Pokemon Go: Where Are You Going?

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Pokemon Go is slowly unveiling new Pokemon, beginning with the babies of Gen 2. Yes, those tiny cuties you couldn’t stop fawning over are now in Pokemon Go. The baby Pokemon will hatch from eggs found at various Pokestops. The following are new baby Pokemon featured in Pokemon Go:

Igglybuff and Cleffa hatch from 2k eggs
Pichu and Togepi (which can evolve into Togetic after 50 candies) hatch from 5k eggs

Magby, Elekid, and Smoochum hatch from 10k eggs

Also floating around in Pokemon Go is an exclusive Pikachu all dolled up for the holiday season with a Santa hat. When the holiday Pikachu evolves into Raichu, the hat stays on.

This new update was ushered in this past week along with Niantic partnering with Sprint and Starbucks. Those two locations in particular are now Pokestops across the nation and beyond.

Players, however, are disappointed with this feature of only Gen 2 baby Pokemon (excluding Tyrogue). They were hoping for something on a larger scale like the release of Gen 1 legendarys and/or all of Gen 2 Pokemon. Personally, I believed we were getting those traits as well: dataminers managed to locate codes for Mewtwo and Mew within the game. So why aren’t they being released? Why aren’t the rest of Gen 2 being released?

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it feel free to share, comment, critic, and subscribe.

So tell me, what baby Pokemon do you want?

Pokemon Moon: Over the Moon

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

I had no idea that Pokemon: Moon would keep me at bay for….Lord, when did I update last? Around Thanksgiving? This game has dominated my life and I am absolutely in love with it.

Moon is a prime example of how much the franchise has evolved over the years. When Red, Blue, and Yellow premiered it was mostly about training Pokemon to be the very best.  We were encouraged to level up our teammates, beat the Elite Four, and claim our Champion title. Many other games in the franchise functioned in the same fashion: train and claim. Pokemon: Pearl, Diamond, and Platinum, however, offered a new shift that only Pokemon: Yellow offered: the ability to walk with our Pokemon and in turn, become closer to them.

Yellow gave us a Pikachu to follow us and ultimately feel like Ash Ketchum, the hero of the Pokemon television series. Pearl, Diamond, and Platinum increased this notion by allowing us to select specific Pokemon to follow us. Heart Gold and Soul Silver changed this method so that any Pokemon could follow us from Chikorita to Unown. Black 2 and White 2 only allowed us to walk a Mienfoo in return for receiving a pearl once it was satisfied.

It was a matter of bringing trainers and their Pokemon closer outside the battlefield. Nintendo was attempting to implement the notion of not only being a Pokemon trainer, but a Pokemon caretaker. Someone who could fight alongside their best friend and becoming closer to them – much like Ash Ketchum or James from Team Rocket.

Yet the final form of this franchise came with XY wherein we could pet and play with our Pokemon.  Yes, we lost the feature where they followed trainers, but in return we were given Pokemon Amie: the trait of actually interacting with our Pokemon. We fed them specific pastries, we played games with them, and in turn they expressed their affection for us by means of becoming in sync with us in combat. They wished to land critical hits to earn our praise, they avoided an attack to obtain our admiration, and they even mega evolved when we commanded them to.

It was a wonderful, eye opening experience that I don’t believe my younger self would have ever thought possible. Bonding with my Pokemon allowed them to become what I call my dream team; a well balanced team of level 100 creatures filled with power for combat and affection for my trainer.  When they fight, they don’t fight for the money or defeat – they fight because it’s how they connect with my trainer. This team also consists of Pokemon that often remind me of when I played the other games through the years. Seeing Pokemon I grew up with like Mawile and Ponyta enjoying themselves in the company of my trainer made me smile. It made the game feel a bit more personal.

Pokemon ORAS (Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire) continued this notion, but expanded Pokemon showing their affection in contests. If they received high markings, they demonstrated a special move. My Skarmory took the contests by storm with a metallic twister of a move that blew my mind as well as the audience’s.

