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Music from Pokemon Black, White now available on iTunes
Apple's ubiquitous online music store has picked up another Pokemon soundtrack, this one featuring the tunes found in Pokemon Black and Pokemon White. "Now fans can revisit the sounds of the Unova region thanks to a beautifully remastered soundtrack from Pokemon Black Version and Pokemon White Version," reads the official announcement. "The soundtrack contains music composed by Junichi Masuda, Shota Kageyama, Hitomi Sato, Go Ichinose, Morikazu Aoki, Minako Adachi and Satoshi Nohara, and is arranged by Shota Kageyama, Hitomi Sato, Go Ichinose and Minako Adachi." Musically-inclined Pokemaniacs will be happy to learn that this is only the latest Pokemon soundtrack to hit iTunes. Previously releases include Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, HeartGold and SoulSilver, FireRed and LeafGreen, Diamond and Pearl and the two most recent games, Pokemon X and Y. Those hoping to catch 'em all should note that one more soundtrack album is planned for release later this year, though there is no firm window for when the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 soundtrack might appear. [Image: Nintendo]
Netflix captures Pokemon cartoons, movies this March
Like Hulu before it, streaming video giant Netflix is expanding its portfolio of films and TV shows to include a selection of animated Pokemon fare. Come March 1, Pokemaniacs will find two movies and two seasons of the Pokemon animated series listed on Netflix. American Netflix subscribers will receive access to Pokemon: Indigo League (better known as the first season of the series), while Pokemon: Black & White will come available to everyone, regardless of location. To complement the global addition of Pokemon: Black & White, Netflix is also adding Pokemon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram and Pokemon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom, two Pokemon films which made their US debut in 2012. As with all Netflix offerings, these shows and movies are only available to Netflix streaming subscribers. If you don't have the scratch to afford $8 per month, we'd recommend you pay a visit to Pokemon TV. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have generously set up the site as a repository where fans can stream many episodes of the animated series at no charge. [Image: The Pokemon Company]
EB Games, JB Hi-Fi handing out shiny Pokemon down under
Dilemma: You want free shiny Pokemon (and who doesn't, let's be honest), but having your home in Australia makes a trip to one of the giveaways at Gamestop in the US a little problematic. Solution: Just head over to your local EB Games instead, as they'll be offering the very same virtual gifts. Legendary Pokemon Dialga, Palkia and Giratina will be on offer at participating EB Games in Australia and JB Hi-Fi Stores in New Zealand, Nintendo Australia has announced. Each Pokemon will be available one at a time, for two weeks. You'll need your Pokedex and can have no more than 11 Wonder Cards in your possession. No purchase is necessary, though we're sure EB wouldn't mind if you picked up a bauble or two. Find the schedule for each Pokemon after the break.
Gamestop, GAME to distribute shiny legendary Pokemon
Pokemon's rare 'creation trio' is coming to GameStop and GAME stores in the US and UK, where in the run-up to Pokemon X and Y fans can pick up special "shiny" versions of the legendary monsters. In case you're not 100 percent clued up on your Pokedex, shiny Pokemon have unusual alternate colors, making them collector's items in a series that is kind of completely about collecting. Participating GameStop and GAME stores will distribute Dialga, Palkia, and Giratana, the three cover Pokemon of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, in a series of three separate runs. We've included details for both US and UK Poke-fans after the break, who'll need to bring a DS or 3DS with them, along with their copy of White, Black, White 2, or Black 2. Our eyes, however, remain firmly set on October 12, when the first main Pokemon entries for the 3DS in X and Y will be released worldwide.
GameStop offering exclusive downloadable Mythical Pokemon on Aug. 27
On August 20, Nintendo will reveal more info on a promotion taking place at your local GameStop later this month. From August 27 until October 6, a new Mythical Pokémon will be unlocked for all players who head to their local GameStop and download the exclusive Pokémon in either Pokémon White or Pokémon Black.The only info about this new Pokémon lies in the image above – it's some kind of horse thing, we guess? Like a flamey-haired horse thing? Look for the official unveiling on August 20.[Thanks, Deoxys911.]
