First of all, that woman clearly isn’t painting that wall.
Second,
I find this video stealth disquieting. Sure, it seems innocent enough. These folks are big fans of Malamar.
WRONG.
There are TWO episodes of the Pokémon X&Y anime featuring Malamar. Both involve it trying to use its mind control abilities to conquer the world. The first it’s just holed up somewhere and just mind controlling whoever comes near. The second, three of them team up to build a machine to amplify their psychic powers. To be fair, they are opposed by an entire village of good Malamar who otherwise just want to mind their own damn business. So, you know, they aren’t all evil.
Point is, these people have clearly been whammied. SCP (Secretly Creepy Pokémon) 0687 has breached containment and is brainwashing people left and right. It’s only a matter of time before its influence extends beyond Lumiose City and causes an XKCD End of Free Will event. It must be stopped at all costs.
At least we know what the next Mega Pokémon reveal is. Probably even hints at an in-game story event featuring it. I put extremely low odds at it being a different Pokémon that thwarts it. I hope that’s how the full reveal video ends, but that remains to be seen.
Have You Seen Pokémon Presents 7.22.25? Have You SEEN It?
Well, I tried to stream my live reaction, and I think I got everything working, but the stream kept buffering so I stopped. I don't know if it was just issues with the DJ Pikachu stream trying to switch over and failing? My memory is already fogging over this, but I think it just stopped and I had to navigate over to the Pokémon Presents stream. I tried to record it instead, but I had turned on file protection since I last tried to record with OBS, so it wouldn't let me. Then OBS crashed or something, so I decided against it. This is what I get for trying to set things up last-minute.
Anyway, here's their video so you can watch it before you read on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZAe5ewM-ic
Pokémon Worlds
The special TCG card just reduces the retreat cost of only Psyduck? Well, I understand the card they put out for these events are usually kinda lame, anyway...
Winners get, among other prizes, limited-edition clothing. I think you can also buy theses there? That was my impression.
Attendees get a download code for Toedscool. Yeah, I guess that's neat, but I don't think that's going to convince anyone who isn't already going. I'm pretty sure they're not that hard to find in-game.
Stream giveaways? Maybe I'll tune in, but I'll likely find the codes elsewhere later anyway.
Pokémon Concierge
New episodes September 4. Well, I watched the last season, and it was alright. I'll probably watch these sometime, too. I'll probably forget about it, though.
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu.
Given that Aardman is producing this and the trailer focused squarely on a Wooloo the whole time while the title characters scampered around just-off camera, I thought this might be the Pokémon version of Shaun the Sheep. I also thought Sirfetch'd was trying to reign in Pichu at first, but now that I watch it again while writing this he seems to be laughing. At least, until he tires out. Still, I guess they're getting up to trouble together, though I'm betting Pichu starts most of it.
PokéPark KANTO
Doesn't look like there's much to this theme park. Just a carousel, a "Dumbo"-style ride but with Pikachu (why? It can't fly. Normally), and a... battle court? The main attraction seems to be life-sized statues of Pokémon living their best lives in the Sedge Town and Pokémon Forest areas. There's no information here about what's inside the buildings in Sedge Town, but I'm guessing it's not anything much more impressive than that.
It opens in 2026, but I'm not going all the way to Japan just to see this. I doubt I'd go see this even it were somewhere closer by. I also have to wonder why it's not part of the Nintendo World theme park instead of Yomiuriland, but I'm sure they have their reasons.
Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale
I haven't played since the pandemic started, and if I didn't feel like I'd have to relearn/reset the convoluted nicknaming scheme I was using to identify Pokémon I wanted to keep and players I had sent Gifts to most recently I'd've probably gotten back into it already. Still, I'm curious to see if you can actually get Eternatus in it's Eternamax form outside of that one move, like with Gimmighoul and it's Roaming Form.
Also, I still can't get over Intelleon's Gigantamax form basically being a sniper in a water tower. I mention this because you can get Gigantamax Galarian starters in this event with a code.
