Love and friendship only work in the anime

Don't believe Karen's lies!

(Another great thing about this is that it highlights how silly the notion that Eevee should never evolve into a Normal-type because it's already one is.)

Another Xbox One recap

Somehow, these never get old. That's how badly it sucks.

And the saddest thing? No one's buying Microsoft's PR about how it's not really that bad. That's how badly it sucks.

Why is Bonemerang Ground-type again?

No, seriously. Why is it?

Xbox, go home.

Much has been said about the Xbox One, but this piece here sums it all up in a five-minute read. Of course it mostly focuses on worst-case scenarios, but judging by what we know already none of it sounds like an overwhelming stretch, and even the best-case scenario makes the PS4 look like the alpha and omega of all electronic devices. I mean, these aren't just words tossed into the air, there's source after source after source.

TLDR version: If you still weren't sure whether you'd buy it or not, PLEASE pass it up. And maybe invest in some Sony stocks if you have money to spare.

Thanks to Mattman324/TSF for the tip.

Edit: Apparently Germany isn't too hot on the whole Kinect thing, and their federal data protection commission is looking into it. We'll see where it goes, and whether or not other countries follow suit.

Here we go again...

Another completely random subscriber surge. If it stagnates around the 12000 mark, then it's fairly certain that some moron is actually paying to get me more subs. Which is so stupid, I mean, I don't get any more of a following...

X/Y rated PG in Australia

We already knew whoever's in charge of ratings in Australia has been doing serious drugs for a long time, but this is the icing on the cake. The worst part is, this isn't a first, as they also rated MD3 PG. Next step: PG Hello Kitty?

YouTube to force new channels on everyone in two weeks

NO. DEAR GOD NO. So far it's been optional, but we all knew this wasn't going to last.

Just how many times have the channels been changed over the last three or so years, every time a significant downgrade over the previous one? Pick a layout and stick with it, dammit! Preferably a functional one. You know, like the one that was around before Google got its greedy mitts on the site.

Remember the PS2's superdominance?

With Nintendo and Microsoft fighting over what little leftovers there were?

Well we're about to see it again. It's not everyday that a RIVAL's shares jump up in value when you unveil your big new product. I haven't seen the press conference, admittedly, but I keep hearing about how it's as bad as Sony's at E3 2006 was. Not good at all. Then factor in the fee on used games, Kinect being mandatory, no backwards compatibility, and leaving the always-online aspect up to developers - and OPENLY hoping they do that. That's just about everything everyone DIDN'T want to hear. BUT WAIT, WE HAVE SPORTS!

Oh, and then there's the name. Less savvy people may have trouble understanding that the Wii U is an entirely new thing compared to the Wii, but XBOX ONE?!? That actually sounds like a downgrade, like it's the original Xbox! At least Sony is as straighforward as you can get...

Cockblocked again

What a waste of a Masuda appearance. All they did was promise more regular updates... but Bulbagarden believes they'll just be rehashes of things that will already have been stated by CoroCoro and the official site by then. And I'll trust their judgement over mine any day. So... thanks for... nothing, I guess?

Pokébeach leak saga gets even funnier

SO. MUCH. FAILURE.

What kind of idiot leaves trails like that when leaking information, when your livelihood depends on staying mum, or if you choose not to, at least not getting found out?

Oh hey, there's also WPM admitting he lied to try and protect the source, when it wasn't his responsibility to make up for such idiocy. Sure, he wouldn't have any more info, but it just shows exactly what kind of person the guy is - confirming everything I've said about him before. And furthermore, if you read the thread you'll see people CONGRATULATING WPM for lying and trying to cover his source's ass, and sympathizing with the source, when clearly he doesn't deserve it whatsoever... he brought it all on himself willingly. Gives you an idea of that site's target audience. Lying is good!

Junichi Masuda on Pokémon Smash tomorrow

And I think just by that alone we can draw the same conclusion. If this Sylveon saga isn't over tomorrow night this is going to be the cockblock to end them all, and keep in mind we've had a LOT of them since X and Y were announced.

Did someone really pay to get me 1000 subs?

I know I've joked about it before, but it's looking more and more like it's not just a joke anymore. Let me explain: prior to that unexplained surge, I was at around 9970, and that number had been stagnating for a while. And now, after it, it's hanging at around 10970, and still stagnating. Meaning that I got almost exactly 1000 subs from that surge, and it ended just as quickly as it started. A nice round number like that... let's just say I'm not sold on it being a coincidence.

Just how much do 1000 subs on these shady-ass sites cost, anyway?

Gen 6 starters start with their elemental moves

That's what screenshots on the official site show, anyway. Chespin starts out with Tackle, Growl and Vine Whip, and learns Rollout at some point before level 8, Fennekin begins with Scratch, Tail Whip and Ember and also gets Howl at some point before level 11, and Froakie begins with Pound, Growl and Bubble, and it can also obtain Quick Attack before level 8.

First thoughts: Froakie starts out weak compared to the other two! Remember that Tackle got buffed to 50 power in gen 5, but NOT Scratch and Pound, which are still stuck at 40. Maybe they thought of everything and buffed them to match Tackle, who knows? Bubble is a kick to the face too, why not Water Gun when the other two get Vine Whip and Ember? Of course they could've also buffed Bubble, at which point, why not just give it Water Gun to start with?

