AI had gotten so much better at reasoning and simply handling our questions. But, what's much harder is solving a problem where every answer depends on dozens of other answers — and a single mistake can throw off the entire solution.

That's why a new demonstration of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol Pro caught my attention this week. AI researcher Riley Goodside shared what looks like one of the most unusual reasoning tests I've seen: an empty crossword puzzle created by Claude Fable 5 Max, containing the first 150 Pokemon. But the catch is that ChatGPT wasn't given a single numbered clue.

Instead, it had to fill in the entire crossword by reasoning from the intersecting letters and the overall structure of the puzzle alone.

Why this is more impressive than it sounds

At first glance, it looks like a fun Pokemon challenge. But when we look closer, it's much closer to highlighting the kids of problems AI actually faces in the real world.

While traditional crosswords are solved one clue at a time this puzzle works differently. Without individual clues, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro had to determine where every Pokemon belonged while ensuring every crossing remained consistent. One incorrect placement could force dozens of downstream corrections. This was a massive constraint-satisfaction problem.

Those are exactly the kinds of challenges AI agents encounter when they're debugging software, planning workflows, coordinating multiple tools or editing large codebases.

Why Pokémon actually makes this harder

The Pokemon names are perfect for this experiment. Many have unusual spellings, similar letter patterns and varying lengths. The model has to retrieve them accurately from memory while simultaneously checking that every intersecting word still works.

It's a bit like solving a Sudoku where every number is replaced with a different word. The difficulty lies in making all of them fit together without breaking the puzzle.

What this says about AI reasoning

One of the biggest differences between today's frontier AI models and the chatbots of just a few years ago is their ability to reason across many interconnected constraints.

Instead of producing a quick response, newer reasoning models can spend more time exploring possibilities, backtracking when necessary and verifying that the final answer is internally consistent.

OpenAI has positioned GPT-5.6 Sol Pro as its most capable model for difficult, long-running reasoning tasks, and demonstrations like this highlight exactly where those improvements begin to matter.

It's worth remembering that this is still a developer demonstration and not a formal benchmark. Without the full prompt, the puzzle itself and repeated independent testing, it's impossible to know how reliably the model can reproduce this result. Still, I think the demo is interesting for a different reason.

Most AI benchmarks are difficult to visualize because scores on coding tests or math exams don't always mean much to everyday users, but a crossword puzzle helps emphasize the AI's abilities.

Final thoughts

Anyone can immediately understand why filling an entire grid without individual clues is difficult. Keeping hundreds of intersecting constraints consistent requires a very different kind of reasoning than simply answering a question.

Whether you're a Pokemon fan or not, this is one of those AI demos that makes the latest generation of reasoning models feel noticeably different from what came before.

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If you have a Pokémon-obsessed kid (or happen to be a lifelong fan yourself), Amazon Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to stock up on gifts. Running from June 23 to June 26, this year's sale features massive discounts on Pokémon toys, video games, and the always-popular Trading Card Game sets.

Below, we’ve separated the truly great discounts from the filler to help you stretch your budget. So if you see something on your wishlist, you'll want to add it to your cart ASAP!

Quick Links

• shop all Pokémon deals at Amazon
• Pokemon Pokeball Ceramic Bowl: was $21 now $13
• Pokemon Trainer Guess Game: was $27 now $14
• Doclaix Card Binder: was $32 now $20
• Pokemon Cotton Pajama Set: was $34 now $29
• PowerA Enhanced Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller: was $42 now $39
• Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: was $69 now $44
• Pokemon Mega Evolution Booster Bundle: was $59 now $51
• Pokemon Violet - Nintendo Switch: was $59 now $51
• Pokémon Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Trainer Box: was $118 now $92

Prime Day Pokemon Deals

What a year for Pokémon, eh? I never thought I'd say that in the big 2026. As someone who loved the anime growing up and watched every episode religiously at 5PM when it aired, and had many figurines as a child, my love from Pokémon can't be overstated. So imagine my surprise when Nintendo announced Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch family of consoles.

Of course, that wasn't the only important Pocket Monsters game to arrive on the Switch in 2026. Who would have thought that Pokémon Pokopia would be so popular that most retailers ran out of physical stock during launch week? Not me, but then again, I've never been a fan of cozy games. And no, I don't care for Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley.

But I'm not afraid to be proven wrong, and I finally get the hype behind cozy games, because after 150 hours spent trying to create the perfect island in Pokopia, I'm a believer. Pokopia is packed with over 300 Pokémon with individual personalities, quirky and funny dialogues that make you love them even more. I see it when I close my eyes, I think about it when I wake up. Call the 90s because I'm officially back in my Pokémon phase.

Giving my Pokémon the best lives they deserve

Similar to Animal Crossing and The Sims, Pokémon Pokopia is a social simulation game where you build houses and do whatever you want to the different landscapes. You play as a Ditto disguised as their trainer, and there are four different areas to explore which you unlock as part of the story. Along the way, you make habitats to attract different Pokémon, and unlock abilities that make it easier to make your islands better than how you find them (there's trash everywhere, plants are dead because they haven't been watered, etc.).

All the abilities you gain help you transform the landscape and make it look pretty — or brutalist, depending on the style you like. Your goal is simple: make habitats for your Pokémon, raise their comfort levels by asking them what they want, and increase each area's environment level to unlock new items, including furniture and decorations. Because all the Pokémon you encounter have their own personalities (more on this shortly), you want to give them the best life possible, and that's been my aim since I started playing the game.

While people online have been going crazy with builds (and I am envious), I've gone for a "Pokémon living in the wild, in the grass and amongst nature, but comfortably" kinda look for my islands. I've created tree-shaded habitats, installed campfires, built leafy statues, and... built a hot spring spa! My Pokémon seem to enjoy it too as, more often than not, that's where they're hanging out.

But I'm not done yet. I want to do so much more with my islands and the possibilities are truly endless. I'm currently planning on building a gazebo at the top of a hill with toys, decorations, lovely lighting, and comfy seats where my Pokémon can relax and unwind (after a day of making me 99 bricks and 99 gold ingots). Pokopia has a strange hold on me where it feels like an addiction. It's all I think about when I wake up or even as I fall asleep — I'm mapping out my islands and builds as I drift off.

Some of the best dialogue I've ever seen

Pokémon Pokopia wouldn't be what it is if it wasn't for the impeccable writing — and I'm not just talking about the main story. I won't be discussing the main story here to avoid spoilers, so instead, I'd like to talk about the dialogue. The developers were clearly looking to appeal to Gen Z and millennials who grew up watching Pokémon with the dialogue, as most of the Pocket Monsters love saying, "Yo!" I wasn't expecting that, if I'm honest, and it caught me off-guard when I first started playing. I also couldn't stop laughing when a certain legendary shows up and has... a Southern accent?

Even if you haven't played Pokopia (you really need to), you've probably seen many memes making the rounds online, and one of the most famous ones is of Charmander saying, "I... I frew up." Now, Charmander is one of my favorite Pokémon (he's always my starter) so I really wanted to get this dialogue. I hate to break it to you, but he never frew up. Instead, he says, "I... I tripped." While not as funny as the meme-ified version, it still cracks me up as he pulls a face like he's been kicked.

The dialogue is equal parts funny and heartbreaking, and remains true to the lore. From Lapras hinting at traveling the seas with Ash on its back to Cubone saying, "Mom prob'ly woulda liked a place like this too," there's plenty of nostalgia to be enjoyed by those, such as myself, who grew up with the Pokémon anime. Also, as someone who's favorite evolution is Pidgeot, I was brought to tears when mine told me that it loved me to pieces.

But I have one issue with Pokopia

By now, it should be clear that I absolutely adore Pokémon Pokopia, and there are very few things I'd change about it. But there's one aspect of the game that I find myself complaining about a fair bit, nearly every time I boot up the game, and that's the inventory management system. When you start, your backpack has limited space for items you pick up and craft. But as you progress through the game, rebuild Poké Centres and increase your trainer rank, you can buy "Packing Tips" from the PC at different points in your adventure.

"Packing Tips" essentially increase the number of items you can carry in your backpack, and I highly recommend buying these items if you find yourself complaining about space in your bag. But even so, it's easy to run out of space in your bag, and I find myself either dropping items in the overworld or stashing them away in storage boxes. But I have storage boxes all over the place, in all the regions. Do I remember where I put the seaweed? Nope. Do I remember which storage box has my 20 iron ingots that I now need to build this house? Nope!

There's no central storage management system. It's not like you can check the PC to see which storage box includes what item, and I so desperately wish there was as it would make the game much easier to play (and more enjoyable than it already is). I know people online have been getting creative with their own storage solutions, but I just want a central, easily accessible storage system, and I don't think that's a lot to ask for. I hope, fingers and toes crossed, that Nintendo puts out a patch to introduce it.

Regardless, Pokopia is still heaps of fun, and while the storage system isn't perfect, it hasn't stopped me from enjoying the game to its fullest. The writing is sublime; terraforming and building is effortless once you unlock all the abilities; and the peaceful soundtrack adds to the game's overall cozy appeal. I love how the areas bustle with life once Pokémon start spawning, and the way the Pokémon interact with one another either via dialogue or by playing together.

Though I don't like all cozy games, I understand the hype now. I'm a skeptic no more, and I've got my love for Pokémon to thank for that. After nearly 200 hours in, it has quickly become not only one of my favorite Pokémon games, but one of my favorite games full stop.

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As a keen runner who’s loved Pokémon since playing Pokémon Red on my Game Boy, there aren’t many collaborations that could make me more excited than Garmin joining forces with my beloved Pocket Monsters.

You can now use the best Garmin watches with Pokémon Sleep, an app that rewards a good night’s rest with Pokémon to fill out a special Sleep Style Dex, and that’s not the end of the good news for fans of both brands.

To celebrate the partnership, two free Pokémon watch faces are now available on Garmin watches, though there is a catch: only Garmin watches with AMOLED displays can get the new faces.

Link your Garmin with Pokémon Sleep

Pokémon Sleep is one of the very few Pokémon apps that I haven’t already tried, and that’s partly because I wear a Garmin Forerunner 970, and the sleep tracking didn’t link to the app as it does with an Apple Watch.

You can track your sleep using your smartphone for Pokémon Sleep by placing it next to you on your mattress, but that seemed both a hassle and likely to be inaccurate.

Now that Garmin watches are compatible, you can link Pokémon Sleep with Garmin Connect so your sleep stats are synced over, and I can start collecting Pokémon in yet another app.

Two free Pokémon watch faces

I’m excited to start using Pokémon Sleep, but probably even more thrilled by the new faces, because I love trying out the best Garmin watch faces in general.

One of the new faces is called ‘Snorlax & Friends’ face and features the famously sleepy Pokémon along with the Kanto starters and Pikachu.

My preferred face of the two is the “I Choose You” face, which allows you to select from 48 different Pokémon.

With both faces, the Pokémon shown will adjust their pose throughout the day based on the Body Battery measurement from your Garmin, so they’ll get sleepier as your energy levels drop.

While regrettably my own favorite Pokémon — Poliwag — is not available, my kids have been cycling through the various Eeveelutions on my watch face.

You can show several stats alongside your preferred Pokémon, so it’s still a functional watch face as well, and well worth installing if you’re also a Garmin/Pokémon fan.

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As someone who learned to read by playing Pokémon Red and Blue as a kid, I figured Pokémon Pokopia would make me feel old. Then I learned the Pokédex had been upgraded with a selfie camera, and I promptly shriveled to dust.

Pokopia, a collaboration between Game Freak and Koei Tecmo's Omega Force, delights in this mash-up of old and new, of nostalgia reformed for a new generation of trainers to tap into that same bright-eyed sense of wonder and discovery while scrounging the reanimated, blocky corpse of the Kanto region. It’s a lot cozier than it sounds. It also marks the first game I think is worth upgrading to a Nintendo Switch 2 for, after Mario Kart World and even Pokémon Legends Z-A fell short for me, though I do appreciate the latter’s rightful return of my favorite Pokémon: Scrafty.

Playing Pokopia took me back to the franchise’s early days, an era of bizarre spin-offs when anything could be a Pokémon game if it showed off Nintendo hardware. (Does anyone else remember Pokémon Channel?) I had my fingers crossed that Pokopia would be the latest in a long line of cozy life sims like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing that I could easily lose hundreds of hours in. And I was not disappointed.

Pokémon Pokopia: The basics

• What is it? A spin-off of Game Freak’s long-running creature collector RPG series that ditches turn-based combat for crafting and building in a block-based world
• Who's it for? Pokémon fans and anyone who enjoys cozy life-sim games
• What's the price? $69 on Nintendo Switch 2
• What other games has the developer made? Pokémon Pokopia is co-developed by longtime franchise stewards Game Freak (Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Pokémon Legends: Z-A) and Omega Force (the team behind the Dynasty Warriors series, and Pokopia-like Dragon Quest Builders 2).
• What games is it similar to? Pokémon Pokopia is similar to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with a block-based terraforming system like Minecraft

On the road to Viridian City

Pokopia is a bold departure for Game Freak’s iconic series, trading turn-based battles for a slower, more slice-of-life experience where you transform a desolate land into a Pokémon paradise. You use classic Pokémon moves like Cut, Rock Smash, and Water Gun to shape the terrain and build habitats to attract wild Pokémon in the hopes that, eventually, some humans will come to live alongside them. Because, yeah, all the humans got raptured or something? The game keeps this plot point delightfully vague, a trend of cultivating mystique in the silliest way possible that continues throughout.

There are four sprawling regions to explore, plus a sandbox-style Palette Town, and each map can be shaped how you see fit. An already addictive gameplay loop is made even more so by magnetic storytelling that takes cues from the best Studio Ghibli movies, threading intrigue through small moments. You’re also fueled by a growing cheering squad of Pokémon who call this place home, each of whom gets tagged in to help in one way or another. It makes the building process feel collaborative, even if the more sugary dialogue threatens to rot your teeth at times.

So much room for activities

If you take anything away from this review, it’s that Pokopia is a massive game. The map gets exponentially bigger as you unlock new areas and discover different biomes. Just when I’d start to think I’d finally mapped out the game’s furthest edges, I’d stumble on a gateway to some new vast corner, and my jaw would hit the floor again.

A few familiar friends, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander, help you get started with moves to plant grass and shoot water. You unlock more moves to smash rock and otherwise terraform the environment into habitats that attract certain Pokémon. You can find clues about habitats you’ve yet to discover scattered around the map. A field of flowers by itself will attract a Combee, for instance, but if you plant them around a gravestone, a Cubone will show up.

From there, you can build your new Pokémon friends bigger and better homes with skills tied to each one’s type or build, like a Charmander’s flame or Scyther’s blades to turn logs into lumber. There are also dream islands you can cannibalize for raw materials, which is super convenient.

That core gameplay loop — cultivating habitats to get more Pokémon to build more things to unlock new abilities, decor, and areas where you get even more Pokémon — is what really sucked me into Pokopia. Terraforming each new biome plays out the same while adding in new systems to keep things feeling fresh, like mining and smithing. My favorite area, Bleak Beach, introduces you to Pokopia’s surprisingly sophisticated electrical system, which holds such potential for cool designs that I was half-tempted to start mine over from square one.

All the while, you’re stumbling on new Pokémon who talk as if they’re in “The Big Lebowski.” Some from the original 151, like Growlith, really made me smile. I begged my mom for a dog growing up; finding him on my Game Boy at the playground was the next best thing. Longtime fans get thrown a bone now and again with new twists on familiar favorites like Mosslax and Peakychu (Get it? Because he’s a ghost type?).

These pure nostalgia bait callouts are abundant and, unfortunately, darling as all get out. You excavate CDs of music from Pokémon games and turn ancient artifacts into Super Repels, Potions, and other Poké Mart staples. Implying that with the absence of humans, so too went the need for battles. However, I expect that when the humans return, with the next mainline Pokémon game, so too will the cartoon violence. But for now, in this moment, we can catch ‘em all in blissful peace.

Pokopia grows on you, yo

At first, I thought I’d lose interest in Pokopia solely because the dialogue feels plucked from a PBS show, even by Pokémon standards. I was bored to tears by the villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, robbed of their sassiness and personality in earlier games, and Pokopia strikes a similar chord.

I vastly underestimated how charming the Pokémon’s bizarre peppy surfer bro talk could be. After I found a Magikarp that ended every sentence in “yo,” I was smitten. That vibe flows naturally with the collaborative effort of building each ecosystem up, brick by brick. Your Pokémon graduate from habitats to grass sheds to little cottages and villas complete with electricity, barter economies, CD-ROMS, etc., and they’re cheering you on all the way. It brightens my day more than it has any right to, dag nabbit.

A crucial element of this formula is its real-time mechanic. Pokopia periodically tells you to put down the controller and stop playing. Each building takes several IRL hours to complete, and while you could manipulate your console’s internal clock to skip ahead….that’d be cheating, man. I found myself doing just that in the race to complete this review ahead of embargo, and it did something I never thought possible: It turned playing Pokémon into something I hated doing. Don’t lose the plot like I did, dear reader. Touch grass.

Klingklang clunky UI

Pokopia dodges several common pitfalls of the life-sim genre with common-sense quality of life features. You can suck up multiple items at once, Kirby-style, for instance, or set up webcams to keep an eye on habitats you’re looking to lure certain Pokémon to. There’s a bag upgrade that lets you easily access certain items in your inventory. Y’know, the kind of little tweaks that, after hours of playing, eventually become so handy, I can almost forgive the infuriating, clunky storage system.

I hope later patches streamline this headache in some way, but for now, it sucks rifling through a million unmarkable chests searching for that one ingredient you know you have tons of if you can ever find the damn thing.

Should you play Pokémon Pokopia?

I did not expect to be as smitten with Pokémon Pokopia as I have become. I really would not have been surprised to find some unholy clone of Animal Crossing and Minecraft, especially given how uncanny some fans have found its protagonist: a Ditto transformed into a dopey-looking human. Instead, I can’t wait to play more. I’m excited to turn the beach area into a tribute to my mom, a beach bum who never played the games but watched her three daughters fall headfirst into a decades-long obsession, led by yours truly after seeing a Squirtle on a Lunchables box. (Her favorite Pokémon was Pikachu.)

I can’t wait until my niece is old enough to play this game with me. She was born the day before my mom died. I can’t wait to find out her favorite Pokémon, too.

It’s official: I’ve got the Pokémon Pokopia bug. And according to Nintendo Japan, I’m not the only one, as the highest-rated Pocket Monsters game of all time has sold over 2.2 million copies worldwide in its opening weekend. For context, that’s more than Nintendo Switch system seller, Mario Odyssey.

What makes that number more impressive is that the physical version of Pokopia has been sold out almost everywhere, despite being published on the controversial Nintendo Switch 2 Game Key Cards.

With Pokémon Pokopia hysteria taking over, I thought I’d look for some Pokémon-themed Nintendo Switch 2 accessories to upgrade your gaming experience. And after playing the game non-stop for the last week, making sure all my favorite Pokémon are having the best life possible, I think I might deserve something too.

Most of these products are made by Hori, an excellent manufacturer that makes officially licensed products, and I can’t recommend them enough. Anyways, I’m going to stop writing now; I need to get back to Professor Tangrowth and rebuilding my cozy Pokémon-themed utopia.

Why you should buy Pokémon Pokopia

While I absolutely adore Pokémon, I absolutely despise the latest video games in the franchise. In fact, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet annoyed me so much that I returned them and opted to never play them again.

Instead, I spend most of my "cozy" time playing old games like Pokémon Crystal or Pokémon Emerald. Over the years, I've drifted more and more away from the world's biggest media franchise, opting to relive my childhood through old games, old cards, and old TV shows.

Pokémon Pokopia has totally changed my outlook, however, and I normally don't even like cozy games. In fact, Pokopia is so good that I might just have to declare it the best Pokémon spin-off ever, and that's saying something considering Mystery Dungeon exists.

Over the weekend, I lost track of time playing Pokopia, making sure all of my favorite Pokémon were happy in their habitats. As an adult, you know it's a good game when time starts to disappear, and you get the same headaches you did as a teenager when you've not seen enough sunlight. I'm so impressed with the game, how it respects your time, how the developers have poured their heart and soul into it, and just how well it captures the joy of Pokémon.

I think every Pokémon fan on the planet should give Pokopia a try, even if you don't usually enjoy cozy games, as it's truly the Pokémon-themed game most of us have been waiting for.

Depending on how caught up you are with gaming news, you might not need me to tell you that Pokémon Pokopia is a hit. It’s gotten a ton of positive reviews (watch out for Tom's Guide's own review, coming very soon), and copies are selling out at retailers across the web right now. So if you haven’t gotten your hands on it yet, I’m sorry for what I’m about to tell you.

Pokopia is an exclusive that’s worth upgrading to a Nintendo Switch 2 for. Not all gamers are interested in previous best-selling Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. Fortunately, cozy game lovers finally have a proper reason to upgrade, thanks to this new Pokémon spin-off.

Need a testimonial? I've been obsessively playing Animal Crossing New Horizons since the 3.0 update released in January (I'm up to a staggering 815 hours of playtime), and Pokémon Pokopia has hooked me even more.

Pokémon Builders

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is one of my favorite Switch games — I’ve been praying for a sequel ever since I finished it a few years back. While Pokopia doesn’t look like it at first, it’s a Dragon Quest Builders sequel in spirit. The same developers made both, and each features a similar hybrid of adventure and building gameplay. So my expectations were high. Pokopia met them all.

For starters, Pokopia’s story made me extremely motivated to play. The landscape starts as dark, dry and empty. Where have all the Pokémon gone? And where are all the humans? I don’t think anybody was expecting a post-apocalyptic scenario from Pokémon Pokopia, but that’s pretty much what the game delivers. And it works extremely well — you’d have to be heartless not to want to restore a safe, clean environment for Pokémon to live in.

The game’s graphics didn’t blow me away, but they absolutely did what they needed to do. (It probably didn’t help that I played Pokopia straight off the back of Monster Hunter Stories 3.) The Pokémon in this game look as colorful and friendly as ever, and the grass and flowers look pretty dotted across the landscape. Sunsets make every game look better, and it was fun to take a few minutes to enjoy how the look of my island changed across the day. Plus, this game has a selfie camera mode, and it wins a ton of points for Ditto’s goofy facial expressions alone.

But most importantly, the game nails it with an addictive gameplay loop. You’ll need to create habitats to attract Pokémon, and when new friends show up, you can copy their abilities (like growing plants and breaking rocks) to further customize the landscape to your liking. As you progress, you’ll also be able to build your way across chasms and smash through tougher roadblocks, opening up more areas and giving you more decorating space to play with. I couldn’t stop myself from coming back to open up my Switch 2 to check how my habitats and Pokémon buddies were doing. And every time I did, there were new surprises to discover.

