacht Club says the figure can be used to unlock cooperative multiplayer modes on the Wii U and other challenges and customization options on both the Wii U and 3DS.
Kerbal Space Program
One of the most pleasant surprises was a game that wasn’t even on the show floor: Kerbal Space Program. Console ports for the popular spaceflight simulator have already been announced for the PS4 and Xbox One, but developer Squad took to the stage during a Q&A session to announce a Wii U version would be on its way as well.
Producer Miguel Piña said the dev is currently working on some Wii U-specific features that take advantage of the console’s unique GamePad, like mapping and planning on the controller’s screen rather than constantly flipping back and forth between menus on the TV. One option could let players view the interiors of their spaceships on the GamePad’s built-in screen – acting like a window of sorts as you move the controller around in all directions. Piña described using the GamePad to look at specific panels and reaching out to toggle controls. Controlling the ship this way opens up a whole new experience, he added, since players could look out through the windows of their ship and watch as the environment zooms by. Of course, the interior view could also ramp up the intensity whenever players make sudden, unexpected landings (read: crashes). The game doesn’t get gory, Piña said, but you do get a nice explosion. “It’s really fun [to control],” he said, “and also really scary when you crash.”
While I couldn’t pry a launch date out of him, Piña did say we can expect the Wii U version of Kerbal Space Program to lift off at the same time as the PS4 and Xbox One versions.
Overall, the devs and fans I spoke with at the event enjoyed the chance to interact directly with each other — something indie developers don’t always get a chance to do. When Squad started work on Kerbal Space Program in Mexico City, for example, Piña said the dev had no expectations when it came to widespread international success. “It’s so weird for us [meeting fans from across the globe in person], but it’s the best thing in the world,” he said, adding that when Squad first released the game, “we said, ‘Here’s our game; does anyone care?’”
Judging from the hundreds of fans on the show floor checking out indie games and the variety and creativity these titles can exhibit, it turns out yes; gamers care.
Images: Shin’en (Fast Racing Neo)
Filed under:
Gaming, HD, Nintendo
Tags: 3DS, F-Zero, Fast Racing Neo, hdpostcross, Indie, indie-games, kerbal-space-program, nintendo, PAX, PAX-2015, pax-prime, shovel-knight, Wii U, Wipeout
AIVAnet 