Today is National Pokémon Day 2023! February 27 marks the anniversary of the original 1996 release date of Pokémon Blue, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green in Japan. From this first generation of Game Boy games, a vast Pocket Monster franchise has evolved. For proof, look no further than the following extensive and exciting list of announcements made during 2023’s Pokémon Presents presentation.
Pokémon Presents 2023 was streamed on the Official Pokémon YouTube Channel at 6:00 AM Pacific. The presentation was co-hosted by Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of the Pokémon Company, and an animatronic Pikachu.
General News and Cartoons
The reveal from today’s Pokémon Presents presentation was the key art for the 2023 Championships. These will be the first-ever Pokémon world championships to take place in Japan.
Yokohama 2023 Championship logo. Photos: Pokémon Presents 2023.
Pokémon TCG (the card game) is getting a special release called “Pokémon TCG Classic.” Based on the original Pokémon TCG cards, this “premium set” is “designed to last a lifetime.”
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Next, a new upcoming animated Netflix series was announced. Pokémon: Concierge occurs at an island resort catering to the Pokémon. The series will center on a concierge. A collaboration between Netflix, the Pokémon Company, and Dwarf Animation Studio. Best of all, the series will feature stop-motion animation.
Video Games
Pokémon Unite will be updated with Zacian, Holowear and limited-time events. Using the code “POKEMONDAY” in Unite will net you a special gift.
Pokémon Café Remix now features the three Paldean starters. To celebrate Pokémon Day, Greninja’s Great Chef outfit is available in the game, and five-star chefs from the past can once again receive deliveries.
Meanwhile, Pokémon Masters EX celebrates its three-and-a-half-year anniversary with special Champion appearances.
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The upcoming Pokémon Sleep app promises to “make you look forward to waking up in the morning.” This sleep-tracking app allows you to train Pokémon by getting a good night’s sleep.
Professor Neroli.
Sleep is set on a small island, where you’ll meet Snorlax and Professor Neroli. As you play, different Pokémon who match your “sleep style” will join Snorlax. The long-awaited Sleep will arrive for iOS and Android later this year.
The game will pair with the new Pokémon Plus+ device. Yes, that’s “Plus Plus.” The device will pair with both Sleep and Pokémon GO. Inside is a Pikachu who can sing lullabies and features unlockable alarm tones. It will also allow you to throw Great Balls and Ultra Balls in GO using the device. The device will be available for purchase beginning July 14, 2023.
Scarlet and Violet News
First, it was revealed that new paradox Pokémon have been found in the Paldea region. Walking Wake and Iron Leaves will be available during a special Terra Raid Battle event. This event was promised to begin “not long after this broadcast.”
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Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will also be able to connect to GO soon. By sending postcards from GO to Scarlet and Violet, new patterns of Vivillon will be unlocked based on the postcard’s location of origin. Meanwhile, GO players will encounter a roaming-form Gimmighoul. When 999 Gimmighoul coins have been collected, Gimmighoul can be evolved into Gholdengo. Pokémon Home support for Scarlet and Violet is also scheduled for later this year. This will allow roaming-form Gimmighoul to be transferred to the Switch games.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.
Finally, it was confirmed that DLC for Scarlet and Violet is on the way. The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will be released in two parts. Part 1: The Teal Mask will arrive in fall 2023, followed by Part 2: The Indigo Disk in winter 2023. These DLC entries will feature new locations and additional Pokémon (including new legendary Pokémon). And a preorder bonus for the DLC is especially exciting: Hisuian Zoroark!
You can watch the entire Pokémon Presents presentation on YouTube. Which news are you most excited about?
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