Nintendo has just released Pokemon TV for iOS and Android. Aside from it being a fairly auspicious occasion, it's also something that's making Poke-fanatics across the country very happy.
Nintendo's announcement a while back, that they would have an official presence on smart phones, was significant on a numerous levels. As a platform to help propagate their Miiverse, it certainly makes sense, though many have wondered if it's also a reaction to the fact that both the App Store and Google Play shops have long been home to Super Mario clones and the like.
So perhaps this was Nintendo's way of showing some presence, some muscle, on those ends. Though the biggest factor to consider is how the iPhone and assorted Android handsets have significantly taken a chunk of out of the portable gaming marketplace, which Nintendo more or less owned for many years.
Whatever the case, the last thing anyone expected was an app that dished out episodes of the Pokemon cartoon. But lo and behold, say hello to Pokemon TV:
So, how are Pokemon fans reacting? Warmly, to put it mildly. And for good reason: the app currently has 50+ episodes available, spanning about 15 seasons, with new episodes promised each week. One can also find trailers, animated shorts, plus entire Pokemon movies are promised later down the road.
The best part is how it's free, but even if it wasn't, Pokemon fans would still be just as jubilant, as they are now. The only real complaint is how the first series is not included, which is what most, non-Pokemon diehards are familiar with. But that's a pretty mine complaint in the grand scheme of things.
Hopefully a 3DS version is on the way.