
Pokémon GO players will soon be able to play without getting out their phones!
Pokémon GO developer Niantic announced on Wednesday that the Nintendo-developed “Pokémon GO Plus” accessory (pictured at right) “will be available in much of the world” on September 16. The company added that a few South American territories will see the accessory later this year.
The game’s official Japanese website also confirmed on Thursday that the device will retail for 3,500 yen (about US$34.40) in Japan. The device will retail for US$34.99 in the U.S.
Nintendo originally planned to release the device in late July, but delayed the release until September, citing both the improvements in the Pokémon Go app and the unprecedented success as the reasons for the delay, so that it could manufacture more units for the game’s huge number of users.
The device allows players to capture nearby Pokémon without relying on their phones. Players can wear the accessory in their pockets or wear it as a wristband. The device will flash or vibrate to alert players of any Pokémon in the area. Pressing the white button in the center will toss a Pokéball at the Pokémon. The device will also alert users whenever a Pokéstop is in range; pressing the white button will be the equivalent of spinning the stop for items.
[Via Dengeki Online, Polygon]
Anime News Network

Pokémon GO Plus accessory already amassing heaps of complaints – even before it’s released
Pokémon Go to Launch for Apple Watch
Flasher shows Pokémon Go-playing schoolgirl his Diglett
Pokémon Go to Add ‘Buddy Pokémon’ Feature
Updates on Nintendo’s revolutionary Pokémon Go: Gyms, teams, location-specific Pokémon and more
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Private open-air bath is the crowning gem at this Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo
Travel tip: Fukuoka has a great luggage delivery service that’s cheaper than a coin locker
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Pokémon GO Plus may be hiding an awesome secret bonus for users, our field test discovers
Before Pokémon Go, there was Ingress, and its first “XM-Profiler Illumination Portal” is in Japan
Pokémon Go players discover unusual gym locations around Japan
We asked a Niantic insider 30 questions about Pokémon Go, learned a lot of useful information
Creators of Pokémon Go apologise for game’s late arrival in video address to players in Japan
Pokémon Go “gyms” and “poke-stops” in Japan located in McDonald’s
Volunteers being sought for field test of Pokémon Go mobile game
6 reasons why Pokémon GO might make a comeback, according to P.K. Sanjun
Pokémon Go warned players not to play during typhoons, players played anyway
DIY Pokémon Go lifehack from Japan: rest tired arms with creative hands-free “Poké-Han” device
We catch up with world’s first Pokémon Go master, Nick Johnson, in Tokyo
As mobile game Pokémon GO launches, players keep finding Magikarp in crazy locations 【Photos】
A totally new Pokémon GO experience using both sights and sounds opens in Tokyo
Pocket Monster pandemonium as Pokémon GO launches in Taiwan, sparks shocking stampedes 【Video】
Korean mobile game featured eerily similar gameplay to Pokémon Go…in 2011
Leave a Reply