Catch Mewtwo in Pokemon White and Black starting on Feb. 12
It was hard for us to trust Pokémon again after Gold and Silver came out. We had spent years learning every minute detail about the original 151, and suddenly all of that work and devotion was worthless? What's more, it needed repeating with 100 more Pokemon? We may have been young tykes, but we were old enough to feel broken.Regardless, the Kanto Pokemon still hold a special place in our hearts, and it's endearing to see one of the most awesome monsters in the OG Pokedex coming back into the fold. Starting on February 12, Mewtwo (#150 for you whippersnappers out there) will be distributed to Pokémon White/Black via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service "for a limited time."Further information about the event is forthcoming, but we do know that the legendary clone comes packing "an exclusive move that Mewtwo cannot normally learn," which we're hoping is an ability that takes us back to the days of the PokeRap and Team Rocket's original voice actors.
Pokemon World Championship Series dated
Warm up your Bidoofs and polish off your Pawniards, because it's time to start preparing your flock of collectable pocket monsters for the 2012 Pokemon Championship Series! Comprised of a series of battles held across Europe, the top 4 trainers from each tournament will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Pokemon World Championship in sunny, distinctly non-european Hawaii, USA. Players are separated into three divisions based on age: Junior, for those born after 2001, Senior, for those born between 1997 and 2000, and Master, for grizzled old Poke-veterans born before 1996. All participants must bring their own (3)DS and must battle using their regions' version of Pokemon Black/White. The latest National Pokedex has been opened for use, meaning that all all 646 Pokemon are eligible for ranked tournament battles, save for a small handfull of legendary and extremely rare monsters. Check out this PDF for the complete rules and jump past the break for tournament dates and locations.
A wild Victini appears, just in time for the new Pokemon movie
We're guessing that a majority of our readership isn't too terribly stoked for the two-day theatrical arrival of Pokémon the Movie: White-Victini and Zekrom, which is really the real name of a real movie. This, however, may tickle your fancy: Coinciding with the film's December 3 launch, players of Pokemon Black and White will be able to grab a Level 50 Victini through the game's Wi-Fi Connection portal. This promotion comes with two benefits, the first of which being that Victini, a legendary Fire and Psychic type with moves that enhance the powers of his teammates, is a powerhouse. The second is that you don't have to go to Toys R' Us to attempt to stealthily grab Victini, living in constant fear that you'll end up on some kind of government watchlist. %Gallery-140408%
Nobody on the planet is as good at Pokemon as Ray Rizzo
Ray Rizzo is the greatest Pokémon player on the planet. We have a number of reasons for thinking that -- the most obvious being that Ray Rizzo is the greatest name a human being has ever been given -- but Rizzo's accomplishments speak for themselves. He placed first in the Masters division of the 2011 Pokémon World Championships, bringing the gold home for the United States; as did Junior and Senior division winners Brian Hough and Kamran Jahadi. Take that, every other country! These big, American heroes will take home portions of a $100,000 scholarship fund made available to competitors in the video game and trading card game tournaments. Still, we think being lifted on the shoulders of your peers and told that you're the greatest Pokémon player on the planet is probably reward enough.
Nintendo has one million seller per console in last quarter
The NPD suggested that audiences were receptive of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (by which we mean they bought it), but new data from Nintendo reveals just how successful the game was in its debut month. In its list of million-selling first-party titles for the last quarter (ending June 30), Ocarina of Time is the only 3DS game listed, having sold 1.08 million copies -- approximately 270,000 in Japan, 810,000 elsewhere. Nintendo's other platforms also feature one lonely million seller each ... well, technically there are two on the DS, combined: Pokemon Black and White sold 1.36 mllion in the quarter, bringing it up to a global life-to-date total of 12.87 million. And Mario Kart Wii repped for the Wii all by itself, selling 1.22 million in the quarter, up to a ridiculous 2.82 million lifetime total.