Also, looking at the screenshots, you can see Vine Whip now has 25 PP. FINALLY. 10 in the first three gens and 15 afterwards was just silly. On top of that, look at all that room! I can totally see why they increased the character limit for Pokémon and attack names. It wouldn't have been as easy with how little room was provided by the previous handhelds, especially considering everything's already so much longer than in Japanese to start with.

Event Genesect nature fixed + gen 4/5 starter events

A few days ago, I brought up the fact that in addition to Extremespeed, the event Genesect was also going to know Shift Gear and Blaze Kick. Well, as it turns out, its nature is fixed (why do they do that sometimes? A random nature would be more beneficial overall), and fortunately it's the very useful Hasty. Useful on the current sets, that is... I'd say a Genesect using any of these event moves would be better off with Adamant or Jolly.

Also, a series of events has been announced for Japan, featuring the generation 4 and 5 starters. The kicker? The abilities are, thus far, unknown. This means that there's a possibility that the gen 5 starters might finally get their DW abilities, and I don't think I need to spell out the implications of that...

UPDATE: Deeeeeeeeenied! The Empoleon distribution has begun, and it has no special moves and the Torrent ability. Trolololol!

I've been living a lie for the past 10 years

Remember when I said you needed to use New Game + in Wind Waker to complete the Nintendo Gallery of Unparalleled Tedium?

Nope.

Apparently that's what everyone else was thinking, though... I wonder how stuff like this takes TEN YEARS to get to a point that's not even worth calling common knowledge. You'd think that in this era of internet everything would be figured out in two months...

Did they just give Genesect Shift Gear?

And Blaze Kick, too, but Shift Gear... man. There's no way this is coming back to OU in the foreseeable future. Heck, right now it's #4 on the uber ladder. I'm wondering where it'll end up after that...

Pokémon Smash hints at new type?

Indeed, a segment during the show suggested that Sylveon was weak to Fighting and strong against Ice, much like the Steel type... but it's also affected by Poison in some way, which suddenly rules Steel out. So unless they're revising the type chart, then Sylveon may actually be of an entirely new type. The greatest irony is that this data basically contradicts any and all "leaked" info of a new type we've had, aside from a potential Poison weakness.

For the record though, a new type is still a terrible idea. I'm sticking by that. (Especially if Ice becomes even worse defensively...)

May CocoCoro leaked

Four new Pokémon have been revealed this month, and the one that's worth the most attention is Gogoat the mono-Grass Pokémon. Why? Two reasons. One, it gets Horn Leech, which was previously exclusive to Sawsbuck's line. Second, and more importantly, YOU CAN RIDE IT. Is riding Pokémon a replacement or complement to the bike? Do you need an HM? Does it hint at the end of HMs? Who knows? What I do know is, this is what'll get people talking until next month.

In other news, we have Yayakoma the Normal/Flying Japanese Robin (basic bird or something else entirely?), Yanchamu the Fighting-type panda (thus fulfilling one of the most popular species requests ever), and an Electric/Normal lizard whose name is currently illegible on the pictures we have so far (update: it's Elekiteru). Yes, Electric/Normal. Seems like they're doing an effort to give us more Normal dual-types.

Also, character customization is now a thing... but only hair color and skin shade. Not gonna do too much for those people who make the most generic wishlists ever. Also, is that a map of France? Well it wasn't exactly a well-kept secret, what with this whole Eiffel Tower thing. And finally, there's this picture of the female character riding a Gogoat right next to her artwork, and you know what? I have to look pretty hard to NOT see Roll Caskett there.

So, my opinion? I like what I'm seeing. The lizard could look a bit better, but oh well, can't get a 10 every time, right?

Edit: The lizard knows a new move that appears to be a Giga Drain clone, based on the description. If true, and more Pokémon get it (not unlikely at all), the choice vs. Thunderbolt could prove to be very interesting

Edit 2: The move Yanchamu is said to use appears to be a more support-oriented version of U-Turn, where instead of inflicting damage while switching out, it lowers an unknown stat instead. This gets more and more interesting!

Gamefreak = biggest trolls ever, chapter 47539

So apparently this is a thing that can happen. I can't even begin to imagine the soul-crushing disappointment anyone who ever gets to see this must feel. It's just like running into a shiny before you can catch Pokémon, except this gets extra points for style. Worse, you then know that had this happened on the very next roll you'd have a shiny STARTER.

However... part of me would've really liked this to happen in one of my LP runs, because, well, just imagine the reaction. It would've been the talk of the entire internet the next day... errr, on second thought, forget I said anything.

A must-watch parody of the season 1 theme

Gotta catch a few... maybe... if I feel like it.

Thanks to ketsuban for the tip.

Some more Star Road-related stuff

Today I celebrated my long-awaited return to my Super Mario Star Road LP... but wait, there's more! There's a pair of videos by Skelux himself that I wanted to show you because holy crap this guy's a pro:

- A preview of Super Mario Star Road 2, which looks absolutely crazy in all aspects.

- A preview of Super Mario Star Road DS. Yes, ROM hacks of the DS version are a thing now. You may now shit bricks.

A whole new level of deranged

Hey everybody, it's the most disturbing fanbase on the internet! You thought Sonic couldn't be topped, huh? Well think again!