Great news Pokémon fans! Secret Bases are confirmed to be returning in the upcoming remakes, Pokémon Alpha Ruby and Pokémon Omega Sapphire. Deemed “Super-Secret Bases”, they seem to be more than just the Secret Bases of the originals, adding a great deal of online functionality.

According to the announcement, you can customize your base however you’d like, and even make it into your own personal Pokémon Gym, where other players from around the world can challenge you. If you find a trainer you like you can make them your Secret Friend and they’ll return to your Secret Base to be challenged by other players.

There is also a new Capture the Flag activity where you can infiltrate another players base and grab their flag to return to yours. Returning flags will unlock abilities for the Secret Friends in your base. Ranks are displayed by the color of the flag in each players base.

Another cool feature being added is QR Code support. It allows you to visit a specific person’s base by scanning their QR Code. This allows famous gamers or celebrities to post their QR Code so that you’ll be able to visit their Super-Secret Base just by scanning it.

More and more details are being revealed for Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and will continue to pour out up until its November 21st release.

My Opinion:

Secret Bases were a beloved part of Ruby and Sapphire so I’m glad to see they’re getting a facelift for this new generation. Hopefully Nintendo will detail more returning features, especially the Battle Frontier, soon. Super Secret Bases are just one more reason to get excited for a new Pokémon adventure this Fall.

Shaun Fales not only loves Pokémon but is also a commissioner of a Pokémon League currently in its second season. You can follow him on IGN, Twitch, and Twitter.