The Nintendo Switch is still one of the most popular gaming consoles even after four years on the market. What started as one of the world’s first hybrid consoles, flourished into the most popular console in Nintendo’s history. However, the console isn’t without its own issues.
One of the longest-standing issues was the lack of Bluetooth connectivity. The issue was at its peak when Nintendo release their popular multiplayer game: Splatoon. it also baffled the Switch community as the Joycons utilise Bluetooth for their functions. However, it looks like that issue is coming to an end with the latest update to the console.
The latest update (ver. 13.0.0) enables the ability to pair Bluetooth audio devices directly to the console. However, there are caveats to the support. Firstly, there is still no support for microphones over Bluetooth. In addition, using a Bluetooth audio device with the Nintendo Switch will limit the number of controllers you can use to a maximum of two. You also can’t use the Bluetooth when you use local wireless communication.
While it may seem like there update is a little limiting, it is a very welcomed update. Nintendo Switch users have resorted to buying additional accessories that enable Bluetooth connectivity. With this update, that should be a secondary concern.
The Nintendo Switch community also has more reason to celebrate as it seems like there is price revision happening in the wake of the availability of the Nintendo Switch OLED. Prices in Europe have seen a drop of about 10%. The console is currently going at £259.99 in the UK where it was going for £279.99. In other parts of Europe, the console has seen price revisions from its original pricing of €330 to about €300. No word yet on whether these revisions will affect other regions.
When we think of Pokémon we’re taken back to a nostalgic role-playing game from the 90s which saw the world fall in love with Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Pikachu. However, with the franchise hitting its 25th anniversary, the Pokémon Company seems to be upping the ante with new games and remakes. One of the new games that have hit the scene is co-developed with Tenchent’s TiMi Studios.Pokémon UNITE – the franchise’s first foray into the Multiplayer Online Battle Area (MOBA) genre.
While we’re used to the turn-based battles of a regular Pokémon battle, the MOBA genre brings a totally new dimension to battles. The game is developed in partnership with Tencent’s TiMi studios.
Welcome to Aeos Island!
Anyone who follows Pokémon knows that with the launch of every game, you’ll be taken to a new region. This time, Pokémon UNITE takes players to Aeos Island. This region is rich in an energy called Aeos Energy which seems to make Pokémon more powerful. The Pokémon professor, Professor Phorus, studies this energy and its affect on Pokémon. Together with her research fellow Erbie, they created the UNITE battles.
Source: The Pokémon Company International
When it comes to lore, that’s about it for the game. Once you enter the main game, you’ll hardly interact with Professor Phorus or Erbie beyond the tutorials. However, it doesn’t discount the possibility of new lore being introduced at a later date.
Gameplay Mechanics
If you’ve never played a MOBA before, this game is definitely a really good introduction to the genre. Pokémon UNITE is your typical MOBA with a few tweaks. It shares your typical 5-on-5 battle system where players will be going head to head in teams of 5. It also has quick battles where players can have 2-on-2, 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 battles. The objective of the game is pretty straight forward – score more points than your opponent within the given time. Battles are either 5- or 10-minutes in duration.
Players can choose from a number of Pokémon from four categories: Attacker, Defender, Supporter and All-Rounder. Attackers are Pokémon who are able to do heavy damage at the expense of health; Defenders are usually bulky with less speed but more endurance; Supporters are Pokémon who buff and disable opponents for better chances at winning while All-Rounders are Pokémon who are flexible when it comes to play style. These are pretty much the archetypes you see in other MOBA’s like Mobile Legends or League of Legends.
During the game, players will be playing in an arena with up to 10 goal points split evenly between the two teams. Like other MOBA’s players will need to go into the arena and battle, not only their opponents, but also the wild Pokémon to collect Aeos Energy. Players score points by dunking this energy into the goals. Of course, being a MOBA, you can take down your enemy to steal their Aeos Energy and interupt them from scoring goals. The team with the most points at the end of the round wins. Individual players also receive ratings based on the number of points scored, assists and KOs. These metric determine if you become the MVP.