I only have a few small complaints about Pokopia. Firstly, the gameplay sometimes feels a bit slow. Progression relies on Pokémon coming to you with hints; you can’t trigger quests yourself. I got stuck once because no one told me I was supposed to place a fountain. (Especially annoying as there already was one in the area.) There’s also a decent amount of waiting involved if you’re planting trees or constructing buildings. But it does add to the cozy atmosphere in a way — I never felt buried under the amount of quests and activities I had to complete, like in some other similar games I’ve played.

I was also crushed to discover I could only carry 20 items at once at the start of the game. Not only that, but chests operate under real-world rules — space is once again limited and each item you deposit stays in the exact chest you put it in, no infinite item wormholes here. I worry about players losing track of important items with this system. But it did force me to actually use all the items and furniture I acquired to improve my island, rather than act on my usual impulses to hoard every single item possible.

The best cozy experience on Switch 2

There are several reasons why I’m glad I upgraded to Nintendo’s more powerful hybrid console — I adored Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, which I played on my Switch 2, and I’ve also had a blast revisiting my Animal Crossing: New Horizons island with upgraded performance and enhanced graphics. But those games are dual releases, I also could’ve played on Switch; Pokopia is the first game I needed a Nintendo Switch 2 to experience.

Could Pokopia have run on Nintendo Switch? I think so, but I’m still glad it’s a Switch 2 exclusive. Dragon Quest Builders 2 mostly ran fine on the original Switch, but I experienced frame drops in crowded areas. So while it does seem feasible that Pokopia could run on the Switch’s older hardware, keeping this one as Switch 2 only for consistently solid performance was a smart move.

If you’re still not convinced you need Pokémon Pokopia, I’m not sure what else I can say. It’s the best exclusive for cozy gamers on Switch 2 right now.

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When I was younger, I didn't have a Nintendo GameBoy or GameBoy Advance, and neither did my brother. Our cousins did, though, and we'd visit each other at least twice a year. Whenever they came over to ours, or we visited them, we'd play Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on their GBAs, and alongside watching the anime following Ash and his friends' adventures, that's what got me hooked onto Pokémon.

That love has once again been re-ignited in 2026 by the launch of the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 version of what's arguably the best Pokémon 2D game (and I will die on this hill). Since it came out on February 27, I've been playing FireRed non-stop. I play it on my commute to and from work, before sleeping, and whenever I can squeeze in a couple of hours.

Since its launch, I've sunk over 80 hours into making my way through the gyms, fighting trainers, catching Pokémon, and training up my party. Replaying FireRed has emphasized all the flaws that the modern Pokémon games carry — and I say that as someone who has played many of the 3D games, such as Let's Go, Sword and Shield, and Legends: Arceus. FireRed has done nothing but bolster my wish for the Pokémon Company, and GameFreak needs to bring back 2D games, and here's why.

Nostalgia is a powerful tool

I'm not afraid to admit that a lot of my love for Pokémon FireRed comes from it being the first game I played on the Nintendo GBA, and I admit that when it was first announced on the Nintendo Switch, I was looking at it through rose-tinted glasses.

I was worried that GameFreak and the Pokémon Company were going to make certain changes to it that I wouldn't like, and for the most part — I'd say 99% — FireRed remains untouched. It is, essentially, the same game that was released all the way back in 2004. 22 years later, it's still great.

What I loved about FireRed back then and still do today is the fact that grinding never feels like a pain, and it's nowhere near as punishing as a Souls-like game. Encounters with wild Pokémon are extremely fun, and finding certain Pokémon on specific routes adds to the versatility.

Battling against them and jumping into battles with rivals, and the amount of EXP you get depending on the level of the Pokémon you're battling feels rewarding, especially when your Pokémon evolves when you were least expecting it.

I picked Charmander as my starter, and it dawned on me that I would struggle against Brock and his rock-type Pokémon for the first time — so I started grinding. I caught a Mankey, leveled it up, and struggled but persisted against Brock to get the Boulder badge. It was hard, but again, nothing like the sweet taste of victory when you've struggled so much.

Type match-ups and ensuring that I had the correct type of Pokémon when battling any gym leader were crucial, and knowing that kept me motivated to fill up my Pokédex, too. I remember loving it just as much when I was a child, and though it's time-consuming and takes many, many hours, I'm more motivated than ever to complete the Pokédex this time around, as I never did it when I was younger.

The modern games just don't cut it

I was late to the Nintendo Switch party, and I got the OG Switch during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. When I was at my family home during lockdown, I played a lot — and I mean a lot — of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu, Pokémon Sword, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

According to my Switch's game tracker, I've played Let's Go for 90 hours and Sword for 150 hours. Clearly, I loved them. But I could never put my finger on why they didn't hit the same way that Pokémon FireRed did when I was a child.

And it hit me recently. FireRed, to me, feels like it's got more soul and feel to it. It feels like a game made by a company that actually cares. Every character in FireRed, whether that's an NPC that has only one line of dialogue or your rival, feels like they have a distinct personality to them.

The 2D pixel art feels more detailed than the often stiff-looking 3D models in the modern titles, and the pacing feels just right. It isn't too slow, and it isn't too fast, and the 2D pixel art feels richer and more detailed.

One of the reasons I love FireRed is that it leaves things to your imagination. When I'm fighting wild Pokémon, I'm picturing them in clear detail in my head — the sounds they make, the way they act. My brain feels a lot more engaged playing FireRed now than it ever did with Sword and Let's Go.

That's because FireRed requires the right level of strategy and planning without overdoing it. Both Sword and Let's Go felt like a piece of cake to me. FireRed actually feels challenging, and most battles aren't something you can just wing.

Fight it out (locally)

Even as an adult, I'm finding tons of enjoyment in training up my party in Pokémon FireRed, and one of the quickest ways to still get humbled is fighting other trainers. I've been locally battling it out with my colleague and friend Harry from sister site TechRadar when we're in the office together. The local connection has been fairly stable with not much input lag, and it's been a lot of fun fighting his party. In place of online play, it's the next best option.

Both Harry and I were at very different points in the game (he's got LeafGreen, which is perfect for locally trading too), so he was a little under-levelled compared to my party. But both of us promised that we'd train up and battle again once we had both beaten the Elite Four and our respective parties were level 60 and higher.

We even promised that we'd catch version-exclusive Pokémon for one another and trade them at a later point. That has always been the fun of Pokémon for me, to trade with friends and do things like these for each other, and playing FireRed has been a treat for my soul and inner child.

FireRed isn't perfect, though

As I said earlier, anyone who played Pokémon FireRed as a kid will surely be enjoying playing it as an adult on the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. But nostalgia is a double-edged sword, and while the modern version of FireRed is nothing short of fantastic and remains virtually unchanged, it's not perfect.

The lack of wireless play, at the time of writing, limits trading capabilities. I remember filling a large part of my Pokédex in Pokémon Sword with the help of strangers on the dedicated Subreddit.

And while Nintendo has confirmed that FireRed and LeafGreen will be getting Home support eventually, it isn't bidirectional, so you can't transfer Pokémon into the game from other titles. This makes it nearly impossible to complete the national Pokédex, which is a shame for completionists and anyone who wants to get as many hours as possible out of the game — like me.

Another annoying change that's been introduced? If you press all four face buttons (ABXY) together, you'll soft-reset the game if you aren't careful. Personally, I can't see myself pressing all four buttons unintentionally, but I've heard a few people complaining about it online, so clearly it is a sticking point for some.

One thing I have learned during my time on the internet is that people love to complain and hate on anything that's trending at the moment, and looks like another sticking point for some is that FireRed costs too much for what's basically an unchanged, non-remastered, non-remade port.

To that I say, is it really that problematic? The digital download costs $19 / £16 today, and 22 years ago, it would have cost nearly double, if not more. It's nowhere near the retail price of Mario Kart World or a AAA title, and you get easily 100 hours out of it.

I also like Nintendo's decision to re-release FireRed and LeafGreen on the modern consoles, given that the only other way to play them (officially) is buying a second-hand GBA that costs hundreds and hundreds. As someone whose first experience with handheld console gaming was the OG FireRed, I'm glad young children are getting to experience it the way I did, as I've seen on Reddit and Instagram.

As I said, the modern 3D Pokémon games just don't cut it for me, and if you want an authentic Pokémon gaming experience, FireRed or LeafGreen is a great starting point.

More from Tom's Guide

• Pokémon at 30: Every Pokémon game you can play on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
• Pokémon day has destroyed my bank balance, but these 9 tried and tested products are excellent ways to celebrate Pikachu and friends
• The best PS5 game you (probably) haven't played just got a prequel announced at State of Play — and you can get the original right now for just $9

Pokémon turned 30 years old this week, which is a massive reminder that my joints don’t work as well as they used to and I’m well and truly into the third decade of my life.

I, like many others, have grown up with the world’s biggest media franchise, and honestly, to this day, Pokémon gives me a warm comfort that very few things can. When times are tough, I turn to my old Nintendo DS or Game Boy Advance to listen to the classic tunes I used to hear, cuddled under my bedsheets past bedtime.

With 2026 celebrating Pikachu and co’s 31st lap around the sun, it’s a great time to be a Pokémon fan. Whether you’ve never moved on from the franchise or you’re coming back for a nice cozy feeling when the world outside is looking stormy, this year is the perfect time for Pokémon.

As someone who lives and breathes Pokémon (seriously, I even have a Pikachu tattoo on my arm), I’ve selected a variety of products that I would recommend to any fan out there. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Pokémon master in your life or want to treat yourself, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these things.

As a huge Lego builder, I took it upon myself to build a massive Pikachu back in 2020 and have waited for a Pokémon Lego set almost my whole life. And now that set exists.

After two weeks of spending every evening building the massive 6838-piece Lego Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, I can absolutely say that the Lego x Pokémon collaboration was worth the wait. Now I know the price is hard to swallow, with the starter trio set retailing for $649.99 at Lego, but if you’ve got some spare cash and are looking for a statement piece in your home, I can’t recommend it enough.

Lego also launched an Eevee set, fairly priced at $59.99, as well as a Pikachu, but I honestly think the older offering from Mega is a better-looking model, and available at a fraction of the price of Lego’s $199.99 one ($66.99, Amazon).

If you watched the Pokémon livestream last week, you're probably already counting down the days until Pokémon Winds and Waves arrives in 2027. That said, 2026 is gearing up to be an excellent year for Pokémon video games.

At the time of writing, Pokémon Pokopia ($69.99 at Amazon) on Nintendo Switch 2 is currently the highest-rated video game in the franchise according to Metacritic, and it launches this week!

Pokopia looks to combine the world of Pokémon with the coziness of Animal Crossing, and considering it's been developed by the team behind Dragon Quest Builders 2, I'm sure it's going to be well worth the price of admission.

Elsewhere, Nintendo just relaunched the classic FireRed and LeafGreen games to celebrate 30 years of the franchise, and you can pick up the Kanto remakes on the Nintendo eShop for $19.99. As someone who owns an original cartridge of FireRed, I advise anyone who hasn't played these epic adventures to give them a try. You'll be hard-pressed to find more content for under 20 bucks.

If you want the Kanto experience with modern graphics, however, I'll stand by Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! ($50 at Amazon) even though it's severely underrated. Combine the game with the Poké Ball controller, and you have the coziest reimagining of the original Red, Blue, and Yellow games.

When it comes to decorating a room with Pokémon merch, it can quickly get out of hand. With so many plushies, figurines, and wall art to choose from, it's easy to go too far and make your room look a bit, dare I say it, tacky.

Luckily, Funko's recreation of Pokémon is, in my opinion, the best product line the company makes, and I absolutely love the 3-inch figure of my favorite mythical Pokémon, Mew ($14.99, Amazon).

Of course, I've thrown in the most popular Pokémon of all, Charizard ($14.79, Amazon), for those who want to add some heat to their setup, alongside one of my favorite plushies of Ditto mimicking a Mareep ($19.99, Pokémon Center).

Obviously, these are just three picks from an almost endless amount of Pokémon merch you can find online, but that's the beauty of the franchise. With over 1,000 Pokémon these days, you can never truly Catch 'Em All, but at least that means there's a product to fit everyone's preference.

Pokémon Day is finally here, and it's got me feeling nostalgic. I got my first Pokémon game when I was eight and since then, I've spent a lifetime keeping up with the games, collecting merchandise, and generally just living a Pokémon-filled life. But what if I had to do it all over again?

There are plenty of Pokémon items I could probably live without (I have a Pikachu-shaped ice cube tray I've never actually used stashed somewhere in a drawer) but there are also lots of items that I would never want to go without. These are the items I'd build my collection with today if I was starting from scratch.

Quick Links

• shop Pokémon deals (U.S.)
• shop Pokémon deals (U.K.)

Editor's Choice

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary? I know what I’ll be doing on February 27 — playing Pokémon games on my Switch 2! Pokémon has been releasing titles dating all the way back to the Game Boy in 1996, but there are dozens of Pokémon games you can play on modern consoles.

As a lifelong fan, I’ve compiled every Pokémon game you can play on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in a list below. Every game here is playable on either console, with one exception: Pokémon Pokopia, an upcoming release which is a Switch 2 exclusive.

Check out every Pokémon game you can play on Switch below! (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is my fave, so don't skip Pokémon's roguelike spin-off if you haven't played it before.) And for the biggest Pokémon fans out there, I’m also sharing the best Pokémon Day deals on trading cards, merch, toys and more.

Every Pokémon game you can play on Nintendo Switch Online

Still not enough Pokémon for you? There are plenty more Pokémon games available to you if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. This subscription doesn't just get you access to online play (and online Pokémon battles with your friends!) because it also unlocks a catalogue of classic Nintendo games for you to enjoy.

Sign up to Nintendo Switch Online for $20/year and you'll get access to the following titles:

Game Boy - Pokémon Trading Card Game

Game Boy Advance - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team

Nintendo 64 - Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Puzzle League, Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Stadium 2

If you're playing on a Nintendo Switch 2 console, you can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack for $49/year to get access to classic GameCube games. This includes the following Pokémon games for the Nintendo GameCube:

GameCube - Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Digital Exclusive Games

Some Pokémon games can only be bought on the Nintendo eShop, and these are as follows:

• Pokémon FireRed (coming soon)
• Pokémon LeafGreen (coming soon)
• Pokémon Friends

Free Pokémon games

There are a bunch of Pokémon eShop games that are free to start — most of these are games you can also download and play on mobile phones.

You can also download Pokémon Home for free from the eShop; it's not a game, but a tool to store and transfer Pokémon between games and consoles.

• Pokémon Champions (coming soon)
• Pokémon Unite
• Pokémon Quest
• Pokémon Café ReMix
• Pokémon Home

Pokémon Day may be coming to a close, but there's still time to score some excellent Pokémon-based deals. This year's celebration has been especially significant since Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary. I'm a huge Pokémon fan myself, so I've spent the whole week preparing and searching for the best Pokémon deals around to get myself in the festive mood. There's a Pokémon Presents showcase to look forward to today, after all, and I'm hyped!

One of the best deals around is the Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle for $499. This will get you a brand new Nintendo Switch 2 console and a copy of Pokémon Legends Z-A — and saves you around $20 compared to buying the two items separately. And in case you didn't know, Pokémon Legends Z-A is one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games out there.

You can also grab Pokémon figures, plush toys and more from $8 at Amazon. And while it's not on sale, you can't miss getting this Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box for $119 at Amazon.

Keep scrolling to check out all my favorite Pokémon games, merch and more. I've also made a list of the 6 essential pieces of Pokémon gaming gear I couldn't go without if I was starting my collection from scratch.

Quick Links

• shop Pokémon toy deals at Amazon
• Bandai Hobby Pikachu Pokémon Model Kit: was $8 now $5
• Squishmallows Pokémon Snorlax Plush Bag Clip: was $12 now $7
• GameGenic Pokémon TCG Deck Box: was $21 now $18
• Pokémon Figure Battle Ready 8-Pack: was $44 now $32
• Pokémon Scarlet (Switch): was $60 now $44
• Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu (Switch): was $59 now $50
• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle: was $59 now $54
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle: now $499

Pokémon Games

Gaming accessories

Pokémon Trading Cards

Pokémon building sets

Pokémon Plush Toys

Pokémon Toys

Pre-orders for the brand-new Pokémon Lego collection are finally here. There are two awesome sets available for pre-order right now — Pikachu and Eevee. The most expensive set, featuring Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise, has already sold out (but we're keeping an eye out for restocks).

To pre-order, you’ll want to head over to Lego’s website. You can pre-order the Pikachu and Poké Ball Lego set for $199 at Lego, and the Eevee Lego set for $59 at Lego. The sets will release on February 27, 2026.

Quick Links

• Lego Eevee: $59 @ Lego
• Lego Pikachu and Poké Ball: $199 @ Lego
• Lego Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise: $649 @ Lego (Sold out)

Lego Pokémon pre-orders

Mega Pokémon

Looking for more blocky Pokémon? I recommend checking out Mega’s collection of Pokémon building sets. Sure, they’re not Lego, but they have a few upsides over the Lego sets. They’re kid-friendly, there’s a more diverse range of sets available, and you can get them delivered right away and start building without waiting for February. They’re also more affordable than the Lego sets!

Pokémon Black Friday deals are appearing everywhere! I'm a lifelong fan of the series myself, so you know I'm keeping a close eye on price drops on everything from Pokémon video games to toys and collectibles.

The biggest headline this Black Friday is the Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle for $499. This will get you a brand new Nintendo Switch 2 console and a copy of the newest Pokémon game, Pokémon Legends Z-A — and saves you around $20 compared to buying the two items separately.

You can also grab Pokémon toys on sale from $10 at Amazon.

Keep scrolling to check out all my favorite Pokémon Black Friday deals. I also recommend looking at our Amazon Black Friday deals live blog.

Quick Links

• shop Pokémon Black Friday deals at Amazon
• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals Sleeve Booster: was $10 now $9
• Mega Pokémon Build & Show Pikachu Building Set: was $18 now $11
• Monopoly Pokémon Edition: was $24 now $15
• Pokémon 18" Psyduck Sleeping Plush: was $39 now $28
• Pokémon Scarlet (Switch): was $60 now $45
• Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! (Switch): was $59 now $49
• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle: was $59 now $50
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends Z-A bundle: now $499

Pokémon Games

Pokémon Trading Cards

Pokémon Toys

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is unlike any other Pokémon game I've ever played.

From the moment I stepped off the train and entered the exciting new world of Lumiose City, I was awestruck. Although the game follows similar story beats presented in predecessors, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Z-A offers a fresh spin on them, breathing new life into a soon-to-be 30-year-old series that feels totally rewarding.

Where Arceus focused on building out your Pokédex and catching Pokémon, Legends: Z-A makes battling and Mega Evolutions its primary focus. It's a brilliant successor, giving players a glimpse into a whole new real-time battling system that feels as fun as it is totally chaotic.

Legends: Z-A also offers a myriad of cameos, Easter eggs, and lore for players to unpack. Set five years following the events of Pokémon X & Y, there are more than a few nods to its predecessors. Despite the lack of voice acting, the story in Legends Z-A is plenty engaging, especially for X & Y fans.

After nearly 60 hours of gameplay, here's why I can't wait to dive back in.

Pokémon Legends Z-A: The Basics

• What is it? Pokémon: Legends Z-A is a spin-off game set in its new Legends series. It's a smaller-scale Pokémon experience that builds on the franchise's lore with new mechanics and Mega Pokémon to battle.
• Who is it for? Pokémon Legends: Z-A is geared to hardcore Pokémon fans and newcomers alike. Its new real-time battling system and extensive tutorials make it easy for newer players to dive in, and hardened veterans to appreciate.
• What's the price? The standard edition of Pokémon Legends Z-A is $59. The Switch 2 Edition costs $69 and includes improved performance. You can also buy a Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack for the standard Switch edition for $10.
• What other games has the developer made? Pokémon Legends: Z-A was developed by Game Freak, best known for its many years of creating Pokémon titles. Game Freak has also developed other lesser-known games, like Pulseman, Drill Dozer, Little Town Hero, and others.
• What games is this similar to? Pokémon Legends: Z-A is unlike anything that's come before due to a redefined battling system and world setting, but it mirrors Pokémon Legends: Arceus in a lot of ways. It also follows many story beats and mechanics, like Mega Evolution, first introduced in Pokémon X and Y.

Lumiose City, the way it was intended

Legends: Z-A takes place entirely in the city of Lumiose, the beating heart of the Kalos region. Largely modeled after Paris, France, the city features a thriving network of cafes, boutique shops, hairstylists, and the like, making it feel all the more lived-in and thriving.

It's a joy to behold this city once more in a whole new way. Fans of Pokémon X & Y know just how annoying it was navigating the cobbled streets on the 3DS, given its myriad of mirrored buildings and circular plazas labeled only by colors. While it still takes a bit to get used to, Lumiose feels like home in no time.

It's made all the better with a multitude of scaffolding puzzles, denizens offering side quests, and bounding rooftops. The verticality in Lumiose makes up for its smaller size, giving way to tons of unique Pokémon, mega crystals, and various items to loot.

From the outset, some fans were concerned about the smaller size of Legends: Z-A, but I found more than enough to sink my teeth into. Whether it was catching Pokémon within the many wild zones littering the map, following up on side quests, breaking mega crystals to get more Mega Stones, or finding Colorful Screws to upgrade my player, there's plenty to do in this city.

And, I haven't even touched on the most exciting bit yet: Lumiose City's Z-A Royale.

Pokémon battles at their most chaotic

Like Lumiose is to Kalos, the Z-A Royale is the beating heart of the city's nightlife. When the sun goes down, the Z-A Royale kicks into motion, revealing a spot on the map where trainers will duke it out for ultimate supremacy.

It's here where Legends: Z-A comes to life like no other Pokémon game before it. The Z-A Royale offers an endless spree of Pokémon battles to enjoy, featuring tough opponents and a completely redesigned formula. Instead of the turn-based combat of previous Pokémon games, battles in Legends: Z-A are entirely set in real-time.

It's both chaotic and totally exhilarating. You have to be quick on your feet as well as strategic in choosing which attacks you deploy. Do you go for the stat-boosting Swords Dance, or do you simply knock your opponent out with a super effective attack? You can even time-switch Pokémon as a way to counter moves, which feels slick and refreshing.

The Z-A Royale and the new battling mechanics were some of the most fun I've had in a Pokémon game in years. It puts a whole new coat of paint on a series that's longed for major changes for several generations.

What makes battles even more exciting is Mega Evolutions. The mechanic was also first introduced in Pokémon X & Y, offering specific Pokémon a chance to evolve while holding a corresponding stone and only while in combat.