Pokémon Masters EX
Carmine & Sinistcha are coming this Tuesday. Definitely not with the voice I imagined her having. I think I thought she'd sound something like Jessie from Team Rocket. Also, Sinistea can Terastallize, so that's neat. I don't play this game, so I'm not sure what impact that has on it.
Pokémon Cafe Remix
Had me going for a second there. Totally thought this was going to be something with Gigantamax Lapras. The sea captain outfit it's getting tomorrow is cute, but I still doubt I'll ever play this game.
Pokémon Sleep
The other two Legendary Beasts are finally coming in September and Amber Canyon debuts in November. As much as I'd like to play this game, I think I still need to improve my sleep first. I don't know what it's supposed to be like, but judging by the charts on my Fitbit it's utter chaos.
Pokémon Unite
Latias is coming August 8. Why they didn't debut together when they're designed to work together is beyond me. Electrode Volleyball mode just launched and the Pawmot line is Coming Soon. I played Unite for a while, and I doubt I'll be playing again anytime soon. I burned out trying to get enough wins to complete my dailies.
Pokémon TCG
Mega Evolution launches September 26. I don't think I can get into card games. Too much to keep track of.
Pokémon Friends
Daily puzzle challenges that reward virtual plushies for a virtual room. Available today!? I kinda want to try this, but I don't think I have the time to get into it. I doubt I'd be into it very long, anyway.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
So many games I'll apparently have to revisit when I finally get a Switch 2. I hope these Shiny Treasures of Ruin Tera Raid Battles are weak enough for me to participate. I'm know they're Rank 5, but that can still be strong enough that I'd have to breed a Pokémon specifically for it. Oh, it starts tomorrow!? I sure hope I have something strong enough already, or I might have to sit this one out. Like I've done with most of them...
Oh, there's a tracksuit giveaway? I'll take it, maybe even wear it, but I'm not impressed by it.
Pokémon Champions
I did not expect custom trainers in this game. Actually, there's nothing about customizing trainers in this trailer, now that I think about it. They just look like they should be customizable. Also not that great looking. Still, I don't think I expected to actually see them. The crowd also appears to be 3D? Maybe that's an illusion.
You can bring in Pokémon from HOME, or recruit fresh ones in-app. From the graphics in the trailer (the VO doesn't directly state this), you can rent them for seven days no charge or buy them permanently by spending VP. I'm guessing that's Victory Points, which you earn by winning battles. If I'm reading the UI correctly, there are either 30 pre-baked Pokémon or only room for 30 in your storage. That's just shy of a single box in a mainline game, which I guess is reasonable for a battle simulator when you have access to HOME, but I hope that's expandable.
The Training system looks like it allows you to completely customize a Pokémon, including stats, moves, and personality traits. It's probably more constrained than Pokémon Showdown, if only because this costs VP, too. I'll agree with the VO that this is more convenient than in a standard game, but they're still making you earn those customizations. You'll have to spend that VP wisely in the game. I wonder if you can change Pokémon you transfer in from HOME in this way, and if those changes are permanent when (or if?) you transfer them back out.
Launches in 2026, which I'm pretty sure we knew already. Somehow I'm getting the impression people thought it was coming out this year? I'm pretty sure they said 2026 when it was first announced.
Pokémon Legends Z-A
Judging from that Houndoom's glowing eyes, I'd say Alphas are back. It's not nearly as big as a Legends Arceus one, though.
No opinions on Team MZ, although I feel like this is the kind of group that comes together to oust a conspiracy rather than just tackle random threats. Even in the Pokémon World, there's gotta be authorities that handle that sort of thing. Also, appreciating how dark Naveen is. I assumed this was a female character at first glance, but the website confirms he's male. Considering either you or your rival will be male I feel like Naveen being a dude keeps the genders balanced here.
The Corbeau and the Rust Syndicate look very sinister. They look very much like they're supposed to be the Big Bads of this game. Just not enough to quell the suspicion that Quasartico are the Real Villains. The Rust Syndicate is undoubtedly a criminal organization (I've never heard the word "Syndicate" refer to anything else), but Corbeau is shown saying he warned some woman about how seriously he takes financial matters. I assume this refers to the head of Quasartico, and he wants Team MZ to investigate her. Even if they are evil, I get the impression we're going to be on the same side in this game if only because, despite being shown fighting us, he's not telling us to stay out of his way. Granted, Quasartico won't, either (at least until they're exposed), but they're Secretly Evil (allegedly). The Rust Syndicate will likely be the Lesser Evil we'll have to work with to save the day. They're not jokes (so far) like Team Skull or Team Yell.
