With the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire just over 5 weeks away, The Pokémon Company have announced loads of new information to help get us even more excited about the upcoming 3DS Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire remakes. As if that's actually possible.
First up is news on two new mega evolutions - a new type of evolution, introduced in X and Y, that lets your Pokemon temporarily evolve into an even more powerful form mid-battle. With 26 Pokemon capable of mega-evolving so far, the latest two Pokemon to get the mega evolution treatment are the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. Sticking with the nature of the original Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire titles, Latios can only be found in Pokémon Omega Ruby, while Latias can be found in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire - so you'll have to trade with your friends if you wanna catch 'em all. Even if they do look eerily similar in their mega evolved forms.
Spot the difference?
And if two new mega evolutions for two legendary Pokemon wasn't enough of a news bomb, there's more. It turns out that in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, you'll be able to fly their mega evolved forms around Hoenn. Yes that's right - while you've previously been able to hop from town to town using a Pokemon that knows Fly, you'll now be able to freely glide through the Hoenn region on the backs of mega Latios and Latias, stopping off wherever you want along the way. The best way to see the sights and sounds of Hoenn, this new way to travel is called 'Soar'. As an added bonus, while up in the skies, you'll also be able to encounter rare Pokémon and valuable items in areas known as "Mirage spots" - and if you're really lucky, you may even find legendary Pokémon too...
Wheee!
Of course, catching legendary Pokemon like Latias and Latios has never been a walk in the park, and that much is true for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, too. With neither Pokemon available to be caught during normal gameplay (you won't find a Latios lurking in the long grass), if you want to nab yourself either 'mon, you'll need to get your hands on an in-game item known as the Eon Ticket first - a special pass that lets you access the Hoenn region's Southern Island. While it isn't yet clear how you'll be able to get the Eon Ticket, the wording of the press release gives us the impression this may be similar to the Victini distribution that happened with Pokemon Black and White, where it essentially worked as a bonus for early adopters. Those who bought the game in the first few weeks/months could download a Victini through the game's Mystery Gift function - and we'd wager the Eon Ticket will be handed out in a similar way.
Two new mega Pokémon not enough for you? How about another two?
Latios and Latias aren't the only Pokemon to be getting a makeover for the new games, however, as journeyman 'mon Pidgeot and Beedrill have also been given brand new mega evolution forms. Mega Pidgeot comes boasting a boosted Speed and Special Attack, and the ability No Guard (a handy power that means all moves will hit, even if it has a low accuracy), while Mega Beedrill (seriously, Beedrill!? Didn't see that coming!) gets an Attack boost, and the Adaptability ability that raises the power of moves of the same type as the Pokémon (in this case Bug/Poison) from 150% power to 200%.
We also have more information on the new PokéNav Plus, a new tool that makes its home on your bottom screen, and has been designed to help players navigate through the Hoenn region. Packed with all sorts of applications, the PokéNav Plus comes with a number of built in settings. There's a mode called DexNav that'l help you find hidden or specific types of Pokémon in tall grass, one called AreaNav that's used to check all kinds of Hoenn region information, while BuzzNav will tell you breaking news from around Hoenn, along with filling you in on what the players you've met using StreetPass have been up to.
BuzzNav - miles better than Buzzfeed
To round off the good news, it's also been announced that several features will also be returning from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, including the Player Search System (PSS), Super Training, and most importantly - Pokémon-Amie. The PSS allows you to interact with other trainers both locally and around the world (providing you are connected via Wi-Fi), giving them random helping hand buffs, or (if you know them) requesting a trade or a battle. Super Training gives you the opportunity to train your Pokémon to their full potential for battles by taking part in a number of mini-games, while Pokémon-Amie lets you interact with the Pokémon in your team by feeding them Poké Puffs or playing a series of - you guessed it - mini games. It'd take a heart of stone to not want to spend a few minutes stroking little Pikachu and watching his cheeks light up. Ok, a few hours. Or days.
With four new mega Pokémon, loads of new features, and plenty of returning ones, Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are shaping up to be two more packed Pokémon adventures. Are you excited to use these new mega Pokémon? Are you looking forward to Soaring around Hoenn? The good news is, there isn't long to wait. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will be released in the UK on 28th November. We'll be bringing you plenty of Pokemon goodness in the run up to the game's launch.
