We’re back in the saddle with the first regular episode of 2020! This week on NEP, we’re covering the big Pokémon Sword and Shield Direct, the negative response, and trying to make sense of something when we don’t really have a dog in the fight. We also accidentally talk about Star Trek and Star Wars a bit, too? Why? Oni Dino probably has the worst take you’ve ever heard involving Pokémon and Star Wars. But also the “Great Oni Dino x Galen Argument of 2020” has already begun with the incendiary question: is Pokémon now a games-as-a-service game? We’re on opposite sides of the ring, ready to duke it out.

If you’re enjoying NEP, please consider giving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, aka new iTunes. It’s incredibly helpful in getting us exposed to new listeners through algorithms, so we would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you for listening!

More: highlight, Pokemon Home, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword, Star Ocean: First Departure R, The Witcher 3, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition, top

Furukawa talks Nintendo’s future, employees, Google Stadia, new technology, making the impossible possible, much more

Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa recently sat down with Nikkei to discuss the future of the gaming industry and how Nintendo is coping. Among the extensive amount of topics, Furukawa talked about Nintendo’s development philosophy, retaining employees, how to make games that astonish players and more. In addition to this, Furukawa even discussed rare topics such as Google Stadia, the declining importance of the Japanese market, and if Nintendo has missed the boat on new technologies.

We’ve prepared a full translation of the article below:

More: highlight, interview, Shuntaro Furukawa, top

[Let’s Talk] Pokemon Direct – January 2020 reactions

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 0 comments

This week’s Pokemon Direct was highlighted by two announcements. Aside from Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, we’re also getting a ton of new content for Pokemon Sword/Shield with the brand new Expansion Pass.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is the much more straightforward announcement, which is probably why it took up significantly less air time. We’re getting a remake of the series’ debut entry here, and it’s coming out very soon. Nintendo will publish the game on March 6, and you can even try out a demo from the eShop right now.

The Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass is where there’s a lot to go over and think about. For $29.99, you’ll be getting access to new areas, new Pokemon, clothing items, handy features, and more. There are two aspects to the Expansion Pass, with the Isle of Armor releasing by the end of June and The Crown Tundra following this fall. You can read all about the Expansion Pass here.

Now that the presentation has aired, what did you think about the new Pokemon Direct? Will you be picking up Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX? What are your thoughts on the Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass? Let us know in the comments below.

More: highlight, top

2019 was the best year yet for Pokemon GO revenue

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Mobile, News | 0 comments

Pokemon GO has been around since 2016, but it turns out that 2019 was the mobile game’s best year yet. It earned $894 million in gross player spending, which is more than the $832 million made during the launch year.

Below are some additional details from Sensor Tower:

More: Niantic, Pokemon GO, sales, top

Doom, Doom II updates out now (version 1.0.4)

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop | 0 comments

Major updates are now available for Doom and Doom II on Switch. Both are now at version 1.0.4.

After installing the update, players can access a new add-ons section in the main menu. The TNT Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment can then be accessed, along with SIGIL which was created by John Romero as a celebration of the game’s 25th Anniversary.

Aside from the add-ons, Bethesda has enabled locked 60 frames per second, aspect ratio options, and more.

Here are the full details/patch notes:

More: Bethesda, id Software, title update, top

Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass official announcement, screenshots, art

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Screenshots, Switch | 0 comments

The Pokemon Company has published an official announcement for the Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass with tons of details. Screenshots and art have been released as well.

Here’s the full roundup:

More: Game Freak, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword, top

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX official announcement, screenshots, art

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Screenshots, Switch | 0 comments

Following the announcement made a short while ago, The Pokemon Company has passed along a full press release for Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. We also have a bunch of screenshots and art from the game.

Here’s the full roundup:

More: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, Spike Chunsoft, top

Pokemon Sword/Shield update out now (version 1.1.0)

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments

A new update just went live for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. All players can access version 1.1.0.

After installing the update, you’ll be able to encounter a Galarian Slowpoke that’s wandered in from the Isle of Armor. You can catch the Pokemon, and it can evolve into Galarian Slowbro if you use an item found on the Isle of Armor or Galarian Slowking if you use an item found in the Crown Tundra.

Be sure to visit Wedgehurst Station so that you can have your short at capturing Slowpoke.

More: Game Freak, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword, title update, top

Nintendo Download – January 9, 2020 (Europe) – AO Tennis 2 and more

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch eShop | 0 comments

This week’s European Nintendo Downloads are as follows:

Switch Retail

AO Tennis 2

More: Nintendo Download, top

Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass announced

Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments

During today’s Pokemon Direct, a Pokemon Sword/Shield Expansion Pass was announced. New experiences are planned for current players.

In a video release today, a ton of new content was teased. Game Freak is working on new Pokemon and new forms, new areas, and more. Different Pokemon, people, and places will be available depending on which version of Sword/Shield you’re playing.

The Isle or Armor will be part one of the Expansion Pass, launching in June. The Crown of Tundra will follow this fall. Both offer different experiences.

Here are some additional details: