The Pokémon company, the Japanese company responsible for marketing and licensing the Pokémon franchise, has now released a brand new Mobile Game for both Android and iOS. The spin-off mobile game went live on the US Apple App Store and the Google Play Store today, March 25. The game previously had a limited release in Japan and Italy a few weeks back, and it seems like the feedback from both countries were quite positive. Unlike "Pokémon Go," the game itself is a more casual experience and is centered around one particular Pokémon instead of the entire line-up of creatures within the franchise.
A summer of Magikarp
The brand new free-to-Play Mobile game, called "Pokémon: Magikarp Jump," will have players raise their very own Magikarp and make it the best jumper in the world. The creature, which is a water-type Pokémon that is considered to be the weakest and most useless creature in the game, is strangely at the center of it all. However, other creatures such as Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Rowlet, and Pigeotto will be making an appearance throughout the game.
Magikarp is one of the original Pokémon introduced in the franchise and was part of the very first generation of Pokémon. Strangely enough, its next evolution, the water, and flying-type Gyarados, is considered to be one the strongest Pokémon in the game.
Gameplay mechanics
As shown in the recently released video trailer, which can be seen above, the game will be mainly focused on the raising of the fish Pokémon, which will involve feeding and training it. Different stats will be increased through training and different feeds. Once a Magikarp is strong enough, it can be entered into different "League Battles" against other players to see which creature can jump the highest.
Aside from the training, players can also customize their creature's pool with different decorations and add-ons. The creature essentially becomes a pet, which is reminiscent of old "Tamagochi" games. Players will be able to get commemorative photos of their Magikarp during Jumping Tournaments, which they can apparently share online with friends.
Free to play for everyone
Similar to previous Pokémon games, "Pokémon: Magikarp Jump" will be free to download and play for Android, iPad and iPhone users. However, the game does have a microtransactions feature that includes items to speed up training, food items, and special add-ons for the player's Magikarp pool. Players should still be able to enjoy the game without spending any real money, but paying gamers will likely have an unfair advantage in the long run due to their in-app purchases.
