Pokémon fans, strap in for another piece of largely pointless, definitely expensive merchandise that you're going to immediately want, without really having a good reason to. Does anybody need a weighty, all-metal Poké Ball, that retails for a cool hundred dollars? No, obviously, they don't. But be fair: that's not gonna stop a whole lot of you from getting one of these.
The Wand Company is working with the Pokémon Company to produce a series of premium-priced replica Poké Balls in 2021 - with each one fitted with proximity-sensing tech so that its button will glow when it detects nearby motion. I mean, could be good for a dark hallway when you need a pee in the wee hours, right? No need to turn on the light - just follow the glow.
The collaboration between the two companies will see a variety of Poké Balls released - the classic, red-and-white version, and then the Great Ball, Ultra Ball, andPremier Ball. The first, the classic Poké Ball, is set to be in stores on February 27, 2021 - which is Pokémon Day, for those of you who didn't know.
Each ball comes in a special presentation case, and will - alongside that motion-detecting glow - allow for a Pokémon catching sequence of light flashes, and multi-coloured lights around the lid of the case. Like we said: premium, dude.
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Amy Sachtleben, director of licensing at The Pokémon Company International, says of these new Balls: "The Poké Ball is an iconic part of the Pokémon franchise, and we are thrilled to work with The Wand Company to re-create the Poké Ball as a high-quality collectible for our fans. The Wand Company is known for their innovative designs and world-class manufacturing, making them the perfect partner to bring this vision to life."
The Wand Company specialises in the production of... no, not just magic wands, actually. The Cambridge-based company has manufactured very fancy replicas of Sonic Screwdrivers from several Doctor Who series, and communicators from the Star Trek universe(s). The company's CEO, Chris Barnardo, has called the collaboration with The Pokémon Company "the fulfilment of a lifelong dream".
You won't need telling, but we'll tell you anyway: these things are not toys. Do not throw them around your house, your garden, the woods or wherever. Do not try to 'catch' your cat when it comes in through the back door - you'll break the poor thing's jaw with one of these Poké Balls.
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Pre-orders for the premium Poké Balls are open now at Amazon, and the balls will be available at UK stores such as Forbidden Planet and Zavvi. Find more information here.
Featured Image Credit: The Wand Company, The Pokémon CompanyTopics: Pokemon