Trainer (and Furfrou) customization is back, but I hadn't doubted that. I'm hoping for more Furfrou forms, even if I'm not going to make much use of them. It looks like two-tone hair is possible, but to what extent?
Emma is back! X&Y's post-game quest is probably the first one I actually did in this series, and I'm pretty sure Emma is from that. She's a street urchin Looker takes in after you join his detective agency (how that is considered an undercover position is beyond me), and she inherits it after he leaves. I wonder if she still uses the Expansion Suit. She has it on sometimes when you visit her in X&Y.
Alpha Watchog is shown briefly. I don't know how big ordinary Watchogs are supposed to be, but this one looks pretty beefy. I should note that the only other "Alpha" shown so far is capable of Mega Evolution. Why you'd give one to Watchog of all things is beyond me.
Professor Mable gives you items for helping with her Pokémon research. I still think it's safe to assume that this won't be to the extent Legends Arceus did it, or at least isn't tied to story progression as before. That's what the Z-A Battle Royale is for. Unless that's post-game.
I was kind of right about wild Mega Evolutions roaming the city. If I recall, I assumed they'd be like the Alpha Pokémon in Legends Arceus, but Rogue Mega Evolutions appear to be full-on boss battles with a cordoned-off arena and NPC assistance. So more like Noble or Titan Pokémon. Also, judging from the intro montage, this might be how you get Mega Stones.
Also, new Mega Evolutions are confirmed. For Dragonite, at least, but I think it's safe to assume more are in store. It's kinda neat, with Dragonair-like elements. I might even put one on my team, if I get it early enough. I'll likely have at least one other Mega Evolver before long. That Early Purchase Giveaway Ralts with Gardevoirite is definitely going on my team if I don't catch a wild one first.
Zygarde cameo. Still no information about it. Still betting it's our Ride Pokémon. I guess that remains to be seen.
Have You Seen This Mega Pokémon? Have You SEEN The Case of the Sweet Scent Incident?
So I first saw this in the email announcement The Pokémon Company sent out today. The link to the video was at the top, and I should've watched it before scrolling down. I'm kinda weird about spoilers these days, you know? Here, you can watch now, and I'll meet you again after the cut.
From the thumbnail in the email, my first thought was "Gengar." Which is stupid, because Gengar already has a Mega Evolution, but reflexes gonna reflex. What'cha gonna do? But it's not like there aren't other Pokémon with two Mega Evolutions. I can only think of two, but it's still a precedent. There are also other ghost types it could've been, or even spooky non-ghosts. Espurr, Spinarak, and Noibat all make appearances here, after all. But it's none of those.
The spooky atmosphere and found footage format are very much in-line with other Ghost-type reveal videos. Greavard comes to mind. But it ultimately isn't a Ghost-type at all.
A couple of somewhat weird details stick out to me. The first is that they expressly clarify that they got permission to explore this derelict building infested with monsters to investigate which one of them is using a Grass-type move designed to lure in unsuspecting prey (the titular Sweet Scent). Not a big deal. It's obviously there as a subtle, "Don't try this at your local abandoned liminal space," kind of message from Game Freak. And they go in without their own Pokémon to defend themselves? Well, it's not like *everyone* in America owns a gun, but still...
Also, the closed captions refer to the investigators as "Man" and "Woman." Maybe I'm just bad with ages, but they look awfully young to be described as such.
Anyway, after a couple minutes of jumpscares, they finally encounter the real star of the show:
I kinda like it. Sure, its bulbous body is kinda ugly, and it's got a goofy, "Garbage Pail Kids"-like, upside-downface (or maybe some meme I can't quite remember), and it looks like it's strangling itself (probably in an effort to either keep it's juices from spilling out or to facilitate high-pressure spraying, or both) but it has a certain unique charm to it. If all Mega Pokémon are either X-shaped or Y-shaped (which I still doubt), this is probably an X. Wide at the top and bottom, narrow in the middle.
