Niantic has pulled back the curtain on a substantial update coming soon to Pokemon GO. When it’s released, players will have access to number of new features.

Pokemon GO is seeing “a major facelift” to Gyms, such as spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms to obtain items similar to PokeStops. Gyms will also now feature “six permanent slots that can be filled by the controlling team’s Pokemon.” A motivation system is being added as well “that will significantly change how you interact with Gyms.”

Also new in the update are Gym Badges, a Raid Battle feature in which Trainers work together to take down a powerful Raid Boss, and new items.

Full details about the update are below along with screenshots.

The biggest update to Pokémon GO is nearly here! Very soon, Trainers around the world will be able to participate in a revamped Gym gameplay experience, including the opportunity to join together with others to battle against powerful Pokémon in the new Raid Battle feature!
New Gym Features and Updates: Starting soon, Gyms are undergoing a major facelift. You’ll soon be able to spin the Photo Disc at Gyms to acquire items just as you do at PokéStops—but that’s only the beginning. More updates to Gym battles are also just around the corner. Gyms are no longer based on Prestige and training. Instead, they now feature six permanent slots that can be filled by the controlling team’s Pokémon. Each Pokémon assigned to these slots must be unique. For example, only one Blissey can be assigned to a Gym at a time. In addition, opposing teams will battle the Pokémon in the order they were assigned to the Gym.
At the heart of the update is a new motivation system that will significantly change how you interact with Gyms. When a Pokémon is assigned to a Gym, a motivation meter will be displayed. Pokémon assigned to defend a Gym lose motivation over time and as they are defeated in battle. As a Pokémon loses motivation, its CP will temporarily decrease, making it easier for opposing teams to defeat. To help keep the Pokémon motivated and in tip-top shape for their next battle, Trainers can treat their team’s Pokémon to some Berries, which restore their motivation. If a Pokémon loses all motivation, it will leave the Gym and return to its Trainer the next time it loses a battle, so you’ll want to keep your team’s Pokémon motivated by giving them Berries frequently!

More: Niantic, Pokemon GO, top

Ever Oasis director on Nintendo and Square influences, challenges making the game

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 18 Comments

The soon-to-be-released Ever Oasis was created by Grezzo, the same team behind Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D. It’s also directed and produced by Koichi Ishii who has a long history with Square (Enix)’s Mana series.

In a new interview, Ishii spoke about how working with Nintendo on the Zelda 3DS titles influenced Ever Oasis. At the same time, he feels there are “Square-isms” present from his time as well.

He said:

“We worked together with Nintendo staff while developing the game so I think it’s steeped in “Nintendo-isms” such as the controls, how it looks, how it guides players, its rules, the level designs, and the accessibility of its user interface. Still, you can definitely feel the ‘Square-isms’ in it too.”

More: Ever Oasis, Grezzo, interview, Koichi Ishii

FUZE Code Studio heading to Switch

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 8 Comments

FUZE Code Studio is on the way to Switch, FUZE Technologies announced today. It’s a special tool that not only helps users learn how to code, but create their own games as well.

We’ll be seeing FUZE Code Studio on Switch in Q2. Find some additional details about the project below.

– Easy to learn text based programming language
– No coding experience required
– Create your own apps and fast 2D – 3D games
– Access Joycon sensors and controls directly in your programs
– Use the Dock to show your games on your TV to share with friends and family
– Programmable synthesizer & Speech engine
– Use the included game graphics & audio or create your own
– Extra content packs will be available to download
– Use a USB keyboard, the FUZE touch keyboard or the Joycons to enter your code
– Comes with game graphics and audio and you can create your own
– Learn to code

Source

More: FUZE Code Studio, FUZE Technologies

Nintendo teams up with Kansai International Airport for big promotion

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, Mobile, News, Switch | 10 Comments

Nintendo will be promoting Switch in a big way at Kansai International Airport. On Friday, Nintendo will have a special area where visitors can try out Switch, 3DS, and mobile games. A Mario statue will also be on hand where people can take pictures. If that wasn’t enough, Mario advertising and images will be plastered throughout the airport.

Source

Pokemon Sun/Moon maintenance taking place tonight / tomorrow

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments

Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon are set to undergo maintenance tonight / tomorrow. All of the network services in the games will be impacted for around 90 minutes.

Here’s the schedule:

– 5:30 PM PT (June 19) – 7 PM PT (June 19)
– 8:30 PM ET (June 19) – 10 PM ET (June 19)
– 1:30 AM in the UK (June 20) – 3 AM in the UK (June 20)
– 2:30 AM in Europe (June 20) – 4 AM in Europe (June 20)

Source

More: maintenance, Pokemon Moon, Pokemon Sun

Famitsu’s most wanted games (6/18/17)

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Switch | 5 Comments

It’s time for the latest Famitsu‘s most wanted games chart. Dragon Quest XI, Splatoon 2 and The Alliance Alive continue to lead the way in terms of Nintendo titles.

Head past the break for the full chart. All votes were cast between May 25 and May 31.

More: Famitsu, Famitsu's most wanted

Dragon Ball FighterZ dev says no Switch version isn’t due to a lack of power, open to porting if fans show interest

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 152 Comments

Bandai Namco is bringing Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 to Switch a few months from now. But at E3, the company announced the 2D fighter Dragon Ball FighterZ which is currently not planned for the system. Depending on fan interest, that could change.

