Pokemon: The most exciting announcements, including Unite for mobile

As a Pokemon fan myself, I was pumped that there was a special Pokemon Presents announcement on 18 August to showcase the most anticipated Pokemon-related content. But if you haven’t been caught up with it yet, here are the biggest announcements made for the franchise—including Pokemon Unite for mobile, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and the Pearl and Diamond remakes.

Pokemon Unite on mobile

Much to my surprise, the free-to-play MOBA game Pokemon Unite is pretty popular, and actually fun to play. While the game has only been available for Nintendo Switch users so far, Pokemon announced that the game is set to release on 22 September 2021.

Those interested in pre-registering can do so on the App Store and on Google Play. And based on the number of pre-registrations, users will be able to receive gifts based on the number of pre-registrations.

If pre-registrations reach over 1 million, players will get 1,000 Aeos tickets each. Over 2.5 million pre-registrations will gift players a free Unite License: Pikachu, and over 5 million pre-registrations will gift players a free Special Holowear – Festival Style: Pikachu.

Players who link their mobile accounts with their Nintendo Switch accounts can use the mobile gifts received from the campaign on the Nintendo Switch version as well. Pre-registration numbers will be calculated starting 18 August 2021, and will continue until the release of the mobile version of Pokemon Unite.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Okay, so Pokemon Legends: Arceus was announced months ago. But this time, Pokemon gave us a lot more information on how the Pokemon battles would work. Instead of a more strightforward battle mode where you pick the moves for your Pokemon based on the situation, Arceus will let you pick between a “strong” or “agile” style which changes statistics on the moves.

For example, “agile” style moves lets Pokemon take more than one turn in a row. For “strong” style moves, Pokemon would not be able to take as many moves in a row but will pack a bigger punch.

As for the Pokemon available in this upcoming open-world game set in a bygone era, you’ll be greeted with familiar starter Pokemon—Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott—each from a different previous Pokemon game. New Pokemon include Wyrdeer, Hisuian Growlithe, and a terrifying new evolution of Basculin.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus will be available on the Nintendo Switch on 28 January 2022. If you pre-order the game on the Switch for USD 59.99 (RM254.24) by 9 May 2022, you can get a free in-game Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl

There’s also news for the upcoming remakes for Diamond and Pearl games. Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl will feature the originals’ minigames—like the Pokemon Super Contests, the Underground with the dowsing minigame, and secret bases. 

While they will be faithful to the originals, their look is a lot more updated. You will also be able to customise your trainer’s outfits—just like in the newer Pokemon games. You can even decorate your Poke Balls with collectible stickers that add visual effects to the Poke Ball’s throw animations.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl will be available on the Nintendo Switch on 19 November 19 2021. If you purchase both games on the Switch for USD 119.99 (RM508.52) by 21 February 2022, you can get several free gifts—a Manaphy egg, 12 Quick Balls, and 200 Poke Balls.

Other announcements Pokemon made during their Presents video include a revamp of Pokemon Cafe Mix—Pokemon Cafe Remix, as well as new updates for Pokemon Go and Pokemon Masters Ex. You can watch the full video here.

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