Not so much that's it's going on my team, though. It's probably tougher than I give it's entire line credit for, but it looks kinda fragile. Like a balloon about to burst. I only got six slots, after all, and I'd rather wait to see what else Game Freak has in store. I probably wouldn't even put this in my extended rotation, to be honest. But I still appreciate the design choices.
Also, I totally thought they were about to get eaten. Probably a bit extreme, but after the Greavard reveal I wouldn't put it past them.
When I first saw Mega Victreebel's* trainer I thought he was a scientist. Then an Alolan Ace Trainer. I guess that's just how chaotic the scene is. He's actually a construction worker with a sweater tied around his neck for some reason. Maybe it's a French thing. Or maybe he's just that much more prepared to explore a condemned building than the video's protagonists. He's just there to train his Victreebel, which, in hindsight, even he admits was probably a bad idea.
*I actually forgot the name of this Pokémon and had to think about it for a moment when I wrote that sentence. That's how long it's been since I've even given this Pokémon any thought. I almost called it Weepinbell. Despite its name being in the title of the demo trailer. That's how badly this guy needs this.
I'd like to avoid leaks, but I will cap this off by asking what Mega Pokémon do you think will be revealed next? Will we explore abandoned structures in the full game? Will I ever make another HYSP video!? Until the next reveal, that remains to be seen.
Have You Seen Nintendo Direct 9.12.2025? Have You SEEN It?
I thought I could sleep on this one. Surely, surely, they wouldn't have significant Pokémon-related news just two days after their last Mega Evolution reveal. Surely, there was no need to get up early again for an hour-long presentation that may or may not have Pokémon news in it.
And here I am writing a text reaction like a sucker, because I still can't be bothered to make a video at this time. Video below. Skip to about 48:40 if you only care about the Pokémon stuff. Meet you after the cut.
Let's start with the other games I also want to briefly touch on.
Super Mario Galaxy. The movie, but also the games. But mainly the movie. My first thought was, "Why not Super Mario Brothers the Movie 2?" Which I quickly realized wasn't really going to fly.
First, the first movie wasn't about any particular Mario game. If anything, it was several games mashed together. Second, which Super Mario Bros. 2? The Lost Levels is basically the first game, only harder. Super Mario USA was Only A Dream, and is probably too different from the original to have a movie sequel based around it. Not necessarily the best routes for a movie franchise. Third, Super Mario Galaxy nostalgia is probably bigger right now than those other 2's put together.
Nintendo can't put all their eggs in one movie basket. They've got tons of IP just waiting to have their own movies, so they can't have the majority of them be Mario Bros. ad infinitum. Who knows how many movies this venture has in it, regardless? The best way to avoid sequelitis is to ratchet things up so high that the concept of another sequel is laughable. And it doesn't get much higher than outer space. Just jump the shark and get it over with. And if there's still demand for a sequel, then you start shoveling.
Also, Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 announced, either on one card or separately on the eShop. Little is new for either of them, except the storybook is now in both and has new pages. Also, a physical storybook, with just the old pages. Maybe I'll give them a chance if I find the time.
Super Mario Wonder Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park. My first thought was that this felt like it should be Mario Party DLC, but it's using Wonder's mechanics so I guess not.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Remember the stuttery animation in some Switch 1 games? Now it's an aesthetic.
Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection. Will it have the SNES version with censored out blood? That remains to be seen.
Kirby Air Riders. Finally, another game that uses Figure Players. Also, the Amiibo uses the same technology as Skylanders Swap Force, probably. Character plus vehicle, but the riders can be swapped. Kinda have to wonder why Skylanders Superchargers didn't do that.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. Featuring what looks like a Team America: World Police character.
Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics. Did I tell you I won Nintendo Force's Player's Pulse giveaway back in January? My winning letter (the part they published, at least) speculated that the Switch 2 would be a "VR ready" console. Boy, was I close! Virtual Boy games are coming to NSO, and you can buy replica Virtual Boy peripheral compatible with both Switches to play them with! Or a cardboard version that's somehow worse! These would be cool to have, but not necessarily use. This is a failed console for a reason. If the games are playable without them, I haven't noticed.
