A retro-themed dynamic Pokédex for Android.
Pkdx (pronounced "Pikadex") is a unique Pokédex app for Android that implements the main game mechanic from the original Pokémon series of videogames. It encourages the user to continually use the app both to increase his understanding of the Pokémon world and to catch all of the available Pokémon and complete his Pokédex.
Upon use, Pkdx presents its user with a caught wild Pokémon. The user can then swipe down to catch another one, among other things. Interaction with the app comes naturally to users who are familiar with the original Pokémon videogame releases.
User-features include:
- All 721 (as of the time of original development) Pokémon make their appearance.
- Innovative, nostalgic, and responsive UI design based on the original Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow Gameboy Color games.
- Original sprites, fonts, and sounds from the Pokémon universe.
- Ability to browse through collected Pokémon and compare description and ability data.
- Option to transfer and view favorite Pokémon to and from a PC Box.
- Custom app widget for catching hundreds of Pokémon directly from the home screen.
Development features include:
- Cached instance of scraped PokeApi data for fast, native access to Pokémon content.
- Responsive UI practices for 7" Android tablets and similarly sized devices.
- Implementation of custom fonts and Action Bar titles for Views and Activities.
- Dynamically generated color palettes using the Picasso and PicassoPalettes libraries.
- Uses its own ContentProvider to store and access DB data including SQLite tables that keep track of the user's caught and favorited Pokémon.
- Novel use of Android's App Widgets to deliver cute Pokémon sprites to the Android home screen.
To get started, simply clone this repository in Android Studio and run a debug or release build instance of this app in your device or emulator. No API keys or additional .json files needed.
The necessary Proguard rules are included in the proguard-rules.pro file for successful generation of APKs.
If you're not a developer and/or just want to run and use the app on your phone or Android device, you can grab a copy of the generated .apk file here.
I made this app specifically for my little nephew. I recall introducing him to Pokémon Go in mid July and seeing him burst into cries of wonder and excitement at the sight of the first apparition of a wild Pokémon, as I got ready to take him out on our very own "Pokémon Safari" in my small neighborhood.
The experience really touched me and reminded me of my most purest aim with technology: to deliver a sort of magic that can radically enrich and improve other people's lives. Pkdx is an expression of that, and it has served its purpose well - providing me with hours of bonding and bliss with my own nephew.
If I can do the same for anyone else with my work then I will have considered it a massive success. If Pkdx managed to do it for you or if you simply want to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me here.
This application includes data, images, sounds, and terms from the Pokémon series of video games. This is all the intellectual property of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc. and is protected by various copyrights and trademarks. The developer believes that the use of this intellectual property for a fan-made nonprofit educational reference is covered by fair use and that the application is significantly deprecated without said property included.
No copyright or trademark infringement is intended in using Pokémon content on Pkdx.
The Pixel Heart Patterns used as background for this application were designed, created, and distributed for use by artist Pandora42 from DeviantArt.
All app icons and images not otherwise copyrighted were designed and produced by the developer.
A big hug goes out to all those who worked on producing the great PokeApi and the very helpful PokeKotlin library, as well as to my small but relentless Pokémon Trainer nephew, Sebastianni.