Nintendo Launches First Switch Pokemon Game

The Switch already enjoys a healthy collection of Nintendo first-party games, but last night the first Pokemon game was announced for the system. What's more, it's already available to download and play!

The game is called Pokemon Quest, but it's very different from the core Pokemon games we are used to seeing on Nintendo's handhelds. This is Pokemon-lite, and it's a free-to-start game that's also heading to Android and iOS platforms.

While that will be disappointing for some (most?) gamers, it's certainly worth taking a look at this rather quirky take on what a Pokemon game can be.

If Minecraft and Pokemon had a child, this is probably what it would look like.

Each Pokemon is depicted in cube form and the player doesn't control them directly. Instead, they'll wander around in groups across Tumblecube Island while the player waits for attack bars to fill. The aim is to clear stages while collecting Power Stones and other items from around the island.

Each Pokemon can be powered up and used in formations while back at base camp you can do some crafting, create new items, which in turn attract new Pokemon for you to collect. Yes, this is Pokemon in its most casual form, but then when you're targeting free-to-play on mobile platforms it has to be.

#PokemonQuest allows Trainers of all ages to get in on the action! In this free-to-start game, you can face off against wild Pokémon and embark on many exciting expeditions. pic.twitter.com/CZ57iGKWMX
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 30, 2018

As Polygon reports, because this is a free-to-start game you can expect to be presented with regular opportunities to buy stuff. Those will take the form of Expedition packs, of which there are three already available costing between $4.99 and $17.99 each. The contents includes everything from a cooking pot to increase the number of dishes you can cook and new level one Pokemon complete with a special move, to a range of Poke Ball Models that reward you with more PM Tickets.

What are PM Tickets? Well, as is typical with free-to-start games, Nintendo included an in-game currency which it called PM Tickets. They can be used to speed up certain tasks such as cooking or energy bar refills and therefore will be very tempting to use so you'll spend more cash to get more of them.

Is this another game that's going to generate millions for Nintendo? Once it hits Android and iOS, the answer to that question is a most definite "yes!"

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