As previously reported, one of the functions of the upcoming Pokédex 3D app on the Nintendo 3DS eShop will be the ability to display Pokémon you’ve collected information on in augmented reality. How this works is a little complicated, however.
Each Pokémon has its own special AR Marker — a black and white image — required to make them pop out. We aren’t sure if you’ll have to print these out yourself, but that’s what appears to be the case so far. When you’re using the AR mode, your Pokémon will be fully animated, and you’ll be able to coax them into performing special actions using different items. There’s no mention of AR battles, unfortunately.
You’ll also be able to add Pokémon to existing pictures you’ve already taken and stored on your SD card. Nintendo say you’ll unlock new features as you increase the number of AR Markers in Pokédex 3D.
Pokédex 3D will release at the launch of the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Nintendo are giving the app away for free. It will only cover the new Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon Black/White, and you’ll start out with information on 16 of them. In order to unlock more, you’ll have to connect wirelessly with friends, download new entries (up to three a day) from Nintendo, and scan QR codes.