Fun, Simple & Quick
The Pokémon UNITE gameplay makes for a really fun game which players can jump into for a break. The simplistic, family-friendly MOBA has a learning curve for first timers, however, it isn’t a steep one. That said, in our time with the game, it seems like MOBA veterans are having a harder time acclimatising themselves to the gameplay than new players. It takes time to appreciate the scoring mechanic of the game.
The gameplay also expands into the customization and personalisation of your Pokémon UNITE avatar. Like Pokémon GO, there is a limited amount of customization in the game. Players can, of course, choose between male and female with some customisation to hairstyles and clothes. These customisations are also how Pokémon UNITE intends to make money for Nintendo and Tencent and they aren’t hiding it. In addition to this, Pokémon UNITE also has held items which give buffs to Pokémon in battle. Pokémon are also equippped with Battle items that provide effects which can be activated to turn the tides of a faceoff.
The controls in Pokémon UNITE are easy to learn but can be finnicky. If you, like me, jumps into the game without customising your setup, you might find yourself dying as a result of getting pulled back into battle when you’re trying to runaway with a skill like Volt Switch. The default settings can suck the fun out of the game – if you’re not used to them. However, you can mess with the game settings in the opening screen to fit your gameplay style.
The game’s short duration for battles and quick matchmaking make it ideal for playing in between meetings, classes or even when you just need a quick break. It can be addictive but has the potential to hold gamers in for a long time given the ease of getting a quick battle 5 or 10 minute battle in.
Janky Sound Design
While Pokémon UNITE does well in game design, the sound design of the game has a lot of space for improvement. The soundtracks are lack variety, you are hearing the same music over and over – particularly in the waiting screens. Even the arena soundtracks lack variety. You hear the same sound with little to no variation throughout the battle. Of course, there is some ramp up as time closes in, but that’s about it. Even transitions are abrupt and awkwardly put together.
Sure, you can argue Pokémon isn’t really a franchise known for its sound, but entering the MOBA genre also brings a focus on sound design as it does play into long term replayability. Other games in the genre have pretty good sound design.
The one thing that does spoil the fun of Pokémon UNITE is the microtranscations that are unapologetically shoved in your face. The game comes with five in game currencies: Aeos coins, Aeos Tickets, Aeos Gems, Holowear Tickets and Fashion Tickets. These currencies can be earned from normal gameplay except for Aeos Gems. These Aeos Gems are bought with real world money.
While TiMi and the Pokémon Company claim that these transaction will not take away from gameplay, they allow users to purchase more powerful Pokémon and items which can buff stats. This undoubtedly will affect overall gameplay – particularly when it comes to battle items. Players can acquire these items with Aeos coins, however, they cost anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000 coins which entails a significant amount of in-game grinding. Players can eliminate the grinding and waiting by simply spending real money on gems. They can also cost anywhere between 40-100 gems. What’s more, when you unlock Item Enhancers at Level 9, you can increase the buffs of these items. These item enhancers are also availble for purchase. So, guess who’s going to have the upper hand with more damage and better recovery?
A Good Jumping off Point with the Looming Dread of Microtransactions
Overall, Pokémon UNITE is off to a good start and has potential to become a really big MOBA given that it’s on both the Nintendo Switch and mobile. It’s simple to play with game mechanics that can be addictive even in small doses. However, it risks losing a significant portion of its players as it continues to blatantly shove microtransactions into player’s faces. While the developers can claim that there are no “pay to win” purchases, it can quickly devolve given the nature or held and battle items. We are hopeful to see a new entry in the eSports arena but cautiously optimistic that the game doesn’t just become a microtransaction machine.
The Nintendo Switch is in its fourth year by now. Launched in 2017, the little portable gaming console took the world by storm at its launch. It became all the rage for both Nintendo fans and gamers in general. It was a revolutionary gaming device, one that took modern video games out of the home and into the streets. The buzz was well placed and huge.
Sony and Microsoft launched their next generation gaming consoles earlier this year and those caused a whole buzz too. From the buzz, there was rumours about a new Nintendo Switch around the corner. The rumours were for Nintendo to launch a brand-new Switch that is supposed to be able to project up to 4K while its docked. It was also rumoured that the new Nintendo Switch was supposed to come with a slightly larger display and higher resolution. They dubbed the new Nintendo Switch replacement the Switch Pro
None of that came true of course. That does not mean that there is no new Switch this year, there is. Nintendo very recently just launched the Switch OLED Model instead.
