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First footage of Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver revealed
As promised, today's episode of Pokémon Sunday brought the now not-so-surprising reveal of Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver. While the actual revelation wasn't particularly mind-blowing, the episode did feature a few seconds of gameplay (posted after the break) that will likely whet the appetites of many a pocket-sized monster fanatic.The gameplay itself isn't that interesting -- the protagonist merely walks in circles a few times -- though we do get a good sense of the Pearl and Diamond-esque art style the remakes will adopt. Also, if this clip is any indication, it looks like your starter pokémon will follow your character around in a Pokémon Yellow-esque fashion. We feel so sorry for Pokémon detractors. If you guys had hearts, that news would make them feel pretty warm.
Speculation: Pokemon Gold and Silver remakes to be announced Sunday
This past Friday, it was announced that Japan's Pokémon Sunday variety show would be making a world exclusive announcement on May 10, leading many to believe the reveal of a new monster-catchin' title was imminent. Speculation on the nature of this new title was set aflame by the image you see above -- a picture of this past episode of Pokémon Sunday, which clearly depicts gold and silver balls hanging precariously from the ceiling.It's fairly tenuous as far as speculation goes, but the timing is right for Pokémon Gold and Silver remakes to hit the street. It's probably too soon for Generation V to be released like a plague unto the world, and Generation IV is pretty much all tapped out. Since Gold and Silver (and Crystal, we guess) are the only ones that haven't had a post-GBC adaptation, it makes sense for them to modernize it. Oh, and to monetize it. Again.
Pokemon Center is a hot Japanese tourist destination
There's plenty of essential sightseeing spots and activities any tourist must partake in during a visit to Japan, such as hitting up the local jumbo-sized arcades, dropping by the beautiful Sensoji Temple, and falling in love with a washed-up actor in a luxurious hotel. However, according to travel site TripAdvisor.com's Top 20 most popular Japanese tourist destinations in 2008, the third-hottest locale for visitors was Tokyo's Pokémon Center store.It seems a little silly that a retail outlet dedicated to Poké-merch was so outrageously popular amongst Japan-bound travelers last year. Then again, where else are you supposed to heal your sick or injured pokémon -- the veterinary hospital? Don't be ridiculous.[Via Kotaku]
Joystiq Review: Pokemon Platinum
The structure of releases in the Pokémon series has always stood defiantly in the face of reason. Installments in the series aren't games, they're "Generations," each of which include two simultaneously released, nearly identical titles, and a third nearly identical title which launches a couple of years after the first two. On top of all of this, the gameplay, story and core mechanics of the game remain extremely similar throughout these "Generations." As a cynic would likely remark, Nintendo has released the same game about 14 times now.Pokémon Platinum is the companion piece to 2007's Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Following in the vein of other third wheels in former generations (such as Pokémon Yellow or Crystal), it leans heavily upon the framework of its predecessors, marginally improving the game's overall aesthetic and adding a handful of new features. But are these minor tweaks enough to justify purchasing an updated RPG that many of you likely purchased two years ago?
Pokemon devs not planning Wii game or MMO
You know your idea for a Pokémon MMO? Or a full Pokémon RPG on a home console? We're talking to all of you here, because literally everyone has come up with those ideas. Anyway, they're not going to happen.Pokémon Platinum game director Junichi Masuda told What They Play, "At this point, we're not thinking of going in that direction.""Trading is a core concept of Pokémon," Masuda said. "So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online." This statement paints Diamond and Pearl's online trading, then, as some kind of concession rather than a defining feature.Masuda also said that the concept for Diamond and Pearl was to produce the "ultimate" Pokémon game. For Platinum? "My direction to (game designer Takechi Kawachimaru, also present at this interview) with Platinum was to produce another ultimate version."
Nintendo launches official Pokemon Platinum site
We've long suffered the blight of the Pokéholic, so we're well aware of the unslakable thirst one can develop for new information as we near the release of another installment in Nintendo's highly lucrative monster indexing franchise. Thankfully, Ninty just released a veritable compendium of Pokéknowledge in the form of the official website for Pokémon Platinum, supporting and elevating our addiction to collectible, pocket-sized animals to extremely dangerous levels.If you've found it hard to follow the slow trickle of news concerning the lustrous revamp of Pearl and Diamond, the site does a good job of clarifying Platinum's updates with a few nifty slideshows. If you want to catch a glimpse of the game's new features, such as the Wi-Fi Plaza, the Battle Frontier, the trippy Distortion World, and the new pokémon forms, we highly suggest checking out the site -- just have a reliable friend at your side to cut you off once you've had enough.
