You can use the original starters in Pokemon X and Y

Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander — all with Mega Evolutions

Shrewd, Nintendo.

During this morning’s Nintendo Direct, we learned that Pokemon X/Y would grant you access to six possible starter Pokemon. The additional three are Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander; the original three starter Pokemon. Your friend will first offer you one of the X/Y starters, while the game’s rock star professor will then let you pick among the original three.

Talk about an appeal to nostalgia. Now I don’t have to worry about which crappy new starter I want to be burdened with because they literally don’t matter. To me, anyway. But now I have to decide which of the original three is my favorite. This is more difficult. 

Additionally, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander will have their own Mega Evolutions. Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard and Mega Blastoise are unlocked throughout the game. All three look stupid. Mega Evolution is apparently tied to a trainer’s Mega Ring bracelet and the Pokemon’s Mega Stone. The connection between the Pokemon and trainer are key. This new region (and game) is really pushing the Mega Evolution angle.

There is also a Pokemon Bank app available for purchase (plus an annual fee) that lets you fill 100 boxes with Pokemon and sort through them with ease. Plus, there is also a subsequent Poke Transporter, which helps import your monsters from Pokemon Black/White, Pokemon Black 2/White 2. You can transport the critters into the Bank and then into X and Y. You need the Bank to use the Transporter.

Nintendo also confirmed our earlier reports of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y themed red and blue 3DS models.