Pokemon remakes come with pedometer

By Oli Welsh Published 9 June, 2009

Level up Pokemon by walking.

Forthcoming DS remakes of Pokemon Gold and Silver are to come with a "PokeWalker" peripheral, a pedometer that levels up your Pokemon as you stroll about.

Andriasang has the details and images straight from the Pokemon Company in Japan. The PokeWalker is a cross between a Tamagotchi and the pedometers that ship with DS health software like Walk With Me!

Shaped like a flat Pokeball with a screen, the PokeWalker allows you to transfer one Pokemon at a time to it via infrared, which will then gain experience and affection for you with every step you take.

Blizzard needs to make one of these things for World of Warcraft immediately.

Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver are remakes of the turn-of-the-millennium Game Boy Color originals, Pokemon Gold and Silver, for DS. They'll be released in Japan at the end of this year.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (45) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • justice-ste #1 3 years ago

    I guess someone made a few too many 'activity meters'

  • Dizzy #2 3 years ago

    You can say what you want about Nintendo... but this WILL sell like crazy. People like these kind of "gimmicks". Good stuff.

  • Eraysor #3 3 years ago

    How is the DS supposed to send anything out by infrared?

    Great idea though.

  • bigjimbeef #4 3 years ago

    Now I just need to construct some sort of DS-shaking device.. and my Pokémon mastery will be complete!

    Seriously though, this is a bit of a peculiar idea. I thought half the fun was levelling up the little critters yourself. Perhaps that's just me.

  • Cid #5 3 years ago

    Well it's coming free with the game, and it's not like they need to offer an extra incentive to shift Pokemon games. It's just a nifty little extra.

  • Golgo #6 3 years ago

    Paedometer, more like. The parks will be full of 'em ready to pounce on kids out exercising their Pokemon.

  • MyPointIs #7 3 years ago

    If Blizzard did the same with WoW, in no time there would be countless farms of chinese people running in hamster wheels.

  • Ninja_Tino #8 3 years ago

    I actually quite like this. It's not a necessity but it's useful. I walk a lot. I like experienced Pokemon. Peas and carrots.

  • Fixxxer #9 3 years ago

    I imagine the temptation to just shake it will be too much for most people.

  • Fodder #10 3 years ago

    "How is the DS supposed to send anything out by infrared?"

    The infrared stuff is built into the top of the game cart.

  • Dizzy #11 3 years ago

    "Paedometer, more like. The parks will be full of 'em ready to pounce on kids out exercising their Pokemon. "

    ROFL

  • bluem4gic #12 3 years ago

    Genius Absolute Genius

  • skillian #13 3 years ago

    Heh, this is a really cool idea.

  • AphoticCosmos #14 3 years ago

    I was sold before they announced this, really Nintendo - stop trying. Both will sell like crazy.

  • Eraysor #15 3 years ago

    @Fodder: If that's the case I'll be pretty impressed they managed to squeeze that all in there.

  • dr_faulk #16 3 years ago

    All Pokemon games should come equipped with a paedometer.

  • DFawkes #17 3 years ago

    That is the best idea in the history of time ever, overwriting any other time I've said similar. Might not be great for your active party (I'd imagine it'd overwrite moves like the Day Care center), but at times later in the game where there are no moves left to learn, it'd be nice to combine the time I spend walking with the time I spend grinding. 2 methods for the same goal.

    Though to be fair I'd also probably love any similar real action for XP device, such as one that literally absorbs your lifeforce.

  • BadBoyBonner #18 3 years ago

    Instead of wanking over levelling up boys will now be able to wank to level up - genius ;-)

  • BillMurray #19 3 years ago

    Glad i'm not the only one that read that as paedometer.

  • Jonsend #20 3 years ago

    People with just attach this to their cats or a piece of elastic to avoid moving.

  • Cid #21 3 years ago

    "Might not be great for your active party (I'd imagine it'd overwrite moves like the Day Care center)"

    Actually, it rumbles to let you know that there's a new skill on offer.

  • Waffleaber #22 3 years ago

    Congratulations! Your BEERBELLY evolved into TRIMTUMMY!

  • Fodder #23 3 years ago

    @Eraysor It'll be the same system that's in the Walk With Me title that came out a week or so back.

    US version review here - http://uk .ds.ign.com/articles/986/986355... - mentions the IR built in to the cart

  • DFawkes #24 3 years ago

    Cheers Cid, that's awesome. Really awesome. I want this so bad now.

  • ZeroAX #25 3 years ago

    wow this actually sounds like a good idea

  • thepaddedcell #26 3 years ago

    @BadBoyBonner LOL!!!! Just need to develop some sort of strap to keep it fixed to the back of the hand...