I had to go with Charizard X for Legends: Z-A, but with so many options to choose from (both new and old), you'll be constantly switching your Pokémon roster over the course of the game. In fact, Legends: Z-A adds a layer on top of this with its own Mega Evolution dex, allowing you to see certain Mega Pokémon and learn more about them. It's a nice touch for fans of the mechanic.

Building on the groundwork left in X & Y

As I mentioned before, Legends: Z-A picks up five years in the wake of Pokémon X & Y. A lot has changed since then, as Lumiose has now become a melting pot of Pokémon thanks to new Wild Zones created by Quasartico. Aside from the Z-A Royale, Wild Zones will be yet another place where you'll spend most of your time in Lumiose.

Upon arriving in the city, you're instantly thrust into a group known as Team MZ, led by the bubbly Taunie. Through Taunie, you're introduced to the city of Lumiose as a total newcomer. It's a brilliant way of slowly making the player feel right at home in a brand new world. Taunie will eventually introduce you to Mable, who acts as a stand-in for the professor in this game.

Mable is your go-to for all things Pokémon. She's the person who gives you your Pokedex and tasks you with uncovering more about Pokémon within the Wild Zones. How you do these tasks is up to you, and you can complete tasks in several ways, such as gathering mega stones, catching Pokémon, evolving Pokémon, and more.

The story will also see you tackling various Rogue Mega Evolved Pokémon running amok across Lumiose. These are particularly tough boss encounters that test your battling and your supply of Mega Stones. Alongside your trusty new pals in Team MZ, you aim not only to stop the mega evolution crisis but also to save Lumiose from an ultimate catastrophe brewing in the background.

There are so many awesome, beautiful callbacks to X & Y, it makes my heart swell. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you haven't played either game, I highly recommend it. While the story doesn't require it, you'll get far more out of Legends: Z-A knowing the broader details of Lumiose's past.

A plea for VAs and better stealth

Despite its new battle mechanics and brilliant new graphical fidelity on the Nintendo Switch 2, Legends: Z-A still falls into the Pokémon trope of ignoring the need for voice actors. Much of the dialogue is delivered in text bubbles, which even extends to various cutscenes. This leaves a lot to be desired.

I know Pokémon games have long ignored spoken dialogue, but I think the game and its story would have fared even better with it. The deeper, emotion-rich parts in the latter half of the game would have felt far more impactful with real actors and voices behind the characters, especially given the awesome cutscenes in the late-game.

I also wasn't too fond of the stealth mechanics in Legends: Z-A either. They were a little too under-baked and largely didn't work as intended. I'd often get caught by Pokémon trainers while sneaking up on them, or watch specific Pokémon get spooked and run off despite hiding inside a bush.

Legends: Arceus had a slew of tools at your disposal to make sneaking that much better, like smoke bombs and even berries you could throw to distract Pokémon. I wish Z-A had similar functionality to make stealth feel more thorough. It would also be nice if you could upgrade stealth with the plush dolls that allow you to increase catch rates and more.

Pokémon Legends Z-A review: Verdict

To say that Legends: Z-A has been the most exhilarating Pokémon game I've ever played would be an understatement. Despite its minimal setbacks, Legends: Z-A takes the franchise in a new direction, led largely by its enticing battling mechanic and the new focus on Mega Evolutions.

I'm really hoping Pokémon games stick with this new battling format. A few tweaks to how it plays could make it supremely fun, but I can see where some players might be turned off by it. It's a big learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, battles are far faster and so much more rewarding.

I've spent over 60 hours playing Pokémon Legends: A-Z in just a matter of days, and I feel like there's still so much more for me to uncover. It makes me that much more excited for the upcoming DLC. With that said, it's back to hunting for wild shiny Alpha Pokémon.

Pokémon has needed a change of pace. Since its debut in 1993, the mainline games have relied on the same battling formula of turn-based action, and that’s all about to change in Pokémon Legends Z-A.

I played about an hour of gameplay at an event held in NYC and am almost at a loss for words. Pokémon Legends Z-A not only flips the brand-name battling on its head but reinvigorates the way you play. It feels almost like an entirely new game, yet still remains totally familiar.

Elements reminiscent in Legends Arceus also remain, keeping quality of life improvements that made that game so special. And, for those worried that Legends Z-A’s world might feel too small to traverse, think again. Adventure is still at the heart of the experience with small MetroidVania elements that keep your stay in Lumiose all the more interesting.

Here’s why I cannot wait to dive back into the world of Pokémon Legends Z-A again on October 16.

Turn-based combat no more

Instead of turn-based combat the series is known for across its years of video games, Pokémon Legends puts a spin on this long-standing formula with real-time battling action. It’s bit chaotic, but in all the right ways.

In my hour of playtime, I got to fight in a number of different battles. Some were with roaming Pokémon, others against trainers in the ZA Royale. The latter were some of the toughest and most interesting of the bunch, and I can’t wait to see even more of it.

Trainers pockmark small zones amid this Royale, which takes place at night in Lumiose. You can sneak up on trainers and start a battle with an advantage by attacking their Pokémon from the rear, which feels so wrong but is totally rewarding.

I found myself defeating tons of Pokémon just from sneaking up on trainers and using a super effective move. It’s pretty rewarding when you get the hang of it, leading to a quick and easy bump up In the Royale.

Battling will take some getting used to, as it will position your Pokémon in the spot where you last commanded an attack. This can leave you open to a brutal hit from the opposing ‘mon if you’re not careful. I found myself getting hit unnecessarily just by using an attack at the wrong time, so finding that good balance of timing is key.

While we didn’t get to see multiple battles like the ones shown in the multiplayer, I’m excited to see how those play out. It will likely feel like a total chaotic mess, but will be extremely fun all the same.

A beautiful city teeming with Pokémon

Legends Z-A isn’t like many games before it. Where other titles focused heavily on an entire region, Z-A zooms in on just a small part of Kalos. Despite that, it feels like a massive world ripe for budding Pokémon trainers looking to catch them all.

Pokémon big and small roam about the streets in tiny zones that are cordoned off by green lighting. It’s here where Pokémon collectors will spend most of their stay in Lumiose, attracting the sights of strong wild Pokémon in their attempt to fill out their Pokedex

You’re not limited to the levels your Pokémon might currently be at either. You’ll be able to find a wide swath of critters ranging in levels and in type. The game also rewards you for making treks off the beaten path, as I found a level 40 Pikachu just hanging out on a roof during my time playing the demo.

Of course, this Pikachu totally destroyed my team. Similarly, a rabid Houndoom pulled up on me after I started battling many of its young Houndoor. Some wild Pokémon will move in packs like this and you might bite off more you can chew if you stick around for too long after defeating many ‘mons.

Pokémon Z-A also diverges from predecessors by allowing you to catch Pokémon much more easily. Whereas before you might knockout a Pokémon and it’s gone for good, now you have a small window after depleting the Pokémon’s health bar where it has a higher catch rate.

It feels so much more aligned with the animated shows and movies, where characters would often leave a Pokémon fainted in order to catch it. The horror stories of losing a shiny Pokémon to an accidental attack will finally be long behind us. But, I’m curious where this alteration might leave the False Swipe attack.

Megas at the heart of the experience

Mega battling is finally placed at the heart of a Pokémon experience. First introduced in Pokémon X and Y, mega evolution fast became one of the most exciting and beloved mechanics in the series. But in most games it appeared in, it was used very sparingly.

In Z-A, that’s all about to change. Mega evolutions seem to play a pivotal role in the narrative, with wild megas running amuck across Lumiose, which leads you on a quest with a few friends to put an end to the craziness.

During the demo, we got to fight against a mega Victreebell. It was a pretty tough encounter, similar in spirit to the Noble Pokémon battles from Legends Arceus.

Victreebell will spit out poison that will litter the ground. You have to be careful not to step in it or command your Pokémon in a way that might lead them to step in it, otherwise it will poison them and cause them to faint faster. It’s a nail-biting encounter, but we did have Mega evolutions at our disposal.

I got to use Mega Houndoom and Gallade in this bout, both of which served pretty well in bringing Victrabell’s health down using super effective movesets. It was a total blast and slightly stressful seeing my Pokémon’s health depleting whenever I accidentally commanded them to attack right in the poisonous sludge.

Anyone that’s a big fan of megas will love Legends Z-A and the game is going to be an exciting return to form for the mechanic.

One of the most exciting Pokémon games yet

It’s no secret that Legends Z-A is one of the most anticipated Pokémon games in a long while. It follows in the same footprints left by Arceus, which similarly flipped the Pokémon formula on its head in all the right ways.

Although totally exhilarating and a complete change of pace for Pokémon, I do wish Z-A finally introduced voice acting to the series. It’s probably my only gripe with the game, making dialogue and encounters feel far less impactful than they should.

Aside from this minor setback, Z-A could be one of the best Pokémon games to date. It’s a brilliant return to Lumiose City, giving both returning and new players a look at this massive Paris lookalike in a more intimate, three dimensional light. Mega evolutions will definitely play a big part in making Legends Z-A a huge get and I cannot wait to dive back in.

It’s going to be a total thrill ride and I’m all in to see where its exciting twists and turns lead us through Lumiose. Pokémon Legends Z-A launches October 16, with a new DLC led by Hoopa already announced.

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In December 2023, Netflix released "Pokémon Concierge," the streaming service's uber-chill, adorable stop-motion animation series produced by Japan's dwarf studios.

It was only four short episodes long, but this lovable video game adaptation quickly became one of my favorite shows. It's a fun dose of sedate, low-stakes mischief featuring fuzzy renditions of everyone's favorite pocket monsters, and I've happily recommended "Pokémon Concierge" ever since.

We learned back in February that "Pokémon Concierge" would be returning in the fall, but yesterday's (July 22) Pokémon Presents livestream brought us a precise release date, new plot details and a new trailer. Check it out below:

Once again, "Pokémon Concierge" looks like the ultimate Netflix getaway. Haru (Karen Fukuhara/Non) looks like she's come to grips with life at the Pokémon Resort, and the vibe is mostly immaculate.

Well, apart from the fact that a wayward Sealio looks set to cause trouble and it seems like Haru's ex is checking in. Otherwise, these four new "Pokémon Concierge" episodes look to be just as delightful as ever.

Excited? "Pokémon Concierge" returns with four new episodes on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

What else do we know about 'Pokémon Concierge' season 2 on Netflix?

Netflix has also shared the full synopsis for "Pokémon Concierge" season 2, which details which new Pokémon will be checking in, and what chaos is en route.

It reads: "Haru has grown a little and is no longer a newbie. She and her partner Psyduck welcome many new Pokémon to the resort, including Sealeo, Shinx, Luxray, Arcanine, and Corphish. Haru spends fun and relaxing days surrounded by these guests, occasionally handling any problems that pop up.

"One day, a guy named Kent (voiced by Keita Machida) appears, and he seems to be Haru's ex-boyfriend. Why did he come to the resort? What will happen with his relationship with Haru? Plus, Tyler's uncle Dan (voiced by Kazuhiro Yamaji) arrives at the resort with the Sealeo that has accompanied him for 15 years. Dan, who sometimes looks a little forlorn, is troubled by something..."

Yesterday's Pokémon presentation also gave us a sneak peek at another stop-motion Pokémon project "Pokémon Concierge" fans will want to keep an eye out for: Pokémon and Aardman's "The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu" (releasing in 2027).

Looking for something new to stream in the meantime? Check out our guide to the best shows on Netflix for tons more streaming recommendations worth adding to your watchlist.

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Last month, I found myself on vacation at a hotel resort that, for some unexplained reason, was playing non-stop episodes of the original Pokémon TV series on the bar televisions.

While I certainly enjoyed bopping out to the earworm theme tune over a few beers — much to my partner’s embarrassment as I belted out every word — mostly I was also overcome with a nostalgia desire to binge-watch the original adventures of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu when I returned home.

I assumed I’d have to search the best streaming services for its current home, or maybe even resort to purchasing each season on Amazon Prime Video, but to my great delight, I just discovered you can watch the classic Pokémon TV show for free on YouTube.

I’m a little behind the curve on this one, but in December 2024, the Pokémon TV channel sprang up and started uploading full episodes to the free-to-watch video-sharing platform.

Naturally, the upload began with season 1, known as Indigo League (which is the season I have the most childhood fondness for), and over the past seven months has slowly been uploading episodes in batches.

As of writing, you can watch up to episode 34 of the show’s fourth season (Johto League Champions), and there are no signs of the uploads slowing.

If, like me, you spent your childhood obsessed with the smash-hit monster-collecting video games, trading cards and cartoon series, this dose of pure millennial nostalgia might just brighten your summer even further.

And it’s particularly awesome that you can enjoy these episodes for free on YouTube without needing to fork out for a streaming subscription.

I’m not entirely sure when the uploads will stop. The Pokémon series is still ongoing, currently on season 27, comprising more than 1,300 episodes, with newer episodes landing on Netflix.

But frankly, I only need the first half-dozen seasons, as these are the ones I watched in my youth. As long as these are available for free, my inner child is happy.

The Pokémon movies are also streaming free

While I very much enjoyed the TV show as a child, I’m most nostalgic for the original Pokémon movies. Primarily, the creatively titled “Pokémon: The First Movie,” which hit cinemas in the West in the winter of 1999.

In fact, it might just be one of the first movies I ever saw in theatres, it’s certainly the first flick I can remember seeing on the big screen.

You know where I’m going with this: The Pokémon TV channel has also uploaded the very first movie for free this month, letting you enjoy the epic battle between Mew and Mewtwo in all its glory.

Even better, it’s been confirmed that the two subsequent sequels are on the way. Pokémon TV is hosting a series of live watch-along parties, with “Pokémon The Movie 2000” premiering on August 1, and “Pokémon 3: The Movie” debuting on its YouTube channel on September 5.

Our sister site, GamesRadar, reports these movies will only be available for a "limited time," so I suggest watching them as soon as they go live, just in case their stay on YouTube proves to be a short one.

But whether you’ve a fondness for the original TV show, or the feature-length flicks, or perhaps you want to introduce the next generation of Pokémon fans to the franchise, you’ll want to head over to YouTube and start watching now.

Now, if we can get the Digimon, Beyblade and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated shows uploaded to YouTube, I will be able to relive all my favorite childhood cartoons.

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Artificial Intelligence is likely to lead to huge advances in human technology in the coming years, but if you're wondering what it can't do, the answer is beat a classic RPG that's nearly 30 years old.

Pokémon Red and Blue debuted in Japan in 1996, coming to the rest of the world in 1998, and while it led many of us into a lifetime of card collecting and monster battling, for AI model Claude it's led to no end of frustration.

Anthropic's latest reasoning model — Claude 3.7 Sonnet — has been tasked with beating the iconic title on a livestream hosted on Twitch. It's billed as "a passion project made by a person who loves Claude and loves Pokémon" and has been going for over a month at this point.

Why AI can't beat Pokemon Red?

The model is taking notes as it progresses, updating its knowledge base of Pokémon, their types, weaknesses, and attacks.

It's also explaining its decisions in real-time through a text box, which is really neat — but at the time of writing, it was constantly encountering Zubats in Mt. Moon.

Despite having Pokémon at Levels 15. 24, 36, and even 39, it hadn't made it through the dungeon area — but at least it's racking up the XP.

There's an argument that because there's no "golden path" to get from A to Z throughout Pokémon, with random encounters and Pokémon trainers popping up regularly and no easy way for an AI to stick with a set "team" of critters.

Will it ever beat it?

Given infinite time, it's possible that Claude could beat Pokémon, but there's no telling how long it'll take. At least the current version is apparently better than prior versions, according to a Reddit thread following the action.

Anthropic has said the agent just kept trying to run away from battles originally, but it's getting better.

"Within hours, Claude defeated Brock [the game's first gym leader],"

"Days later, it trounced Misty [the second]" Anthropic said, describing the victories as "Progress that older models had little hope of achieving."

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Pokémon Day is here once again! To celebrate, various retailers are offering epic deals on everything Pokémon. Whether you're looking for games, toys, or trading cards, I have you covered with the best sales from across the web.

When I'm shopping games, my favorite place to go is Woot. They have a bunch of video games on sale from $7. That includes Pokémon, and you can currently get Pokémon Violet on sale for $41 ($18 off.) If Eevee is your fave, you definitely don't want to miss out on getting Pokémon Let's Go Eevee on sale for $39 ($20 off.)

And if you're a fan of the trading card game, you can snag the Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super Premium Collection on sale for $69 at Walmart. It's on sale for $9 off, and comes with 10 TCG booster packs and an amazing Charizard figure that brings the heat.

There are plenty more Pokémon deals up for grabs, so keep scrolling to see all my favorites. Plus, don't miss out on this epic Nintendo Switch game sale from $4.

Quick Links

• shop all Pokémon deals at Amazon
• Mega Pokémon Build & Show Pikachu: was $14 now $11 @ Target
• Pokémon TCG Mega Collectors Kit: was $24 now $19 @ Amazon
• Pikachu Sleeping Plush: was $35 now $24 @ Walmart
• Pokémon Let's Go Eevee: was $59 now $39 @ Woot
• Pokémon Violet: was $59 now $41 @ Woot
• New Pokémon Snap: was $59 now $42 @ Walmart
• PowerA Enhanced Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller: was $59 now $43 @ Amazon
• Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super Premium Collection: was $79 now $69 @ Walmart

Pokémon Games

Pokémon Trading Cards

Pokémon Toys

I wholeheartedly rank Netflix's "Pokémon Concierge" among one of the very best video game adaptations out there, and now the show's been made available to stream for free, I'm keen to sing its praises once again.

This charming stop-motion animation miniseries has been available on Netflix since the end of 2023, and from today (Friday, Feb. 21), episodes of "Pokémon Concierge" are streaming on YouTube, no streaming service subscription required (h/t NintendoLife).

Episodes are being released sequentially, and you can already find the first one online via Pokémon's official YouTube channels. Be warned, though, that the show won't be free for long.

Each "Pokémon Concierge" episode will only be available on YouTube until Sunday, March 9, 2025. After that, the series will become a Netflix exclusive.

If you're looking for some easy viewing over the coming weeks, I couldn't recommend "Pokémon Concierge" more, and I'm not the only one, either: it's earned a rare perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Below, you can find out exactly why I love this show so much and why I think "Pokémon Concierge" deserves to be your next TV getaway.

What is 'Pokémon Concierge' about?

"Pokémon Concierge" was Netflix's first collaboration with The Pokémon Company, but it's a different beast compared to the long-running anime series based on the monster-catching franchise.

Instead of following anyone on a quest to become the next Pokémon master, this adorable stop-motion project from dwarf studios invites us to unwind at the Pokémon Resort.

We follow down on her luck Haru. Looking for a fresh start, she takes up a job as a concierge at the hotel and sets about how best to care for her guests. In doing so, she ends up learning about friendship, adventure (of the lowest-stake variety), and about herself.

Why you should watch 'Pokémon Concierge' now

I think the main reason I love "Pokémon Concierge" is because it's refreshingly low-stakes entertainment. That may not sound like the pitch for your next must-watch; typically, at Tom's Guide, we often talk about high-octane action flicks, dark and gripping thrillers, or laugh-out-loud comedies.

"Pokémon Concierge", as you might have guessed by that trailer, is not that kind of show. What it is, however, is cozy viewing. With its breezy, simple antics, it's like an antidote to all the noise and stress of daily life. In other words, it's peak comfort viewing.

The vibe is "relaxing tropical getaway," and "Pokémon Concierge" nails the kind of silly whimsical tone that it's shooting for. It's a silly, soothing show that is perfect viewing to escape from the stresses of everyday life and the colder months, and that's coming from someone who has largely grown out of their Pokémon phase, save for playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Nevertheless, the adorably fuzzy renderings of Pikachu, Psyduck, and the other 'Mon are the extra-special additions that make this stand out. Sure, Dwarf Studios' stop-motion work is seriously impressive across the board, but having these extra expressive critters on hand causing trouble is what really makes it come alive. Well, that and the show's incredibly catchy city-pop theme song from Mariya Takeuchi.

Are we getting 'Pokémon Concierge' season 2?

I've got good news on this front. Last year, we learned that the series had been renewed, meaning we can look forward to more adventures at the Pokémon Resort.

"Pokémon Concierge" season 2 was announced last February, which hopefully means some good progress has been made on the show already and that its return isn't far away.

If you've already streamed "Pokémon Concierge" and need something new to watch, check out our guide to the best Netflix shows for many more streaming recommendations while waiting for Haru and Co.'s return.

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Gotta catch 'em all — these Pokémon Black Friday deals, that is. Walmart, Target, and other retailers are already slashing prices on a selection of Pokémon titles. This includes some of the newest entries in the series, as well as plenty of trading card bundles and toys to gift the aspiring Pokémon trainer this holiday season.

Whether you're a long-time collector or a complete beginner to the Pokémon trading card game, you can find bundles from nearly every Pokémon generation on sale. Right now you can snag the fiery Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super - Premium Collection on sale for $61 at Walmart, a full $30 off its usual retail price. If you haven’t yet dived into the latest generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Scarlet is on sale for $54 at Walmart, a small but rare discount for GameFreak's most recent title. Target's also taking $10 off this seriously adorable Pokémon Jigglypuff Sleeping Kids' Plush Buddy for the Pokémon fan, young or old in your life.

So let's dive into the best Pokémon Black Friday deals worth catching before they're gone.

Quick Links

• Pokémon Labyrinth Game: was $17 now $12
• Pokémon 2" Battle Ready Mini Figure Set: was $34 now $17
• Pokémon 2024 Paldea Adventure Chest: was $29 now $22
• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet - Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box: was $49 now $32
• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Stellar Crown Elite Trainer Box: was $41 now $36
• Pokémon TCG Twilight Masquerade Elite Trainer Box: was $49 now $42
• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet 3.5 -151 Booster Bundle: was $66 now $49
• Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! (Switch): was $59 now $49
• Pokémon Scarlet (Switch): was $60 now $54
• Pokémon TCG Charizard ex Super - Premium Collection: was $92 now $61

Pokémon Games

Pokémon Trading Cards

Pokémon Toys

Game developer and augmented reality company Niantic, known for its range of games including Pokemon Go and Ingress, has announced a new initiative to create what it's calling a Large Geospatial Model (LGM).

According to the company, this new model will help machines ‘perceive, comprehend, and navigate the physical world’ in new ways we’ve never seen before.

Basically, this is putting 3D computer vision on steroids, so the machines and software will be able to orient themselves in a fully mapped-out space, in the same way humans do.

The obvious first candidate for this kind of technology will be augmented reality, which has a need to understand its environment more than any other AI technology and something Niantic knows well thanks to Pokemon Go.

What can Geospatial intelligence be used for?