Now we have Pokemon Sun/Moon which gently coaxes you into becoming closer with your Pokemon. Not only is there the return of Pokemon Amie(now Pokemon Refresh), but now if your Pokemon receives a status effect they will approach you at the end of combat. Of course you can still use Antidotes and Awakenings, but would you shun the face of your own pained Pokemon? The Alola region prides itself on the notion of Pokemon and humans becoming closer with each other in friendship, transportation, and living in harmony. Even the Pokedex entries seemed to heavily tie into life on the islands to show how in sync Pokemon are with mankind.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you liked it, feel free to share, comment, critic, and subscribe.

So tell me, what do you think of Pokemon Sun/Moon?

Hold Your Head Up and Stand Tall

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Tonight I’m going to briefly talk about something that I’ve been avoiding because it’s not my particular field of expertise. Yes, it’s been prevalent for the past year and it will linger on our newsfeeds in the four years to come. Yes, you guessed it, it’s the election.

Donald Trump is our new president-elect and most people are against this. Demonstrations and protests have emerged in our nation, tags #notmypresident and #nevertrump have appeared on social media, and even safety pins have popped up on citizens. Trump has struck fear into many people’s hearts especially those of the LBGTQ community, those of different ethnicities, and women like myself. We reflect on the horrible things Trump has said from building a wall to the mentally/physically disabled and even the way he views women. Trump has also carried himself on threats and lies and in the future he will have to act as president and not give way to empty words, but actually do something. So what will he do? Will he live up to his word? Or will he hide behind the media’s veil and continue to spout false promises?

To be honest, I’m still digesting that we have this monstrosity as a president. My mind is still racking from the disbelief this election has brought. I also feel incredibly angry as a woman that America would rather have this incredulous carrot for a president as opposed to a woman. It’s as though they believe that a ‘woman’ (someone of their own gender) can’t handle the responsibilities of being president.  These next four years will not be easy on those who Trump has specifically targeted.

I know the phrases are usually “it’s always darkest before the dawn” and that “there’s a light at the end of the tunnel” and yes, those words offer mild reassurance in this time. Our nation is filled with so many ethnicities, women, and those of LBGTQ – it’s hard to offer such a grand amount of strength to tons of people.

Yet, it is in this time that we must band together and stand all. Accept each other as fellow brethren and sister of humanity, fight for those who deserve every single right as you do, and educate instead of breeding hate. Yes, there will be those who will not listen and cannot be saved, for they are too mired in their ignorance that Trump and his army feeds. There will be others who will open their minds and ears to what you tell them and those will be the ones who will hopefully join your side.

I was against Trump from the start with his fear mongering tactics, his ungodly slurs, his childish jabs at everyone, and even the mere sight of him: a screaming tangerine that ought to keep their lips shut. I stand with my fellow friends of the female gender, the LBGTQ community, and different ethnicities. We’re all humans who deserve equal rights as anyone else – what’s wrong with that?

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what are your thoughts on the election?

Animal Crossing New Leaf: So Much Furniture!

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

This weekend I delved once more into the Animal Crossing New Leaf : Welcome Amiibo update. Last week, I posted a list of exclusive HHD items you can receive if you transfer your HHD data to ACNL: WA. Today, I’ll be posting some more information regarding the update.

The one thing I’ve noticed about Harvey’s Campground is that he sells furniture from HHD. I recognize some of the furniture being from that game in particular as opposed to the original ACNL.  Along with this furniture, specific amiibos in particular will visit your town and sell items based on their game.  

As mentioned, Nintendo will be doling out 50 new amiibo cards on 12/2/16. Each card will contain an RV filled with new furniture and a new friend to possibly move into your town. Sanrio and Nintendo have collaborated together to craft new furniture for ACNL: WA, however, it’s uncertain if this collaboration will extend throughout Europe and America. As far as  Ican tell, it’s only for Japan, but personally I hope it’s distributed throughout the world.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what do you like about ACNL: WA’s update so far?

