Review by Kevin Knights - Kevin@ReviewRangers.com
I have to confess that I wasn’t the first kid on the block to own a Nintendo Pokémon Go Plus. I started playing Pokémon Go on day one when the game released in July 2016, and I quickly became hooked. It’s fun to collect the creatures, hatch the eggs, battle at the gyms, and have a little incentive to walk or ride a bike.
In September of that year, a physical device was released that would link to the mobile game by Bluetooth. I was skeptical that I would need it or that it would add that much to the game, but over time I started to hear good things about the device. And I started to wonder if I wanted one.
Then a loving spouse bought me one for Christmas. I put it on, linked it to my phone, and I was hooked at another level. I say to you: if you play Pokémon Go regularly, you should get one of these.
I usually wear mine on my wrist, but it is removable from the band and can be clipped to your clothing instead. Or simply carried in your hand. Once it is paired with your mobile device (IOS or Android), you can turn the device off. As long as you are in Bluetooth range, the Plus will stay linked and active.
While it is active, if a Pokémon appears within range, the LED in the Plus will blink green while it vibrates. If you then push the button, the game will make one perfect virtual throw at the Pokémon with a red Poké Ball from your inventory. With that single toss, the creature will either be caught - with a signal of multi-colored buzzing, or it will escape with a red buzzing. If it’s a unique creature, it will blink yellow with a distinctly different buzz pattern to alert you that you might want to turn the screen back on and try a catch using a berry and a better ball. Or you can just take your chance pushing the button for a single red toss.
When you are in range of a Pokéstop or gym, there will be a different light up and buzz pattern. A single push of the button gives you a spin. And then it will light/buzz out a count of how many items you obtained.
Times that I’ve found the device very handy? Just to list a few:
Watching television, phone off, still able to make a try at creatures popping up around the house.
Bundled up walking in the cold or rain with the phone off and in my pocket, just pushing the button in response to buzzes without even lifting up my sleeve to look.
Biking (slowly) with the phone off and in my pocket, still able to catch and spin.
Being in a location with loads of creatures and less time to spare – a player can deal with a crowd of them much faster than catching them the hard way, ending up with more catches overall.
Battery life seems very good for the amount that I’ve used it (it takes a CR2032 watch battery, very easy to change). The connection drops from time to time, but it’s easy to reconnect, and I’ve had no technical issues using it with a couple different models of iPhone.
All in all, I give Nintendo Pokémon Go Plus a big thumbs up. Amazon has them for sale - click here if you'd like one right now.
Here's an official video that says a little more:
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