By implementing this so-called ‘geospatial intelligence’ into AR smart glasses, we will eventually all be able to enjoy a more intricate interaction with our surroundings as we move about the world. It’s not just mapping, or even AR games, but also information and data expertise that will benefit.

Imagine a kind of Minority Report world, where we have in-depth information about locations at our fingertips, but can also reverse the scene in time to see what it looked like 100 years ago, or what it might look like once work is finished in 5 years.

Geospatial information also includes key data such as dimensions and scale, which again goes beyond generic 3D, and allows for specific design and logistical interactions for people like architects and planners.

What data was collected for the model?

The company has already secured over 10 million 3D scans from around the world for its game products, and currently receives some 1 million new scans a week. The race is now on to convert them into a digital format which can be embedded into this new geospatial neural network.

The model is well on its way, with more than 50 million neural nets already having been trained, providing trillions of parameters to serve as the foundational dataset for the model.

In the same way large language models have scanned and converted billions of datapoints to create AI image, language and music generators, we’re about to witness a similar transformation in 3D space.

A key feature of the LGM is its ability to learn from its vast data corpus, and extrapolate that knowledge to fill out gaps in its world. So, unlike a street-view image, which can only see the front of a church, the LGM can use its ‘brain’ to create a best guess of what the whole building looks like, including parts it’s not physically seen.

In this way a super accurate geographic map of the globe at centimeter-level accuracy can be created, and used for a large number of existing and innovative applications not yet thought of.

Niantic is 'pushing the boundaries'

Niantic has a long history of pushing the boundaries of augmented gaming, using nothing more complicated than a smartphone camera and an app.

Anyone who’s ever trudged around windswept city streets hunting for Pokemon, clutching their phones like demented paparazzi, will know what that means.

The game has been downloaded nearly a billion times since its launch in 2016, and even now it's estimated that there are more than 90 million players logging on every day.

It is not hard, therefore, to see how the company would hope to profit off the expansion of a much more sophisticated world-view, especially as we start to employ more smart glasses tech as part of our everyday lives.

Is this the Metaverse by another name?

The Metaverse may currently have stalled on the starting blocks, but there’s still every indication that we’re moving towards a more augmented reality in the near future. Especially as the technology improves, and AI makes the experience so much more productive and engaging.

Meta’s $299 Wayfarer Ray-Ban smart glasses point the way to a more connected world, with their on-board AI, camera and livestream controls. While the battery life may currently be too limited at just 4 hours use from a charge, that’s a problem which will disappear once battery technology improves, as it’s doing every year.

In the meantime, initiatives like Niantic’s LGMs will almost certainly play a key part in securing the future value we can extract from our environment on a day to day basis.

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An unprecedented hack has hit Pokémon developer Game Freak, leaking stolen data about unannounced projects, Pokémon left on the cutting room floor, and new details about the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo's successor to its highly popular handheld/home console hybrid.

Game Freak issued a statement earlier this week confirming it suffered a data breach in August 2024 after an unauthorized third party gained access to a company server (translation via Nintendo Everything). Details from the leak, which is said to include gigabytes of information, are still coming to light on social media at this time.

As first reported by Nintendo Life, the leak mentions an unannounced 10th-generation Pokémon game (codenamed "Gaia") that'll have two versions (codenamed "K" and "N"). It's set to come out on a platform codenamed "Ounce," which is believed to be the Switch successor. The games are purportedly being tested on the current Switch as well, which could indicate a cross-platform release.

The leak also mentions a Pokémon spin-off game codenamed "Synapse" and contains source code for DS games Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver as well as Black 2 and White 2, among other details about GameFreak's projects.

When the Switch 2 could launch

The Mario maker has remained tight-lipped on its Switch successor, but after months of speculation, Nintendo president Shunatro Furukawa announced back in May that the tentatively named Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed before the end of the current fiscal year in March. Other rumors have suggested that the release window could dip into April depending on whether Nintendo's profits meet expectations this fiscal year.

All signs point to spring being when we'll finally see if the Switch 2 will take its place among the best handheld game consoles. In the meantime, be sure to check in on all the latest leaks and updates at our Switch 2 rumor hub.

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After nearly nine months of silence, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are officially suing Pocketpair, the developer of monster-catching game Palworld, for numerous patent infringement claims.

As per a statement released on September 19, Nintendo says that "the lawsuit seeks an injunction against the defendants and compensation for damages", alleging that Palworld infringes on several of Pokémon's patents.

"In order to protect the valuable intellectual property that we have built up through many years of hard work, we will continue to take the necessary measures against any infringement of our intellectual property, including our brand," the statement concludes.

This lawsuit comes months after Palworld's debut in January, which saw eight million sales during its early access launch and more than five million sales post-release. The game itself has been dubbed "Pokémon with guns", due to its similarities to the best-selling game franchise, especially between Pocketpair's 'Pals' and Nintendo's 'Pokémon'.

Before the legal battle commenced, Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, approached the similarity claims by stating that the company "had no intention of infringing upon the intellectual property of other companies". Despite this, Nintendo issued a statement on the matter and set its intentions to "investigate" any infringement of rights related to Pokémon. While that statement didn't name Palworld or Pocketpair directly, it no doubt left the game developer a touch worried — and now the conclusion of this investigation has resulted in official legal action.

Pokémons or Pals?

If you've been a fan of the third-best-selling game series of all time, then one glimpse of Palworld's monster designs could have you scratching your head. But the designs aren't the only thing that Pals and your favorite Pokémon have in common.

For starters, Palworld is a third-person, open-world survival game. Players can explore a huge world and interact with its animal-like inhabitants, dubbed Pals. There are more than 130 Pals in total, and each of them can be battled in combat, weakened and ultimately captured using a 'Pal Sphere'... seems a little familiar, eh?

Once you’ve caught a Pal, you can summon it in combat to assist you or station it at your home base to help with crafting. Plus, you can play with up to four players and explore the world together.

At the time of writing, Pocketpair has yet to respond to the lawsuit filing. If or when that changes, we'll be sure to keep you in the loop.

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Once upon a time, hearing the phrase "video game adaptation" was tantamount to saying "This is going to be a bad movie/show." There have been tons of attempts to bring stories and characters from the video game industry to our screens over the years and, until recently, most of them have fallen flat. 

But in recent years, Netflix, Prime Video and more of the best streaming services have treated viewers to some seriously good entertainment inspired by or drawn directly from some of the biggest gaming franchises around. Sure, there's still been some serious duds here and there — you only need to look at my "Borderlands" review for proof of that — but it certainly feels like rock-solid video game movies and TV shows are now here to stay. 

Here's just a handful of some of the best efforts we've been treated to over the years.

'Arcane'

"Arcane" first hit the scene in 2021, and quickly became one of the most celebrated video game adaptations we'd ever seen. This dramatic animated series functions as an origin story for some of the characters in Riot Games' multiplayer hit, League of Legends.

The steampunk, science fantasy story centers on two sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder/Jinx (Ella Purnell), who find themselves on the opposite sites of a conflict between two settlements: the rich, utopian city of Piltover, and its oppressed, undercity counterpart, Zaun. While the pair are thick as thieves to start with, Vi and Jinx end up irrecoverably transformed by how events play out as the two cities teeter on the brink of conflict. 

Boasting incredible voice performances and best-in-class animation, "Arcane" is an unmissable series, even if you've never picked up a controller before. Thankfully, "Arcane" season 2 is here to finish the story off in just a couple months. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch it on Netflix

'Castlevania'

"Arcane" might be more lauded as a show, but Netflix's critically acclaimed "Castlevania" animation is no slouch, either. 

This dark fantasy saga draws its story from Konami's vampire-slaying saga of the same name and turns it into an action-packed, gruesome, anime-inspired thrill ride. The story takes us hundreds of years to 15th Century Wallachia, wherein Dracula swears vengeance on the human race after they accuse his wife of witchcraft and burn her at the stake. 

The vampire lord unleashes hordes of demons upon the nation, terrorizing the population and forcing them to turn to Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last surviving member of the legendary, monster-hunting Belmont clan, for help. The epic saga ran for four seasons before spawning the spin-off "Castlevania: Nocturne", which sees descendant Richter Belmont and his allies attempting to thwart the rise of a Vampire Messiah. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch it on Netflix

'Fallout' 

Prime Video's "Fallout" TV series is easily one of the best TV shows of the year so far, because it makes full use of the Fallout universe's wild and wacky elements, creatures, and ideas to tell an original, compelling tale out in the Wasteland. 

The show primarily revolves around three survivors — Vault dweller Lucy (Ella Purnell), Brotherhood of Steel squire, Maximus (Aaron Moten), and irradiated bounty hunter, "The Ghoul" (Walton Goggins) — who each attend to overlapping personal missions out in the post-apocalyptic remains of the USA following a nuclear armageddon. 

The trio come from completely different walks of life and each approach life in the settlements that have sprung up since very differently. Funny, thrilling, and impeccably crafted, "Fallout" deserves to be held up as one of the very best video game adaptations we've ever had. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Watch it on Prime Video

'Pokémon Concierge'

Pokémon has been on our screens for decades now, and while we've been treated to tons of movies and TV shows over the years that could easily have featured here. 

That said, picking the Pokémon anime honestly felt too obvious as a choice for my list, and as much as I personally have a soft spot for "Detective Pikachu," I'm not entirely sure it's quite as good as some of the other projects on this list. 

So, to represent this titanic Nintendo franchise, I instead want to spotlight "Pokémon Concierge," an utterly joyous stop-motion Netflix series that arrived right at the end of 2023. 

The epitome of the phrase "fun in the sun", this charming animated show invites us to the Pokémon Resort, where workers help Pokémon (and their owners) unwind. It's beautifully put together and moves at a sedate pace. Plot-light and vibe-heavy, it showcases the adorable critters' cuddlier, sillier sides, and chiefly exists to remind viewers of all ages to slow down and take a load off every once in awhile. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Watch on Netflix

'Sonic the Hedgehog'

Although the initial design of the titular character didn't quite work, Jeff Fowler's 2020 "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie ended up being a fun diversion starring the supersonic SEGA mascot (voiced by Ben Schwartz).

In this first flick, he makes his way to our world and settles in Green Hills, Montana after a tragedy on a distant planet. On Earth, he crosses paths with the local sheriff, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), who helps him take on his nefarious nemesis, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). 

It's an entertaining and fittingly speedy family caper that impressed fans and made bank at the box office, spawning a slew of future sequels. If you find you like Sonic's schtick, there's plenty more to enjoy. "Sonic 2" introduced the world to a version of Knuckles voiced by none other than Idris Elba (who subsequently got his own Paramount Plus show). And later this year, we're getting "Sonic 3", a threequel that's bringing Keanu Reeves on board as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%
Watch on Paramount Plus

'The Last Of Us'

In 2013, Naughty Dog published The Last Of Us, a post-apocalyptic adventure that follows two survivors, Joel and Ellie, across a version of America ravaged by a fungal pandemic, one which transformed much of the population into zombie-like monsters. It's a terrifying, thrilling journey, one that tells a moving, deeply human tale. 

A decade later, Max's live-action adaptation of "The Last Of Us" brought Joel and Ellie's story to the small screen, perfectly recapturing the emotion from the original game while also reimagining and/or expanding elements from what came before. The series deserves all the praise and awards it earned and then some, thanks to excellent performances, emotive writing, and stunning production design. It's truly a must-watch; give me "The Last Of Us" season 2 right now!

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Watch it on Max

'Werewolves Within'

"Werewolves Within" is quite possibly the strangest adaptation on this entire list. Even occasional gamers will be familiar with the likes of franchise mascots like Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, or Pikachu, but I'd wager not everyone who's seen this horror-comedy even knew it was based on a Mafia-style mystery game.

The hilarious horror whodunnit eschews the game's medieval setting in favor of the small town of Beaverfield. New arrival Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson) arrives in town to become the new forest ranger. 

It might look like a quiet town to begin with, but things take a turn for the worse when some of the squabbling residents start being picked off by the werewolf living among them. As hysteria sets in and the body count rises, the remaining residents continue to rub one another up the wrong way, and things descend into chaos. It's got laughs and enough twists to keep you entertained right through till the credits roll.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Watch it on AMC Plus

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The deals extravaganza that was Prime Day 2024 has officially ended, and while most discounts have followed suit, some have stuck around a touch longer. Notably, some of the best Nintendo Switch games are still on sale, with great titles sporting some stellar discounts. 

What's more, the Nintendo Switch OLED console in Mario Red is down to just AU$469 and the Nintendo Switch console is AU$419 — slicing up to AU$70.95 off their RRPs! So if you're looking to upgrade or try a whole new gaming ecosystem completely, then the Switch needs no introduction.

With thousands of great games and a whole lot of Mario-fuelled action, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Plus, it's uber portable, making it the ideal handheld console to play on-the-go. 

Amazon’s Nintendo Switch Storefront has a complete list of discounted titles, Joy-Cons and more currently available, but you better get in quick — these Nintendo Switch deals are available while supplies last. 

Best Post-Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals

Pokémon Day is finally here. Today is the perfect time to save on Pokémon games, trading cards and merchandise, as a bunch of retailers are holding sales to celebrate the occasion.

If you still haven't picked up the latest Pokémon games, Pokémon Violet is $49 at Walmart (as is Pokémon Scarlet.) It's on sale for $10 off. You can also grab Pokémon Shining Pearl for $39 at Amazon ($20 off.)

Plus, this Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 Ultra-Premium Collection box is $89 at Walmart. It contains 16 booster packs of trading cards, a play mat, deck box, coins, dice and a metal collectible card. The mythical Pokémon Mew is featured front and center on all this special gear. It's on sale for $40 off.

Keep scrolling for more deals to shop this Pokémon Day. Plus, check out the best deals in Nintendo's digital sale.

Pokémon Day deals — Quick links

• Pokémon Violet: now $49
• Detective Pikachu Returns: now $49
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus: now $56
• Pokémon Shining Pearl: now $39
• New Pokémon Snap: now $40
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX: now $49
• Pokémon Funko Pop: from $6
• Pokémon Sleeping Pikachu Plush: now $29
• Pokémon TCG Obsidian Flames: now $36
• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet 151: now $89
• Pokémon TCG Combined Powers: now $42
• PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller: now $59
• Pokémon Mega Construx Motion Gyarados: now $128

Pokémon Day deals — Video games

Pokémon Day deals — Merchandise

Over 8 million copies sold. A predicted $200 million in revenue. This is how much money Nintendo is leaving on the table by keeping the likes of Pokémon unnecessarily exclusive, and Palworld has the receipts to prove it.

But wait, before you throw your arms up in the air and curse me to a lifetime of stepping on LEGO bricks (I already go through enough of that with my nephew, thank you very much), I would like to emphasize the word “unnecessarily” in that sentence.

It would be unwise for Nintendo to just open all of its doors and bring every game to every system from day one. That could spell doom for Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) sales.

However, I believe that there could be a very small sweet spot — when the war of attrition has been won and the console maker has printed enough money in hardware sales — where maybe a tightly-controlled launch on PC (only) isn’t the worst idea in the world. Allow me to explain, dear reader.

Nintendo, be a pal(world)? 

It’s created an interesting debate here at Tom’s Guide towers, and to be perfectly frank, there’s no right or wrong answer here. “Doesn’t it sort of prove the opposite?” AI Editor, Ryan Morrison, asked. “If there is such a high demand, then being exclusive to Nintendo devices is a big driver towards the hardware.” 

Computing Editor, Dave Meikleham, went one step further and said Nintendo would be “crackers” to start making its legendary IPs third-party. “You’d have an Xbox Series X situation where Microsoft has essentially made its own hardware irrelevant because its games can be played on PC or through other means.” And to shore up that resistance, Senior Deals Editor, Rory Mellon, called it a “hell of a selling point” to be the exclusive home of some of the best games in the business. 

You know what? They’re all right. I completely get that a brand with such high recognition remaining exclusive to the hardware will mean people keep flocking back to buy it — I'd be a fool to even try to find an argument against that.

But while that audience who will buy the system for its exclusives is a big one (did I mention that the company is basically printing money at this point?), Palworld proved that there is potentially an even bigger audience in the hypothetical periphery who would love to pick up a Nintendo game but will stop just short of buying a console to do it.

I mean look at what happened here. Scroll back up and remind yourselves of those sales numbers, and take a look at the rife levels of Nintendo game emulation on other devices like Steam Deck. People are thirsty for a Pokémon experience no matter what they play on — to the point that they’ve picked a game that is probably about to disappear in the chaos of a developer being sued into the center of the Earth for infringing intellectual property rights.

So, what’s the answer? I know the relationship between Nintendo and Sony is probably a fraught one, which started with the former's seemingly surprising cancellation of a CD-based console built in partnership (which led to the birth of PlayStation), but there is a big lesson to learn from the latter’s successful string of PC releases.

Straight out of PlayStation’s playbook 

I mean look at what happened with so-called PlayStation exclusives. Sony hasn’t just proven that there are diminishing returns to hoarding exclusives for life, the company has breathed new life into titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon: Zero Dawn and God of War. There's also The Last of Us Part I, but that brings back painful memories of Joel’s massive slugs for eyebrows in the broken state of its launch. Although mercifully, the PC port has been massively improved over the last year thanks to a series of patches.

But jokes about brow games aside, PlayStation found that after giving a first-party title its time in the console-exclusive sun for 3-4 years, a tightly controlled PC launch doesn’t compromise its brand perception, and neither does it erode interest in buying the console for more. In fact, it may do the opposite, with PC gamers getting a taste of PS first party titles and turning to the box for more (the PS5 outsold Xbox Series consoles 3-to-1 in 2023, afterall).

Yes, there may be other reasons driving Palworld’s popularity — one common running narrative is Game Freak shouldn’t have released the bug-ridden mess with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. But that’s not even what we’re talking about anymore. Think what you want about Pokémon with guns, but I believe it should be treated as the wake-up call Nintendo needs to think about a better long-term plan around its titles.

By all means, sit on your first-party IPs for a while — even years. It’s the lifeforce of console sales. But several years after launch, however it's judged internally (total console sales or just an arbitrary amount of time), there comes a time in my opinion where it makes sense for Nintendo to revisit its iconic critters and give them a rebirth on PC. That way, you can hoover up that $200+ million for yourself and keep your IP protected, rather than having to set your lawyers on others.

OK, now you can curse me to a lifetime of getting to the McDonald's drive-thru, only to find out the milkshake machine is broken.

More from Tom's Guide

• Palworld may be in trouble — here's why
• The best Nintendo Switch games: Tried and tested
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus review

The gaming community has been lit up this week the ever-increasing popularity of Palworld. The controversial game has been dubbed "Pokémon with guns” and has already blown past eight million sales since its early access launch last week (Friday, January 19).

Palworld has become the video game everyone is talking about and now its drawn fire from the brand that inspired it. The Pokémon Company has issued an official statement concerning the game that could have Japanese developer Pocket Pair a little bit worried.

Although the statement — issued today, January 25 — doesn't name Palworld directly, the inference is still crystal clear. The company says it won't permit any use of the Pokémon IP and "intends to investigate" any infringement of rights related to Pokémon. 

Here's the full statement (via NintendoLife):

"We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. 

"We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future."

What is Palworld?

Like Fortnite and PUBG before it, Palworld is a third-person, open-world survival game. Players can explore a huge world and interact with numerous animal-like inhabitants, known as Pals. 

There are more than 130 Pals in total, and each of them can be battled in combat, weakened and then captured using a “Pal Sphere”. Sound familiar? 

Once you’ve captured a Pal, you can do several things with it, including summoning them in combat to assist you or stationing them at your home base to help with crafting. It's a multiplayer game so up to four players can team up and explore the world together. 

Palworld: How successful is it?

It's fair to say the game has exploded in popularity since launching last week. Sales have already surpassed eight million and its only the sixth game in history to have more than a million Steam players concurrently.

As well as being available on Steam, the game is also available on Xbox Game Pass. However, the Xbox and Windows PC versions are missing several features the Steam one has, and a fix is currently bottlenecked by Microsoft's certification process.

Whether threats and legal action from either The Pokémon Company or Nintendo are able to derail Palworld's success remain to be seen. But given the obvious similarities between the two franchises, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a battle jump from cyberspace to a courtroom in the near future.      

More from Tom's Guide

• Palworld — everything you need to know about this controversial survival game
• Nintendo Switch 2 could be disappointingly underpowered
• 7 reasons why gaming at your desk beats playing on your couch

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 still some time away, there are some awesome Nintendo Switch deals on Amazon that are worth grabbing right now!

Not only are some of the top Switch games for 2023 on sale, but there's also a massive AU$60.95 saving on the Nintendo Switch OLED model — knocking the console down to just AU$479! 

Whether you’re searching for the perfect multiplayer game or looking for a story quest you can play solo, these deals are great for you. And in this deals roundup, we’ve selected some of our favourites that will keep you entertained for hours on end. 

Amazon’s Nintendo Switch Storefront has a complete list of discounted titles, Joy-Cons and more currently available, but you better get in quick — these Nintendo Switch game deals are available while supplies last. 

From Assassin’s Creed Mirage to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, this month has seen a lot of big game releases across a number of different genres and if you’re like me, it can be hard to keep up.

Even though I’m currently working on a review of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, I’ve decided to take a break from more fast-paced games this weekend and reacquaint myself with an old friend: Detective Pikachu.

While I missed Detective Pikachu’s first crime-solving adventure game on the 3DS, I’m a big fan of the 2019 movie and before the Super Mario Bros Movie earlier this year, I really think it was one of the best video game adaptations we’ve seen so far. Now though, Detective Pikachu is back in a brand new outing on the Switch and I’ve been working my way through the first few hours of the game after Nintendo sent over a review code.

I just finished the game’s first case after completing the prologue and even though it’s a little slower than some of the other best Nintendo Switch games, I’m really enjoying my time in Ryme City so far. Likewise, a slower-paced adventure game is just what I need to reset before my next big game after playing through Tears of the Kingdom on my Switch and Starfield on my Xbox Series S.

If you’re a Pokémon fan looking for something a bit different than Pokémon Scarlet and Violet or you enjoyed the movie with Ryan Reynolds just as much as I did, here’s everything you need to know about Detective Pikachu Returns.

Picking up not quite where the movie left off

While the Detective Pikachu film was well received and a sequel is apparently now back in the works, it has been quite a few years since the movie’s release. Fortunately, as the movie was based on the original game after all, Detective Pikachu Returns feels like it picks up almost where the film left off.

The biggest difference though is that, unlike in the film, Tim hasn’t found his missing father yet. Instead, he and Detective Pikachu are still out making a name for themselves by solving cases around Ryme City. There are some references to the chemical “R” though which is made from Mewto’s cells and causes Pokémon to lose control and temporarily become violent.