It is no Switch Pro; we can guarantee you that. It boasts mostly the same internals as the current generation Switch. There are speculations that the big reason why Nintendo did not want to introduce a Switch replacement has something to do with the global part shortages.
While the Switch OLED Model still features the same internals as the original Switch V2 that was quietly introduced a little later, the package is entirely new though. For one, the most obvious change comes from the back of the device itself. The original console comes with a flimsy plastic piece they call a kickstand. The weak plastic piece that also covers the MicroSD expansion slot is now replaced with a proper Microsoft Surface-esque flexible kickstand that runs the entire length of the back allowing you to rest your Nintendo Switch on the table in any angles that suits your comfort.
The Switch OLED Model is supposed to be a little bigger than before, which also means that it needs a new bigger dock. The new dock is also compatible with older Switch devices, albeit with extra room. The new dock also features an ethernet port for you to connect to your router directly instead of iffy WiFi.
The most notable change to the newly announced Nintendo Switch OLED Model though is mentioned in its name itself. The new OLED display conquers the whole front of the device. It is larger too at 7-inch compared to 6.7-inch from before. Bigger display also means smaller bezels for even more immersion when you game with the OLED display. At that, OLED is also known to produce more vibrant, and more accurate colours, which is obviously a big welcome in a Nintendo Switch.
Of course, there are some improvements that are more than skin deep too. The built-in storage has increased to 64GB from 32GB. They’ve also improved added bigger speakers to the Switch OLED Model for even better audio experience.
Source: Nintendo
Source: Nintendo
Source: Nintendo
Source: Nintendo
Source: Nintendo
Colours are a way to really personalise your Nintendo Switch. Nintendo have been launching special edition Nintendo Switch devices alongside new Joy-Con controller colours. The colour combination you can get for the Nintendo Switch makes it one of the most customisable gaming consoles in the market. For the OLED Model, they are introducing the White colour option.
The new Nintendo Switch OLED Model will only be available in the market 8th October 2021 onward. it will be available in two colour options – the white set (obviously), and the neon red/blue combination that is staple of the Nintendo Switch. It will retail for US$ 349.99 (MYR 1,464*) when it is available in October. There are no mentions on which markets will get the Nintendo Switch first, but we can safely assume that the North American region will definitely be in the list. For more information on the latest Nintendo Switch OLED Model, you can head down to Nintendo’s website.
*Approximately based on the exchange rate of US$ 1= MYR 4.18 on xe.com as of 08/07/2021
A year ago, the Pokémon Company announced its first foray into the Massively Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre with the announcement of Pokémon Unite. The MOBA is developed in partnership with Tencent’s TiMi Studios and is one of the first in a slew of new games that expand the diversity of Pokémon game genres. This week, we’re getting a little more detail about the upcoming Pokémon MOBA.
Source: The Pokémon Company International
Each game in the Pokémon world is unique to a region – Pokémon Unite is no different. The new region, known as the Aeos Island, is the home of Unite. In this region, which is located somewhere in the undiscovered oceanic frontiers of the Pokémon world, players will be meeting familiar monsters but in a completely new environment. Aeos Island is the home of the Unite Battle Committee which oversees the Unite Battle tournaments. Players who come to Aeos Island will be taking part in these battles where they will need to team up with four other Trainers and compete. The competition will see these teams of four go head-to-head to score enough points to win before time runs out. Players will also encounter a new, unique energy called Aeos energy which allows them to evolve their Pokémon in battle.
The Aeos Island Unite Battles
Trainers will need to face off in 5-on-5 battles. During these battles, they will need to take down their opponents as well as wild Pokémon to gather Aeos energy. They will then need to deposit this energy in one of the opposing team’s goals. That said, the battles won’t be as straightforward. Each stadium will have its own set of rules which will challenge Trainers. Who knows, you might even encounter some Legendary Pokémon in your battles. Pokémon level up and gain new moves and even evolve during battles. However, unlike other regions, Pokémon in the Aeos Islands revert to Level 1 after each battle.
