As a longtime Pokémon fan, I was thrilled to dive into Detective Pikachu Returns on the Nintendo Switch. But is this new adventure worth it? 

One of my favorite aspects was Pikachu’s detailed expressions and body language. His grumpy, caffeine-fueled charisma had me laughing out loud more than once, and these little details made me feel connected to his character. The soundtrack, though somewhat repetitive, suits the game’s mood, creating a balance between the thrill of mystery and the lightheartedness we expect from a Pokémon game.

The iconic arcade classic, Bubble Bobble, makes a triumphant return with "Bubble Bobble 4 Friends" on the Nintendo Switch.  Spoiler alert: it’s a bubbly joyride that fans old and new will adore.

Nostalgic Charm Meets Modern Fun

"Bubble Bobble 4 Friends" brilliantly captures the essence of the original 1986 game while infusing it with modern graphics and gameplay mechanics. The vibrant, colorful visuals are a treat for the eyes, and the updated character designs maintain the charm of our beloved bubble-blowing dragons.

Gameplay: Simple Yet Addictive

At its core, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends retains the simple yet addictive gameplay that made the original a hit. The objective remains the same: trap enemies in bubbles and pop them to clear the stage. The game's  levels are thoughtfully designed, offering a balanced mix of challenge and fun. Each level introduces new elements and enemies, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

One of the standout features is the inclusion of power-ups that add a strategic layer to the game. Collecting letters to spell "EXTEND" grants you special abilities, making it easier to tackle tougher stages. This mechanic encourages replayability as you strive to unlock and utilize these power-ups effectively.

Co-op Play: Fun for All Ages

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends shines in its co-op mode, allowing up to four players to join the fun. Whether you're playing with family or friends, the cooperative gameplay is a blast. The game strikes a perfect balance, ensuring that both newcomers and seasoned players can enjoy it together. The joy of working together to trap enemies and clear stages is amplified in multiplayer mode, making it a fantastic choice for social gaming sessions.

Classic Mode: A Nostalgic Treat

For those who crave a pure nostalgia trip, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends includes the original arcade version of Bubble Bobble. This mode is a faithful recreation, letting you experience the classic gameplay in all its retro glory. It's a wonderful addition that showcases the timeless appeal of the original game.

Verdict: A Must-Have for Fans and Newcomers Alike

Bubble Bobble 4 Friends on Nintendo Switch is a delightful homage to a classic game. It manages to capture the nostalgic essence of the original while introducing modern enhancements that make it even more enjoyable. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this game is a must-have for your Switch library. Its charming visuals, addictive gameplay, and fun co-op mode ensure hours of bubbly fun. Dive in and relive the magic of Bubble Bobble with this fantastic modern update!

Pros:

1. Captures the nostalgic charm of the original
2. Engaging and addictive gameplay
3. Fun co-op mode for up to four players
4. Includes the original arcade version
5. Vibrant and colorful graphics

Cons:

1. Some levels can be quite challenging for younger players
2. Limited variety in enemy types

Overall, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is a joyful addition to the Nintendo Switch lineup, providing a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern gaming fun. Don't miss out on this bubbly adventure!

It is available on the Nintendo e-shop for US$39.90, but do look out for sales for more savings. If you would prefer the physical edition then Amazon or Shopee (if you are in Singapore / South East Asia).

If you are wondering what is Shopee, it’s basically a shopping platform like Amazon but with pricing closer to Temu. They have an app for Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, mostly for the South East Asian countries. Besides the (probably) more affordable (cheaper) pricing, shipping is either free or less than SGD$2 (for majority of the sellers). The only downside is that you need a local number and address for each of the Shopee country app. 

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Have you gotten your copy of Pokemon Scarlet or Violet yet? If not, do check out the link below to get your copy to start your adventure! 

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You might be wondering what are Mystery Gifts? Well, they are basically Poké freebies (for perpetually almost forever) and who doesn't love freebies? 😁 

They did it with the other Pokemon games such as Sword and Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and The Legend of Arceus. Since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are ones I started really paying attention to, I'll be having a handy list of the here. 