At the beginning of Detective Pikachu Returns, there is a pretty fun reference to the movie that takes place between Tim and his sister Sophia. Just like in the real world, in the game’s universe a movie was made about Tim and Detective Pikachu’s work solving the “R” case. However, Sophia wonders why her and Tim’s Mom didn’t appear in the film. In fact, they were left out entirely as Tim was portrayed as an only child with a mother who passed away in the Detective Pikachu movie. This was a nice touch and really helped clear up the discrepancies between the first game and the movie, especially for someone like me who missed out on playing it on the 3DS.

Partners in (solving) crime

What’s great about the dynamic between Tim and Detective Pikachu is that, while Tim interviews the people of Ryme City in the cases they’re investigating, Detective Pikachu does the same with the city’s Pokémon. Besides asking them questions though, many of the Pokémon have special skills you use to help you in your investigations. For instance, in the screenshot above, Pikachu and Growlithe team up as this fire-type Pokémon is an excellent tracker as he has a keen nose that can follow all sorts of different smells.

Tim and Detective Pikachu’s relationship is as strong as ever in Detective Pikachu Returns and its opening sees the pair of detectives receive a medal from Ryme City’s mayor for their work solving the “R” case in the previous game. However, Tim is still perfecting his craft and Detective Pikachu is always there by your side in case you need a bit of help during your investigations.

From what I’ve played so far, a big part of the game involves exploring all the different areas in Ryme City and tracking down clues as well as witnesses to make progress in your cases. From talking to different people and Pokémon to looking for secret areas, there’s quite a lot to explore and just like in the film, it’s great to see Pokémon and people coexisting instead of just battling it out.

Once you do gather all the clues you need, it’s time to begin making deductions. This involves pulling out your journal by pressing X and all of your clues will appear under the question you’re trying to answer. It’s quite easy and younger gamers won’t run into any hang ups as you can keep trying if you guess incorrectly. In order to solve a case, you’re going to need to perform several deductions successfully. 

While I’ve only scratched the surface of Detective Pikachu Returns, it’s been a really enjoyable experience so far. It’s not the most difficult game by any means but sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for, especially if you just want to play something a bit more relaxing and less action packed.

More Detective Pikachu is exactly what I wanted

After seeing the movie in theaters and rewatching it several times on the best streaming services, this new game has really scratched my itch for my Detective Pikachu. Sure, he’s not voiced by Ryan Reynolds but I actually prefer the game’s voice actor as his version of Pikachu has a deeper and more gruff-sounding voice. This Detective Pikachu also doesn’t come off as overly cute like he does in the film.

I’ve had a lot of fun during the sections of the game where I’m controlling Detective Pikachu like when Growlithe let him ride on his back. I hope there are more sections like that one as they help mix up the gameplay a bit.

At any point during your adventure, you can use the left arrow on the D-pad to get hints from Detective Pikachu. Although you might not need them if you’ve been paying attention, I found this to be a useful feature even for me at times when I had to put the game down and forgot what I was doing the last time I played. It’s also perfect for younger gamers that might need a bit of help here and there.

Meanwhile, pressing the right arrow on the D-pad lets you chat with Detective Pikachu. It’s here where his personality really shines through and I love the little “Detective Tips” speeches he gives to Tim. In the screenshot above for instance, Detective Pikachu elegantly explained that good coffee will taste good even when it’s cold while bad coffee will still taste bad even if you heat up. As a coffee lover myself, I really like how he’s always looking for his next cup of joe while trying to solve cases. 

The perfect palate cleanser before my next big game

If you’re jumping from one big action-filled game to the next, you’re going to get burned out fast. This is why I like to take a break in between larger RPGs like Persona 5 Royal or even Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and play something a bit lighter. Detective Pikachu is perfect for this and I’ve found, like with Animal Crossing New Horizons, it’s great for playing in short bursts before turning in for the night.

While Detective Pikachu Returns is clearly aimed at younger Pokémon fans, older fans of the series will still appreciate seeing their favorite characters all around Ryme City. It’s also the perfect length for completing relatively quickly at around 13 to 17 hours depending on your pace. I plan on spending my weekend working through a few more cases alongside Detective Pikachu to hopefully find out what really happened to Tim’s dad Harry once and for all.

More from Tom's Guide

• Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals — best early sales on games and accessories
• I gave my son’s room a Super Mario makeover — here’s how I did it
• Sonic Frontiers shows you can still teach an old hedgehog a few new tricks

New leaks about a successor to the Nintendo Switch have emerged in the wake of Nintendo’s Pokémon day event. 

Posted on 4Chan and supposedly verified by Pokémon insider Centro Leaks the leak, written in non-native English, claims to be from a “programmer at a Pokemon outsourcing company." In the post, the leaker claims that the second of the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet DLCs will launch alongside a new Switch model to accompany the game’s “graphic enhancement patch”. With the second part of the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion officially launching in Winter 2023, we could see a new Nintendo Switch this year. 

Of course, it is worth noting that 4Chan is one of the more spurious locations on the internet and any rumors should be taken with more than a grain of salt, but some elements of this leak do add up. It was in fact posted before the announcement of the Pokémon DLC at the Pokémon Presents event, but this news was expected and all but confirmed prior to the event, especially as Pokémon Sword and Shield followed the same pattern. The specifics of the leak’s description of the DLC is what has made some sit up and take note.

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will feature new Pokémon designs including Ogerpon, who fits the description of “a mystery Pokémon with a green mask” and Terapagos who matches the prediction of “The third legendary Pokémon is a large blue turtle.” 

It makes sense to launch the console alongside a big title such as Pokémon, but many expect Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to be Nintendo’s biggest launch of the year. As an entirely new game, rather than just an expansion, this would likely justify the launch of a new console more.
 

What could we see from a Nintendo Switch 2? 

Based on the supposed “graphics enhancement patch” of this rumor, it would be fair to assume that a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Pro will pack some extra oomph under the hood. Nintendo has never been one to prioritize power in its consoles but it is clear the Switch is lagging way behind the PS5 and Xbox Series X in that regard. 

Some rumors suggest that the next iteration of the Switch will support 4K output to connected displays, while the success of the Steam Deck will definitely give Nintendo something to think about when it comes to making its handheld offering stand out. A recent report from the UK’s Competition and Marketing Authority hinted that a new Switch could also feature greater Cloud Gaming potential.  

More from Tom's Guide 

• Best Nintendo Switch games now
• PSVR 2 review: Is this headset worth $550?
• PS5 vs Xbox Series X: See which console wins

I’ll just come right out and say it: I’m really happy there wasn’t much in the way of new games this month. Sure, the Persona re-releases on modern consoles were a nice surprise, but it was honestly refreshing not to have to run out and buy a new game just to stay caught up with what everyone else is talking about on Twitter. 

This lull allowed me to do something that I rarely get the chance to do: I could finally dive into my backlog. What I pulled out was Pokémon Omega Ruby on the Nintendo 3DS, and it helped me rediscover how much I enjoyed the Pokémon games beyond Gold and Silver.

I’m not sure if I’ll have time to continue on with my journey to become the very best like no one ever was in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond on Nintendo Switch, but until next month’s new releases like Hogwarts Legacy, Atomic Heart and the PS VR 2 come out – you can catch me revisiting the Hoenn region in what I think is one of the best Nintendo 3DS games.

A schism between the old and the new 

I’ve always loved Pokémon, but in my mind there was always a clear cutoff between the “good Pokémon games” like Red, Blue, Yellow, Silver and Gold, and the bad ones – what I considered generations three, four and five. 

Part of the reason I didn’t like those generations as much was because they came out in my late high school and college years when I was playing games that were pushing the needle a bit more. I figured, Why learn about 100 new Pokémon when I could be enjoying Skyrim? The result was that I didn’t really learn Pokémon from those generations, which then made following games less enjoyable.  

I still played them, of course, and even rekindled my passion briefly with Sun and Moon (also on the Nintendo 3DS), but I always felt the disconnect between the second generation and everything that would come afterwards. 

Omega Ruby really nailed the Pokémon formula 

One of the reasons it was so easy to latch back onto the franchise with Omega Ruby is because of how functional the games have become. Getting an Exp Share towards the beginning of the adventure means you can level your whole team without necessarily needing to balance their time in battle, which helps them evolve faster. 

Speaking of battles, Omega Ruby uses the Mega Evolution system that was introduced in Pokémon X and Y. Being able to change the type of a Pokémon mid-battle – as well as boosting important stats – means that there’s more depth here than there was when the original Ruby and Sapphire came out two decades ago. The transformation animations do become a bit tiring after seeing them for the 20th time that day

On top of that, Omega Ruby isn’t skimpy on legendary Pokémon to catch. Before you take on the Elite Four, there are probably a dozen legendary or semi-legendary Pokémon to encounter and catch, and that number doubles or triples after the first set of credits.

Finally, thanks to Pokémon Box, you can actually take everything you collect forward with you to later entries in the game. I haven’t tried this myself yet (I’m waiting for Pokémon Box to end its paid subscription in March) but the prospect that all this time I’m investing won’t be wasted really helps quiet that “adult” side of my brain that needs every minute of my day to be accounted for.

Find your Pokémon Omega Ruby before the next wave hits 

I could gush even more about Pokémon Omega Ruby – but really it’s just a metaphor for finding the time to play something you’ve always wanted to play but didn’t have the time.

You can, of course, make time for these games by skipping out on whatever the month’s hot new release is. But, be warned, the later it gets in the year, the better the games are going to be.

Case in point? In November of last year there were 30+ new games released including God Of War Ragnarök, Pentiment, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight and Vampire Survivors on Xbox. Trying to sneak in another game really wasn’t feasible.

Instead of feeling bored because there’s nothing new to play in January due to lackluster releases, see this as a small window of opportunity to go back and play something from your backlog. 

With games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Starfield, Diablo 4 and more coming later this year, it’s not going to get any easier to find spare time.

Nintendo has announced a brand new Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition, a limited edition version of the popular handheld/home console hybrid themed around the upcoming game. And we’ve all got all the pre-order details you need down below. 

Nintendo somewhat regularly releases special-edition models of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED, and previous versions have included console ties in with Animal Crossing New Horizons and Splatoon 3. However, the Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition could be one of the most popular limited edition models yet.  

While there are no hardware changes here — it’s just a regular Nintendo Switch OLED with a Pokemon-themed skin — the console is rapidly selling out across retailers. This isn't a shock, Pokemon collectors are some of the most passionate around, and limited edition merchandise tends to sell out very quickly. So, if the Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition has caught your eye, you want to bookmark this page as we're keeping an eye out for restocks before launch. 

The limited edition console is currently scheduled to release on November 4, that’s exactly two weeks before the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet game launches. And while most retailers are now sold out of pre-orders, we're expecting to see some additional release day stock. Below you’ll find all the links you need to secure your limited edition Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition. 

Where to pre-order Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition  

What is Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition?  

Set to release in early November to mark the launch of the latest installments in the widely-popular monster collecting series, the Nintendo Switch OLED Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Edition is pretty much exactly what it sounds like — a limited edition Nintendo Switch OLED themed around the game. The special edition console will retail for $359. 

The Nintendo Switch OLED Scarlet & Violet Edition features two unique Joy-Con controllers, one red and the other purple, and both are decked out in custom Pokemon Scarlet & Violet artwork. Plus, the back of the main Switch unit is also wrapped in a Pokemon decal that showcases the trio of starter Pokemon that you’ll have to choose from at the beginning of the game. The included docking station also features images of the new legendary Pokemon Koraidon and Miraidon. 

Rather bizarrely, the console doesn’t actually come with a copy of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. While this is a strange decision, it’s one that Nintendo has made in the past. Neither the Splatoon 3 or Animal Crossing New Horizons Switches came with copies of their respective games either. So if you also want to play the latest Pokemon game, and we can’t imagine anybody interested in this console doesn’t, then you’ll need to buy a copy separately. 

Outside of its new cosmetic look, this is the same great Nintendo Switch OLED console that was first released in October 2021. You get all of the OLED model’s improvements including the larger 7-inch OLED screen, wider adjustable kickstand, refreshed dock with ethernet port and 64GB of internal storage. Like its predecessor the Switch OLED is designed to play in either handheld or TV mode, and is the perfect system for gaming on the go.  

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is unlike any other Pokémon release so far. With an expansive world and plenty of Pokémon to discover, befriend, and battle, there’s plenty to keep the little kid in you coming back to this game, hour after hour. But the graphics simply aren’t up to par with other Nintendo releases on the Switch, and the game’s occasionally unfair turn-based battles can leave players frustrated.

Read on for our full Pokémon Legends: Arceus review.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: Story

Pokémon Legends: Arceus begins with a character — you — falling through space-time, your smartphone drifting into the ether as you get closer to a hole beneath you. When you fall through, you’re in the sprawling lands of Hisui, where wild Pokémon roam, and where humans are not accustomed to the bizarre creatures.

If you’ve played Pokémon before, you know that players usually take on the role of a Pokémon trainer. In Arceus, you must quell the frenzied nobles that have been attacking Hisuians since you fell from the time rift in the sky. You find yourself way back in time, at least 100 years before humans had come to respect and live with Pokémon.

As the game unfolds, it’s clear that you’re working to set up the world of earlier franchise games, such as Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (especially considering that part of your objective in Arceus is to work with leaders of the Diamond and Pearl clans).

Although you might be bored by the absurd amount of cutscenes and dialogue in the first few hours of the game (and any time you reach a plot point, really), the story is quite compelling if you read all the dialogue. It’s well-written and comments on our own world today, touching on themes of religious differences, reason and logic, and anthropocentrism.

Without giving away the entire plot, the story generally follows you as you beat five frenzied boss Pokémon. To do so, you'll have to gather stars on your research badge, earned by completing research tasks such as catching new Pokémon and using certain moves in battle. In a subversion of the typical RPG plot — and the typical Pokémon plot — you'll actually enjoy a few minutes of excitement and celebration before a commander accuses you of sabotaging Hisui.

As you work to prove him wrong, you’ll get closer and closer to the ultimate ends of the game: Completing the Pokédex and catching Arceus, the godlike Pokémon that reigns over Hisui. Luckily for Pokémon lovers, there’s plenty to do after you complete all the main missions. Finishing the Pokédex, which is Hisui’s first written record of all the 242 Pokémon that live there, unlocks a new set of requests (side quests).

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: Visuals and graphics

Unfortunately, the visuals and graphics in Pokémon Legends: Arceus rarely live up to Nintendo’s ridiculously high standard from other open-world games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

First, let’s cover what’s great. The characters and their clothing look exactly as you’d hope, with vaguely chibi facial expressions that mix perfectly with the Pokémon themselves. The Pokémon are animated just as they are in other recent Pokémon releases, such as New Pokémon Snap. It’s a joy to watch them walk around while you hide in a bush nearby.

That’s about where the good graphics end, though. The scenery is beautiful when you see it from a distance, but up close, trees are painfully simple, and they appear over and over again. Frames get dropped all the time, especially when a Pokémon is moving around in the background of a scene. I have yet to see a Pokémon fly in a smooth circle. There's also some extremely frustrating lag, especially during the final frenzied noble battle.

The game's dark areas also highlight some painfully simple design elements. For example, in a dark room, characters and walls appear with slight white outlines that flicker as you move about the space.

Except for the occasional lag, most of these issues don’t affect gameplay. While I was playing, I didn’t care too much that the visuals weren’t that intriguing. I was too focused on the Pokémon themselves — and it’s clear most of the developers' time and effort went toward animating these creatures rather than making sure the scenery looked perfect.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: Gameplay

The gameplay in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is perhaps the most exciting part about the game, especially for players who’ve been at Pokémon for decades. As in the other Pokémon games, you can travel with up to six Pokémon, who faint when they’re out of HP. You can revive them by resting in town or at a base camp, or with potions or remedies. No Pokémon ever dies. 

You’re free to roam around the world of Hisui as you see fit, and you’ll gain access to more areas as you beat more nobles. Soon, you’ll be able to sprint, dig, swim, climb and fly all around the area — and it’s awesome. The game utilizes all of these mechanics as you travel to different terrains, so you can go from riding a huge Pokémon in the water straight to sprinting on land.

The game also uses many typical RPG mechanics, such as crouching and running. As you approach a Pokémon, you can choose to throw a Pokéball or fruit from your satchel (which is punishingly small, even after you purchase several new slots), or toss out a Pokémon for battle. This is where the gameplay becomes a bit frustrating.

As with most other Pokémon games, battles are turn-based. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you can choose from Strong Style and Agile Style attacks, as well as normal attacks. While Strong Style raises your impact, it also raises the chance of your opponent taking two turns in a row; Agile Style works the opposite way. Messing with the order of turns sometimes doesn’t work, and it can feel super unfair.

Another befuddling aspect of the battles is what happens when multiple Pokémon want to battle you simultaneously (or when a human opponent sends out two Pokémon at once). Rather than allowing you to send out another Pokémon or take a turn for each one of their turns, the opponents each take turns, then you take a turn, and so on. This can result in your Pokémon fainting before you even have a chance to take a turn, which feels bad especially when you’re trying to advance the plot.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: Requests and Wisps

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is filled with extra things to do, particularly with the added challenges of requests and wisps.

Requests are the game’s version of side quests, and they feature interesting pleas from folks around Hisui. Whether they want to see the Pokédex entry for a specific Pokémon, or they need a Pokémon to help their farm, the requests are largely focused on the spiritual purpose of the game: To help Hisui and its people live in harmony with Pokémon.

Wisps are glowing purple beings scattered all around the land, similar to Breath of the Wild’s Koroks. You’re often rewarded for looking around a dark corner or sneaking behind a building with a wisp, and you’ll get new rewards from a cute kid in town if you tell her how many wisps you’ve found.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus review: Verdict

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a great game, its visual shortcomings notwithstanding. While some of the turn-based mechanics can seem unfair, the game’s expansive world is simply joyful, filled with adorable creatures and exciting surprises to discover. Although Pokémon Legends: Arceus isn’t perfect, its pitfalls make me excited for future Pokémon Legends titles, especially if they continue to explore the interesting relationship between humans and Pokémon.

Nintendo and developer Game Freak have given us an extended look at Pokemon Legends Arceus via a lengthy new gameplay trailer. The Nintendo Switch exclusive is set to launch in just two weeks' time, and this 13-minute video gives players an idea of what awaits them in the Hisui region. 

Pokemon Legends Arceus’ strongest inspiration is fairly obvious, the similarities to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild really stand out in this trailer. For starters, both games place an emphasis on exploration as well as crafting to improve your stats. 

Legends Arceus is set in the Hisui region, and again like Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule, the location appears to be a very diverse setting with each region offering a different backdrop for your Pokemon collecting adventure.  

Being compared to what is widely considered one of the best Nintendo Switch games, and arguably one of the best games of all time, is certainly flattering but it does mean that Legends Arceus has a high bar to live up to. 

In this new trailer, we also get our first proper taste of how battles will work. There’s a greater focus on stealth, as your trainer has the ability to sneak up on a wild Pokemon in the hopes of catching them without the need for combat. If you are spotted, a turn-based battle will begin. 

These aren’t the traditional battles of previous Pokemon games though, the combat in Legends Arceus looks significantly more fluid with a careful balance between strength and style being essential to victory.  

Don’t worry, the punishment for failing in battle doesn’t seem to be too severe. If you take too much damage your trainer will blackout and you’ll lose some of the craftable items you’ve recently collected but significant progression won’t be wiped. Definitely don’t expect an open-world experience akin to Elden Ring here, Pokemon Legends Arceus is clearly aiming to remain accessible to young players. 

The gameplay trailer ends with a boss battle against a “Noble Pokemon” that has become frenzied due to a "strange phenomenon." The gameplay trailer explains that in order to calm a rampaging Pokemon you can’t just defeat it in battle. Instead, you must feed it balms made of its favorite food while dodging its powerful attacks. These battles look pretty intense, but a great deal of fun nevertheless. 

While this gameplay deep dive into Pokemon Legends Arceus has been mostly well-received, it has received some criticism for its lackluster visuals. As you’d expect, the game offers a cartoonish graphical style, but it has been suggested the open world looks a little lifeless. Hopefully, this isn’t a potential problem that blights the overall experience. 

Thankfully, we won’t have long to wait to start exploring the Hisui region ourselves. Pokemon Legends Arceus is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on January 28 and could be the perfect excuse to hunt down a Nintendo Switch OLED restock. 

Editor's note: For this review, we evaluated Pokémon Brilliant Diamond primarily. Pokémon Shining Pearl offers a slightly different collection of Pokémon to catch; otherwise, the two games are identical.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are almost one-to-one remakes of the original Nintendo DS games that came out back in 2007. The story is rather simple. As in every other mainline Pokémon game, you’re a kid who gets his first Pokémon from the local professor. You then go on a journey to collect all eight badges and stop a villainous organization along the way. Then you fight the Elite Four and the Pokémon Champion to become the strongest trainer in the region.

The games stay on the safe side rather than taking any large creative risks. But these were good games back then, and they're still good ones now. However, there are some caveats to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that hold them back. Read on for our full Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl review.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl review: Gameplay

If you’ve ever played a Pokémon game before, the gameplay in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is pretty much the same. You send out your Pokémon critters against your opponents', and you engage in turn-based combat until you defeat them, or vice versa. Each Pokémon has an elemental type, such as fire, water or grass. Each type also has different kinds of weaknesses. Hitting an opponent’s weakness is the key to winning each battle.

One thing to note is that because Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are practically one-to-one remakes of the originals, the games don't have any battle system gimmicks. Compare and contrast with the third generation of games: 2003’s Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Game Freak remade these in 2014 as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. 

Those games incorporated the battle gimmick, Mega Evolutions, from Pokémon X and Y. The developers even had an entire explanation about how the remakes were on a separate timeline from the original games, where Mega Evolutions never existed before.

It’s a bit disappointing to see Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl developer ILCA leave out the Dynamax system from Pokémon Sword and Shield, even if that mechanic was divisive among players. Including it would have definitely helped Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl forge identities of its own. 

As it stands, I think those who played the original games might get more of a kick out of these remakes than newcomers. Those who started playing Pokémon with the more recent entries may consider Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to feel a bit stripped-down.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl review: Quality of life changes

Some of the most significant changes in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are their new quality of life features. These help streamline the games considerably.

As an example, consider the removal of HMs, or Hidden Machines. In the past, these HMs taught Pokémon moves that were essential for navigation, such as Surf to cross bodies of water, or Rock Smash to smash boulders in your way. The issue is that not all of them were useful in battle. In particular, Rock Smash was a weak attack, but you had to keep it just in case you needed to use it outside of battle.

