Pokemon X & Y News

Nintendo has announced that Pokemon X and Y will hit 3DS on October 12, 2013 worldwide.

The games will include a new Fairy Pokemon type, the 18th type of Pokemon to be introduced to the franchise. The Fairy type is super effective against Dragons and includes new Eevee evolution Sylveon as well as retroactively including Jigglypuff, Gardevoir, and Marill (though there's no word if these Pokemon will also retain their existing type). New Pokemon named Noivern and Vivillon were also revealed.

According to Nintendo, Sylveon "is an Intertwining Pokémon that can manipulate its ribbonlike feelers at will and can emit from them an aura that can calm people and other Pokémon. It often wraps these feelers around the arm of its Trainer as it walks behind him or her. Sylveon can learnMoonblast, a new Fairy-type move debuting in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Moonblast calls on the power of the moon to attack an opposing Pokémon. This move can be very powerful and also lowers the opposing Pokémon’s Attack stat."

Noivern, meanwhile, is a Sound Wave Pokemon (flying and Dragon type) "that is extremely combative and will attack anything that wanders too close to it. Flying through the dark night with ease, Noivern uses the ultrasonic waves it emits from its ears to attack. These waves are so strong they can reduce large boulders to small pebbles. A new Normal-type move in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y that perfectly suits Noivern is Boomburst. This move emits an explosive sound wave that attacks all surrounding Pokémon with the resulting energy."

Finally, bug and flying-type Vivillon has wings with a "colorful decorative pattern" and uses them "to scatter its scales or create a strong wind to attack." Vivillon "can learn Struggle Bug, a Bug-type move that lowers the Special Attack of any opposing Pokemon it hits, so the move not only causes damage but also reduces the damage inflicted on Vivillon from certain moves during battle."

Nintendo additionally showed off “Pokemon-Amie,” a virtual pet-style feature within X and Y that allows players to form a “deeper connection” with their Pokemon. Players will be able to feed and care for Pokemon and can also pet them using the stylus. The feature was demoed using Pokemon including Pikachu and Snorlax.

You can check out the new Pokémon and gym leader in the trailer below.