So check out this page for the latest code for few Mystery Gifts! 

Below is a full list of the Mystery Gift codes you can currently redeem in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

1. (No code - Receive via the Internet) - Mythical Pecha Berry Gift
2. NE0R0T0MC0VER - Neo-Kitakami Case for Rotom Phone
3. SUPEREFFECT1VE - Expert Belt Expires 28 February , 2025
4. G0TCHAP0KEM0N - 30 Quick Balls Expires 28 February, 2025
5. Y0AS0B1B1R1B1R1 - Pawmoty Expires  28 February , 2025
6. NA1CTR1CKR00M-  Porygon Expires 10 June, 2024
7. GYARAD0S2023SG - Gyarados Expires 30 June, 2024
8. L1KEAFLUTE - Cetitan  Expires 31 August, 2024
9. SWEET0RSP1CY - Sweet Herb Mystica or Spice Herb Mystica  Expires 30 September, 2024
10. L1K0W1TH906 - Sprigatito with Partner Ribbo Expires 30 September, 2024
11. TEAMSTAR - Fighting Tera Type Revavroom  Expires 31 October, 2024
12. WEARTERASTALCAP - Sporty Cap  Expires 30 November, 2024
13. SEEY0U1NPALDEA - Chipper Gimmighoul  Expires 30 November, 2024
14. D0T1STPARTNER - Dot's Quaxly Expires 30 November, 2024
15. SH1NYBUDDY -  Shiny Lucario Expires 03 January, 2024
16. No code – Get via Internet - Master Ball  Expires 03 January 3, 2024
17. No code – Get via Internet - 10 TM223 (Metal Sound)  Expires Mid-January, 2024
18. THA12022CHAMP - Shiny Grimmsnarl 18 Aug 23
19. DARKTERA0006 - Dark Tera Type Charizard 31 Aug 23
20. GETY0URMEW - Free Mew 08 Sept 23
21. NATSUN0T0KKUN - Sandwich Ingredients 30 Sep 23
22. LEVELUP -10 Rare Candy Expires 02 Oct 23
23. REV1VE -5 Max Revive Expires  02 Oct 23
24. CATCHBYBALL -5 Dive, Dusk, Luxury, Nest, Quick and Timer Balls Expires  02 Oct 23
25. ENJOYBATTLE -TM082 Thunder - Wave and TM087 - Taunt Expires 30 Apr 23
26. ROCKANDBATON -TM116 Stealth Rock and TM132 Baton Pass Expires 07 May 23
27. LETSTERA - TM171 — Tera Blast Expires 31 Mar 23
28. HAPPYVALENT1NE - Destiny Knot Expires 14 Mar 23 
29. L0VEL0VEL0VE - 2x Love Balls Expires 14 Mar 23 
30. T0KUSE1STUDY - Ability Capsule Expires 28 Feb 23
31. No Code (under "Get via Internet") - Pikachu (Tera Type: Flying) Expires 28 Feb 23
32. HAJ1ME0R1G1NAL - Sandwich Ingredients 10X: Peanut Butter, Prosciutto, Hamburger, Cream Cheese, Noodles, Rice Expires 31 Jan 23
33. READY4RA1D - 20,000 League Points Expires 31 Jan 23
34. HAPPYH0L1DAYS - 50 Ice Tera Shards Expires 25 Dec 22
35. SALTV1NEGAR - Random assortment of sandwich ingredients Expires 18 Dec 22
36. PEANUTBUTTER - Random assortment of sandwich ingredients Expires 18 Dec 22
37. LETTUCEBAC0N - Random assortment of sandwich ingredients Expires 18 Dec 22
38. T0MAT0SL1CE -  Random assortment of sandwich ingredients Expires 18 Dec 22

How do you redeem Mystery Gift codes?