  • neonemesis #27 3 years ago

    There you have it then, a game that might actually convince kids that there is a reason for exercising also :)

  • Eraysor #28 3 years ago

    Cheers for that, Fodder.

  • captainrentboy #29 3 years ago

    Checks if Paedometer joke has already been taken...... Yep, off I go then.

  • Steroyd #30 3 years ago

    plz work for eggs to, hatching a Snorlax egg has always been a pain in the ass.

  • djcool3005 #31 3 years ago

    "If Blizzard did the same with WoW, in no time there would be countless farms of chinese people running in hamster wheels"
    LMFAO so true. This may also lead to a new wave of elite chinese athletes as they have become so fit from running all day.

  • Rubarack #32 3 years ago

    It's incredibly easy to "cheat" a pedometer, so i imagine that's how this will end up being used. I can't see any kids going on a walk to level up a pokemon instead of just shaking the device.

  • crazyhorse174 #33 3 years ago

    Dont you run the risk of walking into things, or having your DS pinched coz you're not paying attention, if you wander around whilst playing it?!

  • Zaltan #34 3 years ago

    You don't have to walk round with you DS...

  • dingo75 #35 3 years ago

    Want to sell:

    "Power-leveling your Pokemon!"
    You won't have to get up from the comfy couch and still have max-leveled Pokemons!
    Enjoy that coke and crisps while I do the job for you!
    Guaranteed: 3x week 21 km run = 63 km
    Secure my service asap since space in my belt is extremely limited!
    If you apply today I will throw in 5x 40 min walk (from home to work and back) for free.

    Ask also for the "Gold member service":
    For a small extra fee you can secure a space in my marathon preparation runs!
    30+ km (up to 35 km) in one run instead of the 21 km pushing the week distance to 70+ km!
    You won't recognize your Pokemons after these sessions
    Edited by 2 at 09/06/09 @ 14:27

  • GreyBeard #36 3 years ago

    Better than Pokemon?

    [link url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/impress ions-invizimals-psp/#continued
    ]http://ww w.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/impres...[/link]

  • Burkey123 #37 3 years ago

    This is a good idea.
    The game was going to sell anyway but with this added, even more money for Nintendo.

  • Eraysor #38 3 years ago

    @GreyBeard: If that ever materialises in the West, it'll be my favourite game in the universe.

  • thedaveeyres #39 3 years ago

    This is an awesome idea

  • miiiguel #40 3 years ago

    I have a pedometer, the place I work gave one to all the employees, the green IT shit, and all. Meh...

  • firefly #41 3 years ago

    @mr_writer

    Arguably Gold, Silver and Crystal were the best games in the series. Compared to the original Red and Blue they offered quite a lot including the introduction of real time-night/day cycles, Pokemon breeding, pre-evolutions, Pokemon happiness (actually Yellow brought that one in but only for one Pokemon), the option to go back and re-explore Kanto once you were finished with the main story, and in Crystal animated Pokemon in battle. They certainly offered the most value for money.

    In comparison Ruby and Sapphire didn't add much beyond tweaks, in fact they removed features like the clock and the animations.

    None of this changes the fact that we're talking about remakes but then this is a complete remake of the the best regarded title in a series that offers you an awful lot in one cartridge. Plus this is a real innovation for the series, taking one of its major drawbacks (the constant level grind) and enabling players to do it in the background whilst doing any one of the numerous tasks life presents. Not to mention encouraging fitness in by offering an in-game reward for activity.

    Just one question though. It gains you EXP but where does it stand on EVs?

  • wittynic #42 3 years ago

    Gold/Silver were the best games released. All the pokemon were still very fresh and original (some of the newer ones really are dreadfully boring. Bidoof, i choose you!), the types were rebalanced with steel and dark, day/night, berries, new ways to evolve. The biggest game so far, including Johto and Kanto regions. 16 gym badges! Fantastic.

    The more recent games have become a little too complicated i feel, and are definately weighted towards the hardcore player if you want to have fun battling and be in any way competative. The pokedex is also getting more and more difficult to complete. i think 250-300 is just the right number to strike for.

  • covfan #43 3 years ago

    Yes, finally a way to make our pets play video games!

  • Wyrm #44 3 years ago

    Someone (probably a fat geek) will make a machine that vibrates or something to kid the pedometer into thinking it's going for a walk.

  • firefly #45 3 years ago

    @wittynic.

    Too true. The only Pokedex I've ever completed was the local dex on Ruby. I was so proud for all of 5 mins, then trading from Leaf Green gave me the national dex and I'd barely made a dent. I guess it's do-able and it offers a huge amount of replayability if that's your thing but even then there are too many stupid event-only legendaries now.