Source: The Pokémon Company International
Trainers will come face-to-face in battles that will challenge them. Elite teams will force Trainers to think out of the box for a strategy to win. Communication and teamwork will be the key to success as Trainers take on Unite Battles. Synergise with your team and find your role in your team. While classic Pokémon strengths and weakness don’t exist in Aeos Island, each Pokémon has one of five unique roles and play styles – Attacker, Defender, Speedster, Supporter and All-Rounder – for you to master.
Source: The Pokémon Company International
Source: The Pokémon Company International
Source: The Pokémon Company International
You start off as a rookie, you will make your way up the ladder from the Beginners Cup to take on the Master Cup. Your ranked battles will be on show for the world to see on the global ranking boards. Trainers will also be able to use Holowear to dress up their Pokémon. Take a snapshot of your Trainer avatar with your Pokemon and use it as your profile picture to show off your unique style.
Pricing & Availability
Pokémon Unite will be free to start. Trainers have the option to purchase additional items, Unite Licenses and more using Aeos Gems. Aeos Gems can be acquired through in-app purchases. However, if that’s not your groove, you can earn Aeos Tickets and Aeos Coins in-game as you progress.
Pokémon Unite will be released on the Nintendo Switch and on mobile. There are plans for cross-platform play but it is unclear if it will be available at launch. The game will be on the Nintendo Switch in July 2021 with the mobile version planned for September 2021.
Nintendo has been really busy behind the scenes. The company has been in the news with rumours of a more powerful, OLED equipped Nintendo Switch. However, the company’s biggest news came earlier in the year with the announcement of new entries into the current generation of Pokémon games.
Fans of the series have been anticipating remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for while now given the company’s previous release trends. The Pokémon Company and Game Freak have been releasing remakes of their original games since the third generation of games with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in 2004. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl feature updated graphics but continue to carry the charm of the original entries. Players are able to rediscover the Sinnoh region with details they’ve never seen before. The remake will be making its way to stores later this year on November 19, 2021.
The biggest announcement for the series since Pokémon Sword and Shield is the announcement of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The game looks to be the series first foray into the open-world RPG arena. Players are taken back before the events of Diamond and Pearl to discover the Sinnoh region in a different time. The game throws players into the past before technology and all the wonders of the modern Pokémon world. Players will be exploring the region with three very different starters: Cyndaquill, Oshawott and Rowlet. If you’ve played or followed the series, you’ll realise that none of these starters is native to the Sinnoh region – or are they?
Unlike the remakes, there has been very little information revealing the events that will transpire in Legends: Arceus. However, after a taste of an open-world game in Sword and Shield’s “Wild Areas”, there are high expectations for Legends. With a Zelda: Breathe of the Wild aesthetic, the game is also one of the most beautiful games in the series so far. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is hitting shelves on January 28, 2022.
Need a little more Nintendo in your life? Well, Fujifilm is making it a little bit easier to get your Nintendo fix with a new, Switch-themed version of their Instax Mini Link. The collaboration also brings with it a new app that will help you infuse even more Animal Crossing, Pokemon and Mario into your life.
https://youtu.be/XIzRdmio1VA
The new collaboration brings a whole lot of Nintendo into the Polaroid-style Instax films. Using the new “Instax mini Link for Nintendo Switch” app, you will be able to add filters and 59 new frames from popular games like Super Mario, Animal Crossing and the new Pokemon Snap game. While the actual printer retains its original design, it comes with a Switch like blue and red accent. If that isn’t Nintendo enough, there’s even a bundle with a Pikachu silicone case.
Using the app is as simple as downloading the official Fujifilm Link app. Using the app, you will be able to edit images and merge them with one of the 59 Nintendo inspired frames. After which, it will send the final image to the connected Fujifilm Instax Mini Link. The printer connects via Bluetooth. You can even print captures from your Nintendo Switch by scanning the QR code from the Switch which will import the image to your smartphone.
The Nintendo inspired Fujifilm Instax Mini Link is slated for release on April 30, 2021. It will set you back USD$100 (MYR410.79) while the Pikachu bundle will cost USD$120 (MYR492.95). The app is free to download and will still function with existing Instax Mini Link printers.