Pokemon Sun/Moon: Thoughts on Evolutions

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

At long last, the Pokemon Sun and Moon starters’ final evolutions have been revealed. They appeared just as the anonymous leak said they would with Litten ultimately becoming a fire/dark based wrestler, Rowlet’s blossoming into a grass/ghost hunter, and Popplio’s final form as a water/fairy mermaid.

Litten’s last stage, Incineroar, looks like a fun one to use in combat and reminds me of Pangoro, wherein it’s a tough fighter that sticks up for the little guy. I’ve only ever chosen a fire starter once and that was Fennekin, another fun fire type. His signature move, Darkest Lauriat sounds like it will definitely help in combat.

Rowlet’s ultimate evolution reminds me of my Pathfinder character – a woodland ranger with a keen eye for archery. Originally, I was going to choose Rowlet because of how adorable it is, Decidueye’s incredibly powerful move Spirit Shackle, and its evolution line. It would be a first for me choosing a grass type starter because in my many years of playing Pokemon, I always chose a water type. I find myself conflicted between this little owl and its bold evolution and the little seal and its gorgeous final form.

Popplio is the Pokemon that has endured so much torment, but has gloriously transformed. Albeit I wasn’t too fond of this tiny seal, but I thought it was okay at best and didn’t hate it. I just accepted it as another Pokemon like Magnemite or Klefki. By that point, my heart had been set on Rowlet. However, this little circus seal has ultimately transformed into a beautiful mermaid called Primarine. I absolutely adore mermaids and I always have since I was a child. Plus the fairy typing is definitely a huge advantage – it’s one of the other typings I love to employ in combat alongside ghost and electric.

With Pokemon Sun and Moon only weeks away, my mind grows indecisive with who I should choose: the heartwarming Rowlet or the charming Popplio.

Thanks for reading tonight’s entry. If you liked it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, who do you plan on choosing as your starter in Pokemon Sun/Moon?

Animal Crossing: A Long Awaited Update

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

After two days playing with Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s free update, I’ve fallen in love all over again with the game. That being said, Animal Crossing New Leaf is now called Animal Crossing New Leaf: Welcome Amiibo (ACNL: WA) – quite a mouthful, right? Yet still the title holds true wherein you can utilize your amiibos from the Animal Crossing franchise and even other characters (ex.: Splatoon, Mario, Pikachu) to unlock new items within the game. 

You can even use Animal Crossing amiibo cards; speaking of which, for this update Nintendo will be rolling out 50 more of those cards to provide you with even more friends to meet (and possibly have in your town) and items to purchase at Harvey’s Campground. The amiibos can be activated by summoning Wisp, the in-game amiibo reading spirit and using the Amiibo Reader (if your device is compatible with it). Wisp can be found in a genie’s lamp while walking around town and requests you bring him back to your house. Those who come via amiibo figure will not live in your town, but rather they will grant you items at Harvey’s Campground.

Harvey’s Campground is a new development in your town wherein you can use MEOW tickets to obtain new and rare items you can’t find in Nook’s stores. To retrieve MEOW tickets, you simply carry out Town Initiatives which appear on your new identification card. These initiatives include bringing items back from the island, catching a certain bug, updating your home, and other tasks. Some requests will offer more tickets than others and change on a daily basis. Once you’ve completed said initiative, go to the CAT machine (a little orange kiosk) outside your town hall to retrieve the tickets. Your new identification card will also require a new Dream Address.

If you happen to have Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer (HHD), then you receive even more items. Once you turn on the game, it’ll prompt you to transfer your HHD data to ACNL: WA. You can either use your downloaded version of the game or the retail cartridge, like I have. The cartridge method baffled me honestly. Remember how when we used to play video games and you removed the cartridge you would get a malfunction of some sort? For this update, I had to remove the ACNL: WA cartridge and input the HHD cartridge. The transfer went well and there were no problems, but I couldn’t believe that Isabelle (the one who prompted you through this from the ACNL: WA cartridge) still stayed on screen as you went through the process.

