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PokePark 2: Beyond the World coming to Wii this fall
Hey internet, remember PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure? It was that not entirely unlike Tiny Toon Adventures 2: Trouble in Wackyland minigame collection set in a Pokemon-themed poke-themepark, remember? You and Pikachu had to complete minigames and make new pokepals in order to collect the 14 missing Sky Prism pieces for Mew. Really? Not ringing any bells? Well, Nintendo and Creatures Inc remember it, and they're making another one. The latest issue of CoroCoro Comics has revealed PokePark 2: Beyond the World, headed to the Wii (in Japan, at least) this winter. Pikachu returns as the title's star pocket monster, bringing with him additional playable pals and 4 person multiplayer. No further details are available at the moment, but Tokyo Game Show's imminent hugeness looms over the horizon in a reassuring fashion.
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.
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 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!
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.
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.
Presidents of the United States of America pen a Pokemon song
It's ever-so-rare that the things we love on this planet converge as expertly as they do for the song posted after the jump, so let's all take a second to really soak in this moment. Ahhhh. Feels good, right? Once you're done savoring, go listen to the Presidents of the United States of America's latest track, "Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All)," a tribute to some of the new collectible creatures in Pokémon Black and White. Sure, it may lack the deeply funky bassline of a "Dune Buggy," or the raw, face-destroying rock of a "Love Everybody" -- but it's still the Presidents, dishing out tips on the latest installment in the Pokémon franchise. It is delight, in its purest form.
Pokemon Black and White review: This year's model
Pokémon, I love you -- but you're bringing me down. Don't let either half of that opening assertion cheapen the significance of the other. More than any previous installment in the franchise, Pokémon Black and White taps into the visceral core of what makes the series so exceptional. The compulsion for all-catching is as strong as ever, the new roster is the best generational addition to the universal Pokécatalog, and the capacity for building, customizing and perfecting your team is the deepest its ever been. However, for all its iterative improvements, Pokémon Black and White still feel like this year's model. The framework the game is built around, while sturdy, is the very same skeleton which propped up literally every other generation that came before it. After five generations, this duplication has lost its nostalgic charm -- now it just seems like the series' creators possess a frankly befuddling hostility towards change. %Gallery-90865%
Pokemon Black and White launch event coming to Nintendo World Store
You should probably clear your schedule on the afternoon of Saturday, March 5 -- unless, of course, you want to miss out on the coolest* party of the year. On the eve of the launch of Pokémon Black and White, Nintendo's hosting a launch shindig at its Nintendo World Store in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Attendees can check out original Pokémon artwork, and can collect stamps on a "passport," which they can exchange for a limited edition Poké-T-shirt. We're guessing the passport allows you to travel to cooltown**. Attendees can also go to a special download station to grab a Liberty Pass, a key item which lets players catch the new legendary Pokémon Victini -- which you'll also be able to do from home over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. * - least cool ** - anywhere but cooltown
Pokemon Black & White preview: a clear-cut sequel
Given its focus on cute, cuddly animals, it seems odd to describe the Pokémon series as hardcore, yet generation after generation of games have created an elite group of dedicated players who have "caught 'em all." They know every stat, every attribute and every breeding strategy needed to edge out competitors. As the divide between hardcore and casual Pokémon players grew, it seemed Nintendo had reason enough to press the reset button. "A new player is starting on the same footing as a Pokémon expert," a Nintendo representative told me while pitching the latest games in the series, Black & White. At first glance, it's just another Pokémon game: you go around the 2D world collecting monsters to use in RPG-styled battles. This time, however, you won't encounter the Pokémon you've come to know, grow and love. There's an all-new set of 150+ critters to collect, meaning everyone will have to learn a brand new Pokedex to stay competitive. "That's a good idea," I retort. "But if there aren't any new elemental types, then won't people just apply the same strategies as before?" Yes, the Nintendo representative had encountered a wild Pokemon nerd, ready for battle.%Gallery-90865%
Grab Pokemon Black or White at launch, get new legendary monster Victini
You probably won't win every single battle in Pokémon Black and White, but that doesn't mean you can't always lay claim to victory. Anyone who grabs one of the twin titles before April 10 will be able to obtain a "Liberty Pass" using the game's Wi-Fi connect mode -- a special item that allows the player to catch the newest legendary monster Victini, who, in some circles, is known as "the victory Pokémon." Victini's got access to a range of Fire and Psychic abilities, including one that lets you boost the accuracy of all your team's Pokémon in a particular fight -- making it indispensable for the series' new Triple Battle systems. PLUS: it's adorable.
Pokemon Black and White reach five million sales in Japan
The two latest additions to the neverending Pokémon franchise managed to move an incredible 2.6 million units during their first two days on Japanese store shelves -- but how have Black and White fared since then? Unsurprisingly, they've done just fine; according to sales statistics from Enterbrain, this week saw the pair's combined sales reach 5,036,724 units. Pokémon Black and White aren't the first games to reach this impressive mark -- in fact, four other DS games have managed to reach five million sales in the past. However, no other DS title has managed to reach five million quite as quickly as Black and White, which have only been available for 17 weeks. We guess that just goes to prove that, for some people "Gotta Catch 'Em All" isn't just a catchphrase, it's a way of life.