Europe set to catch em' all (again) on May 22
We know our European readers were probably worried that Nintendo decided at some point to stop worrying about making money, and had therefore elected to neglect Europe the latest installment in their pocket-sized monster-indexing franchise, Pokémon Platinum. Fear not, our transatlantic acquaintances -- Ninty just set a European launch date of May 22 for the Diamond and Pearl follow-up. That gives us Americans two whole months to create a devastating arsenal with which to exact our revenge for a little something called the Battle of Lexington. Oh, you thought we'd forgotten?
Rumor: March 22 release for Pokemon Platinum [update]
Our Pokédexes have sat idle too long for our liking, but now new light may have been shed on the North American release of Pokémon Platinum. While the game has yet to emerge in its non-Japanese form on Amazon or GameStop's site, Circuit City just listed the title, and apparently caught a release date in the process: March 22.Naturally, this shouldn't be considered official yet, but a six-month gap between the Japanese and North American versions of a Pokémon title is pretty much the norm by now.Update: Looks like Circuit City pulled the listing, but it was definitely there, we SWEAR. You believe us, right? *puppy dog eyes*%Gallery-25539%[Via Bulbapedia; thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
Blog caught a Pokemon Platinum Video!
Blog used Embed Video!But enough of that. While previous Pokémon Platinum trailers have wasted time showing us Pokémans frolicking in meadows, this latest serving comes with a great big dollop of gameplay sauce. There's more of that weird, topsy-turvy level that we're itching to wrap our minds around, some coverage of Wi-Fi play, plenty of battles, and those five silhouettes of the "new" Pokémon that you may have already theorized about.You can also hit the break to see the most relentlessly chirpy man and woman in Japan talk us through Platinum's minigames and Wi-Fi mode, assisted by some cute kids.%Gallery-25539%
Pokemon Platinum trailer: Pokemans as they were meant to be shown
The latest trailer for Pokémon Platinum shows the series' trademark creatures playing around in their natural habitat: a promotional trailer for a new video game. Also the woods and a field or whatever. It's a lot more pleasing to look at than the last trailer, though the excellent production values on display have less to do with that than the method of capture.Also featured is an absolutely crazy-looking area in which your orientation constantly changes as you walk on surfaces perpendicular to each other, and what appears to be a multiplayer, Pokémon-themed version of Mr. Bucket. Without the mouth. Okay, so it's not like Mr. Bucket at all.%Gallery-25539%
Painful Pokemon Platinum footage
How much do you like Pokemans? Technically, this video is a new trailer for Pokémon Platinum, and thus should have wide appeal, since almost everyone loves Pokémon. But we're warning you that you should probably be quite motivated to see the new Battle Frontier and (we believe) the new Wi-Fi-enabled underground before attempting the challenge of watching this video.It was captured by someone standing in a crowd with a camera watching the trailer, and thus is pretty much as shaky, blurry, and muffled as it could be while still being basically recognizable. But it's a Pokémon Platinum video -- let us show you it! Or "gotta watch 'em all." You're free to use the catchphrase of your choice.%Gallery-25539%
Amazon's Gold Box is full of DS treasures [update 5]
Hey, guess what? You can buy Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Amazon today (and today only) for $25.99! What a minute -- why are we posting about a Brawl deal on DS Fanboy, of all places? Because, friends, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Amazon is offering up nine Nintendo deals today, which (if our guesses are correct) includes five DS games. Since all of the said games are published by Nintendo you might own most of them already, but if not, they're games that are definitely worth getting for cheap. So, all you stingy folks that are able to order from Amazon.com should check past the break to see what Gold Box sales are in store for you today.
Another exhaustive list of Japan's best-sellers of 2007
Remember that haaauuuuge list of Japan's 500 highest-selling games of 2007? Well, sorry, but you'll have to forget them all. Yep, every last one of 'em. That's because we now have a new list which is also claiming to feature the 500 best-selling games of 2007 in Japan. This one has been compiled by Enterbrain (the original was from rival data-gatherers Media Create), and it's ever so slightly different. The good news is that, despite the origins of each list being different, the overriding message is still the same, and that message is: DS rules all yaaay. Both lists agree that Wii Sports was top dog, but the top DS games have been jumbled about. Now, for example, it is the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers games that are top of the DS pile, while Mario Party DS drops to second. The changes are subtle, but definitely exist. Hit the break to see the top ten DS games!
DS Daily: Good representation
With Nintendo dominating both the console and handheld markets, their key franchises have installments on both platforms. Focusing on the DS, which key franchise do you believe has the best entry? Phantom Hourglass? It would probably be New Super Mario Bros., for us. That game is pure Mario Bros. fun. But, what do you all think? Of all the entries in Nintendo franchises on the DS, which one is your favorite? Pokémon Diamond & Pearl? Let's hear it!
