The Pokémon Friends Poké Ball+, the new version of Takara Tomy's Poké Ball-shaped virtual pet, launches today, November 7, 2026, in Japan, priced at ¥8,140 (about US$52). The toy is an evolution of the model released in October 2025 and expands the roster from 157 to 177 Pokémon.
There are seven main partner Pokémon — Pikachu, Piplup, Rowlet, Scorbunny, Ditto, Dedenne and Gengar — with rich expressions and voice acting, plus 170 friend Pokémon to encounter throughout the experience. Confirmed newcomers include Scorbunny, Alolan Raichu, Quagsire, Mawile, Absol, Emolga, Gholdengo, Zorua and Swirlix.
The first version, the Pokémon Friends Poké Ball, launched on October 10, 2025, priced at ¥7,480, and sold out quickly in Japan, combining the structure of a classic virtual pet with a physical Poké Ball that the owner can stroke to interact with the Pokémon on the screen.
The Pokémon Friends Poké Ball+ adds voice interactions, feeding, baths, outings, room customization and new mini-games, such as ball-throwing and sweets-making. It also debuts a device-to-device communication feature: one player's Pokémon can visit another player who owns the same version. The device offers Japanese, English and Traditional Chinese as selectable languages.
One important detail: the Poké Ball+ is not compatible with the 2025 model or with the Pikachu Friends Set, released in July 2026. For now, the launch covers Japanese retail only — Takara Tomy Mall accepts domestic orders only — and there is no confirmation of an international release. In pre-orders, the toy was listed for ¥6,655 on Amazon Japan, below the official ¥8,140 price. Buyers outside Japan will need retailers that ship overseas, such as Amazon Japan.
The launch comes in the year Pokémon celebrates 30 years since the debut of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan in 1996. Takara Tomy Arts has also released a commemorative collection of metal charms featuring Eevee and its eight evolutions, sold in capsule machines in Japan.
Image: The Pokémon Company and Takara Tomy, via Siliconera.
Fontes
- Siliconera — Pokemon Friends Poke Ball+ Virtual Pet Includes New Features
- CBR — Pokémon Tamagotchi-Style Poké Ball Returns With Major New Upgrade November 7
- Essential Japan — Pokémon's Tamagotchi-Style Poké Ball Virtual Pet Officially Returns With Major New Upgrades
Transparency: this article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on research and cross-checking of public sources on the internet. Please consult the original sources to confirm the information.
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