Pokemon to invade your local mall around 'Black and White' release
We knew this day would come -- we just knew it. Fortunately, we've had a contingency plan for years now, on the off chance that wild Pokémon should ever infest our local shopping mall. If you'll turn your attention to Diagram 6C in your Poké-Survival Guide, you'll see where we've marked the locations most safe from these powerful menaces. For instance, that Hot Topic? It's really well-reinforced against some of the larger ones, and the music should scare away any monsters with unobstructed ears. The Orange Julius kiosk? That's what we like to call a "kill zone." Do not, under any circumstances, wander into the Orange Julius. Oh, wait -- you mean that Nintendo is just demoing Pokémon Black and White at various malls around the games' release date, March 6, a full list and schedule for which is posted after the jump? We suppose that makes a lot more sense. You'd better stay away from that Orange Julius, though. Just to be safe.
Gamestop and Toys R Us offering Pokemon download promos next month
If your six-strong roster in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver could use a little sparkle, a little pizazz, a little shimmer -- any of that stuff, a handful of download promotions slated for early next year should satisfy your needs quite well. You can download rare, shiny versions of legendary monsters Raikou, Entei and Suicine during various week-long periods in January at Gamestop. Check out the schedule of their availability after the jump, and plan your retail excursions accordingly. If you're looking for something a little more plain Jane, you can pick up Ash's Pikachu -- a version of the iconic lightning mouse with a special set of abilities -- at Toys R Us between January 30 and February 5. Don't get it twisted, though; this guy starts out at level 50. This isn't the adorable mascot you came to know and love in the anime series. This Pikachu is a hardened killing machine. [Thanks, Michael!]
Japan votes to decide the world's most popular Pokemon
The Pokémon Company recently polled the hardcore players of its monster-collecting franchise to find out who's the most popular 'mon of all time. You'd think Pikachu, right? Like, that's a totally logical assumption, considering how much exposure that little yellow bastard has received over the years. Unfortunately, you're totally wrong -- first place went to Arceus, a legendary Pokémon first introduced in Diamond and Pearl. Fellow legendaries Darkrai and Deoxys came in second and third place, respectively, followed by Pikachu in fourth and Meowth in fifth. As Siliconera points out, seeing as how the polls were conducted among hardcore players, the polls probably skewed towards the more powerful guys rather than the more recognizable guys, which is not the best metric for determining popularity. Like, we were clearly the buffest guys at our high school, but we were never elected prom king, you know? What? Why are you laughing?
One of life's great mysteries revealed: How Pokemon get made
Where do Pokémon come from? No, we're not talking about the means of Poké-reproduction -- a subject matter typically skirted around in the core game franchise (do those eggs just magically appear?) -- rather, who designs, names and provides statistics for each of the game's 649 creatures? A handful of Game Freak designers recently outlined the process to 1UP -- and it's not quite as unfeelingly scientific as you might think. "There's about 17 people in our design team, and generally what happens is they each draw their own Pokémon and then they get discussed over group meetings," Game Freak co-founder Ken Sugimori explained. He added that, for Pokémon Black and White, the lead designers focused on the game's pair of legendary monsters, while the younger staffers created the three new starters. Considering the special places we have in our hearts for the Squirtles and Charmanders of the series, that's quite a bit of pressure for the newbies. Check out the full interview for more insight into the the miracle of Poké-life.
Get the original secret Pokemon, Mew, for HeartGold and SoulSilver
While the rest of you suckers are going to be running around, perfectly content with your housetrained Mewtwos, we're going to take advantage of an upcoming promotion from Nintendo -- one which allows us to come face to face with the original event Pokémon: Mew. You too can lock down Number 151 by using the Mystery Gift option on your copy of Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver from October 15 until October 30. The Mew you'll receive is only Level 5, meaning the world's your oyster when it comes to how you decide to raise the little guy. We're unsure of where we'd like to focus his stats, but we are certain that we're going to name him Joey, and make him wear a little baseball cap, and he will be our precious little perfect angel.
Pokemon Black and White get limited edition DSis in Japan
If you've got a bizarre hang-up about playing video games on consoles that don't have Pokémon branded upon their hulls, you'll be pleased to learn that you'll soon be able to add the DSi to your list of allowed devices. On November 20, Japanese store shelves will be stocked with limited edition Pokémon Black and White DSis, each of which come with a copy of the appropriately hued monster-catching title. Each handheld prominently features Black and White's main Legendaries, Reshiram and Zekrom -- a premium for which shoppers will have to pay 19,800 yen (a tad more than the DSi's standard 15,000 yen price point). Is it worth the extra cash? We're not sure, but as far as special edition Pokémon-branded handhelds go, this one's kind of ... classy? Yeah, classy.
Pokemon Black and White sell over 2.6 million in Japanese launch
We find comfort in the known constants of our universe. You know, things like the laws of thermodynamics, or the fact that every time a new Pokémon game hits store shelves in Japan, people go absolutely bananas for it. Today, we have a figure for just how bananas these pocket-sized monster enthusiasts went: Within the first two days of their launch, Pokémon Black and White racked up over 2.6 million units sold. As a point of contrast, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver only pulled in 1.4 million units during their first two days on store shelves last year. We guess Japanese gamers value the grayscale dichotomy of Black and White over the flash and elegance of Gold and Silver. Or maybe, just maybe, all those new pokémon had something to do with it.
