A new cosmetic Holowear in Pokémon Unite will cost players a ridiculous fee of $40 to obtain. The free-to-play online battle arena title allows a team of players to take control of Pokémon and score points to defeat the opposing team. Pokémon Unite's recent mobile launch put focus on crossplay with the previously-released Nintendo Switch version, as well as new Holowear skins for the game's various pocket monsters.
Pokémon Unite launched on Nintendo Switch back in July 2021, but the game's launch on mobile phone platforms introduced a number of new features and items. Among these is the "Galactic Ghost 094" battle pass, which allows players to obtain multiple cosmetic items by purchasing the $4 pass and leveling up. While Pokémon Unite itself is free-to-play, a majority of the game's cosmetic items require players to spend real-world currency in order to obtain them. Battle passes cost money to unlock, and most individual cosmetics must also be purchased before players can play dress-up with their Pokémon. While it is possible to play Pokémon Unite and spend no money, most players will be drawn to make at least some purchases from the game's shop.
Pokémon Unite player and Reddit user Halvpolack has pointed out that a new Holowear for the Pokémon Alolan Ninetales will cost players $40 in real-world currency. Alolan Ninetales' Sacred Style gives the peaceful Pokémon a cloud-like visage complete with decorated garments. Purchasing this cosmetic item will cost players 2,499 Holowear Tickets, a form of currency which must be farmed from the game's gacha lottery system or, rarely, obtained via a Battle Pass. Converting the Holowear Tickets to real-world currency, Alolan Ninetales' Sacred Style costs roughly $40.
While Pokémon Unite is entirely free-to-play, the battle arena title's microtransaction and lottery systems mean that players can actually spend a huge amount of money in-game. Fortunately, not all of the game's cosmetic items must be obtained through purchases or gacha mechanics. The mobile launch of Pokémon Unite also introduced a free Pikachu Festival costume, allowing players to give their electric mouse an adorable outfit and bow. Players are given Pikachu Festival for free when they log into Pokémon Unite on iOS or Android, circumventing the game's potentially exploitative microtransaction system.
Pokémon Unite is a free-to-play title, so microtransactions are necessary to help the battle arena brawler make a profit. However, charging $40 for Alolan Ninetales' Sacred Style outfit seems to be a bridge too far for Halvpolack and other players on Reddit. By charging so much for a simple cosmetic, Pokémon Unite's developers risk attracting the anger of those who do not approve of aggressive lottery systems and microtransactions.
Pokémon Unite is available on Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android.
Source: Halvpolack/Reddit