Pokémon Sun and Moon were the first games to remove HMs. Instead, you could simply call a random wild Pokémon to use Surf or Rock Smash for you. I’m glad that this feature carried over into Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as it allows for more flexible team building.

Another welcome addition is the ability to access your PC to swap your Pokémon in and out at any time. Other recent Pokémon entries also offered this feature. There’s no need to go all the way back to the Pokémon Center. The EXP Share feature is back, too. All of the Pokémon in your party receive EXP, whether they battled or not. 

While I felt ambivalent about EXP Share at first, I eventually warmed up to it, as it helped me level up my weaker Pokémon quickly. However, it does remove some challenge from the game, and I wish there were at least an option to turn it off.

When you bring up your menu, there’s text on the bottom that tells you what your next objective is, as well as a flag on your map that pinpoints where to go. While I have fond memories of playing the original Diamond and Pearl games, I definitely didn’t remember everything, including where to go for each objective. As a result, I certainly appreciated this new feature.

The autosave feature from Pokémon Sword and Shield comes back, too, but the implementation still doesn't feel good enough. Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl autosaves whenever you accomplish objectives, such as moving to a new area or catching a new Pokémon. The problem is that the game doesn’t have a separate save file for autosaves. As such, if you do something you don’t like and the game autosaves, then you’re screwed. Thankfully, you can turn autosave off.

Now, my biggest complaint is related to TMs, or Technical Machines. Like HMs, they teach your Pokémon new moves. HMs had unlimited use while TMs were single use. But in the fifth generation games, TMs were changed to become unlimited use.

In these remakes, however, TMs have been reverted back to single use items. This is more in line with the original games, but it's certainly a backwards step. What if I wanted to teach two of my Pokémon the same TM move? Well, now I have to choose between them whereas in the recent games I could teach both of them. It’s a really baffling decision to go back to this.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl review: Content

Aside from the main game itself, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl offers a plethora of side quests and post-game content. In the Sinnoh Grand Underground, you can create Secret Bases and decorate them with statues that affect the types of Pokémon you encounter in the optional Hideaway dungeons.

Hideaways are new additions in these remakes. These caves contain Pokémon that you normally wouldn’t be able to find or catch above ground. More Pokémon are available in Hideaways as you progress through the game, and it’s great to have more options for team building.

You can also dig up items to trade with various vendors throughout the Grand Underground. You can acquire things like TMs (which teach new skills) or pedestals for your statues. Multiplayer is enabled as well. You can explore the Grand Underground with a friend, and visit their Secret Bases, too. The Grand Underground is an incredibly fun distraction, in case you’re looking to do something other than fighting.

The post-game content is nothing to sneeze at, either. You can catch more legendary Pokémon at new locations in Sinnoh, or even catch previous-generation legendaries at Ramanas Park. Additionally, you can also conduct rematches with the Elite Four, and their Pokémon will become stronger each time (up to a certain point), which makes for an exciting challenge.

The Battle Tower is also a great post-game activity. Winning consecutive battles can earn you powerful TMs, as well as held items. It has the strongest trainers in the game, so it’s great for players who want to test their skills.

However, the lack of Pokémon Platinum content is disappointing, since Platinum was the definitive version of the fourth-gen titles. The evil organization in Platinum, Team Galactic, felt like a real threat compared to the original Diamond and Pearl games, due to a revamped story. Additionally, areas like the Distortion World, which debuted in Platinum, aren’t in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl either.

Most notably, Platinum replaced the original game’s Battle Tower with the expanded Battle Frontier, offering even more challenges and post-game content. Unfortunately, this is another instance where Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl being almost one-to-one remakes really holds them back from being great.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl review: Verdict

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are faithful remakes of the originals. The original Diamond and Pearl were already good, but the new quality of life features make it an even smoother experience. However, those same features feel inconsistent. The decision to not use the definitive Pokémon Platinum game as the foundation is puzzling, at best. This would have obviated the need for two versions of the same game, while also incorporating Platinum’s additional content.

Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are still a fun ride, especially if you’ve played the originals. However, more creative risks might have helped the game really stand out.

During the recent Pokemon Presents live stream, Nintendo and the Pokemon Company announced a limited edition Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition.

This special version of the handheld-only Switch is to celebrate the upcoming Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pear remakes that will launch this November. It has already caused a stir among fans of the pocket monsters. 

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This Pokemon-themed version of the Nintendo Switch Lite makes a refreshing change as often anything that ties into the franchise is based around the popular characters Pikachu or Eevee. However, this Switch Lite is metallic grey in color and features silver and gold artwork on the back. 

Previous special edition Switches have proved extremely popular. Last year’s Animal Crossing Switch was a lockdown essential for many, and earlier this year the Monster Hunter Rise version of the console sold out during pre-orders. Other limited edition Nintendo products like the Zelda Joy-Cons were also extremely difficult to buy at launch. 

If you've got your eye on the Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition then you'll definitely want to get yourself a pre-order before its November 5 release date. Nintendo rarely reproduces limited edition issues, so once they're gone they're typically gone for good. 

That's where we can help, below you’ll find all the information you need to know exactly where to buy the Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition

Where to buy Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition

There are currently no retailers in the U.S. taking orders of the Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition. Make sure to check back as we'll update this page once pre-orders go live, which could be at any moment. 

Where to buy Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition in the UK

What is the Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition

The Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition is a limited edition model of the popular Nintendo Switch Lite handheld device created to celebrate the release of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. 

It’s actually a throwback to a limited edition "Onyx" Nintendo DS that came out at the same time as the original Diamond and Pearl games back in 2006. The device comes in a metallic grey colorway, with gold and silver artwork of the two legendary Pokemon who appear on the box art of Diamond and Pearl. 

Unfortunately, this limited edition Switch Lite doesn't come with a copy of either Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl. Similarly, the Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch didn't come with an actual copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. 

The Nintendo Switch Lite Pokemon Dialga and Palkia Edition will release on November 5, which is a couple of weeks before the Diamond and Pearl remakes launch on November 19.

Figuring out how to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go is definitely one of the most challenging parts of the game, seeing as he's one of the three Team GO Rocket Leaders that you'll have to encounter. 

By defeating him, along with his colleagues Arlo and Sierra, you can finally get the chance to challenge Giovanni, the big bad wolf himself. So whether you’re here because you’re facing Cliff for the first time, or if you're searching for tips for a rematch, no need to worry - we've got you sorted. 

Below, we've prepared a guide on all the best Pokémon counters against Cliff’s line-up, including specific Pokémon suggestions, types, moves and more. However, make sure that you're prepared for a challenge as Cliff is not your average Team Go Rocket Grunt. 

Beating Cliff is well worth it since you will receive a Strange 12km Pokémon Egg as well as 1000XP by doing so. It's worth noting that only Trainers of Level 8 or above can face Team Go Rocket Leaders, including Cliff.

WARNING: Please take extreme caution when playing Pokémon Go and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you're using the app next to open roads, bicycle paths and steep drops.

Other Pokémon Go guides:

• How to play Pokémon Go
• How to trade in Pokémon Go
• How to battle in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go

How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go: Best counters quick guide

How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go

Locating Team GO Rocket Leaders

Every once in a while in Pokémon Go, you'll have the chance to battle Team Go Rocket Grunts, and whenever you defeat one, they will drop an item called the Mysterious Component. If you manage to collect six of these, you'll be able to combine them and craft a Rocket Radar. 

This handy item reveals the location of any Leader Hideouts that are in close proximity to you. Once you've equipped your Rocket Radar, tap the Rocket Radar button (located below the compass on the Map View) to view the Leader Hideout locations.

As shown in one of the screenshots below, the Leader Hideouts resemble regular Pokéstops on the map. And once you're nearby, one of the Team Go Rocket Leaders will be standing right by the Leader Hideout.

Before you fight, keep in mind that Leaders like Cliff are a lot tougher to beat than regular Team Go Rocket Grunts, so make sure that you line up your best Pokémon and that they're at full health before the fight. 

Once you've defeated a Cliff, your Rocket Radar will disappear, so you will need to either purchase a new one from the Shop or locate and combine six more Mysterious Components in order to battle more Leaders. 

Locating Cliff

Once you have your newly crafted Rocket Radar, Cliff has a chance to appear on your map, as will the other two Team Rocket Go Leaders, Sierra and Arlo. The good news is that beating Cliff won't be the most challenging part of the game, especially when you compare him to the infamous Giovanni. 

Defeating Cliff is one of the main steps toward completing the "Looming in the Shadows" quest, which will eventually lead you to Giovanni. Beating him should grant you 1000 XP.

To take a look at the Special Research tasks, first, tap the binoculars icon, select the "Special" tab and find the "Looming in the Shadows" research task.

Ready? Alright, now let's talk strategy. 

How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go: Best counters complete guide

Best Cliff counters

Now that you've located Cliff, prepare for trouble, because this battle is one of the most challenging ones in the game. Beating him won't be the easiest task, as not only will he put up a strong Pokémon line-up, but, like other trainers, he can also use protect shields to absorb two of your precious charged attacks.

One thing to note, however, is that the game is regularly updated and Cliff's Pokémon line-up may change fairly frequently, but we've prepared a complete guide according to the latest info available. 

Similar to other Pokemon trainers, Cliff will use three Pokémon in his battle against you. His possible line-up includes up to seven different Shadow Pokémon, and only his first choice is the one that you can always accurately predict. However, by being aware of the remaining six Pokémon, you won't be taken by surprise. 

As of August 2021, Cliff's first choice for the fight will always be his Seedot, followed by one of these three Pokémon: Hariyama, Poliwrath or Kingler.

Cliff's third and final Pokémon will be either a Tyranitar, Torterra or Sharpedo.

Below, you'll find advice on all the best counters for all of Cliff's Pokémon as well as suggestions on moves and attacks. 

Best Seedot counters

Seedot will always be the first one up in Cliff's Trainer battle line-up. Since Seedot is a Grass-type, you can take him on relatively easily by using either Flying-types like Pidgeot and Staraptor or Fire-type Pokémon like Charizard or Moltres (both of whom are conveniently dual Fire- and Flying-types). 

Careful though — this Pokémon may be small, but Seedot can pack a mean little punch with its Bullet Seed and Grass Knot attacks.

Best Hariyama & Poliwrath counters

Hariyama and Poliwrath are both one of the three Pokémon that Cliff may send out as his second choice. Both Pokémon will be looking to do some serious damage to your team with their Dynamic Punch charged attack, coupled with Hariyama's Counter and Poliwrath's Bubble. 

The good news is that both options are weak against Psychic- and Fairy-type moves, so we recommend bringing Mewtwo, Alakazam, Togekiss or Granbull. Alternatively, you can always use the same Flying-type Pokémon that you used against Cliff's Seedot, provided it survived the previous battle.

Best Kingler & Sharpedo counters

Kingler is a Water-type Pokémon and the final of the three Pokémon that Cliff may select as his second choice for the battle. Its best attacks are Metal Claw and Crabhammer, so be wary of this giant crab's mighty arm. 

Similarly, Sharpedo is a dual Water- and Dark-type and one of the three possibilities that you'll have to face as Cliff's final Pokémon. Its best moves are Bite and Hydro Pump. 

Conveniently, both Kingler and Sharpedo can be countered by strong Electric and Grass-type Pokémon. In this case, we recommend bringing the likes of Venasaur, Sceptile, Zapdos or Magnezone to blow Cliff's Pokémon straight out of the water. 

Best Tyranitar counters

Tyranitar is a dual Rock/Dark-type Pokémon that Cliff may call upon as his third choice for the battle. This mountain of a Pokémon brings with it a terrifying offensive moveset of Bite and Stone Edge. 

However, both of Tyranitar's types make it incredibly weak to a good old Fighting-type punch, so by tagging in one of Lucario, Machamp, Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee, you can knock it out in no time.

Best Torterra counters

The last of Cliff's three final Pokémon is Torterra, a dual Grass and Ground-type Pokémon that is incredibly weak against Ice-type moves. Therefore, for this battle, we're advising that you bring one of Mamoswine, Abomasnow, Glaceon or Articuno. 

No worries if you don't have those specific Pokémon; feel free to pick the strongest Ice-type Pokémon from your available options.

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We're going to get a Netflix Pokemon live-action series, and the folks at the big red streaming machine have shouted "I choose you!" at one of the minds behind Lucifer, who is reportedly running the show. 

According to a report from Variety, the show will be written and executive produced by Joe Henderson (Lucifer), an interesting pairing considering Pokémon's child-friendly content. Currently, Netflix is the home to a ton of Pokémon content, including shows Pokémon: Indigo League and Pokémon Journeys, as well as multiple films. 

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It’s no surprise that Netflix wants to create more content for Pokémon’s huge fanbase. Created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995, Pokémon has become a household name, with millions of fans worldwide.

Pokémon could be in good hands with Netflix, as it has a great track record with adapting video games — just look at the success of The Witcher and Castlevania. The upcoming Cuphead show looks pretty good as well.

The thing that could make Pokéfans nervous though is the less-than-stellar reputation of some of Netflix’s other adaptations, especially those that went from anime to live-action. The 2017 Netflix movie Death Note was not well received by fans of the original anime series, and the recent Netflix He-Man reboot may be a hit with critics, but it's stirred up a lot of controversy from viewers. Hopes for Netflix’s first attempt at Pokémon are high, but some fans proceed with caution. 

Netflix Pokemon live-action show release date speculation

We unfortunately don’t have any information on the release date at the moment. The most we can say is because the series has only just been announced, we probably won’t get to see the show until late 2022 at the very soonest. 

Variety's report noted that the show is in "early development" and the likely post-production time necessary to get the graphics right would take a while. At least there are plenty of Pokémon anime episodes to watch on Netflix in the meantime.

Netflix Pokemon live-action show cast and crew speculation

There’s not much information on the cast available yet. Variety only stated that the series would be "akin to" the 2019 Detective Pikachu movie, not a continuation thereof. 

What we do know is that the show will be written and executive produced by Joe Henderson, well known for his work on the 2016 show Lucifer. It’s hard to say how well his experience writing for a suave and handsome resident of hell will translate into writing for Pokémon, but we’re interested to see his take on it.

Netflix Pokemon live-action show plot and story 

All we have to go on is that above notion that Netflix’s live-action Pokémon show would be similar to the Detective Pikachu film. 

While we doubt it will be any sort of direct sequel or continuation, it does give us an idea of what the series could be like. A witty, modern series with a focus on how Pokémon are integrated into everyday life would be a dream come true. 

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The initial reaction to the announcement of Pokémon Unite in 2020 was one of general excitement — especially amongst the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) community. MOBAs are strategy games in which two teams compete on a board to destroy opposing bases. This was the first Pokémon game of its kind, one that would drop the RPG-roots of the mainline series for real-time attacks in a capture-the-flag-style competition. It would allow Switch and mobile users to compete alongside each other in a five-vs-five format, using some of the series’ most iconic characters. And it would be free-to-play.

However, that anticipation was quickly tempered by the game’s initial growing pains. In a survey released by the game’s developers, players were quick to voice their concerns about the seemingly ‘pay-to-win’ structure of Pokémon Unite. Where free-to-play games like League of Legends and Fortnite have no real advantages to be gained by microtransactions as add-ons are cosmetic, the prevalence of legal tender as a means to victory can harm the competitive efficacy of the game. 

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I entered this game from the viewpoint of a diehard MOBA fan who had never played more than ten hours of a Pokémon game. As a League of Legends player, my perspective is colored by my hours of grinding away on Summoner’s Rift, with very little nostalgic attachment to Pikachu and pals.  

One of the key issues I’ve always had with MOBAs is the time commitment required. An average League game can be up to 40 minutes long, which is a large ask for many. Pokémon Unite is seemingly the solution to the grind faced by the MOBA format  — games that finish, regardless of game state, at ten minutes. 

Gameplay-wise, Pokémon Unite has been a pleasant surprise. What initially felt slow, clunky and somewhat unfinished became more and more enjoyable with each game. It’s fun, if a little forgettable, and the perfect ten-minute MOBA hit during a lunch break. As a casual player, the controversy surrounding pay-to-win and microtransactions has not affected me to any great degree, but it’s undeniable that the game’s item levelling systems will need some overhauls if its ranked mode remains

Pokémon Unite review: Gameplay 

Unite handles very much like a traditional MOBA. Games take place in a five-versus-five arena, and points are scored by catching wild Pokémon across the map. When a wild Pokémon is captured, you earn points of Aeos energy for your team, which can then be used to score ‘goals’ in one of the scoring zones on the opposing side of the map. You can also enter into combat with opponents, and defeating an enemy player will cause them to drop points that you can then use to score.

The map consists of two ‘paths,’ reminiscent of the lane structure in games like League. The scoring zones are located on these ‘paths,’ and the middle of the map is populated by a wild area containing AI Pokémon that can be captured to earn Aeos.

Standing in one of your team’s scoring zone heals your Pokémon, and scoring 100 points in an enemy zone destroys it, meaning it no longer heals them. Upon loading into a game of Pokémon Unite, it’s instantly recognisable as a condensed version of the MOBA format, with limited time and space to allow its ten-minute win condition to still feel rewarding.

The game currently has twenty playable Pokémon, with more confirmed to be coming to the game as early as July 28. Unite eschews the previous Pokémon format of elemental types, instead using a battle type system in which Pokémon are categorised by playstyle rather than damage type. There are five battle types in Pokémon Unite: Attackers, Speedsters, Defenders, Supporters and All-Rounders.

As with many other MOBAs, each class has its own unique traits that make it suited for its role, and there’s enough variety between each Pokémon to keep things interesting without too much variation in gameplay. While Unite’s gameplay isn’t groundbreaking, its developers have successfully condensed the MOBA format without losing the core battle-arena feel of the genre. 

Pokémon Unite review: Controls 

Currently only available for Nintendo Switch, with plans to come to mobile in September 2021, Unite’s controls were one of my main initial gripes with the game upon playing the tutorial. For those who are coming to Unite from traditional MOBAs, specifically League, it’s definitely a learning curve, but not an insurmountable one. The lack of precision control that comes from no mouse and keyboard is circumvented by the fact that a lot of abilities in the game are area of effect (AoE), meaning the need for pixel-perfect aim is lost. 

With only a few games played, I’ve also had trouble with how slow this game feels. Even on the game’s ‘Speedster’ class, the controls and movement of the game feel glacially clunky. Navigating the map feels cumbersome, even with the occasional speed boosts the game provides you with when leaving base.

For those used to Pokémon gameplay, this shouldn’t prove too jarring, but it’s something to note if you’re coming to Unite from a MOBA background. I had a few issues with jumpy FPS and minor lag, but nothing insurmountable. The game’s graphics were surprisingly smooth, and queuing up for a match was easy. 

Pokémon Unite review: Verdict 

The pay-to-win controversy is something that TiMi, the game’s developer, will need to address. Already YouTubers have demonstrated that spending lots of money can completely obliterate opposing teams. The item enhancement system allows people to pay for stat bonuses that would otherwise take hours and hours of game time to achieve, which has a significant effect on the game’s ranked mode.

Controversy aside, though, Pokémon Unite is the perfect introduction to the MOBA genre for younger players and Pokémon fans. MOBAs are often perceived as challenging to break into, and not without reason. But Unite takes all of the complicated concepts of the genre and breaks them down into an easy-to-digest ten minute parcel. 

However, there is easy potential for Unite to be a game that burns bright and quickly dies if its developers do not continue to add variety, whether in the form of new maps or new playable Pokémon. The short games and small map mean that some of the ‘every game is different’ fun of the MOBA genre is lost here. I personally found myself getting bored after a few games. Even with the colorful characters and digestible short bursts of play, I doubt I’ll be grinding my way to Rank 1 on the Unite leaderboards any time soon.

Beating Sierra in Pokémon Go is far from the easiest task in the game. Sierra is one of the most challenging Team GO Rocket Leaders, and by defeating her, along with Arlo and Cliff, you will get one step closer to challenging the game’s main boss, Giovanni. So whether you’re here because you’re facing Sierra for the first time, or if you're searching for tips for a rematch, we've got you covered. 

Below, we've prepared a guide on all the best Pokémon counters against Sierra’s line-up, including specific Pokémon suggestions, types, moves and more. Make sure that you're prepared for a challenge as Sierra is not your average Team Go Rocket Grunt. Beating her is well worth it too since you will receive a Strange 12km Pokémon Egg as well as 1000XP in doing so. 

It's also worth noting that only Trainers of Level 8 or above can face Team Go Rocket Leaders, including Sierra.

WARNING: Please take extreme caution when playing Pokémon Go and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you're using the app next to open roads, bicycle paths and steep drops.

Other Pokémon Go guides:

• How to play Pokémon Go
• How to trade in Pokémon Go
• How to battle in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go

How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go: Best counters quick guide

How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go

Locating Team GO Rocket Leaders

Every once in a while in Pokémon Go, you'll have the chance to battle Team Go Rocket Grunts, and whenever you defeat one, they will drop an item called the Mysterious Component. If you manage to collect six of these, you'll be able to combine them and craft a Rocket Radar. 

This handy item reveals the location of any Leader Hideouts that are in close proximity to you. Once you've equipped your Rocket Radar, tap the Rocket Radar button (located below the compass on the Map View) to view the Leader Hideout locations.

As shown in one of the screenshots below, the Leader Hideouts resemble regular Pokéstops on the map. And once you're nearby, one of the Team Go Rocket Leaders will be standing right by the Leader Hideout.

Before you fight, keep in mind that Leaders are a lot tougher to beat than regular Team Go Rocket Grunts, so make sure that you line up your best Pokémon and that they're at full health before the fight. 

Once you've defeated a Leader, your Rocket Radar will disappear, so you will need to either purchase a new one from the Shop or locate and combine six more Mysterious Components in order to battle more Leaders. 

Locating Sierra

Now that you've got your Rocket Radar, Sierra has a chance to appear on your map, as will the other two Team Rocket GoLeaders, Cliff and Arlo. The good news is that beating Sierra won't be the most challenging part of the game, especially when you compare her to her boss, the infamous Giovanni. 

Defeating Sierra is one of the main steps toward completing the "Looming in the Shadows" quest, which in the end leads you to Giovanni. Beating him should grant you 1000 XP.

To take a look at the Special Research tasks, first, tap the binoculars icon, select the "Special" tab and find the "Looming in the Shadows" research task.

Ready? Alright, now let's talk strategy. 

How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go: Best counters complete guide

Best Sierra counters

Now that you've located Sierra, prepare for trouble, because this battle is among the hardest ones in the game. Beating her won't be easy, as not only will she have a strong Pokémon line-up, but, like other trainers, she can also use protect shields to absorb two of your charged attacks.

One thing to note, however, is that the game is regularly updated and Sierra's Pokémon line-up may change fairly frequently, but we've prepared a complete guide according to the latest info available. 