Geez, what's next? The CD-i?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Samus has a motorcycle now. That is all.
I actually found out about it through the Nintendo Today! app. The Vi-O-La is unnamed in the trailer proper, but if you squint you can see it on the Amiibo screen. Probably why it showed up in the app. Now I feel like I need to avoid the app if I don't want it to spoil reveals for me. Why did I even download this?
Donkey Kong Bananza DLC. Return to DK's home island, and apparently level it in search of emeralds for Void Kong. I'm sure it'll make more sense in the game. New perks, gear, and missions for the base game areas. Also a demo is out now. I'd play it right now if I hadn't decided to write this up instead.
Pokémon Pokopia. A Minecraft-looking game where you play as a Ditto disguised as a human that maintains a grove and befriends wild Pokémon, which unlocks new abilities to better maintain the grove. Watch the human-form Ditto morph parts of its body to use these abilities is kinda creepy. Looks like you can customize the Ditto's human form, though I doubt you can change its face. I kinda bounced off Minecraft back in the day, so I'm not sure if this is the kinda game I want to play.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Not one, not two, but three new Mega Evolutions, one for each Kalos Starter. No indication of how you get the starters, though. Does someone just give them to you, like with the Kantonian Starters in X&Y? Are they out in the wild, like in Legends Arceus? Do you have to transfer them in from HOME?
if that last one is the only way, that's going to make things a little awkward. The only way to get their Mega Stones is through Ranked Battles, for a limited time, in separate promotions, starting at launch. Greninjite is available immediately, with the other two in subsequent seasons with no established start date. Man, it'd suck if you wanted to play through the game with a Mega Chesnaught! Ha ha ha [beats my head against a wall] ha! Ha! Ha!
So my plan, as it were, if we had to pick from the Kalos Starters again instead an apparently-random selection, was to go with Chespin. I had chosen Fennekin in Y and got the Battle Bond Greninja in the Sun & Moon demo and transferred it to the main game. As far as I'm concerned, Chespin is the only one I have yet to train. Heck, I could still put it in my Z-A party, probably knocking out Mega Victreebel. The other two are even redundant types with my most locked-in picks (Psychic, Water, and Dark), further disqualifying them.
Too bad those two Mega Evolutions are so much cooler. And going first!
Don't get me wrong, Chesnaught has a quality Mega Evolution. I just like the other ones better. Maybe it's the judicious use of black, or their ability to apparently fly. Mega Chesnaught just doesn't do it for me.
Not that it especially matters. Acquiring their Mega Stones requires probably heavy investment in multiplayer battles. I'd put those off until the post-game if I could, especially if there are new (Mega) Pokémon I haven't seen yet. Who knows how long that'd take me! All three seasons could pass before I even got a shot at them! The website flat-out says this is the only way to get them, but that can probably change. I'll probably have finished the game by then, though. I don't know what I'd be doing after that.
So if it weren't for all that, Mega Chesnaught for the sake of completion. Otherwise, probably Mega Delphox. As it stands, none of them.
And I'm a little disappointed that Mega Greninja isn't just Ash-Greninja again. I'm kinda hoping it's back in Z-A. Even better if it's a customizable [Player name here]-Greninja!
Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension DLC. Oh, did I say three Mega Evolutions? I meant FIVE.
A paid DLC drops the same day as the base game, and features Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. The next best thing to a Mega Pikachu. Like Mega Dragonite, they sport features of both Pikachu and Raichu, plus some extras. Raichu X is Pikachu-colored, has two Pikachu tails (making it the X-shaped one), and apparently floats via electromagnetism. Raichu Y has Pikachu's ears and tail (albeit on the end of its whip-tail) and... antlers? (Making it the Y-shaped one) The website says it's horn-like fur, so alright I guess.
