The 2010 Pokémon World Championship saw a changing of the guard as America’s Ray Rizzo took the Masters Division video game championship from Japan.
The Championships, held in Kona, Hawaii from August 14 to 15, boasted 375 players from 25 countries. Competitors battled it out for two days with hopes of winning either the video game or trading card game title in one of two age groups.
Rizzo, who hails from Marlton, New Jersey, defeated Yasuki Tochigi in the final round to take the Masters video game title. The Junior video game title went to Shota Yamamoto of Japan. For the Pokémon Trading Card Game championship, Canada’s Jacob Lesage won the Masters title and Yuka Furasawa won for Japan in the junior division.
Winners received prize packages that include scholarships and travel expenses to defend their title in the 2011 championship.
Another year, another Pokemon game announced. The good news is it’s not a remake or a revisit to a previous game. This time, we travel to the far away region of Isshu to encounter all new Pokemon! A decent amount of info has been released (nothing too amazingly in-depth), so let’s take a look at some of the new features that have been announced! more…
The latest CoroCoro officially revealed the first generation 5 pokémon. Zoroark (left) and its pre-evolution Zoroa (right) are dark type. The 13th movie title, originally “The Ruler of Illusion: Z” has been updated to include the newly announced pokémon, to “The Ruler of Illusion: Zoroark.” More information is set to be unveiled in the next issue of CoroCoro, if not sooner on the Pokémon Sunday television program.
The Pokémon Company has announced that they will be revealing a new Pokemon RPG in the February 2010 edition of CoroCoro Comics (think Shonen Jump).
For now, we can only speculate as to whether this is the upcoming Fifth Generation or not, though there was some mention of “a rebirth” and “new Pokémon”. The only non-ambiguous details we have about this game is that it’s an RPG and that it will be released (in Japan) this year. Thank you, Google Translate.
Since the Mystery Dungeon series is also technically an RPG, there is the slight possibility that the announcement will be an expansion to that game-line. Then again, the developer on the main site is stated to be GameFreak, and they usually work exclusively on the main-line Pokémon games.
Let’s just hope that this announcement will lead to some interesting results
Nintendo just recently released a brand new version of the Official Pokémon Website, and the updated site boasts lots of new features. One of which, is the ability to stream a hefty amount of anime episodes that previously aired on television. That’s right folks, no more having to wait for each episode to air on Cartoon Network. Now you can watch all of your Pokémon favorites whenever you want. The episodes are being added gradually (3 or 4 every couple of days), but the collection is definitely going to become larger.
View the very first appearance of Gary using the new episode database!
Another cool new feature that was included in this huge upgrade is the introduction of the Pokémon Trainer Club, which is the equivalent to the Daisuki Club in Japan. My Pokémon accounts have now been replaced by Pokémon Trainer Club accounts, which can be used to participate in the Organized Play portion of the site along with a few other interactive aspects.
Speaking of which, Organized Play has now been split into two categories: TCG and Video Game. This club is also responsible for many events in the past years in which players could obtain exclusive Pokémon. As one of its first events, the Pokémon Trainer Club has announced that they will be hosting the “Special Colored Pichu” event at GameStop from January 30th to February 14th.
The website has also been updated with all of the new Heart Gold/Soul Silver artwork, a complete TCG database of the trading cards, and loads of new mini-games to play. More additions to the site can be expected to arrive soon, but if you haven’t already checked it out, it’s definitely worth a visit!
In commemoration of the release of HeartGold and SoulSilver in Japan, The Pokémon Company added two new designs to its Pokémon 151 clothing line. The designs feature Ho-oh and Lugia, the version mascots. Pokémon 151, which now ironically includes Pokémon outside of the original 151, is an adult-targeted clothing line. The website featuring these shirts closed late last year, but they continue to be sold in Pokémon Center stores in Japan. The price tag of the shirts also seems to reflect their marketing towards the older crowd. They weigh in at about $50 US. more…
Although the PokéWalker, the pedometer device for use with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, has been confirmed for Japanese release for a while now, many have been skeptical that it would find its way to the US. We can now confirm that the PokéWalker will indeed be included with the American versions.
As a result of the inclusion of the device, the price tag is supposed to be a bit higher; likely around $39.99.
In addition, our source at The Pokémon Company International stated that it is unclear at this point whether the US will get the Lugia, Ho-oh and Arceus figures as preorder bonuses. On the bright side, our contact also said the US localization team is adamant about making sure we get everything Japan gets.
The generation 2 remakes are set for release in just days, on September 12th in Japan and spring 2010 in the US. Check back with us for new details and videos within the coming days.
The front page of Pokémon.com has officially announced the Generation II remakes to the US. The reveal came with a rough release date of Spring 2010. The teaser page includes a CGI video of the legendary beasts and the version mascots, Lugia and Ho-oh.
Arceus Officially Revealed to USA
Pokémon.com has officially announced the existence of pokémon #493, Arceus. The Alpha Pokémon has been known to exist by many fans since the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in Japan in September 2006. This announcement presumably marks the the coming of an Arceus distribution event and Movie 12 in the USA.
Movie 12 English Title Revealed?
A subtitled version of the twelfth Pokémon movie was played at a film festival in Switzerland. Durning the screening, a possible title for english audiences was revealed: “Arceus and the Jewel of Life.” While this is likely to be the final title, it was not an official announcement.
Our very own joec is reporting from Comic-Con 2009. Take a peek at our official photo gallery for the event to check out all the Pokémon stuff going on!
Pokémon has made the record books again, and this time it has nothing to do with PikaBelleChu.
The highly anticipated 12th Pokémon movie, roughly translated as Arceus: To The Conquering of Space-Time, set a record for being the most pre-sold animated movie ever. The film sold an amazing 2,384,198 pre-ordered tickets before its July 18th opening in Japan.
This is a significant turnaround for the movie series, as ticket sales have been on a steady downward trend ever since the Pokémon: The First Movie.
New Ho-oh and Lugia Designs for Pokémon 151 Line
Although the PokéWalker, the pedometer device for use with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, has been confirmed for Japanese release for a while now, many have been skeptical that it would find its way to the US. We can now confirm that the PokéWalker will indeed be included with the American versions.
Pokemon.com Reveals HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokémon has made the record books again, and this time it has nothing to do with PikaBelleChu.
