Pokédex 3D Pro: Test Your Pokémon Knowledge

In 2011, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company released a free app for the Nintendo 3DS, titled Pokédex 3D. This app was exactly what the name implies—a Pokédex containing detailed information on Pokémon, including stats, move sets and more, along with gorgeous 3D models. The catch was that Pokédex 3D only included information on the Unova Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Black/White.

Pokédex 3D Pro is an updated version of Pokédex 3D, and is no longer free—it costs $15. However, it contains almost everything you want to know about every Pokémon, right from the first generation to the latest, at a glance. (Barring some recent legendaries like Meloetta and Genesect, who need to be unlocked.)

Everything from gorgeous 3D Pokémon models to information such as its stat ranking, Pokédex entry, abilities, type strengths and weaknesses, evolutions, and—of course—attack lists. Pokémon are searchable by various criteria such egg group, ability, regions, and type. You can also “Move-hop” by looking up a move a Pokémon can use, and then seeing what other Pokémon can use that same move.

The original Pokédex 3D had these features, too, but there are a few other major differences on top of the fact that Pro has expanded the Pokédex to all five regions (and the fact that all of the Pokémon are unlocked from the get-go).

The greatest change is that now, you can compare the many different Pokémon listed in the Pokédex with your AR Viewer. Using QR codes on my laptop screen (see above screenshot), I could compare and rank Pokémon by stat (Who has the highest Attack? Speed?), and by height and weight. I could also easily check how a Pokémon would fare against one attack type (for example, choosing “Dark” while looking at a Musharna would cause the words “Super Effective” to pop up).

Of course, you can also take photographs of the Pokémon using the AR Viewer. The Pokémon can perform actions and be paused just like in their original Pokédex 3D entries, which you can also view with the press of a button. Every Pokémon in Pokédex 3D Pro still performs one action, but now you can pause them in the middle if you just want to admire them. (This is the same option that was included in last year’s Pokédex 3D update patch.)

Another addition is that of quizzes. Called “Pokémon Challenges,” these test your knowledge of Pokémon. At first, they start fairly easy—a couple show a Pokémon on the top screen and you have to choose their name, and a few are the nostalgic “Who’s that Pokémon?”-type silhouette guessing games.

As you unlock more quizzes by answering more questions correct, though, some of the themes start getting more esoteric and tricky. One quiz covers up most of the Pokémon and you can only view a part of the Pokémon at a time.

Another has you identify Pokémon by evolutions, and yet another asks you to identify the different forms of a Pokémon. Not all of the questions are about identification either—some ask you to compare which is taller or heavier.

After that, there are yet more quizzes that ask you to identify Pokémon by their Pokédex entry, to identify a Move Type, to identify Unown letters (harder than it sounds), and to identify a Pokémon by their in-game cry. No, not the anime cry where they say their names, but the synthesized screech they give off when they appear onscreen. Some of the quizzes are timed, too, while others are endurance-style ones, where you try to go as long as you can without getting an answer wrong.

Needless to say, I had a lot of fun with this part of Pokédex 3D Pro. All of the Pokémon you see in quizzes are also recorded in a log that can be viewed from the main menu in a “Gotta Catch ‘em All” sort of way. The list features the Pokémon whose entries you’ve viewed, QR Codes you’ve scanned, and you’ve answered questions about, and then puts the percentage you’ve seen up on top.

Graphically, Pokédex 3D Pro is more flexible than Pokédex 3D. The 3D effect seems more powerful than before, and the settings include a nice “Normal” and “Reduced” depth to suit your eyestrain needs. In addition, there are more backgrounds to choose from, from the Cloud & Blue Skies background to an sunset forest to outer space. They’re all very impressive visually, but my favorite part is how the different options also change the hue of the Pokémon subtly, as though they really are in such environments.

All in all, Pokédex 3D Pro lives up to its name of being comprehensive encyclopedia. All of the information included is from the Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 games, so Pokémon who have had their move lists changed from previous generations (but weren’t in Black/White) have their Black/White 2 movesets listed. (For example, it shows Sandshrew/Sandslash learning Earthquake.) Dream World abilities are included as well.

I am sadly unsure if there’s a reward for 100% completion (using every feature of Pokédex 3D Pro for every Pokémon), but nonetheless I’m sure I’ll be viewing many of the entries—whether to just see my favorite Pokémon in action or to research a random fact about the Pokémon when I don’t have my laptop around.

Pokédex 3D Pro will be available for download from the Nintendo eShop tomorrow, November 8th, for $15.

Food for thought:

1. You can also change window background (I’m not one for customization, but even I have to admit the designs are pretty cool) and the background music.

2. You can change the languages of the entries. While you could do this in the previous Pokédex 3D, that didn’t have an announcer saying the name of the Pokémon as you enter. I have to say, some of the languages have very odd announcer voices! (English included)

3. Like before, you can bookmark Pokémon and Moves you want to see by accessing the menu. You can then use the bookmarked Moves to search for other Pokémon with that move easily.

4. You can also upload background photos from your SD card to take pictures with in AR Viewer mode. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible to take pictures from the Pokédex mode, so the QR codes will have to be printed out unless you want to view the Pokémon popping out of a laptop screen.