The Ultimate Pokemon Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
Do you want to be the very best, like no one ever was? Do you (whatever all the other stuff in the song is)? Nintendo wants you to compete against a bunch of kids in the Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008 event, a massive Pokémon Diamond/Pearl tournament comprising 32 players each from the U.S. and Japan. Before you get to Orlando for Video Armageddon the finals, you must first qualify at a tournament in LA or New York City. And before you can get there, you have to pass a Pokémon Video Game Showdown quiz on the official website.To keep it from really being you vs. a bunch of kids, there are two age categories: one for people born in 1996 or later, and one for people born in 1995 or earlier. So you'd end up competing with -- oh, a bunch of 13-year-olds. There's no way to avoid it; if you want to be a Pokémon Master, you're going to have to make some kids cry.
Pokemon Platinum revealed, set for fall release in Japan
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Pokemon_Platinum_DS_revealed_coming_Fall_to_Japan'; Pokéfanatics across the globe have been anxiously tied to their poké-related news sites over the past few weeks, attempting to prognosticate what gemstone/precious metal/color would serve as the title for the next installment in the beloved monster-enslaving series -- shortly after CoroCoro magazine dropped word of the upcoming Pokémon Platinum, the Sandshrew-swift Nintendo swooped in to confirm the title, and to reveal a fall release window for the game in Japan.Following the pattern of pokéreleases thus far, it will serve as a companion to the two current-generation titles, Diamond and Pearl -- much like Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald did for their respective generations. That means we'll likely be treated to new sprites for many the monsters, and a few tweaks to the story, but not many new entries into the ol' Pokédex. Perhaps that expansion will come in the franchise's next generation, Pokémon Ununbium and Cadmium.[Thanks, Vinay.]
Rumor: CoroCoro Comic reveals Pokemon Platinum
Cash cow -- Nintendo chooses you! As they so strongly hinted, it appears from this scan that CoroCoro Comic magazine has revealed the next Pokémon game from Nintendo, called Pocket Monsters Platina (Pokémon Platinum). We can't read the scan (because it is both tiny and Japanese), but TheTanooki's summary of the article describes it as the next game in the Diamond/Pearl series, with Giratina on the cover. It features an online version of the weird Underground feature from Diamond and Pearl, an Emerald-like "Battle Island," and some new forms for critters like Giratina and Shaymin. According to TheTanooki, Platinum will be out in September in Japan. All of this is classifiable as "rumor" right now, but that scan looks pretty real.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Get your Pokemons for cheap at Circuit City
Circuit City seems to be the place to go for cheap Pokemon games this week. While a few stores are offering Pokemon related deals to celebrate the release of the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, Circuit City has some of the better ones that we've seen. The best deal is Pokemon Emerald for the GBA, which the retailer is offering for $14.99. If you want something more modern, though, you could pick up either Diamond or Pearl, which are marked down to $24.99 for the week. Also, if your sights are set on one of the Mystery Dungeon games, purchasing one at Circuit City will net you a free Pokemon action figure. Unfortunately, we don't know what these figures look like, but since they're free with the purchase, we're not all that concerned. The best part is that these deals are offered online at CircuitCity.com, too, so you don't have to actually leave the comfort of your own home and, you know, socialize. [Via CAG]
Rumor: Pokemans: Let Nintendo sell you them again
The latest issue of CoroCoro Comic has turned out to be a gold mine of Nintendo rumors, as a scan of the magazine has revealed another very believable rumor about a big Nintendo franchise. This time they're strongly implying that a new Pokémon game will come out this year, and that it'll probably be the third game in the Diamond and Pearl series.Since, as the chart here indicates, every pair of Pokémon games are followed by one of these 'remakes' (except for FireRed and LeafGreen, which are themselves remakes), we find this rumor completely plausible. And Pokémon fans, who have been conditioned into a collecting mentality, will buy the game for a third time.[Via NeoGAF]
Joystiq at the Pokemon launch party in NYC
Thousands of Pokemon fans stormed the Nintendo World Store for their incredible Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch party. Getting into the event was no easy task, as the line stretched across a New York avenue. Once inside, fans were treated to equally long lines to purchase the game, and a myriad of activities to partake in. A scavenger hunt had Pokemaniacs survive the heat and go through all the stations set up for fans.Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori from Game Freak stopped by to answer fan's questions and sign autographs. In spite of the surprising success of the Pokemon franchise, the two were incredibly humble and seemed jovial in the presence of their adoring fans. Children (of all ages) crowded the plaza for a chance to meet some of the people responsible for this global phenomenon.To end the festivities, Nintendo made an incredible donation to Earth Day NY: a giant check (is there any other kind?) for $10,000 was presented to the eco-friendly charity. The event was a blast, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits. Considering the thousands of people in attendance, it's safe to say that the Pokemon phenomenon is still going strong.%Gallery-2731%
