David Bridges
Key Points
- Product: The new Poké Ball virtual pet toy allows fans to carry Pokémon everywhere.
- Availability: Currently available for pre-order, although it’s sold out on some platforms.
- Features: The toy includes seven partner Pokémon and interactions with 150 others.
- Price: The cost is ¥7,480, approximately $51, excluding potential tariffs.
Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy is releasing a Poké Ball virtual pet toy so you can fulfill your dreams of carrying your favorite Pokémon around with you everywhere. I don’t know how this one slid under my radar when it was announced at the end of August (perhaps because all my attention has been on ) but now that I’ve seen it, I must have it. While it appears to be a Japan-only release, the product page shows it will have an English language option in the menu. Pre-orders are open (though currently sold out on ), and the device will ship on October 11, according to .
The toy costs ¥7,480 or about $51 – but I shudder to think how much that number will jump with tariffs factored in. Per the listing, there are seven partner Pokémon you can care for: Pikachu, Eevee, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Lucario and Sylveon. And if you pet the device, they’ll react. There are also 150 other Pokémon to interact with, though it’s unclear what the extent of those interactions will be beyond battles (and… ?). Regardless, I hope Wooper is one of them.
Daniel Mercer