How do you know when you have a winning product? Well, if you’re Nintendo, it’s when everyone seems to be looking at mimicking it. In a report from Android Police, it looks like Qualcomm might be the latest in line with plans to create a gaming console similar to Nintendo’s money making Switch.
While it may seem like Qualcomm is looking to get into the console gaming space, the report says otherwise. Instead, the company is looking to spur innovation for its partners in adopting new, unconventional form factors for devices. This also means that the device could likely be a limited run – unless Qualcomm is working to get into the hardware space.
The Qualcomm powered mobile gaming console looks to be mimicking the form factor of the Nintendo Switch. According to Android Police, it shares the same detachable “joycon” controllers. However, the console itself seems to be resembling a thicker smartphone. The chonky design choice is apparently meant to help with cooling which will allow Qualcomm to push the processor a little bit harder. Speaking of, it seems like the console will be coming with the next generation Qualcomm processor. This seems to be supported by the fact that Qualcomm is looking to release it sometime in Q1 of 2022.
The console will apparently be equipped with 5G connectivity albeit with the current generation X55 modem. It’s expected to come with the standard array of connectivity options we see in standard mobile phones. This includes GPS, Bluetooth, accelerometers and some haptics. However, it’s uncertain whether Qualcomm will be using a standard chip design or using specially customised one like the Snapdragon 855+ which was on the ROG Phone. It’s reported to have an SD Card slot as well and a large 6,000mAh battery. No screen size has been confirmed however, Android Police and XDA Editor in Chief Mishaal Rahman estimates it to be about 6.65-inches. It’s uncertain whether the console will comes with a dedicated port for TV out or go with the USB-C port like the Nintendo Switch. However, the console will be running Android 12 with a customised skin.
I heard it'll have a 6.65" Full HD+ display, a 6000mAh battery, and support a fan. It apparently doesn't even have a rear camera.
That aside, it looks like Qualcomm might be gearing up for some serious gaming content. The console will apparently be launching with Epic Game’s app. The company is also looking to build its own content library portal for the console. It’s still unclear if they will be teaming up with XBOX, NVIDIA or Google Stadia for even more content but it’s likely that they are looking to keep most of the gaming content offline to showcase the graphics capabilities of their SoC.
The move is an interesting one given the current landscape where we are seeing an increasing number of people gaming on mobile. However, it could also indicate that Qualcomm might be signalling that it’s ready to start making chips for portable consoles like the Nintendo Switch. This would be a big jump as the Switch currently uses a customised NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor while other consoles like the PS5 come with a customised AMD processor. The push for unconventional form factors is another interesting move from Qualcomm and could be the impetus we need to see an other N.Gage hit the scene.
The techENT Download is back for another exciting week in tech! This week’s tech news round up has everything from dramatic reveals, painful hacks to sad cancellations!
Earlier in April, Nintendo announced that it had experienced a security breach when it came to user Nintendo Accounts. The breach was initially pinpointed to those who had used their legacy Nintendo Network ID (NNID) to sign in to their Nintendo Switch. In their initial announcement, the company noted that there were about 160,000 accounts that were affected, but, now, weeks later, the number of accounts has nearly doubled to 300,000 accounts. Nintendo attributes this increase to the investigation that it has undertaken in light of the initial detection.
The issue came to light when an increasing number of users on the switch reported that their accounts were being used to make purchases that owners were not aware of. If you have a credit card or Paypal account linked to your Nintendo account, it would be prudent to check the transactions that have been done on the account in the past weeks. Users who have been compromised are also getting sign-in notifications from unknown devices via email.
You can help secure your Nintendo Account by enabling 2-Step Verification.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 9, 2020
Nintendo of America tweeted for users to activate their two factor authentication (2FA) for logins out of the blue prior to the initial announcement. However, with the increase in the number of accounts being compromised, it is increasingly more evident that if you have a Nintendo Account, you’d best reset your password and activate 2FA. Otherwise, you’re risking unauthorised purchases via your linked credit card or Paypal account. In addition to unauthorised purchases, sensitive data such as date of birth and more can be viewed by bad actors.
Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch, has put the company on the map again as a serious contender in the gaming console market with over 5 million consoles sold to date. The company is sticking to its guns saying that less than 1% of its users are affected. However, with investigations ongoing, users are advised to take precautions.
