Pokémon X & Pokémon Y were released across the globe on October 12, 2013.  These were the first Nintendo published games to be released in key regions on the same date.  The games were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.  Nintendo released special versions of the 3DS XL to promote the games.

      The game follows the same plot as previous installments.  The game follows a young trainer from the Kalos Region as he or she trains to become a Pokémon master.  The game introduced 69 new Pokémon between the two games.  A new type of Pokémon was added.  This was the fairy-type classification.  Older Pokémon were re-classified as fairy-types.

      New battle types were introduced.  Sky-Battles are mid-air battles that only flying-type Pokémon can participate in.  In Horde Encounters, a player must go against several wild Pokémon at once.

     Mega Evolutions were introduced into the game.  This allowed fully evolved Pokémon use special items and take a second/final form in battle temporarily.  Another feature introduced was Pokémon-Amie which allowed players to interact with their Pokémon using the touchscreen and cameras.  This allowed the bonds with their Pokémon to become stronger.

      Pokémon X & Pokémon Y were the first games in the series to introduce fully 3D polygonal graphics.  Players could also fully customize their trainer’s appearance.

      The game has online capabilities.  These include transferring Pokémon with other players.  Players at certain points can take pictures and upload them to the Pokémon Global Link website.  The Player Search System or "PSS" will allow players to trade and battle other players across the world.  When the new communication feature is on, the PSS alerts players when someone nearby is playing Pokémon X or Pokémon Y and gives you the option to battle or trade with them wirelessly.

      Nintendo announced a cloud-type service that can store up to 3,000 Pokémon.  The fee for this service is $4.99 a year.  The Poke Transporter allows Pokémon to be uploaded from Black & White and Black 2 & White 2.  The service was pushed back several weeks due to the crashing of the Nintendo Network.   This problem shut down Miiverse and the e-shop on both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS/2DS.

      The game received positive reviews.  The game was praised for its updated 3D graphics, changes in battles, and art direction.  The game sold over 4 million copies in its first weekend.  The games have sold over 16 million copies since its release.