Nintendo Launches iOS Pokedex App In Japan

Pokéfans take note, because Nintendo has released a new Pokédex app and, of all platforms, it's on the iOS App Store. This is officially the company's first paid app to go live on the iOS App Store, which is a pretty big deal considering how much Nintendo likes to rail against the idea of smartphone gaming. Sadly, it's only available on the Japanese App Store at the moment, and there isn't any word on whether or not it will make its way overseas.

In any case, this Pokédex app only covers the Pokémon of the Unova region at first. The app itself costs 170 yen, but four additional packs that add Pokémon from previous games can be purchased for 500 yen each. That puts the total cost of this app at just about $26.70, so Pokémon trainers might be better off going for the recently released Pokédex 3D Pro for the 3DS instead, which features almost every Pokémon for $15 (a price some still find too expensive).

The app is compatible with iOS 6 iPhones, iPods, and iPads, and it's even been optimized for the iPhone 5's screen. For those who have never used either of the Pokédex apps on the 3DS, the concept is pretty straightforward: you select a Pokémon and the app not only shows you a picture of that creature, but also gives you a slew of information on it. If it's mostly the same as the 3DS Pokédex apps, then it should be a handy tool for serious Pokémon players to have on hand.

Of course, this isn't the first app that Nintendo has released on the iOS App Store – last year's Pokémon Say Tap? has that distinction. It is, however, the first paid app that Nintendo has put out, so there's some significance there. Perhaps we'll see more companion apps for other platforms in the future? We'll keep our fingers crossed.

[via Serebii]