Similar to other Pokemon trainers, Sierra uses three Pokémon in her Trainer battle. However, her possible line-up includes up to seven different Pokémon, and only her first choice is the one that stays consistent. By being aware of the remaining six Pokémon, you won't be taken by surprise. 

As of July 2021, Sierra's first choice for the fight will always be her Sneasel, followed by one of these three Pokémon: Gliscor, Granbull or Ampharos. 

Sierra's third and final choice will be either a Kingdra, Houndoom or Drapion. 

Below, you'll find advice on all the best counters for all of Sierra's Pokémon as well as suggestions on moves and attacks. 

Best Sneasel counters

Sneasel will be up first in Sierra's Trainer battle line-up. Since Sneasel is a dual Dark/Ice-type Pokémon, the best way to beat it is to bring a Fighting-type such as Machamp, Lucario, Hitmonchan or Blaziken. Careful though — this Pokémon may be small, but it hides several powerful attacks such as Feint Attack and Avalanche.

Best Gliscor counters

Gliscor will be one of the three Pokémon that Sierra may send out as her second choice. It is a dual Ground/Flying-type Pokémon that has several powerful attacks such as Wing Attack and Earthquake. The good news is that Gliscor is incredibly weak against Ice-type moves, so we recommend bringing either a Mamoswine, Glaceon, Articuno or Abomasnow. Please don't feel discouraged if you don't have either of the above, just make sure to add your strongest Ice-type Pokemon and you should be sorted.

Best Granbull counters

Granbull is a Fairy-type Pokémon and one of the three Pokemon that Sierra may pick as her second choice for the battle.

Its best attacks are Charm and Play Rough. The best way forward is to bring either a Steel or a Poison-type Pokémon to the battle. We recommend picking Pokemon from the likes of Aggron, Metagross, Slowbro (Galarian) and Drapion — all fairly strong counters against Granbull. 

Best Ampharos & Drapion counters

The last of Sierra's second three potential Pokémon is Ampharos, an Electric-type Pokémon that is weak against Ground moves. Therefore, for this battle, we're advising you to bring one of Garchomp, Landorus, Groudon or Excadrill. No worries if you don't have those specific Pokémon, feel free to pick the strongest Ground-type Pokémon from your inventory, provided they have Ground-type moves for you to use. 

Drapion is one of the last three Pokémon that Sierra may pick for the battle. It is a dual Poison/Dark-type Pokémon that is particularly weak against Ground-type moves. Similar to Ampharos, we're recommending that you bring either of the Pokémon listed below. 

Kingdra counters

Kingdra is a dual Water/Dragon-type Pokémon that Sierra may pick as her third choice for the battle. This Pokemon brings one of the most powerful movesets, including Dragon Breath and Outrage. 

Similar to other Water/Dragon-type Pokémon, Kingdra is weak against Fairy and Dragon moves. We recommend you bring one of the following Pokémon: Granbull, Rapidash (Galarian), Garchomp or Dragonite. 

Best Houndoom counters

Since Houndoom is a dual Dark/Fire-type Pokémon, bringing either Fighting or a Water-type Pokémon to the battle will help you emerge as the winner. Ground and Rock-type Pokémon also useful too, so don't feel restricted to just Fighting and Water-types. 

For that battle, we advise picking either a Lucario, Machamp (both Fighting-type), Empoleon or Kyogre (both Water-type). Again, this is just a suggestion, so feel free to use other Pokémon of the same types. Careful though, as Houndoom may use one of its most powerful movesets: Fire Fang and Foul Play.

By using the Pokémon and moves we recommend, you should be able to beat Sierra and get one step closer to fighting Giovanni.

• More: How to play Pokémon Go from home
• How to take a snapshot in Pokémon Go

Knowing how to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go is far from being the easiest task in the game. Arlo is one of the most challenging Team GO Rocket Leaders, and by defeating him, along with Sierra and Cliff, you will get one step closer to beating Giovanni, the game’s biggest boss. 

So whether you’re here because you’re facing Arlo for the first time, or if you're searching for tips for a rematch, we've got you covered. Below, we've prepared a guide on all the best Pokémon counters against Arlo’s line-up, including specific Pokémon suggestions, types, moves, and more. 

Make sure that you're prepared for a challenge though since Arlo is not your average Team Go Rocket Grunt. It's also worth noting that only Trainers of Level 8 or above can face Team Go Rocket Leaders, including Arlo.

WARNING: Please take extreme caution when playing Pokémon Go and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you're using the app next to open roads, bicycle paths, and steep drops.

Other Pokémon Go guides:

• How to play Pokémon Go
• How to trade in Pokémon Go
• How to battle in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go

How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go: Best counters quick guide

How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go: Finding Arlo

Locating Team GO Rocket Leaders

Every once in a while in Pokémon Go, you'll have the chance to battle Team Go Rocket Grunts, and whenever you defeat one, they will drop an item called the Mysterious Component. If you manage to collect six of these, you'll be able to combine them and craft a Rocket Radar. 

This handy item reveals the location of any Leader Hideouts that are in close proximity to you. Once you've equipped your Rocket Radar, tap the Rocket Radar button (located below the compass on the Map View) to view the Leader Hideout locations.

As shown in one of the screenshots below, the Leader Hideouts resemble regular PokéStops on the map. And once you're nearby, one of the Team Go Rocket Leaders will be standing right by the Leader Hideout.

Before you fight, keep in mind that Leaders are a lot tougher to beat than regular Team Go Rocket Grunts, so make sure that you line up your best Pokémon and that they're at full health before the fight. 

Once you've defeated a Leader, your Rocket Radar will disappear, so you will need to either purchase a new one from the Shop or locate and combine six more Mysterious Components in order to battle more Leaders. 

Locating Arlo

Now that you've got your Rocket Radar, Arlo has a chance to appear on your map, along with Cliff and Sierra, the other two Team Rocket Go Leaders. The good news is that beating Arlo won't be the most challenging part of the game, especially when compared to a potential battle with the final boss of the game, Giovanni. 

Defeating Arlo is one of the main steps towards completing the "Looming in the Shadows" quest, which in the end leads you to Giovanni. Beating him should grant you 1000 XP.

To take a look at the Research tasks, first, tap the binoculars icon, select the "Special" tab and find the "Looming in the Shadows" research task.

Ready? Alright, now let's talk strategy. 

How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go: Best counters complete guide

Best Arlo counters

Now that you've located Arlo, prepare for trouble, because this battle is among the hardest ones in the game. Beating this guy won't be easy, as not only will he have a strong Pokémon line-up, but he can also, similar to other trainers, use protect shields to absorb two of your charged attacks.

One thing to note, however, is that the game is regularly updated and Arlo's Pokémon line-up may change fairly frequently, but we've prepared a complete guide according to the latest info available. 

Similar to other Pokemon trainers, Arlo uses three Pokémon in his Trainer battle. However, his possible line-up includes up to seven different Pokémon, and only his first choice is the one that's predictable. However, by being aware of the remaining six Pokémon, you won't be taken by surprise. 

As of July 2021, Arlo's first choice for the fight will always be his Venonat, followed by one of these three Pokémon: Crobat, Ursaring, or Manectric. 

Arlo's third and final choice will be either a Scizor, Magnezone, or a Vileplume. 

Below, you'll find advice on all the best counters for all of Arlo's Pokémon as well as suggestions on moves and attacks. 

Best Venonat & Vileplume counters

Since Venonat is a dual Bug/Poison-type Pokémon, the best way to beat it is to bring either a Fire, Psychic or Flying-type Pokémon. Our recommended line-up includes Reshiram, Charizard, Mewtwo and Alakazam. Venonat typically uses attacking moves such as Bug Bite and Signal Beam, which should prove to be ineffective against the above Pokemon. 

Vileplume will be one of the three Pokémon that Arlo may send out as his third choice. It is a dual Grass/Poison-type Pokémon that can demonstrate a really powerful offence, including attacks such as Razor Leaf and Solar Beam. The good news is that Vileplume is weak against the same Pokemon as Venonat, so that's one less thing to worry about. 

Best Crobat counters

Crobat is a dual Poison/Flying-type Pokémon and one of the three Pokemon that Arlo may pick as his second choice for the battle.

His best attacks are Air Slash and Sludge Bomb. The best way forward is to bring either a Rock, Ice, Psychic or Electric-type Pokémon to the battle. We recommend picking one of Mewtwo, Deoxys (both Psychic-type) or Darmanitan (Galarian Standard), Mamoswine (both Ice-type). And if you don't have any of those, no need to worry, feel free to pick the strongest Rock, Ice, Psychic or Electric-type Pokémon that you have. 

Best Ursaring counters

Since Ursaring is a Normal-type Pokémon, the best way to beat it is to bring a Fighting-type such as Machamp, Lucario, Hitmonchan or Blaziken. Ursaring may be one of the three Pokémon that Arlo may bring to the table as his second choice for the battle. Careful - this Pokémon's moveset includes powerful attacks such as Counter and Hyper Beam.

Manectric & Magnezone counters

The last of the second three potential Pokémon is Manectric, an Electric-type Pokémon that is prone to weakness against Ground moves. Therefore, for this battle, we're advising you to bring Garchomp, Landorus, Groudon, or Excadrill. Though no worries if you don't have those specific Pokémon, feel free to pick the strongest Ground-type Pokemon from your inventory, provided they have Ground-type moves for you to take advantage of. 

Similar to Manectric, Magnezone (Steel/Electric-type) is also weak against Ground-type Pokémon. Additionally, Fire and Fighting-type Pokémon will also be effective against Magnezone, though admittedly not as much as Ground-type. Magnezone may be one of the last three Pokémon that Arlo picks.

Scizor counters

Last but certainly not least is Scizor, a dual Bug/Steel Pokémon that Arlo may pick as his third choice for the battle. Scizor's best moves include Fury Cutter and Iron Head. He is particularly weak against Fire-type Pokémon, such as Reshiram, Charizard, Blaziken, and Volcarona. 

With any of these Pokémon in your line-up, using the moves we recommend, you should easily be able to beat Arlo and get one step closer to fighting Giovanni. 

• More: How to play Pokémon Go from home
• How to take a snapshot in Pokémon Go

Fans of the Pokémon franchise may have already encountered Giovanni once or twice in other games, but here we'll be discussing how to beat the Team Rocket Boss in Pokémon Go. So whether this is your first time facing the infamous Giovanni or if you're searching for tips for a rematch, we're here to help.

Below, we've prepared a guide on all the best Pokémon counters against Giovanni's line-up, including specific Pokémon suggestions, types, moves, and more. Keep in mind that since Giovanni is the biggest boss in Pokémon Go, he won't be the easiest to beat, so make sure that you're prepared for a challenge. 

It's also worth noting that only Trainers of Level 8 or above can face Team Go Rocket leaders, including Giovanni.

WARNING: Please take extreme caution when playing Pokémon Go and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you're using the app next to open roads, bicycle paths, and steep drops. 

Other Pokémon Go guides:

• How to play Pokémon Go
• How to trade in Pokémon Go
• How to battle in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go

How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go: Best counters quick guide

How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go: How to find Giovanni

Finding Giovanni in Pokémon Go is no simple task as it requires you to complete quite a few challenges before even attempting to locate the Team Go Rocket boss. First and foremost, you'll have to defeat other Team Go Rocket Leaders in order to have a go at the big bad wolf himself. 

Why? Well, if you want to face Giovanni, you won't be able to do so without completing the Special Research task, which involves beating the Leaders, Grunts, and other Team Go-Rocket challenges.

So let's start with locating Team Go Rocket Leaders, shall we? 

Locating Team GO Rocket Leaders

Every once in a while in Pokémon Go, you'll have the chance to battle Team Go Rocket Grunts, and whenever you defeat one, they will drop an item called the Mysterious Component. If you manage to collect six of these, you'll be able to combine them and craft a Rocket Radar. 

This handy item reveals the location of any Leader Hideouts that are in close proximity to you. Once you've equipped your Rocket Radar, tap the Rocket Radar button (located below the compass on the Map View) to view the Leader Hideout locations.

As shown in one of the screenshots above, the Leader Hideouts resemble regular PokéStops on the map. And once you're nearby, one of the Team Go Rocket Leaders will be standing right by the Leader Hideout.

Before you fight, keep in mind that Leaders are a lot tougher to beat than regular Team Go Rocket Grunts, so make sure that you line up your best Pokémon and that they're at full health before the fight. 

Once you've defeated a Leader, your Rocket Radar will disappear, so you will need to either purchase a new one from the Shop or locate and combine six more Mysterious Components in order to battle more Leaders. 

Locating Giovanni

Now that you know how to locate the Team GO Rocket Leaders, it's time to complete the Special Research tasks, which should get you one step closer to battling Giovanni. 

To take a look at the Research tasks, first tap the binoculars icon, select the "Special" tab and find the "Looming in the Shadows" research task.

Keep in mind that the Giovanni Special Research quest can only be assigned to those who have already completed the "A Troubling Situation" research task.

One of the steps in the Special Research will grant you a Super Rocket Radar device, which can be equipped right away. It won't take you directly to Giovanni's location; instead, but will display multiple fake Giovannis (disguised Grunts) as well as Giovanni's actual Hideout. 

You will need to tap each Hideout to see whether you're facing the real Giovanni. The good news is that you won't actually need to battle any of the fake ones to do so. 

How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go: Best counters complete guide

Best Giovanni counters

Now that you've located the real Giovanni, prepare for trouble, because this battle is one of the hardest ones in the game. Beating Giovanni won't be easy, as not only will he have a strong Pokémon line-up, but he can also, similar to other trainers, use protect shields to absorb two of your charged attacks.

Giovanni's first choice for the fight will always be his beloved Persian, followed by one of these three Pokémon: Kangaskhan, Nidoking or Garchomp. 

Giovanni's third and final choice will be a legendary Pokémon called Ho-Oh (which recently replaced Suicune). 

Below, you'll find advice on all the best counters for all of Giovanni's Pokémon as well as suggestions on moves and attacks. 

Best Persian & Kangaskhan counters

Since Persian is a Normal-type Pokémon, the best way to beat it is to bring a Fighting-type Pokémon, such as Machamp, Lucario, Hitmonchan or Blaziken. Persian typically uses Normal, Dark, Fairy and Rock move sets. 

Calling a Fighting-type Pokémon to this battle will also give you an opportunity to charge up your strongest Fighting-type charged attack for battles against other Pokémon towards the end.  

Kangaskhan will be one of the three Pokémon that Giovanni can send out as his second choice. It is a Normal-type Pokémon that can demonstrate a really powerful offence. 

Similar to Persian, Fighting-type Pokémon are the best counters as is the case with the majority of Normal-types. 

Best Nidoking counters

Nidoking is a dual-type Poison and Ground Pokémon, and one of the three Pokémon that Giovanni can pick as his second choice for the battle. 

Nidoking's best attacks are Poison Jab and Earthquake. The best way forward is to bring either a Water or Psychic-type Pokémon, such as Empoleon, Kyogre, Mewtwo or Alakazam. 

Best Garchomp counters

Garchomp is the last of the three possible Pokémon that Giovanni may call as his second choice for the battle. 

This mighty Pokémon is dual Dragon and Ground-type, making it perfectly simple to counter with a strong Ice-type Pokémon, such as Articuno, Mamoswine, Glaceon or Abomasnow.

Ho-Oh counters

Last but certainly not least comes Ho-Oh, Giovanni's most powerful legendary Pokémon, as well as his last choice for the battle. 

Ho-Oh is a dual Fire and Flying-type Pokémon that is weak against strong Rock-type Pokémon such as Rhyperior, Tyranitar, Rampardos or Golem. 

Ready? Alright, it's time for you to show Giovanni who's the real Boss. 

• More: How to play Pokémon Go from home
• How to take a snapshot in Pokémon Go

Gotta catch 'em all! Fans of the franchise and Pokémon enthusiasts alike are bound to recognize the smash hit of a game that is Pokémon Go. Since its successful release in 2016, the AR mobile game has gained immense popularity on both Android and iOS devices. Even five years in, Pokémon Go has maintained its position as one of the most popular smartphone games on the market. 

And if you haven't checked out the game just yet and are new to the franchise, here's the gist of it: You will encounter fictional creatures with special powers called Pokémon that you're supposed to catch and power up in order to win battles, but that's the case with almost every Pokémon game in existence. What makes Pokémon Go stand out is the fact that the app uses GPS and augmented reality technology to make the action more immersive.

And yes, that means that you can actually spot some of your favorite Pokémon casually popping out of the bush on the sidewalk or even inside your house.

• Here's how to play Pokémon Go from home
• Here's how to spoof your location for Pokémon GO on Android
• How to battle in Pokémon Go: PvP, battle rewards and more
• How to beat Arlo in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
• How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go

The gameplay is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things that you need to be aware of before diving in. So If you're going into the game completely clueless — no need to worry, we've got you covered. Below we've prepared a guide of all the basics that you need to know to get started with Pokémon Go, including how to catch Pokémon, battle, participate in a raid, and more. You can download the app here for iOS and here for Android.

WARNING: Please take extreme caution when playing Pokémon Go and beware of your surroundings, especially if you're using the app next to open roads and bicycle paths.

How to play Pokémon Go: quick tips at a glance

• Before powering up your Pokémon, make sure to build your XP first
• Catch as many Pokémon as you can, don't be picky
• Don't forget to transfer your Pokémon over to the professor in exchange for Candy
• Evolve lesser forms, but don't waste your Candy 
• Don't use AR mode too often as it drains your smartphone's battery 
• Take advantage of the Gyms as that's how you earn Coins 
• Only participate in Raid Battles that you can actually win
• Learn your Pokémon's moves and their types: water, fire, fairy, ghost and more
• Travel more in order to explore more areas to discover new types of Pokémon
• Battery saving mode is your best friend

How to play Pokémon Go: Spotting the Pokémon 

Pokémon Go uses GPS coordinates as your in-game character walks around a real-world map according to your physical location. 

Once you're done setting up your character, you will see yourself on a map, surrounded by some Pokémon. On the bottom left corner of the screen, you will see your username and avatars of you and your buddy Pokémon (who will find Candy throughout the game). 

The Pokéball in the middle triggers a menu, where you can open your Pokédex, battle, shop, view your Pokemon and any additional items. On the bottom right corner, you can spot a binoculars icon, which should indicate any challenges that you can complete as part of a quest or during a special event.

Below that icon, there's a small white bar that features three shadows of Pokemon. Tap on it in order to reveal those Pokémon's locations at a few checkpoints near you. Each location has a real-life photograph attached to it and by selecting it, the map should show you how to get there. 

Pokemon should appear all around you on a map, though their quantity and type will vary depending on your location, the weather and if you're near a Pokéstop. As you can see on the screenshot above, I was surrounded by four Bidoofs (don't question it, it was a Bidoof-dedicated event). Now, ideally, you would be catching as many Pokémon as you can in order to gain more XP points, but if you're being picky or if you're doing a challenge, go ahead and select one that meets your eye. 

Now let's move onto the next stage: catching 'em.

How to play Pokémon Go: Catching Pokémon

If you want to catch a wild Pokémon that spawns near you on the map, simply tap on it to reveal a new field of view. This should put the Pokémon directly in front of you (as shown in the image above). The small tab above the creature should indicate the Pokémon's name and its combat power level (the higher it is, the more difficult it usually is to catch).

In the bottom right corner, you should be able to see a Poké Ball icon. By tapping on it, you can select a different type of Poké Ball from your inventory in order to increase the likelihood of catching a stronger Pokemon. Throughout the game, you will be able to collect various Poké Balls, including the standard one, the Great Ball and the Ultra Ball. 

You should also be able to see a berry icon on the bottom left corner of the screen. This icon triggers another menu, where you can choose a berry to feed to a wild Pokémon in order to make it easier to catch. Using certain types of berries will also increase the number of Candy that you get from capturing a Pokémon.

For example, the Razz Berry will increase the odds that the Pokemon won't bust out of the Poké Ball, while the Nanab Berry is generally used to slow down the Pokémon's movement to make it easier to hit. 

Ready? Now tap and hold the jumping Poké Ball in the middle and try to imitate the throwing movement by swiping it across your smartphone screen in a swift motion. You should be able to see two circles that pop up on top of the Pokémon. The smaller yellow circle is the critical area that you're trying to hit. If you manage to successfully hit the smaller circle, you will gain more XP points. Depending on the Pokémon type and evolution stage, the creature can jump around, fly and even fight back whenever you're trying to catch it. In this case, you can use berries to your advantage. 

If you happen to accidentally tap on a Pokémon, you can use the "flee" icon on the top left corner of the screen to get back to the main map. You can also take a picture of the wild Pokémon by tapping on the camera icon located right at the top.

How to play Pokémon Go: Using AR Mode

If you want wild Pokémon to appear in your surroundings, you can also enable AR mode by tapping on the icon on the top right corner of the screen, which should transform the screen into a new field of view. You should immediately notice that the Pokémon is no longer right in front of you. Now, slowly look around your surroundings with your camera, you should be able to spot a few bushes and leaves on your screen. Next, tap on one of the bushes. That should reveal the hiding Pokémon. The following steps to catch it are the same as above. One thing to note, however, is that you should use AR mode wisely as it will drain your phone's battery faster than binge-watching Netflix.  

How to Play Pokémon Go: Trading, Raids, PokéStops, battles and more

• Gyms are points found throughout the map, where trainers can battle the Pokémon of rival teams in order to take control. Each Gym can get up to six Pokémon to assign to defending it from opposing teams. However, a single trainer cannot assign more than one Pokémon at a time. Open Gyms (gray) are available for trainers of any team to take.
• Pokéstops are real-world location spots (for example a store, a playground, a monument and etc) that are marked on the map as a circle with a Poké Ball in the center. Tap on it, then spin the circle that appears on the screen to collect items such as Poké Balls, potions and eggs. Alternatively, you can also purchase those items with real currency via an appropriate item store. 
• Raid battles occur when a Boss Pokémon takes over a Gym. You have to team up with other players in order to defeat the Pokémon, and if your team succeeds in doing so, you'll receive special items as well as a chance to capture the defeated Boss Pokémon. However, keep in mind that it's not as easy as it sounds, and you could potentially waste a lot of your potions and medicine trying to restore your Pokémon's health, so don't participate in one unless you can actually win. 
• Battles can also happen outside of the Gyms whenever a fellow player invites you to participate in one. The gist is simple: select your Pokémon (the game usually recommends the most powerful ones) and prepare to tap away. 
• Trading is another gameplay feature in Pokémon Go that enables trainers who are close on the map to trade Pokémon with each other. So if you want to arrange a Pokémon trade with a friend, make sure that you are standing 100 meters apart from each other in real life. Both trainers are required to use Stardust. One thing to note: you must reach trainer level 10 in order to trade with other players and you cannot trade your favorite (starred) Pokémon. 
• Leveling up makes your Pokémon more powerful and resistant to your rival's attacks. In order to evolve your Pokémon, give them Stardust and Candy. Both are usually collected whenever you catch a new Pokémon. Your buddy Pokemon will find Candy every now and then and the app should notify you whenever it happens. Each type of Pokémon will require a certain quantity in order to evolve. You can also use Candy to increase your Pokémon's combat power level. 
• Potions & medicine are used to restore your Pokémon's health after it takes damage from previous battles. You can get various potions that all have different healing capabilities throughout the game. You can always get more via in-app purchases. There is also a Revive, which (as the name states) revives fainted Pokémon. Additionally, you can also use items like the Incense to lure wild Pokémon over to your location. 
• Eggs eventually hatch to become a new Pokémon. They can often be found at Pokéstops. And if you happen to come across one, make sure to use the Egg Incubator in your items list. Your new Pokémon will hatch depending on the distance that you've walked over the course of the game, so there's no point to sit around and wait until it cracks open. The amount of distance varies based on the Pokémon's type, but it usually starts at about 1 mile (2 kilometers). The longer it takes, the rarer the Pokemon will be. 