To redeem the above codes, simply follow these instructions:

1. Open the main menu in your copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet
2. Select 'Poké Portal', then 'Mystery Gift'
3. Select 'Get with Code/Password' and input the code to claim your free gift

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Ever since I had gotten my Nintendo Switch it has been an adventure of playing games, and collecting physical edition of games. Being in Singapore, we usually get the MSE version of the physical games, which is the same looking as the US version. There are some games which are the EU version as well, but overall we get quite a few variety. 

Prior to 2024, first party games were released with the region code MSE. The physical games have an ESRB rating on the front cover of the box, and on the back there is an “Middle East/Southeast Asia/Official Product” logo, and the same Nintendo of America barcode as the respective product sold in the states. Inside the packaging is a USA region Game Card.

But starting this year in 2024, all first party Nintendo physical games in Southeast Asia will no longer have an ESRB age rating on the box. That would mean that games from this region will be the first in the world to have clean covers for first party titles. That is… with the exception of titles such as those from the Bayonetta series that will most likely have an IMDA 18+ age rating printed on the cover. 

The new ratingless versions will retain the MSE region code, “Official Product” logo, and have a unique Nintendo Co, Ltd (Japan) barcode. Inside the packaging, the USA region Game Card is expected to be replaced by a MSE region Game Card. Although the region of the Game Card is different, there are no differences to the software itself; all first party games work the same way regardless of its Game Card region.

This brings a new opportunity for those who wish to collect clean covers, aka covers with no age rating, of first party Nintendo games, which has never been possible for titles before 2024.

For my first game of 2024, Princess Peach: Show Time!, the cover is nice and clean. The game card however is still the US version and not MSE. But a cleaner cover looks nicer, doesn’t it? 😆

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Paper Mario: The Origami King is the sixth installment in the Paper Mario series. It was released on the Nintendo Switch worldwide on 17 July 2020. The game follows Mario, who opposes an evil army of origami characters known as Folded Soldiers. They are ruled by the Origami King, King Olly.

This was my first experience with the Paper Mario series, and the ring-based system used to solve puzzles was a pretty interesting and novel way to play a game. Some gamers have said that it is a bit repetitive and pointless, but I think it's a relaxing way to play a game for the first time. 

Your brain does not overwork itself trying to solve complex puzzles, and you have fun while following along the storyline (which by the way was pretty nice). The motion controls are relatively easy enough compared to the likes to Mario Odyssey or Zelda, so it's the perfect game for a first timer too. 

Oh and did I mention that the animation and art transition is simply beautiful? The way Olivia transforms and folds herself into an elemental is a treat for the eyes!

So back to the game's storyline.... In order to bring back the world to its original form, Mario together which his new friend, Olivia travel throughout the Kingdom to defeat the Folded Soldiers and their overlord, King Olly.

The battle ring system might be rather repetitive at times, but getting those coins for shopping and confetti to fill up the holes was a motivation. It did help that the battles with the big bosses were more challenging and different from the usual. Instead of sliding the boss into position, you have to create routes for Mario to follow so that he can step on buttons to activate abilities to trump the bosses. 

Depending on the direction he can turn certain abilities on. Once turned on, he can use the special abilities. The challenging part is that you need to get him to land on an attack icon to deliver a devastating blow. Miscalculating your movements or land on the wrong button might be a regular occurrence and Mario might not be able to attack.

There are 5 streamers (big bosses to defeat): Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, and Green.

[Paper Mario Walkthrough Guide] -> this was a life saver clearing some of the challenging stages.

The journey to each streamer leads to a different part of the kingdom and simply exploring the areas are a visual treat. Along the way, they pick up a Bob-omb with amnesia, whom Olivia names Bobby. He helps in some battles and is really handy to have around. 

What I was not expecting was him sacrificing himself to save Olivia after he regains back his memory. I was totally not expecting that. I thought it was a happy feels game... till Bobby blew himself up. I did get quite attached to that little bomb. 😭

After getting over my virtual grief (for about a month), there were some quirky characters which also grew on me. The Professor, who is a Toad who can dig up coins and treasure! If only I had someone like this in real life, my bank account would also be plush.