As I said, this paid DLC is available as soon as the base game launches (you can even pre-order it now!), but you can't play it until you've finished the main story. Remember how I once speculated Hoopa might be the one to isekai you into Z-A? That was wrong. Judging from the in-person demo, you take a plane to Kalos and a train to Lumiose. But Hoopa is the one behind the DLC, opening portals to what's being called Hyperspace Lumiose. Game Freak's really trying to get away from the Ultra Wormhole nomenclature, huh?
If I had to hazard a guess from the name of the DLC, you'll likely be able to encounter all the Mega Evolutions, even ones not seen in the base game, possibly either as wild encounters or as a boss rush. It's called Hyperspace Lumiose for a reason. It's probably got trippy colors in there, too.
Also, thanks, Game Freak. I was this 🤏 close to not having to invest money in this game (it was my prize from Nintendo Force's contest).
Anyway, the Mega Raichu are alright. Pikachu is likely available real quick, but its Mega Stone probably doesn't appear until the DLC quest unlocks. Even if you can get it right away (for a fee), I'm not enthused enough to put Game Freak's main mascot on my team when I already have so many other choices. Yes, even Mega Victreebel.
And what's this day-one paid DLC nonsense? Are tariffs really hitting so bad that the price has to be artificially inflated so soon? It's post-game content! This might be the only DLC this game gets, and you're pushing it out the door the day the base game launches? Granted, it's not without precedent, but still...
So, nine Mega Evolutions revealed, and I'm going with... The first three that were announced. And possibly one that hasn't been yet, because it's on the starter. And two from previous games, one because it wants to join you and the other because I use it in every game. 24 have been leaked, so there's probably fifteen left to see if they didn't add more.
Will we see them all before the game launches? Will Mega Victreebel finally get kicked off my fantasy team? Will the replica Virtual Boy be the worst-selling peripheral of all time?
Until the next reveal trailer, that remains to be seen.
Have You Seen Pokémon Presents 2.27.2025? Have You SEEN It?
So I spent the last few days getting set up to do a reaction stream to Pokémon Presents 2.27.2025, reinstalling apps I removed trying to diagnose computer issues a month ago and making sure it all works. I even did a little test stream last night, just to make sure everything works. I got up early to catch the presentation live, and discovered YouTube only lets you stream once every 24 hours. I don't know how I could've possibly known that, but live and learn, I guess. But I was going to watch the presentation live so social media and video thumbnails wouldn't spoil me (and no new Pokémon were announced anyway), so it's fine.
Maybe it was my attitude going in at this point and the presentation being short, but it doesn't feel like there's much to remark on. Mostly new and returning content for games I'm not playing. New Rotom Phone skins in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, for what that's worth.
Pokémon Champions should get competitive players excited, though! The teaser didn't reveal much (the game's still in development, after all), but it looks like a Pokémon Battle app for your phone and the Switch that allows you to duke it out with players world wide. And it connects to Pokémon HOME!
This is basically what I figured Project Synapse was going to be, but I never dreamed the Pokémon Company would allow this to happen! It has both Mega Evolution and Terastallization, implying that Dyna/Gigantamax and Z-Moves will also be a thing! Everybody's here! It's like Pokémon Showdown, which I'm surprised is still a thing now. I would've thought that if the Pokémon Company wanted to do this they'd have done it years ago, but maybe it just took that long to get the project where they liked it. No release date yet, though.
Pokémon Z-A was elaborated on! It isn't set in the past as I expected (unless they're holding off on announcing time travel until later). but possibly the future? Teleporters have been a thing since Gen 1, so it's hard to tell. AZ is in it, too, and no longer looks like a homeless dude (he, in fact, owns Hotel Z, where you are staying), but he's apparently immortal so that doesn't really help. His Floette is back, too, but who knows if he'll allow you to take it. If it's anything like the situation with Enamorus in Legends Arceus, he may be fine with loaning it to you since both he and it will likely outlive us all. (Cut to Abridged Chichi and Gohan telling Goku that a decade with him is a bit much)
Not much is revealed about the plot that we didn't already know. Lumiose City is being redeveloped and aside from one shot of a construction zone the city seems to be intact. The redevelopment includes cordoned-off "Wild Zones" where wild Pokémon live, apparently in urban areas similar to where humans live. Not natural habitats or anything, just parts of the city devoid of humans. Maybe they've just been set aside recently and nature has yet to fully reclaim them, or maybe Game Freak is holding off on revealing the cataclysm that divides the city into elemental zone with roaming Alpha-Megas as I predicted until closer to launch. The buildings in the Wild Zones are suspiciously pristine, after all.
