Come on in, it’s time to share some handheld gaming news. Can I get you a cup of coffee, or are you in the mood for some eggnog with a pile of whipped cream?
A huge part of my day today was spent on making the house Christmas worthy. Putting up the tree, a candle here, a little glass ornament there. A wraith on the door. Putting the lights on the tree is the most boring part of Christmas. But with a bit of Christmas music playing it’s a chore that’s finished quickly.
Every year I tell myself I’ll get a new artifial tree with lights incorporated, but I never do.
Anyway, now that the work is done with can see what was new in gaming this week.
The Trail: a Frontier Journey
A mobile game that I have been giving a go this week is The Trail. This game, that was recently released, puts you in the shoes of an adventurer travelling to the new world. What makes it stand out for me is that it has such charm. Cartoony visuals of beautiful vistas while you walk the path to your destination and gather materials along the way.
You need these materials, like sticks, stones and pieces of rabbit fur, to craft stuff at the next camp. Making shoes, a hat and a bigger backpack will make your journey a bit easier. And  meeting up with other travellers at camp gives you the opportunity to sell items, giving you a bit of cash too.
It’s relaxing and fun to play, although as in any free game, you’ll be prompted to spend real money to speed things up. No need though, you can enjoy the game at your leisure.
Super Mario Run and the Switch at Jimmy Fallons
Only a couple of days ago before Super Mario Run is released. Jimmy Fallon got the opportunity to give it a spin and the lucky guy even got to give the Nintendo Switch a go! Made me smile to see his enthusiasm. If you live near to a Nintendo World Store, you can try Super Mario Run for yourself.
I don’t think I will be very good at the game, I’m awful at these kind of games, but this part has me interested: Kingdom Builder! This mode in Super Mario Run has players building Kingdoms using the Coins earned in Toad Rallies. Kingdoms are regions of structures, bonus games, and decorations customized by a player. Toads will sometimes move to a player’s Kingdom after a successful Toad Rally. Sounds good!
Pokémon Go update and collaborations
Pokémon Go, recently voted Mobile Game of the Year at the Game Awards, has had another update.  Sadly, it didn’t include trading, but it did include this:
- Ability to transfer multiple Pokémon at once to Professor Willow
- Pokémon type icons were added to the Gym battle screens
- Buddy Pokémon Candy count was added to the buddy information screen
- Kilometer count was added to show how far each Pokémon has walked
Come on Niantic, give us trading and battling with each other!
Anyway, there is some more news to share. As soon as December 12 they will be adding up to a 100 new monsters. And Niantic made a pact with Sprint and Starbucks. Starbucks is expected to join in the Pokémon Go craze with a special promotion and new drink especially for Trainers. Beginning on December 8, players will be able to unlock a Pokémon Go Frappuccino blended beverage.
Pokémon Magearna available
The steel and fairy type Pokémon Magearna is now available for North American trainers in Pokémon Sun and Moon. You have to finish the main story first though. This time, the monster is available through a QR code.
Here are the steps from the Pokémon website:
- Complete the main story
- Choose the QR Scanner function
- Line up the QR code for Magearna while pressing the R Button
- Visit the deliveryman at the Antiquities of the Ages shop in Hau’oli City to get Magearna
- Be sure to save your game!
World of Final Fantasy DLC
I had fun this week making an extensive review for World of Final Fantasy. Enjoying the game so much, I was surprised that some reviews label it as a kids’ game. Yes it’s cute, but the gameplay is solid. You can find my review here.
Japan, meanwhile, has some fun DLC. Sora will be available in Japan alongside the release of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue on 12th January. The free DLC will only be available for a limited time though up until 31st March in Japan. No date has been announced for a western release yet beyond a winter release.
Ladiesgamers’ Â game of the year
Just like I’ve done in the past two years, this upcoming week I will put up several polls on the site. Because it’s time to chose the game of the year on the 3DS, on the Vita and on mobile. You might want to think ahead, which games caught your fancy in 2016? Stay tuned!
For now, thanks for the lovely chat. Happy gaming this weekend, my friend!
Coffee or eggnog? I suppose I will have a Pokémon Go Frappuccino.