During E3 Nintendo revealed a Bluetooth accessory for Pokémon GO. Pokémon GO Plus allows Pokémon GO players to catch Pokémon and collect items without staring at their phones. The device is priced at $34.99 and was due out by the end of July.
We’ve now reached the end of July. Nintendo announced this morning via twitter that Pokémon GO Plus will be delayed. It’s now coming by the end of September.
The #PokemonGO Plus accessory will now be released Sept 2016 instead of the originally expected end of July launch. https://t.co/QgjZf1aAV6
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 27, 2016
No explanation or full press release was given. We know that since its launch a few weeks ago, Pokémon GO has been plagued with server woes, login issues, and freezes. Currently Pokémon tracking via the paw footprints has been completely shut off to alleviate server stress. It’s highly likely Nintendo wishes to shore up these issues before introducing an add-on.
It is important to note that Nintendo owns only about a third of The Pokémon Company, who then licensed Pokémon GO to developers Niantic Labs. The Plus accessory is made by Nintendo directly, however. It’s a clear way for Nintendo to fully monetize the insane popularity of the mobile app – though the accessory is entirely optional.
Pokémon GO Plus can be worn with a clip or band. It syncs with Pokémon GO via a low energy Bluetooth connection. The device will blink or vibrate whenever you’re in range of a PokéStop or Pokémon. Press the button to collect items or throw Pokéballs. Oddly you can only throw Pokéballs at a Pokémon you’ve already caught before. For serious Pokémon GO search parties, whip out that phone.
