These are a step above some other “holographic” Pokémon cards you might’ve seen before.
Who hasn’t wished that they could have a Pokémon battle in real life? Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Stadium and its successors were fine and all, but they were basically just glorified Game Boy battles; we want to see Pokémon slamming into each other, breathing fire and ice, and maybe — just maybe — actually touching one ourselves.
And now thanks to Reddit user kennywdev, the world is one step closer to that dream
Kennywdev wanted to create a 3D game to move holograms around using QR code cards. However, what started out as a generic project suddenly got interesting when they decided to use Pokémon as the test subjects. I think we can all agree that was an excellent choice.
You can watch the holograms in action here:
So now you may be thinking: sure, it’s cool and all, but how does it work?
Luckily the developer created an imgur album with all the details. The setup for the projection battlefield is pretty basic: just some cardboard, a home-made plexiglass prism, and a computer monitor with a webcam taped to it.
The 3D holographic models are projected onto the battlefield via the prism which combines four images from the monitor above together into one. The camera taped to the monitor tracks the QR cards and keeps the image crisp while they’re moved around.
tl;dr: Science!
▼ The battle dome, as seen from above, where Poké-dreams are made.
▼ The camera that tracks the movement of the QR cards.
▼ 3D models rendered on the monitor via Unity software.
▼ Wait, what the….? Why is Charizard sticking out of that Pokéball like that?
Someone call Nurse Joy immediately!
▼ Latios being released from its Pokéball, as seen from the monitor end of business.
▼ And then Latios inside the battle dome. You can see the monitor above the prism,
and how the four images come together to make it appear 3D.
▼ An epic showdown in three whole dimensions!
Even though the developer hasn’t quite gotten things to a point where you can battle with your Pokémon friends just yet, these holograms are still undeniably cool.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for more 3D goodness, check out Goku’s hologram attack. It only takes him slightly less time to charge up a kamehamaha blast than in the show.
Source: Kotaku Japan, reddit, YouTube/KennyWdev
Images: imgur/kennywdev
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Is Mister Donut’s all-you-can-eat Donut Buffet still worth it?
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Shogun Cultural Experiences merges a walking tour, sweets, and the music of traditional Japan
Looney Tunes is now an adorable anime series with Looney Tunes Gokko[Videos]
Seaweed bread is one of the most unusual baked goods in all of Japan
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Art Fire Festival lights up the night at a unique venue in the mountains of Japan
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines