While we're still no closer on learning when exactly the Pokémon Bank will be up an running for gamers outside of Japan, they will have some niceties awaiting them whenever it's good to go. A legendary pokémon that first appeared all the way back in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl has been reworked for the Pokémon X and Y engine, and is now available via the Pokébank app - Giratina.
In case you're generations behind on the series, here's a basic recap on this Legendary Ghost-Dragon pokémon: If you own Pokémon Platinum, you've seen this grisly creature already. The version seen on the game's cover resembles some hellacious myriapod that feeds on the tears of grown men, and appearance inspires nightmares. This abomination can only be found by entering the "Distortion World" (where time and space don't exist, mind you) in a charming location called "Turnback Cave."
Words are words, and it's always better to see what the thing actually looks like, which is why we have a nice bit of video for you showing the "new" Giratina, which pops out at about 1:24. Check it out below.
Of course, this is all a bit of a tease until Nintendo bothers to share the Pokémon Bank with the rest of the world, and unfortunately, we have no idea when exactly that is. The last word on the matter came in late December with a post on Nintendo's Facebook page, which read that the company would, "share more information about the launch of Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter as soon as possible."
The network problems first started on Christmas morning. Nintendo chalked it up to an overcrowded network thanks to a bevy of new Nintendo system owners all trying to access the various online options simultaneously, coupled with the extreme popularity of the Pokémon Bank app, only available in Japan at the time.
Now, for those juicy rumors...
DualPixels is reporting a wealth of Pokémon rumors from a source with a rather impressive track record.
Take all of this as a giant rumor for now, but it's worth pointing out that the source, Geno, has been correct about a number of thing before, such as the Kingdom Hearts HD Remix games. Here are the key points:
- The next games in the series are said to be called Pokémon Plus and Pokémon Minus.
- GameFreak is planning to "completely overhaul" the battle system, and "simplify the process." What's more, the team will be adding in ideas they've "wanted to do for years."
- It's rumored that players all over the world online can chat, trade, intermingle and "experience new-updated story lines." There's also a new mechanic called Pokémon Band, "introduced to get people involved who do not battle, a co-operative experience where Pokemon dance and make music together to achieve the highest group score."
- The theme is "Old Tradition VS New Exploration." A new region is planned based on South East Asia, but it hasn't been named yet. The region is said to be made up of many islands, connected by water bridges and underwater tunnels.
- More interestingly, it also sounds like there will be two different versions of the games, with one for the "terminal," likely a console, and another for a handheld. There will be variations between the two versions, but it's hard to understand exactly what they are. For example, according to Geno, the 'Mainland' portion of the new region "is an MMO-like environment that is exclusive to the Terminal and is shared by both versions." Similarly, "the island gameplay with Gym Leaders and the Elite Four island can be played entirely on the Handheld and can be blown up on the Terminal for home play," and "more traditional Pokemon-like gameplay will be on the Handheld controller while an all new gameplay aspect will be on the Terminal unit."
- Geno also described three new starters, none of which have any names yet:
1. A Water/Steel type described as a "squat, teardrop shaped humanoid that has a jar filled with on its head." As it evolves, it grows taller and the jar of water gets bigger until it needs another set of arms to hold it on it's head.
2. A Fire type that evolves into a Fire/Fairy type, described as "a tiny cute goat with fire blowing out of its horns." The horns and look take on a more menacing appearance as it evolved, "until it has curly ram like horns and a motorcycle hot-rod-like look."
3. Finally, a Grass type that evolves into a Grass/Electric. It "starts with a leap for a face with a nubby root." As the body evolves, it grows into a palm tree capable of producing electricity. Each flower petal is said to have a different face.
- Just like there are new starters, there are new legendaries as well. Plus's legendary is "a Shi Foo Lion-looking Psychic/Ground-type that has multiple faces," while the Minus legendary is "a Ghost/Fairy type that has two dashes for eyes and is a hurricane-like appendages with many arms and hands."
We'll keep you posted if any of these details are ever confirmed, but given Pokémon X and Y are still fairly recent releases, expect to wait a bit.