There was a glimpse of the player jumping across buildings with aid of their Rotom Phone, so likely fall damage isn't going to be a thing anymore. However, just chucking PokéBalls at monsters is back from Legends Arceus, as is being able to walk around during battles. This time, however, battles are no longer turn-based and where you and your Pokémon stand matters, as moves have timing and areas of effect to consider now. No word on move mastery allowing for moves to either be faster or stronger, but that might over-complicate things anyway. Either way, this does feel like an evolution of the battle system from Legends Arceus.
The new player characters don't especially look like the X & Y protagonists, unlike in Legends Arceus. They are also dressed almost identically, as are their respective rivals. From the looks of things, you get a rival of the opposite gender-appearance, which I assume is entirely aesthetic. They are a bit less identical than the protagonists, but I refuse to believe they are different characters.
The choice of starters actually baffles me. One would expect they either all be from the same region like in the main series or all different regions like Legends Arceus. Instead, you get Chikorita and Totodile from Johto and Tepig from Unova. I guess there's no hard-and-fast rule here aside from the usual Grass-Water-Fire dynamic, as long as they don't repeat a starter. Assuming the don't get new evolved forms like last time, I'll probably go with Totodile since I picked Grass last time and I prefer Feraligatr to Emboar.
No Team Flare-inspired organization here. Instead, redevelopment is being led by Jett and her Quasartico Inc. corporation. Aside from a quasar being a type of stellar mass (i.e. Team Star, Team Galactic), it doesn't really feel like it's derived from an Evil Team. Jett doesn't even look especially villainous, but I thought the same about Chairman Rose. Her secretary (not assistant?) Vinnie looks like an enforcer, though. And he has Pancham and Buneary hairties for some reason.
Like I said, no new Pokémon were announced. However, Zygarde and Mega Evolution are confirmed to be back. I suspect we'll be collecting Zygarde's cells again, but it's 10% Forme was shown in the trailer and the website says it's shown an interest in you. If there's no time travel in this game, it might be safe to say that Zygarde is taking the place of Arceus in this game after all. I still think there's a chance Hoopa-inflicted isekai is in the waiting, considering the isekai aspects of Legends Arceus wasn't promoted at all.
Okay, I guess there was a bit more to remark on than I thought. The ending also teased something about a battle at Lumiose Tower, so clearly there's more to be revealed. Will there be new Mega Evolutions and other Pokémon forms? Does elemental calamity still loom over the horizon? Will we be able to reenact the Ash vs. Leon battle from the anime in Champions? Well, the game doesn't release until late this year, so until next trailer, that remains to be seen.
Have You Seen my Pokémon Y Team? Have You SEEN It?
So I've been anticipating making posts or videos about the new Pokémon in Legends Z-A when they get revealed and my rating system for them. And by "Rating System," I mean indicating whether or not I'd put them on my team. If you've read my more recent "Have You Seen This Pokémon? Have You SEEN It?" posts, you might recall that I end them by revising my anticipated in-game team. This is a team of six Pokémon, naturally, but only four slots are actually contested. The top slot always goes to one of the Starters, since I never drop them, and the second is Gardevoir because at some point I decided to have one as my "Buddy" Pokémon (like Ash with Pikachu). Of course, that's on the BIG assumption that 1) Ralts can be caught fairly early (no HOME access at launch, remember) and 2) I actually find it. In Legends Arceus, I didn't see a single member of that line until I got to the temple where you get access to Noble Hisuian Braviary and then discovered them in some ruins near the starting point of the second area. I don't know if I didn't have access to that area or was just too impatient/scared to actually explore the are much, but I'm annoyed either way.
Anyway, in anticipation of making a theoretical team of newly-revealed Pokémon (which are likely to all be regional/historical variants, but whatever. It still counts) I thought I'd slap together a "Dummy Team" of stand-ins so I don't have to fill those four slots by the end of the first trailer.