In addition, Olivia, whom some (experienced) players might find irritating as she pops up to guide Mario (the player) to certain points in the game; too much hand holding they think. However, if this is your very first game, she is the perfect guide and to be honest, I kind of grew fond of her as we travelled the Kingdom defeating the foes. Just like Bobby, I was totally not expecting her (pointless) end. Yes, you read that right... she "died". 😭😭😭

Of course they have an alternative or true ending, but both King Olly and Olivia are shown as origami people in their origami castle and it's up to you to imagine they are happily ever after. 

Verdict: 3.5/5

After 55+ hours invested into this game and after reaching the ending, I can say this game started out as a fun narrative with plenty of exciting locations and ended up a little bittersweet. As I progressed along the story, I started to get attached to the characters that when I realized they were no longer, it left a virtual void in my virtual heart. 💔

Because of what happened to Bobby, it took me awhile before I could continue on and complete the game. While I enjoyed the mechanics, gameplay and adorable paper animations, the ending could have been better. For a children's game, the theme starts out fun and cute but ends on a heavy note with a badly worded wish which ruined everything (for me).

Happier times with Bobby

Also, the whole premise was a little weird: a Toad who is so good at making origami folded the antagonist, Olly, and using a forbidden technique gives him life only for his creation to turn on him. Olly is Olivia's brother, but he is the one who folded her and used the same technique to bring her to life. So instead of being Olivia's brother won't he considered more like a father? But no, he is her brother.... who then goes on to cause havoc to the Mushroom Kingdom and Olivia aims to set it right as it originally was, sacrificing herself in the process.

A little google search also turned up some depressing news that as cute as the Paper Mario Series sounds, the endings are always "bad". The accompanying "new" characters never survive and must always sacrifice themselves for the greater good (of the storyline).  I mean.. like why though? 

Does it have to have that morale to the story in order to make it a good game where such a (pointless) sacrifice is needed? 

Life is already riddled with it's own challenge's so why would someone knowingly want to pay to play a depressing series which is disguised as adorable is beyond me. I am not against bad endings, they just have to make sense to be good. 

At the very least they could scripted the game better, and given it a more satisfying ending which makes more sense. Then again, maybe that is why they included the alternate "happier" ending which still was lackluster. 

Why do the accompanying mascot characters of the Paper Mario Series always have to sacrifice themselves for the greater good even if there could have been a better ending? Just because they will not have their own game series does not mean they have to be "killed off". They could happily live in their virtual worlds and avoid such needless "deaths" with the right smart choices.

Paper Mario: The Origami King might be the game for you if you like the bizarre charm found within Mario's world and love participating in puzzles. Also if you can stomach the not so satisfying ending.  I would have loved it if the ending was more conclusive and obviously not just means to an end with the wrong choice of words and a whole lot of naivety on Olivia's part. 

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Have you played Paper Mario: The Origami King yet? If so, what are your thoughts about it? Let us know in the comments below!

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MAR10 Day, commonly recognized as Mario Day, consistently brings forth thrilling revelations, and this year proved no exception. Today, enthusiasts of Mario received some exhilarating updates regarding the beloved plumber and his iconic companions.

Share the fun on MAR10 Day with savings on select digital games featuring Mario and friends.

The Super Mario Bros. 2

Nintendo and Illumination have officially announced a new Super Mario Bros. movie. Chris Meledandri from Illumination Studio, the same team behind the first movie, has confirmed that they are currently engaged in storyboarding and world building, aiming to perfect every detail. The animation is set to commence "soon," with the movie scheduled for release on 03 April, 2026, in the US.