French site Game Blog spoke with Dragon Ball FighterZ producer Tomoko Hiroki. Despite what some may say, the game not being on Switch isn’t a matter of the system’s technical specs or lack of power. Hiroki added that there hasn’t been any trouble porting over Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.

It isn’t clear why Bandai Namco and developer Arc System Works skipped on Switch for Dragon Ball FighterZ. However, Hiroki did say that if fans show their interest, they could bring it over. Hiroki did caution that Dragon Ball FighterZ may not come to Switch the same time as other versions, but they’re open to considering it.

Thanks to Matthew M for the tip.

Source

More: Arc System Works, Bandai Namco, Dragon Ball FighterZ, interview, Tomoko Hiroki, top

Video: Nintendo’s Bill Trinen plays a bit of ARMS

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 1 Comment

Kinda Funny Games recently challenged Nintendo’s Bill Trinen to a few rounds of ARMS. He did pretty darn well, as you’ll see below.

More: Arms

Pre-order updates (6/18/17)

Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS, News, Switch, Wii U | 2 Comments

Below are the latest Nintendo products that can be currently pre-ordered at retailers:

* Save 20 percent on pre-orders with Amazon Prime or Best Buy’s GCU. 20 percent off pre-orders on Amazon Canada as well. On Amazon UK, it’s £2 off.

United States

Switch

Cave Story+ – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop (pre-order for PVC keychain)
Splatoon 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure – Amazon, GameStop
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition – Amazon
Rime – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (new) – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Sine Mora EX – Amazon
Touhou Kobuto V: Burst Battle – Amazon
NBA 2K18 Early Tip-Off Edition – Best Buy, GameStop
NBA 2K18 Legend Edition – Best Buy, GameStop
NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold [Exclusive] – GameStop
Pokken Tournament DX – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
FIFA 18 – Amazon, Best Buy
Battle Chasers: Nightwar – Amazon
Fire Emblem Warriors – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Just Dance 2018 (new) – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Super Mario Odyssey – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Deluxe Edition – Best Buy
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Minecraft: Switch Edition – Amazon, Best Buy
Redout – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
LEGO Worlds (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Troll & I – Amazon, GameStop
Yoshi (new) – Amazon, Best Buy
Kirby (new) – Amazon, Best Buy
Metroid Prime 4 (new) – Amazon, Best Buy

Wii U

Just Dance 2018 (new) – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop

3DS

Runbow Pocket Deluxe Edition – New 3DS only – Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy
RPG Maker Fes – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Ever Oasis – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Hey! Pikmin – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Miitopia – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Culdcept Revolt – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Culdcept Revolt Limited Edition – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Metroid: Samus Returns (new) – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Metroid: Samus Returns Special Edition (new) – GameStop
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (new) – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Fire Emblem Warriors – Amazon, GameStop
Monster Hunter Stories – Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop
Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters – Best Buy, GameStop
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth – Amazon, GameStop
Pokemon Ultra Sun – Amazon, Best Buy (new), GameStop
Pokemon Ultra Moon – Amazon, Best Buy (new), GameStop
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology – Amazon, GameStop
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux – Amazon, GameStop

SNES

Unholy Night: The Darkness Hunter – Amazon

Hardware

New 2DS XL – Best Buy, GameStop

amiibo

Cloud – Best Buy, GameStop
Bayonetta – Best Buy, GameStop
Bayonetta (Player 2) [Exclusive] – Best Buy
Corrin – Best Buy, GameStop
Smash Bros. bundle – GameStop
Inkling Girl (Neon Pink) – Best Buy, GameStop
Inkling Boy (Neon Green) – Best Buy, GameStop
Inkling Squid (Neon Purple) – Best Buy, GameStop
Pikmin – Best Buy, GameStop
Metroid: Samus Returns 2-pack (new) – GameStop
Chrom (Fire Emblem) (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
Tiki (Fire Emblem) (new) – GameStop
Goomba (Super Mario) (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
Koopa (Super Mario) (new) – GameStop
Princess Peach (Super Mario Odyssey) (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
Bowser (Super Mario Odyssey) (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
Mario (Super Mario Odyssey) (new) – Best Buy, GameStop
Super Mario Odyssey 3-pack (new) – GameStop

Accessories

Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wheel (Mario Version) – Amazon
Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Wheel (Luigi Version) – Amazon
Splatoon 2 Edition Switch Pro Controller – Best Buy
Splatoon 2 Squid Plush Pouch (Neon Green) – Amazon
Splatoon 2 Squid Plush Pouch (Neon Pink) – Amazon
Splatoon 2 Hard Pouch for Switch – Amazon
Splatoon 2 Splat Pack for Switch – Amazon
HORI Switch Real Arcade Pro V Hayabusa Fight Stick – Amazon
Switch HORIPAD Wired Controller – Amazon
Switch Super Mario Analog Caps – Amazon
Nyko Switch accessories – portable dock and much more (new) – Amazon

Books

The Art of Splatoon – Amazon
The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition, Vol. 5 Amazon
Splatoon 2 guide – Amazon
The Art of Pokemon Adventures – Amazon
Shovel Knight: Official Design Works (save $10) – Amazon

Other

Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Link Nendoroid (Deluxe Version) – Amazon
Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Link Nendoroid – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: Majora’s Mask Link – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: Twilight Princess Link – Amazon
Nintendo Ultra Detail Series: Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – Amazon
Zelda: Breath of The Wild: Link Real Action Heroes Figure – Amazon