• More: How to take a snapshot in Pokémon Go

New Pokémon Snap is exactly what its title suggests. Pokémon fans know that Nintendo typically does a great job remaking its older games. We’ve already seen several recent examples of this with Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee, as well as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Now, Nintendo has refreshed a 1999 Nintendo N64 classic in the aptly named “New Pokémon Snap.” Although the game is fun, its high price of $59.99 is difficult to justify, considering its short and somewhat monotonous gameplay.

In our New Pokémon Snap review below, we highlight that while we thoroughly enjoyed the ability to engage with a wide variety of Pokémon, the game’s magic wears off rather quickly due to repetitive level design. Nonetheless, some diehard fans of the franchise are bound to get a short burst of serotonin, despite the game’s disappointing replay value. 

• How to Get Mew in Pokémon Sword and Shield

New Pokémon Snap review: Plot

New Pokémon Snap takes place in an entirely new region called Lental. After choosing an avatar for your character and passing a short tutorial, you encounter Professor Mirror and his assistant Rita as part of an ecological survey. Your character must explore the region’s beaches, jungles, and deserts in an effort to photograph wild species of Pokémon in their natural habitats. 

Part of your assignment also involves researching the Lental region’s unique Illumina phenomenon. This allows you to throw orbs that illuminate Pokémon, giving them a stunning glow that’s bound to brighten up your photographs. 

As you progress through Lental’s islands using the futuresque NEO-ONE safari exploration vehicle, you’ll encounter over 200 different species of Pokémon from previous games. These include fan favorites, such as Pikachu, Eevee and Charizard from Kanto, Pichu from Johto, Piplup and Bidoof from Sinnoh and Grookey from Galar. There are even a few legendaries involved, including Celebi, Mew, Ho-Oh and Lugia. 

In terms of the game's story, that’s pretty much it. You enter a new area, take pictures of Pokémon, replay until you can advance through the map, then move on. It's not exactly ground-breaking.

New Pokémon Snap review: Gameplay

As you complete each part of your journey, your goal remains the same: Capture four images of every Pokémon for your portfolio. The Professor rates your photographs from one to four stars, depending on factors such as the subject’s Pose, Size, Direction, Placement, other Pokémon present within the picture and Background. 

Each stage contains a number of secrets, which allow you to coax some of the rarer Pokémon out into the open. To do this, you can scan your surroundings with your camera, play a soothing melody or — more amusingly — throw apple-like Fluffruits. These either attract wild Pokémon, or smack them on the head to provoke some sort of reaction.

Finding new ways of interacting with wild Pokémon is the game’s main attraction. However, be ready to replay each level dozens of times to capture everything it has to offer. Doing so increases your "experience level," which unlocks minor changes to the map next time you ride through it. This process can be somewhat tedious, to say the least, especially if you miss your chance to photograph a certain Pokémon and have to restart.

New Pokémon Snap review: Controls

New Pokémon Snap has an accessible and intuitive set of controls.  The game utilizes the Nintendo Switch's multiple controller options, allowing you to aim using the Joy-Cons, as well as the built-in gyro controls on Switch Lite, or the original console in handheld mode. 

Controlling your camera is simple. However, throwing Fluffruits does take some getting used to. There’s a fine line between throwing a treat in front of a Pokémon and accidentally hitting it in the face, startling it, and watching it run away before you can say “Sudowoodo”. 

New Pokémon Snap review: Visuals 

New Pokémon Snap presents eye-catching scenery and level design. Each map portrays a natural Pokémon habitat beautifully, fulfilling the fantasy of actually going on a safari adventure filled with your favorite Pokémon. 

The game’s various Pokémon species are all incredibly designed, too. Watching them interact with each other and their environments feels particularly rewarding. However, the repetition of having to replay each map gets old very quickly. After just a few hours of gameplay, you’ll find yourself craving something new. 

New Pokémon Snap review: Verdict

New Pokémon Snap gives fans of the franchise a unique opportunity to see beloved Pokémon in their natural habitats. Despite the challenge of luring out rare Pokémon, however, the gameplay loses its novelty fairly quickly. You’ll likely find yourself switching to a different game within hours of starting.

Overall, it’s difficult to justify why New Pokémon Snap costs the same as some of Nintendo’s flagship Pokémon games, which offer significantly richer and more diverse gameplay experiences. If you’re looking for a fun Pokémon game to pick up and play for a few days, this one’s for you. But don’t expect it to be anything more than that.

Microsoft and Niantic have teamed up to demonstrate how Pokémon Go would work on Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality. The demo was presented by CEO and founder of Niantic John Hanke as part of the Microsoft Mesh launch at Ignite 2021.

Hanke showed off how HoloLens2 users could spot wild Pokémon, capture them, feed them with berries and even battle - basically all the things you’re able to do in Pokémon Go - in wearable AR. And unlike the current mobile version of Pokémon Go, the demo shows that your Pokémon will even be aware of you and your environment.

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At the moment, the demo is merely a proof-of-concept version of the game, shown off as Microsoft Mesh launch at Ignite 2021, to deliver , “a glimpse of potential for new AR experiences,” according to Hanke.    

Hanke also demonstrated what looks like a menu that HoloLens users can tap to access their Pokémon box, potions and etc. Now, don’t get too excited, Niantic has already confirmed that this menu is not a dedicated app that’s ready to use yet.

“While this demo is not intended for consumer use, it offers an early glimpse into the future evolutions in both software and hardware,” said Hanke. 

Neither Niantic nor Microsoft have yet confirmed as to when the technology could become widely available. 

“We’ve only scratched the surface. We know the years ahead to be filled with important achievements which will serve as waypoints in AR’s journey to become a life-changing computing platform. We’re thrilled to be leading the way,” Hanke added. 

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Pokémon Go is an augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic in 2016 in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The game was released as a part of the Pokémon franchise, a series of video games and TV shows where characters are able to collect creatures called “Pokémon” to raise and battle with each other. Pokémon Go proved to be one of the most popular mobile games on both Android and iOS devices.

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If you’ve been paying attention to levels of PS5 stock, you’ll know that scalpers are making a bad situation worse by buying up stock to sell at an outrageous markup. But now there appears to be a new and unlikely target: Pokémon cards.

But not just any Pokémon cards, limited edition Pokémon card packs that are only available in the U.S. with McDonalds Happy Meals. Some eBay listings are even asking for over $2,000. 

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Those listings aren’t that common, and those particular sellers are offering whole boxes containing 150 packs of the cards. Each pack has four cards inside, including one McDonalds exclusive holographic/holo card, meaning you’re getting 600 cards for your money. That’s $3.34 per card.

That said, considering a customer can't walk into McDonald's and pick up an entire box of cards, it suggests there are some shenanigans going on behind the counter.

If you don’t want to buy so many packs (and why would you?) individual unopened packs are selling for up to $10 each. I can also see listings for individual cards, typically holos, going for the same sort of price.

The limited nature of these cards means there’s already heavy demand online, especially since there are 50 different cards to collect. People, being the way they are, have since started arriving at McDonalds locations early to buy as many Happy Meals as they can with the intention of selling cards online.

Some restaurants have had to start limiting the number of Happy Meals people can buy as a result.

It’s the same sort of tactics big box retailers have had to employ to stop scalpers buying up all the PS5 and Xbox Series X stock. I’m still surprised that scalpers aren’t using bots to try and mass-buy Happy Meals through Uber Eats.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is still incredibly popular, and it’s easy to see why people want these cards so badly. The question is whether it’s worth spending so much money right now, and if the price is going to tank after people start losing interest. 

It just depends how much you care about catching 'em all.

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Some would say that 2019 was a slower year for gaming. Fans are already anticipating next year's PS5 and Xbox Series X, and there wasn't a clear, conversation-stealing tentpole like there was with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or God of War in years prior.

But when you look back at 2019 in games, you'll find a consistent drip of excellent titles, including surprise multiplayer hits like Apex Legends and refreshing AAA experiences like Control and The Outer Worlds. We saw Capcom return to glory with some of the best Resident Evil and Devil May Cry games to date, witnessed Tetris join the battle royale craze and watched as a nefarious goose stole the hearts of gamers everywhere. 

After days of spirited debate, we've settled on our picks for the 15 best video games of 2019.

 15. Apex Legends 

Many studios tried to capitalize on the 2018 explosion of Fortnite Battle Royale, but few succeeded. Then again, few studios are Respawn Entertainment. These shooter veterans crafted the first game to truly take Fortnite down a few pegs in the battle royale war, thanks to a unique team-based approach to the genre and the same silky-smooth shooting and movement made famous by Respawn’s previous game, Titanfall. 

Packed with distinct, memorable characters such as Lifeline, Bloodhound and Bangalore, whose unique abilities must be mastered and synergized à la Overwatch, Apex Legends was the breath of fresh air the battle royale space needed when it exploded at the beginning of 2019. And it's an even better game headed into 2020, thanks to new heroes, new modes and new features for competitive and casual players alike. — Mike Andronico 

14. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night 

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a Kickstarter-funded game based on a classic franchise, which went massively over budget and took four years to produce. In other words, every single thing about its development should have been a red flag. But rather than ending up a nostalgic disaster, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night delivered exactly what Castlevania fans wanted: a huge, sprawling castle to explore with plenty of secrets, a gorgeous art style, a campy B-movie story, and tight, varied gameplay with plenty of weapons to try.

Everything about Bloodstained simply works, from the perfect pacing, to the interesting mythos, to the bevy of side quests, to the tough-but-fair gameplay. You take control of Miriam as she side-scrolls her way through a huge, winding castle, replete with cathedrals, swamps, libraries and hanging gardens. And if that alone doesn't pique your interest, you can always deck out Miriam with a variety of jaunty hairstyles and hats. — Marshall Honorof

 13. Tetris 99 

I'll level with you — when I first heard about Tetris 99, I had my suspicions. The whole thing initially felt like a shameless cash grab on the battle royale boom, shilling a franchise that deserved better than to be disposed for a passing fad. But then I played Tetris 99, and I continued to play it for upward of an hour, even though all the while I was never entirely sure what was happening in front of me.

Given away to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers for free, Tetris 99 is the kind of game that sneaks its way into your life and rudely and selfishly hijacks it. If Tetris Effect unlocked the metronomic spirituality that was always beating inside the timeless puzzler, Tetris 99 does exactly the opposite: It weaponizes Tetris. You don't sink further into your own psyche while playing this game; you fling garbage on some rando's board in a frenzied, line-clearing dash to the finish line.

And though there's surprising depth to the strategies with which you can interact with your opponents, you're not necessarily forced to bother with targeting your rivals if you'd rather mind your own business, and you're good enough to win on pure tetromino-stacking skill alone. There's no single path to glory in Tetris 99 — just a whole lot of chaos, and feverish glee every second of the way. — Adam Ismail 

12. Pokémon Sword and Shield  

Pokémon Sword and Shield is a delicious piece of comfort food with just enough new flavor to keep things exciting. The usual pursuits of catching and battling Pokémon and taking down gym leaders are as fun and streamlined as ever, but there are plenty of exciting new wrinkles to discover in the vibrant, London-inspired Galar region. 

The new Dynamax feature makes Pokémon battles literally bigger than ever, with Pokémon that can turn gigantic and use ridiculously powerful moves in adorable Kaiju-esque battles. But what really makes Sword and Shield stand out is the games' new Wild Area. When you step into this semiopen world teeming with huge, powerful Pokémon for you to catch, you'll realize that this is the closest the core games have come to capturing that same feeling of wonder and adventure you probably felt when first watching the anime series. — Mike Andronico 

 11. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was an incredible game when it debuted on the Game Boy in 1993. And it's still an incredible game now that it's received a top-to-bottom overhaul on the Nintendo Switch. Instead of employing black-and-white sprites, the Link's Awakening remake brings its characters to life with a full-color, cartoony art style that makes the whole cast look like wooden dolls in the world's most elaborate play set.

But the game's visuals aren't its biggest selling point. What's remarkable about this top-down action/adventure title is just how well the game has held up over the last two and a half decades. The original game is almost completely intact, including the striking enemy designs, the clever dungeon puzzles and the snappy dialogue. Link's Awakening on Switch is a beautiful, faithful re-creation of an underrated classic, and it's still a nearly perfect handheld adventure. — Marshall Honorof

10. Untitled Goose Game 

To have existed online in 2019 is to know the power of the "HONK!" The most surprising game of the year packaged stealth gameplay inside an adorably drawn adventure of a mischievous goose. Panic and House House's Untitled Goose Game managed to be one of the few things this year that everyone could agree on — at least if they were daring enough to fill the webbed feet of this dastardly animal. 

In Untitled Goose Game, you're given a list of ever-growing assignments, all of which pit you as the terror that honks in a small, idyllic town. Lock a child in a phone booth. Trick the gardener into falling over. Steal valuable and precious items. The world's your oyster to terrorize, all with elegant, picture-book-like visuals and a wide set of amusing characters to torment. — Henry T. Casey 

9. Death Stranding 

Death Stranding is the walking simulator you didn't know you wanted — one that pits you against spooky ghosts with ravenous appetites, bloodthirsty goons who want to steal your crap and unpredictable rain that can accelerate the fabric of time of anything that it comes into contact with. And it's all combined with a bonkers Kojima storyline and an amazing cast, including biker boy Norman Reedus and the excellent Mads Mikkelsen. 

Death Stranding is one of the most profound and emotional journeys I've ever been on, and as silly as that sounds, if you've climbed up that ridiculously long ladder in Metal Gear Solid 3 to the Snake Eater soundtrack, then you know exactly how that's possible. Death Stranding starts off a little slow, but as soon as you play up to a certain point, you'll go from zero to 100 to jump on that addict train. — Rami Tabari 

8. Mortal Kombat 11  

Mortal Kombat 11 has an epic single-player story mode, a ton of engaging offline content and superb online netcode, which is hardly surprising for a NetherRealm Studios game at this point. But the latest installment in the iconically brutal brawler series still manages to up the ante. You've got a bonkers time-traveling narrative that celebrates the series' past and present and a deep custom variation system that lets you truly make your own version of fighters such as Scorpion, Cassie Cage, Raiden and — because why the hell not — the Terminator. 

All of that complements the most balanced, mechanically refined fighting ever to grace a Mortal Kombat game, not to mention a stellar tutorial mode that gracefully helps new players understand competitive fundamentals. Sprinkle in the most striking visuals and eye-ripping gore the series has seen yet, and you have what is easily the biggest, bloodiest and best Mortal Kombat game to date. — Mike Andronico

7. Gears 5 

I didn't have very much enthusiasm for Gears 5, because it just felt like more Gears at first. But hot damn, was I so pleasantly wrong. One, you've got Laura Bailey's amazing acting skills taking center stage as Kait Diaz. Two, screw grays to hell, Gears 5 features the most colorful and detailed environments of the entire series; it's the first game that truly brought visual life to the franchise. And three, there's more Gears story — and arguably the best-written one — following Kait and Del as they ask the unanswered questions we've had from the original trilogy. 

I can't count past three, but I can count how many fools I nuked to hell with my Lancer's grenade launcher (yes, that's now a thing). Gears 5 also introduced open-world environments to the franchise, which it executed wonderfully. I can vividly remember traveling on my skiff through the snow, nabbing all of the collectibles throughout the map and finding myself in the most cleverly and dangerously designed environments. Gears 5 is, hands down, one of the best cover-based shooters around right now, and I cannot wait to see what The Coalition does with the sequel. — Rami Tabari

6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice 

The Dark Souls series ended in 2016, but fans knew it was only a matter of time until From Software came up with a new idea. This year, they got Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Like Dark Souls, it's an atmospheric, ultradifficult game with an opaque, minimalist story. But unlike Dark Souls, it's an action/adventure game rather than an RPG, focusing on fast and furious katana combat. As fallen samurai Sekiro faces off against undead soldiers, towering ogres and immortal demons, he'll learn a variety of sword techniques, from whirlwind attacks to jump slashes. He'll also acquire parts for his "shinobi prosthetic" left arm that allow him to tear away enemy shields, swing over huge gaps and more.

While Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is perhaps the most difficult From Software title yet, it's also one of the most beautiful, set in an eerie world inspired by medieval Japanese folklore. It also develops its central cast in a way that the Souls game never did. If you can get the hang of the fluid, demanding combat, Sekiro will reward your patience with an unforgettable samurai experience. — Marshall Honorof

5. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order  

Not every Star Wars story has to be about a Skywalker. All you need is a Force user, a ragtag bunch of freedom fighters (it helps if one of them is a wise-cracking pilot with shady tendencies) and an adorable droid. You get all of this and more with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Players become Cal Kestis, a Jedi padawan hiding out on planet Bracca five years after the infamous Order 66 was executed, wiping out most of the Jedi order.

Cal and crew travel to many familiar places in the galaxy far, far away to track down the means to restore the Jedi Order. Along the way, Cal flashes back to his time as a padawan and reflects on past mistakes and misgivings, once again becoming strong in the Force. As you progress in the game, you can unlock new Force skills, making you a true force to be reckoned with. 

I can't tell you how powerful I felt while simultaneously slowing down an enemy, deflecting blaster fire into an unfortunate Stormtrooper and Force-pulling another into range for a vicious lightsaber strike. And while it's tempting to just go in hacking, slashing and Force-pushing, Fallen Order rewards players who take the time to master parrying, blocking and striking strategically with satisfying finishing move scenes. Taking a page out of Dark Souls' book, Fallen Order forces you to face the foe who landed the killing blow after dying to get all that XP you were saving to unlock a new skill.

All in all, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a great third-person action-adventure game with a dark and engrossing story. — Sherri L. Smith

4. The Outer Worlds 

The Fallout series is not what it once was; BioWare's latest games leave a lot to be desired. It was a bad time to be a single-player sci-fi RPG aficionado — until The Outer Worlds came along. The game casts you as a settler in the futuristic Halcyon solar system, where greedy megacorporations control every aspect of life. You can break the corporate hegemony, reinforce it or just make a quick buck any way you like; how you play the game is up to you.

You can design a character who excels in melee combat, ranged weapons, conversations, engineering, medicine or any combination of the above. Or, in a particularly creative move, you can even make a character who leans heavily on his or her companions, leveraging their skills whenever they're in the party. With robust gameplay and a variety of ways to solve each quest, The Outer Worlds is a worthy spiritual successor to games like Fallout and Mass Effect. — Marshall Honorof 

3. Control  

The Tom's Guide review was wrong.

Control is the result of Remedy accomplishing its goals of the past two decades. Take the action from the Max Payne series, sprinkle in some superpowers and mix that with the mystique and intrigue of Alan Wake, and you get Control. But Control is also a game all its own, putting you in the shoes of Jesse Faden, who follows a mystery to the Oldest House and suddenly finds herself thrust in the role of director of the Bureau of Control.

The game is unafraid to mix superheroics, weird science, family drama, gunplay and lots of lore, should you be willing to dig through it all. And while the game occasionally suffers from massive difficulty spikes, they're always worth overcoming to get to the next mystery, the next superpower or the next sequence that looks like it was ripped from Doctor Strange while an original metal song plays.

There's little hand-holding. Control believes you're smart enough to figure out how to use the heroine's powers. While the game is inherently linear, a number of obstacles have no clear answer. And Remedy also trusts you to follow, and interpret, one of the oddest stories in years but also to reap the rewards of understanding it when it all comes together. — Andrew E. Freedman (Tom’s Hardware)

2. Devil May Cry 5  

Capcom's hack-and-slash series Devil May Cry had been quiet since 2013, or 2008 if you're going only by the original story rather than the divisive reboot. But this year, it returned with such force and with such critical and audience acclaim that we're unlikely to have a DMC drought that long again.

Thanks to a well-designed story, long-term fans get to continue following the lives of Dante, Nero and their friends, while newcomers aren't left too lost by references to the previous games. But the real attraction in Devil May Cry 5 is the action, of course. Each of the nightmarish enemies you face poses a unique challenge that only gets complicated as encounters feature larger groups. Fortunately, all three playable characters have long lists of unlockable techniques that you'll still be expanding by the end of the campaign, meaning you'll probably want to dive straight back in at a higher difficulty to show the demons your new favorite way of slicing or shooting them to pieces. 

The hard-hitting rock-and-electronic soundtrack plus the loud, particle-filled visuals make for spectacular fights every time, so you'll have fun whether you're smashing through levels on the easiest difficulty or retrying encounters over and over again to get a perfect score. No matter how much time you spend with DMC5, you'll put down the controller still feeling amped up. — Richard Priday

1. Resident Evil 2  

It's rare that a remake rises to the level of being the best game of the year, but this one is special. Resident Evil 2 fully reinvents the 1998 survival horror classic from top to bottom, trading the pixelated fixed-camera adventuring of the original for an immersive, atmospheric, third-person action game that looks better, plays better and is more terrifying than any Resident Evil game to date.

The modern-day Resident Evil 2 truly encapsulates everything great about the series: There's the haunting atmosphere and eerily, lifelike visuals made possible by Resident Evil 7's RE Engine, the over-the-shoulder shooting of Resident Evil 4, and the puzzle solving and exploration that made the original RE2 so special. And then there's the unforgettable, persistent dread of iconic villain Mr. X, whose pounding footsteps still make my hair raise multiple play-throughs in. Resident Evil 2 isn't just a lovingly crafted remake;  it's one of the best survival horror games of all time in its own right, and it's birthed a formula that I can't wait to see evolve in 2020's Resident Evil 3. — Mike Andronico