Despite Nintendo's reluctance to disclose specific details about the film, it's already known that Yoshi is expected to make his cinematic debut on the big screen.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Release Date

Enthusiasts of the Paper Mario series have eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Thousand-Year Door remake. The wait is over as the confirmed release date is set for 23 May, 2024. The original, launched in 2004 as a sequel to the first Paper Mario, quickly gained recognition as a beloved RPG classic.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD Release Date

Finally, a release date has been announced for another remake, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD. The game is set to launch on 27 June, 2024. As one of the most popular 3DS games, fans are eagerly anticipating how Luigi's Mansion 2 will be transformed in the remake, featuring enhanced graphics for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokemon fans, both old and new, can easily get into playing Pokemon Snap for the Nintendo Switch. This sequel to the classic N64 game from 1999 promises a fresh take on photography and adventure in the Pokemon universe. As an avid Pokémon enthusiast and a photography enthusiast myself, I couldn't wait to dive into this game and see if it lives up to the hype. In this review, I'll share my thoughts on Pokemon Snap for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokemon Snap for the Nintendo Switch is an absolute visual treat for the eyes. The game takes full advantage of the Switch's hardware capabilities, offering stunningly detailed and vibrant environments. Each level, referred to as an "island," is brimming with life and charm. 

The Pokemon themselves are beautifully animated, and their behaviors and interactions feel incredibly authentic. You'll be awestruck by the picturesque landscapes, whether you're exploring dense jungles, shimmering oceans, or icy tundras. The level of detail and creativity put into each island truly captures the essence of the Pokemon world.

Gameplay:

The heart of Pokemon Snap is, of course, photography. You will be embarking on expeditions guided by Professor Mirror, tasked with capturing the perfect shots of Pokemon in their natural habitats. The game encourages you to be patient, observant, and creative. 

Your photo expedition begins with just a camera, but as you progress, you'll unlock a set of handy tools to enhance your photography experience. These tools include edible fluffruit, luminescent illumina orbs, a music player, a scanning feature to elicit unique reactions, and an accelerator to keep up with swift Pokemon. While each tool has its uses, the illumina orbs stand out as the most unexpected. They can activate crystabloom flowers, luring Pokemonor even altering the course dynamics. Additionally, you can throw illumina orbs directly at Pokemon, causing them to radiate with a captivating glow. While many Pokemon may not react significantly to the orbs, a select few will surprise you with their responses.

The mechanics are pretty easy to grasp, making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. The challenge lies in taking the best shots. There's a rewarding sense of accomplishment when you finally get that perfect picture of a Pokemon in action; it's all about timing which is challenging to get at times.

Although I have to add that while the mechanics are relatively easy, if you are prone to motion sickness then go slow or play in short bursts rather than a long session. I initially played for more than an hour and found myself dizzy with maneuvering the camera Pokemon; espcially when it was docked. I found that sessions of 30 minutes or less were much better.

That said, one of the highlights of Pokemon Snap is the wide variety of Pokemon you will encounter. From the beloved classics like Pikachu and Charizard to newer additions, the game offers a diverse roster of creatures to photograph. As you progress, you'll unlock new areas and behaviors, adding a layer of excitement and anticipation to each playthrough

Exploration and Discovery:

One of the most enjoyable aspects of  Pokemon Snap is the sense of exploration and discovery. You never know what you might find around the next corner or beyond that dense thicket. The game encourages multiple playthroughs as you strive to capture every Pokemon species and observe unique interactions. This adds replayability and depth to the experience, making you want to return to the islands time and again.

Interaction with Pokémon:

In addition to capturing photos, you can also interact with Pokemon by tossing them Fluffruit (fruity snacks) or playing music to get playful reactions. These interactions add a layer of charm and unpredictability to the game. It's adorable to see how different Pokemon react to your presence and the offerings you provide.

Online Features:

The online features of  Pokemon Snap enhance the sense of community among players. You can share your favorite photos, compete in ranking battles (for the best photo of course), and even see the photos taken by others in your friend list. It's a fantastic way to connect with fellow Pokemon enthusiasts and compare your photography skills.

Verdict: 3/5

In the end, Pokemon Snap  for the Nintendo Switch delivers a delightful experience. It successfully captures the magic of the Pokemon world and combines it with the joy of photography. The beautiful visuals, engaging gameplay, and the sheer number of Pokemon to discover make it a must-play for fans of the franchise. 

