Earlier today, the Korean version of the official Pokémon website uploaded a picture and screenshot confirming two hitherto unknown Mega Evolutions.

Since Generation 6 began with Pokémon X and Y, Nintendo and Game Freak have committed themselves to simultaneous worldwide releases for all main-series Pokémon titles. With the different regions speaking a total of eight different languages, naturally Nintendo have since set up a series of websites for Pokémon in each language to allow each region to know exactly what to expect in each game. Theoretically, the websites SHOULD contain the same information – just translated. So when new information is due to go up on the websites, Nintendo send them the information with instructions to not put it live until a certain date, so that each region hears about it at the same time. But on Tuesday, it appears one of them jumped the gun.

For a short while earlier today (Tuesday), the official Korean Pokémon website revealed details of two new Mega Evolutions, Mega Slowbro and Mega Audino. The website contained a series of screenshots showing both in battle; as well as official artwork on both formes and brief details. Neither Pokémon have been officially revealed by Nintendo, however, resulting in the information being removed from the website just minutes later – but not before observant fans managed to save some of the pictures for themselves.

The description of the two Pokémon, according to a subsequent translation effort by Serebii, lists Mega Audino as a Normal/Fairy-type with the ability Healer. Mega Slowbro has no typing listed – which usually happens when the Mega Evolution keeps the same type as the original Pokémon, so it can be assumed that it retains a Water/Psychic-typing. It has the ability Shell Armor.

As we continue down the road towards the eventual release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, more and more Mega Evolutions are being revealed; and it remains to be seen just how many more there could be. Also still waiting to be filled in are details of the Primal Evolution mechanic used by Groudon and Kyogre; and whether any of these forms are usable in the other Gen 6 games, Pokémon X and Y. Pokémon fans around the world continue to watch intensely for the next reveal!

The latest edition of Japan’s most popular gaming magazine, CoroCoro, has revealed three new Mega Evolutions of existing Pokémon which are apparently going to feature in the upcoming Pokémon titles, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Revealed in pictures and short descriptions in the magazine are Mega formes of Altaria, Lopunny and Salamance. According to translators, Mega Altaria will be a Dragon/Fairy with the Pixilate ability, while the decidedly odd-looking Mega Salamance does not have any typing mentioned, but will receive the Aerilate ability. Finally, Mega Lopunny completes its translation from cute bunny rabbit to serious bunny brawler, becoming a Normal/Fighting type with the Scrappy ability and also being able to now learn the move Hi Jump Kick.

      
Click images to enlarge. Images Courtesy Serebii.net

Also revealed in the magazine was more information about contests, which are already known to be returning in OR/AS. During a contest, it appears dressing up certain Pokémon in particular clothing will allow them access to unique moves specifically for use in a contest, Pikachu was confirmed to have four unique costume moves – a Rock Star costume grants it the move Meteor Mash, while a costume referred to as “Pikachu Ph.D” gives it Electric Terrain. Pikachu Pop Star knows Draining Kiss, Pikachu Belle knows Icicle Crash and Pikachu Libre knows Flying Press.

The special clothes will be made available by meeting up with a Contest Idol in the game called Lucia, though she may not be the only source of such clothing. It appears the clothing items now are more complete costumes, rather than the individual props as featured in Gen IV’s Super Contests and Gen V’s musicals – though whether such props still exist is unconfirmed. Also still unconfirmed are exactly how contests will work in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as while signs point towards a system akin to the Gen IV Super Contests, no screenshots or information about a contest in-play have yet been shared. Surely though, it’s just a matter of time.

Built on the foundation of Pitbull Studio, whom Epic Games have worked with for the last 3 years, Epic Games are building up a UK-based studio mainly dedicated to providing support and development for the Unreal Engine 4.

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said of Pitbull who is now being fully integrated into Epic’s network of international studios. “They’ve been invested in UE4’s evolution since its early beginnings, and their dedication is unflinching.” The studio have devoted time and energy already to the Unreal Engine’s development, contributing UI, audio, physics and more and it seems like they are set to continue down that line now inside of Epic’s framework of studios.

The hope it that setting up an Epic presence in the UK will enable better connections with studios across Europe as well as allowing Epic to make better use of more localised talent.

Nintendo have announced a new event Pokemon giveaway that will occur in the US later on this month.

On August 13th, two special powerful Bug-types will be available for players, a Heracross for Pokemon X and a Pinsir for Pokemon Y. Neither Pokemon will be holding an item, but both will be Lv. 50 and have a set of powerful moves. Receiving the free Pokemon is done by connecting your 3DS to the Internet, select the Mystery Gift on the main menu, select receive gift, select get via Internet then speak with the delivery girl at any in-game Pokemon Center to receive the gift. Viola, free Bug-Type.

And if you wish to enable their Mega Evolution they’re being given away at participating Gamestops from August 18-31, in the form of download codes. They’re also offering free posters to anyone who pre-orders the new Sapphire and Ruby remake games in-store.

I personally think Bug-Types are sometimes underrated as battlers. Are you thinking about grabbing a free Heracross or Pinsir?

The Swapper is coming to Wii U. If you’ve  been living under a rock and you don’t know anything about The Swapper you’re in for a treat. The Swapper casts you as a stranded space explorer on an ancient space station armed with a cloning gun. It’s an intriguing and spooky game with a great deal of atmosphere and well thought out puzzles.

Reports say the game’s control scheme has been rejigged and optimized for the Wii U gamepad with a touch-only mode as well as a control stick option too. It seems like The Swapper has had a loving conversion to the Wii U platform.  Apparently all of the puzzles have also been tweaked to function optimally with the slower controls and Curve has said the game will cost about the same on any platform (PS3 on August 5th and Wii U in November) so this is somewhere between £10-£12. If you like puzzlers with atmosphere it is a great pick up.