Wolfe Glick is the very best, like no one ever was
Americans, gather round and pay tribute to our nation's most esteemed representatives: The best and brightest Pokémon trainers who have battled their way to the top of the U.S. tournament ladder. This past weekend, the winners of each regional Pokémon Video Game Championship bracket faced off in Indianapolis, weeding out the top eight trainers from the Junior (born after 2000), Senior (born 1995 - 1999) and Master (born before 1995) divisions. These 24 youngsters will now head to San Diego, Calif. where they'll face off against other top-tier players from around the globe in the Pokémon Video Game World Championships. Check out the full list of eligible trainers after the jump. We're personally pulling for the Zheng brothers, who locked down top spots in the Junior and Senior brackets. Of course, we're also big fans of Wolfe Glick, the Master-tier Champion; though that has less to do with his remarkable monster-dueling prowess, and more to do with his preposterously amazing name.
Pokemon charity marathon aims to catch them all at the same time
If you haven't spent all your money on charity gaming marathons yet, another opportunity for you to throw money at human suffering is coming up -- and this time, it's a test of both endurance and gluttony. Starting on July 15, Pro3Studios will embark on a 72-hour marathon, in which it will attempt to catch all the Pokémon species in Pokémon FireRed, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, and White -- simultaneously. The gameplay will be streamed on a 3x3 grid, allowing you to watch it all happen in real time. As this is going on, the group will accept donations through PayPal for the Children's Miracle Network. Those donations will allow viewers the privilege of naming some Pokémon and specifying a song for one of the players to sing on air -- and also, you know, help children.
Pokemon Regional Tournaments end with a Dragon Rush of stats
People who dedicate a significant portion of their lives to the honorable art of capturing and training Pokemon deserve some recognition and, this summer, they're getting it. The 2011 Pokemon Black and Pokemon White Video Game Championship just completed its Regional Tournaments, and the kingdom's most powerful trainers have revealed some strategies regarding their noble creatures, as compiled by IGN. Hydreigon, a Dark/Dragon Pokemon with three pairs of wings and a vicious cry, was the clear champion at Regionals, helping compose 53 percent of winning teams. Dark and Grass Pokemon made up 15 percent each of the most-used primary types, while Steel took a low 1 percent. Trainers used Protect for 14 percent of their moves, a clear majority when compared to the next-highest move, Rock Slide, at only 5.5 percent. For some pretty pictures to go along with the stats and a list of Regional winners, take a peek at IGN's post. National Championships run July 8-10 in Indianapolis, Indiana, because that's where heroes are made.
Nintendogs + Cats is Nintendo's first 3DS million seller
As it does after every earnings report, Nintendo sent out a "supplementary" release featuring all of the first-party games that sold a million copies or more in the last fiscal year. One 3DS game made the cut: Nintendogs + Cats, which sold 460,000 units in Japan and 1.25 million in the West. The odds were kind of stacked in favor of this game -- it was released in three different versions, it was the only first-party game at launch, and puppies are cute. On Wii, Mario Sports Mix made it into the million-seller category, with a worldwide 1.54 million copies. And Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition proved the viability (unfortunately) of selling an SNES game in a $30 box, by shifting 2.24 million units. On DS, Pokémon Black and White are up to a combined 11.51 million units, which, in our professional estimation, is an uncomfortably large number.