Whether you're a long-time Pokémon Trainer or a newcomer, Pokemon Snap is a game that will make you feel like a part of the Pokémon world. So grab your camera and embark on a memorable journey to snap 'em all!

Should you get it?

While Pokemon Snap for the Nintendo Switch is generally well-received, it's essential to acknowledge that no game is without its flaws. Some potential drawbacks include:

1. Limited Gameplay Depth: "Pokémon Snap" primarily focuses on photography and exploration. If you're looking for traditional Pokémon battles and deep RPG elements, you may find the gameplay somewhat shallow.
2. Repetition: The game encourages replayability by revisiting the same areas multiple times to capture different Pokémon behaviors. Some players might find this repetition less engaging over time.
3. Short Playtime: The main storyline of "Pokémon Snap" can be completed relatively quickly, leaving some players wishing for more content or longer gameplay.
4. Lack of Evolution: Unlike the original N64 game, "Pokémon Snap" for the Nintendo Switch does not feature the ability for Pokémon to evolve, which might disappoint some fans who enjoyed this feature in the original.
5. Limited Multiplayer Interaction: While there are online features for sharing photos and competing in ranking battles, the multiplayer interactions are somewhat limited, and players cannot directly interact with each other in real-time.
6. It's important to note that the appeal of "Pokémon Snap" largely depends on your expectations and what you enjoy in a game. While it may have some shortcomings, it excels in delivering a unique and enjoyable photography and exploration experience in the Pokémon universe.

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Embark on a cozy adventure with Hello Kitty and Friends and restore an abandoned island to its former glory!

If you haven't already heard, Hello Kitty Island Adventure launched exclusively on 28 July 2023 on the Apple Arcade platform. 

The aim of the game is simple: you start off by creating an avatar to join Hello Kitty and Friends on a flight to an island. Things take a turn for excitement when Hello Kitty's attempt to treat everyone to some baked cupcakes causes the plane to hit turbulence and everyone has to parachute out of there asap! 

You land on the mysterious island, which was supposed to be your original destination, except now you had to crash land and your first goal is to reunite with everyone, as they’ve been scattered about the place. 

Doesn't my avatar have Animal Crossing vibes?

Your second goal is to unlock the mysteries of the island and return the place to its thriving glory days.  As you progress and explore the island, you will be able to slowly reveal recipes as you test out different combinations of ingredients. The more elaborate recipes can even be unlocked through friendship levels.

[Hello Kitty Island Adventure: All Recipes (& How To Make Them)]

There are tasks to complete, lots of them. Tasks to track down things for friends, build things using materials found on the island and a crafting table, to solve Zelda Breath of the Wild-inspired dungeons (albeit far simpler ones), and puzzles to unlock more parts of the island.

In addition to tasks, there are minigames to play, fishing and bug catching to indulge in; even photography tasks to complete! There's a whole lot activities to be done, and while similar to Animal Crossing, it is not exactly the same: you get to be involved in setting up the economy and society of the island to make it a success.

First Impressions

What I have been up to so far

Since I happened to have an activation for Apple Arcade for 3 months, I decided to download and try this adorable game. 

I initially installed it on my iPad Pro with the intention of playing with my pro-controller. But for some reason I was not able to connect them, so I switched over to play on my iPhone instead using just the touch screen controls.

The touch screen controls are a bit frustrating as they are either too sensitive or not at all. When I want to run, I end up jumping or  slow walking in the wrong directing, when I want to jump I never end up when I want to land. In total, I played less than 10 minutes as the navigation experience was subpar.

After updating my iPad Pro to iOS16.6, I was finally able to connect my pro-controller! And the difference is as clear as night and day! I am now more invested in playing Hello Kitty Island Adventure for the next 3 months to see if it's worth getting in the long run (or perhaps it might come out on the Nintendo Switch?). 

So much better playing on a bigger screen. This weekend, I'll try playing it on my Mac and pro-controller. 😍

Verdict: 4/5

The game aesthetics are both simple, but effective and adorable! 

