Pokémon Poke-nade Monster Ball might sound just like the world’s weirdest power drink crossover, however it’s in reality the translated title for Pokémon’s newest enterprise, a Tamagotchi-style interactive keychain pet, albeit much more advanced than the Tamagotchis of previous. Which in fact raises two all-important questions: Are you able to let the Pokémon starve to loss of life? And can it poop?
This isn’t a Pokémon x Tamagotchi scenario, it ought to be mentioned. That has occurred earlier than, as a matter of reality: an official crossover with Bandai Namco’s pocket toys occurred in 2019, with the retro units promoting out day one on the Pokémon Heart. YouTuber UnlistedLeaf as soon as discovered himself trapped caring for a teeny pixel Eevee that incessantly demanded meals, however as an alternative of pooping would cough up furballs. And no, that one didn’t die in the event you did not take care of it, however as an alternative ran away. Which is type of horrifying in its personal proper.
This new enterprise (spotted by Essential Japan), which is with Bandai rival Takara Tomy appears to be like like a way more superior toy. Initially, it’s in shade, but in addition encased in a Poké ball shell, with a touch-sensitive display screen. The latter is as a result of part of taking care of your pocket-sized pocket monster is stroking it (that’s the “Poke-nade” a part of the title, which is a portmanteau of Pokémon and “naderu,” to stroke).
Apparently, poking on the display screen will get the Pokémon to react in numerous cutesy methods. In accordance with Important Japan, “the Pokémon will react differently depending on the length and speed of the petting,” and you might be totally capable of make your personal revolting jokes proper right here.
The Monster Ball sounds fairly impressively in-depth in comparison with the Tamagotchi, which may solely eat, sick up fur, and ultimately evolve. This new toy will allow you to play with the Pokémon, and even participate in Pokémon battles. There’s additionally a diary characteristic that’ll bear in mind all of your earlier interactions, and the system will apparently provide 157 completely different Pokémon to select from. A few of them—Pikachu, Eevee, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Lucario and Sylveon—will even be voiced and include extra detailed animations.
That inclusion of Sylveon on the record does recommend one peculiar side, nevertheless. If you can begin with an Eevee or a Sylveon, it does point out that the monsters won’t have the ability to evolve. An odd selection if true, particularly given the Paldean starter Pokémon included get much more entertaining as they develop.
It appears to be like like these might be a Japan-only launch for now, however regardless of that includes a contact display screen and much more complexity than a Tamagotchi, they’re surprisingly low-cost. ¥7,480, which works out to simply over $50. Nonetheless, I’m completely sure they’ll promote out nearly immediately, and go for a lot increased resale costs to the remainder of the world.
However can they die?! Do they poop?! We don’t know. It appears extremely unlikely, given The Pokémon Firm overrode the same old guidelines for Tamagotchi when it partnered with them, nevertheless it’ll be fascinating to learn the way the sport responds to a foul proprietor. Or a messy one.