For slot 1, the Starter, I chose Chespin. There's no telling what will actually be available, but I thought the Kalos starters were as safe a bet as any. Besides, this is just a stand-in. Of the three starters, Chespin is the only one I haven't put on a playthrough team yet. I chose Fennekin when I played Y itself, and use the Battle Bond Greninja transferred from the Sun & Moon demo in Sun. As good a reason as any, I feel. But if I go about choosing my starter in Z-A like I would for a mainline game (and it's not the Kalos starters), I'll probably go Fire or Water since I chose the Grass-type Rowlet in Legends Arceus. Gotta cycle through them all, don'cha know.
Slot 2 is Ralts. No notes. Considering a seventh slot in case I don't find it fast enough, but this is just a theoretical team. It's not unusual for me to cycle through a full team of about twelve, but I've been trying to kick that habit (and Box Link isn't helping). There's no guarantee I'll get any new Pokémon early enough to matter, aside from the Starters. Even if I do, they might turn out to suck like Gimmighoul in ScarVi and I'll have to sideline them.
Four contested slots, I decided to go through Bulbapedia and see what Pokémon were available on early routes. I figured it was a safe assumption you'd find these early in Z-A, also. Incidentally, looks like I'll finally be able to pull my Beedrill out of HOME. Hooray! There's not a lot of Pokémon you can't take back out of HOME, but I'm hoping to get them all back off-line soon.
Anyway, here's what Team Z-A looks like right now:
Given two of these Pokémon account for the remaining Starter Types, I feel like I might have to switch out Panpour and Fletchling depending on which Starter I actually choose. Given I'll likely replace them with completely different Pokémon anyway, it's not super important right now. Wouldn't be a hard guess, anyway. And if I can't find a Ralts, I'll probably use an Espurr or Flabébé.
Then today I remembered that I still have a save file active on Pokémon Y! So I booted up the game, discovered the Pokémon Center was just around the corner from Looker's Detective Agency this whole time (where I last saved, and I always have a hard time finding it for some reason), and went straight to the PC to check out my Hall of Fame. Weird that ScarVi doesn't have that function, huh?
Likely not the entirety of my team, but you can only beat the Champion with a six-'mon team. What'cha gonna do? I was surprised to see Gallade on here. He's been around since Black & White, but I'm not sure when I decided I needed to have Gardevoir on every team. It's possible I just happened to catch a male Ralts and somehow hadn't gotten a Gallade in the previous games. Doublade I liked better than Aegislash because I thought dual-wielding swords was cooler than having a sword and shield. Kind of a stupid reason, but it doesn't really matter that much outside of competitive. Blastoise was a stand-in for the one I trained in the original Blue, 'cause I thought it was cooler than the other two. I should see if that cartridge still works so I can hack them out of it. I think that Gogoat knew Milk Drink and I was using it as a healer. Such a rip-off that you could only ride it on that one ranch. Diggersby likely had Dig and could get me out of a dungeon quickly. Not sure if it's here for coverage or because I was that attach to it, though.
Part of me wants to use this as the "Dummy Team," but I don't think it really works. I mean, the Dummy Team is effectively expendable. They're there to be replaced. These guys I have more of an emotional connection to, so it'd be harder to replace them with new ones. Also, I don't think you get them early enough, meaning I'd be starting off with that first Dummy Team anyway. Then again, if the new ones I like don't show up until after I find these "Ancestors", I might use them all again anyway. For nostalgia if nothing else, 'cause I think I'd evolve that Doublade this time around.
Well, it's probably going to be a while before they reveal anything anyway. If they reveal anything before release at all. I have until then to decide what I'm doing. If I do anything. That remains to be Seen.
New 5D Technology may Help to Diagnose Diseases from Phone Images
New 5D Technology may Help to Diagnose Diseases from Phone Images
US Scientists have developed a new 5D technology to analyse the images.This makes it simple to find the signs of disease from the cellphone images.
The 5D technology is known as “Hyper-Spectral Phasor” analysis or HySP.It is much faster and cheaper than current techniques and can be used for diagnosing and monitoring diseases by using cell phone images.