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a  massive place to explore, with regions being broken up into various themes – volcano area, swamp area etc). Each of those regions are each a colorful feast for the eyes, and makes exploring and playing around in each of them bright and fun. I cannot wait to each one of them and unlock more outfits options too!

Have you downloaded and played Hello Kitty Island Adventure? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments below! 

Do note that this blog post may contain product affiliate links. If you purchase something through a link on this blog post, we may receive a commission, which goes into the upkeep of this blog.

If you haven't heard already, there's a new Pokémon game in town and it is supposed to help you sleep better.  You don't catch Pokémon , but get to befriend them to help you raise a Snorlax each week - the bigger the Snorlax gets, the more rewards you get in game. The more you sleep, the better it is.

Gameplay

Playing is really easy,  all you need to do is sleep using your mobile device with the app or get the Pokémon Go Plus+ to record your sleep. If you don't want to over work (and overheat) your phone's battery, the Pokemon Go Plus+ is a must get! 

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Now on to the gameplay which consists of a bunch of tutorials, guiding you from your first sleep session on getting started and orientated: introducing the Snorlax which you have to feed each week at different locations and get rewards, at the the same time befriending Pokémon to help you gather ingredients for cooking and feeding your Snorlax of the week. 

Unlike the usual Pokémon games where you catch them, in Pokémon Sleep you befriend them instead. So I doubt they are transferrable to the other Pokémon games, and the Snorlex you meet at just for show (or feeding so to say).

Other than that change in catching to befriending, it looks like the levelling system is here to stay: not only do Snorlax and each Pokémon have a levelling system, but so do the Recipes for cooking. The higher the level, the more things you can cook and more skills/capabilities your befriended Pokémon unlock to feed your Snorlax of the week. 

Then you have Incenses, and rare Pokémon with feed requirements, and evolution items to buy etc… For evolving the Pokémon you have befriended you'd need items and candy. So the more you sleep, the more rewards... It's not called Pokémon  SLEEP for nothing. 😁

As with the games series, you will work with a professor to studying the sleep patterns and gain rewards.

Meet Professor Neroli Did you know, neroli is an essential oil that comes from bitter orange trees?

According to the app, the ideal amount of sleep is 8.5 hours. You can do 2 sleep sessions each day but they must be 90 minutes minimum. You set an alarm within Pokémon Sleep to remind you to go to bed and then set one to wake you up. There's also the function to play relaxing sounds to help you doze off.

If you use your mobile phone, not only is your battery life at risk so is your privacy -  the game will record your sounds (which are supposed to be only saved locally and wiped every 24 hours) to determine what mode of sleep you are in. Hence the reason why I prefer using the  Pokémon Go Plus+ as the app does not need to be running to use and it can easily sync the sleep data in the morning via bluetooth.

Types of Sleep

There are 3 types of sleep: Dozing, Slumbering and Snoozing.

Based on the duration of your sleep at the different stages, various Pokémon will spawn the morning after. They have multiple ‘Sleep Styles’, so in terms of collecting there's the Pokémon, their sleeping styles and did I mention you can even befriend Shiny Pokémon?

You use biscuits to befriend the Pokémon and add them to your team. They will then collect the berries and ingredients to feed the Snorlax and for cooking recipes.

Certain types show up based on the quality of your sleep. You are initially gifted a Pikachu and if you use Pokémon Go Plus+ you get an extra Pikachu helper wearing a nightcap. 

And that's how Pokémon Sleep works. It also includes tips about healthy eating and other aspects of your life, especially about sleep. If you are looking for something to motivate you to improve the quality of your sleep by gamifying it, then this is the perfect app.

There's the monetization part of the game but I find it pointless, as I see it more as a motivation for better sleep rather than grinding and playing to get the highest level per se. If you want to grind and play something more play worthy then Pokémon Go would be a better choice. Pokémon Sleep is more a lifestyle enhancement app which gamifies sleeping - perfect if you want to reward your sleep but not really worth paying anything in-game for. 

Have you played  Pokémon Sleep? Let us know in the comments below! 

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