From the HHD transfer, you can order the following items from Nook’s Catalog at any Nook Store:

-Submarine (it’s the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine)
-Carriage (it’s Cinderella’s carriage)
-A mountain
-A mountain of money
-A large egg (now to wait forever for your pet dinosaur to hatch)
-An inflatable Mr. Resetti
-A large ant (perfect for Ant-Man)
-A cake house (the ideal item to lure Hansel and Gretel)
-A massive, towering cake
-A tea cup ride
-A UFO
-The actual Sun
-A Transformer look alike
-The luxury car from Monopoly (only black)
-A propeller plane
-A large stew pot (the perfect thing to cook your enemies – I mean, dinner in)
-Iceberg (RIGHT AHEAD!)
-A monitor tower
-A gigantic teddy bear (snuggles for days)

Another part of this update, we can now sit on rocks and cushions in our home! Players can also hang clothing on their walls, upload their photos to select social media sites using the image share function, receive items that aren’t just a balloon set in shooting down presents, and place items on specific pieces of furniture.  Albeit they’re minimal features, but it’s the little details that make the gameplay fun and unique.

Overall, I’m in love with this update. It’s so wonderful to see Nintendo breathing life into an old game and the items are excellent so far. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for a game I greatly admire and enjoy playing.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what do you think of ACNL:WA’s new update?

Recipe: The Spider Web Sweet

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Halloween is this Monday and is sure to be filled with tricks and treats. If you’re like me, you have a giant sweet tooth which can be satisfied with this Halloween recipe:

The Spiderweb Sweet

-Oreo graham cracker pie crust
-white baking chocolate (I normally use Baker’s, but Hershey’s is good too)
-gummy worms
-1-1/2 cups of milk
-chocolate Jell-o instant pudding mix

1.Beat Jell-o mix and milk with a whisk for 2 min. (Make sure there are no clumps and that the texture is smooth – just like spider silk)

2. Put half of the mixture into your pie crust.

3. Top the half with gummy worms – they’re the spider’s victims and they serve as a nice surprise to those eating this treat.

4. Pile the rest of the mixture onto of the candy coated top. After doing so, use a spatula to smooth out the mixture. This will give your pie an overall neat appearance.

5. Place in the refrigerator for 3 hours.

6. Now it’s time to make your web. Remove the cheesecake and melt your chocolate (I usually use a microwave because it’s quicker and easier) for about 60 seconds. Take it out every 10-15 seconds to stir before returning it to the microwave.

7. Once your chocolate is melted use a piping bag (or makeshift piping bag using a Ziploc bag and cutting the bottom corner off) to make the web design. For the web design, start with a little circle in the center and draw larger ones around it. Fill your center circle with the white chocolate, but do not fill the others.

8. When you finished crafting your circles, take a toothpick or something with a point on it and dip it in your center circle. Proceed to draw lines from the center circle to the crust –this will create your spider web.

9. Once your web is created, either serve the sweet on the spot or put it back into the fridge until it’s treat time.

You can also craft a reverse Spider Web Sweet by using a basic cream cheese recipe and melting dark chocolate or milk chocolate for your web.

Not into spiders? Well, you can always make a graveyard instead. To do so, you would follow The Spider Web Sweet, but instead of putting a web ontop you would put a rather delicious cemetery.

Cutting cookies in half (namely Oreos, Nutter Butters, and Milanos), you would stick them into the pie so they would stand like tombstones. You can even decorate them with fun little phrases like ‘I Emma Spook’, ‘RIP’, ‘Boo,’ and other Halloween sayings and puns. You can also use chocolate Pocky or pretzels (chocolate coated or regular) to make little fences for your ghastly graveyard.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what do you like to make for Halloween?