The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In Pokémon GO, Buddy progress comes from earning Affection hearts through activities listed in the Buddy Profile. Hearts build a persistent Buddy Level, which unlocks perks; Mood is a separate, temporary status that can improve the day’s heart opportunities when your Buddy becomes Excited.
How Buddy hearts and levels work
Choose a Pokémon as your Buddy, interact with it to earn Affection hearts, and build its Buddy Level. The level stays once earned; Mood reflects more recent interactions and can fade over time. Niantic’s Buddy Adventure guide describes the feature and its level perks. The Help Center says you can change your Buddy up to 20 times per day.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon GO Plus + | $144.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon GO Plus + | $124.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + | $149.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Silicone Case for Poke Go Plus + (2023), Go Plus Plus Cover Case with Strap, Soft Protective Case... | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon |
To see what can still earn hearts today, open your Buddy Profile and check Today’s Activities. The available categories are:
- Walking together
- Giving a treat
- Playing together
- Battling together
- Taking a snapshot
- Visiting a new place
- Following a Route
- Bonus interactions, when available
Each category has its own daily heart availability. Once you have earned the hearts available in a category, that activity stops awarding hearts until the counter resets at midnight local time. Use the profile’s activity list as your in-game checklist rather than relying on a fixed routine.
#1 Best Overall
- The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
What Excited Mood changes
Excited is the most positive Buddy Mood. It is temporary, not a Buddy Level, and depends on how frequently and recently you interact with your Buddy. While it is Excited, activity icons show double hearts and you can earn more Affection hearts that day. Your Buddy also needs less walking distance to collect a Candy. Niantic’s Buddy Moods guide explains these effects.
- It does not boost Bonus hearts.
- If your Buddy stops being Excited, interact with it again and reach Excited to continue earning the extra hearts. Hearts already earned are not taken away.
- The official guide does not provide an exact point threshold or a guaranteed interaction schedule for reaching Excited.
Excited Mood is useful when you want extra heart opportunities, but it is not required to build Buddy Levels. Ordinary activity hearts remain the foundation of progression.
Rank #2
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Buddy Levels and their perks
Each level adds a different benefit. These are persistent progression milestones, unlike temporary Mood effects.
| Buddy Level | Perks |
|---|---|
| Good Buddy | Your fed Buddy can appear on the map and earn Candy at a reduced walking distance. You can see its Mood on the profile and, while it is on the map, by tapping it. |
| Great Buddy | Catch Assist may bounce a deflected Poké Ball back toward the Pokémon you are catching. Your Buddy may also bring consumable Presents, such as Berries or Potions; opening one awards a Bonus heart. |
| Ultra Buddy | Your Buddy may bring Souvenirs, which vary with the environment and indicate where they were found. It may also point out an interesting nearby PokéStop; spin that stop’s Photo Disc while the indicator is present to receive bonus items and a Bonus heart. |
| Best Buddy | Your Pokémon wears a Best Buddy ribbon and receives a CP Boost while it is set as your active Buddy. The boost does not apply when it is not active. |
Buddy Presents are not the same as Buddy Gifts
Great Buddy Presents are a level perk. Buddy Gifts are a separate feature and may arrive at any Buddy Level. When a Gift is available, a Gift icon appears on the Buddy Profile. The English Help Center guide says you will not receive a Buddy Gift if your Bag contains 20 or more Gifts; a received Gift does not award an Affection heart. Gifts can contain useful items such as Berries or Potions. See Niantic’s Buddy Adventure guide for the feature details.
Rank #3
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
What a Poffin does—and whether you need one
A Poffin is an optional in-game snack, not a requirement for Buddy progress. Niantic says it fills the hunger meter, raises Mood to Excited, awards the maximum daily heart count in the treat category, and keeps the Buddy full, on the map, and Excited for longer. You can purchase one in the in-game Shop with PokéCoins. It does not replace the other activity categories; those can still earn hearts according to their own availability. Details are in Niantic’s Poffin guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Rank #4
- Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
- Premium Silicone Material for Comfort & Safety: Crafted from high-quality silicone, this case delivers a soft, pleasant touch while shielding your Poke GO Plus+ from scratches, dirt, and daily wear.
- Portable Design with Wrist Strap: The built-in hand strap allows you to wear the case on your wrist, ensuring easy portability and hands-free convenience during outdoor adventures.
- Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
- Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.
A practical way to build Buddy Levels
- Set the Pokémon you want to progress as your Buddy. Remember, the Help Center allows up to 20 Buddy changes per day.
- Open the Buddy Profile and check Today’s Activities. Use the categories shown there to identify remaining heart opportunities.
- Work through the available activities. Feed, play, battle, take a snapshot, and complete other listed activities as applicable; the Buddy Profile shows what remains available that day.
- Use Excited Mood as a boost, not a prerequisite. If your Buddy is Excited, you can pursue the additional heart opportunities and benefit from the reduced Candy walking distance.
- Use a Poffin only if its convenience suits you. It automatically fills the treat-category heart allowance and boosts Mood, but it is not needed to earn hearts through other activities.
- Check the profile again after interactions. Activity availability resets at midnight local time, while Buddy Level progress remains.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