Pokemon Black and White World Championship detailed, kicks off next month
You've caught 'em all. You've trained them. You've bred them, trained them, and then EV trained them. You've hunted for their rare, shiny counterparts. You've done every little thing there is to do in the confines of Pokémon Black and White -- but you haven't yet taken on the world. Like, the real world. You know, the one we live in? Nintendo announced today its schedule for the 2011 Pokémon World Championship, a killer, three-month-long event which will test the mettle of trainers across the U.S. and Europe. Players in the U.S. will have to attend a qualifying event held in one of six cities, starting with Seattle on May 14. Each qualifier will send sixteen players from the Junior Division (players born in 2000 or later) and the Senior Division (players born before 2000) to the National Championships on July 8 in Indianapolis. From there, the top eight will move on to the World Championships in San Diego on August 12, where they'll battle for fame, fortune and global Pokémon bragging rights, which is way more valuable then those other two things. Check out the full schedule for the tournaments in the press release posted after the jump!
March NPD: Let Pokemon show you its sales
The 3DS launched last month to mixed results, as far as we can tell. NPD doesn't report hardware numbers, of course, but the agency reports that in its first seven days on the market, the handheld's performance "compares quite favorably to that of the best-selling dedicated handheld gaming platform of all time, the Nintendo DS." It sold about 100,000 fewer units than the 479,000 DS did in its launch month -- but that was a November. Nintendo previously said the console had the best first day of any handheld in US history. Even so, it managed not to be the top seller of the month. That honor goes to ... the Nintendo DS. And here's why. The top two games, unsurprisingly, are both DS titles -- Pokemon Black and White, the latter of which is the best-selling Pokemon game at launch ever, the NPD says. In fact, the only 3DS title on the top 10 is Lego Star Wars 3, and that shares the position with Wii, DS, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the same game. The NPD provides no indication of how many copies were sold on any one platform. Directly under the Pokemans at No. 3 is Homefront, suggesting that as far as gimmicks go, not being very good trumps 3D. A pair of debuts from EA, Dragon Age 2 and Crysis 2, also found their way into the top 10 -- the full list can be seen after the break.
Pokemon Black and White use $10 off on Amazon, it's super effective
If you've been holding off on purchasing Pokémon Black and White until its price is reduced or until you overcome your fears of what your grown-ass friends will think -- well, you can put one of those to rest. The new generation is available for $24.99 on Amazon as the current Deal of the Day.
Pokemon Black and White sell 2 million in U.S. in first two weeks
The Pokémon franchise is commonly criticized for refusing to change between generations -- luckily for Nintendo, one of the elements that doesn't seem to change over the years is all the mad, mad money each new installment pulls in. Nintendo of America recently Tweeted to inform its followers Pokémon Black and White have sold 2 million units in the U.S. during their first two weeks on store shelves. On top of the 5 million-plus copies that have sold in Japan, we think it's safe to say that gamers aren't scared off by all the similarities to previous iterations of the franchise. We're a little worried about the game's success, though -- after all, it's going to be rather difficult to be the very best (like no one ever was) when over 7 million people share our aspirations.
Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart
Dragon Age 2, as it was foretold by the Chantry prophecies, took the top spot on Chart-Track's all formats UK sales chart for the week of March 6. Hawke's ascension meant that s/he pushed back the Pokémon of the White and Black breeds to second and fourth place, respectively. Fight Night Champion beat up most of the competition to retain third place, while Just Dance 2's seductive moves helped it slide up two spots to fifth. The big move last week was THQ's uDraw Studio (with Game Tablet), which shot up into tenth place from #83 in its second week at retail. Check out the complete UK top ten after the break.
Pokemon Black and White sells 1.08 million on US launch day
Worried that the latest Pokémon generation wouldn't find much traction on North American store shelves due to their absence of titular color? Your fears were unwarranted -- within the first 24 hours of their launch, 1.08 million copies of Pokémon Black and White were sold, beating out the record of 780,000 units set by Pokémon Pearl and Diamond. The reason for this growth? It probably has something to do with the fact that we keep getting older, but still love playing Pokémon, and also babies keep getting born, and eventually they love playing Pokémon too. That's no unnatural phenomenon -- that's basic physical anthropology.
