Since its initial release in 1998 with Pokemon Red and Blue, the franchise has been a staple of many gamers video game collections and throughout its history has served as a solid RPG series boosted by other media franchises including a long-running anime series, many manga series and a trading card game – all of which to this day are still running strong.
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company International took t the stage at E3 2013 to announce that the first Nintendo 3DS iteration of the franchise – Pokemon X and Pokemon Y versions will be released worldwide on the 12th October 2013. For the first time ever, this simultaneous worldwide release will allow new and veteran Pokémon fans around the globe the opportunity to battle and trade never-before-seen Pokémon and past favorites with each other immediately without imbalances in the amount of time given to start the game.
Also confirmed today is that the newly discovered Pokémon Sylveon is in fact a brand-new type: a Fairy-type Pokémon. The first new type to be introduced in a Pokémon video game in over a decade, Fairy-type Pokémon like Sylveon and their Fairy-type moves will be super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon. Prior to this release, only Dragon-type and Ice-type moves were super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon.
Fairy-type Pokémon will include not only newly discovered Pokémon like Sylveon, but also Pokémon from past titles like Gardevoir, Marill, and Jigglypuff, which will be reclassified as Fairy-type Pokémon in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. The companies hope that by adding a new Pokemon type to the mix that they will be adding a new dimension and strategy to battling in the new games. While we have had confirmation as to what they are strong against, we have no idea what they are weak against.
The Pokemon Company International have also confirmed further information on the new Eevee evolution Sylveon as well as two enw Pokemon – Noivern and Vivillon:
- The Fairy-type Sylveon is an Intertwining Pokémon that can manipulate its ribbonlike feelers at will and can emit from them an aura that can calm people and other Pokémon. It often wraps these feelers around the arm of its Trainer as it walks behind him or her. Sylveon can learn Moonblast, a new Fairy-type move debuting in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Moonblast calls on the power of the moon to attack an opposing Pokémon. This move can be very powerful and also lowers the opposing Pokémon’s Attack stat.
. - The Sound Wave Pokémon Noivern is a Flying- and Dragon-type Pokémon that is extremely combative and will attack anything that wanders too close to it. Flying through the dark night with ease, Noivern uses the ultrasonic waves it emits from its ears to attack. These waves are so strong they can reduce large boulders to small pebbles. A new Normal-type move in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y that perfectly suits Noivern is Boomburst. This move emits an explosive sound wave that attacks all surrounding Pokémon with the resulting energy. But beware—Boomburst will also strike any nearby allies, so consider the situation and your team’s types before using it!.
- Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will introduce the new Bug- and Flying-type Pokémon Vivillon. It’s said there’s a secret behind the colorful decorative pattern on Vivillon’s wings, which it uses to scatter its scales or create
a strong wind to attack. Vivillon can learn Struggle Bug, a Bug-type move that lowers the Special Attack of any opposing Pokémon it hits, so the move not only causes damage but also reduces the damage inflicted on Vivillon from certain moves during battle.
The games will also allow players to interact with their Pokemon via the Pokemon-Amie system. Playing and interacting with Pokemon that are in your team using the Nintendo 3DS system’s touchscreen capabilities will help you build a stronger bond with them. Seems like they have also given Pikachu back its voice from the anime rather than the usual in-game growls.
In addition, two new types of battles have been announced to build upon the 1v1 and 2v2 systems implemented in earlier installments. Sky Battles only take place between Pokemon who can fly in some shape or form and allow you to battle special trainers standing on higher cliffs about you whom would otherwise be unable to fight. It doesn’t seem like you actually need the HM Fly to take part in a battle, as an example given was for Haunter who as a ghost Pokemon can’t learn the move.
The other type of battle are horde encounters, which as the title suggests means that just one of your Pokemon may be left to face a group of Pokemon at any one time. It doesn’t seem like you will be able to even out the odds either – but at the same time may serve as a great source of experience.
