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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 capture top UK sales spots
Pokemon White and Black fulfilled their destinies by capturing the top spots on Chart-Track's UK sales chart this past week. The latest iteration on the franchise became "the biggest ever launch of Pokemon games across one weekend in the UK," according to Chart-Track. The White version outsold Black by 13,000 copies. Combining the sibling title's sales, it is the third largest Nintendo launch in the UK, behind Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii. The third place belt went to Fight Night Champion, which would have premiered at the top of the charts this week if it hadn't been for those pesky (and adorable) poke-critters. Bulletstorm slipped from second to fourth, while Killzone 3 went from first to fifth. Other noteworthy debuts on the chart are PC titles Dawn of War 2: Retribution and Rift, at 17 and 19, respectively. Of course, these are only box retail figures -- the magical (and likely larger) digital distribution sales numbers are in the hands of the respective platform holders. Check out the UK top ten after the break.
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 and White DSi bundles sneak in before 3DS release
Even with the 3DS launching in March, Nintendo is offering some incentive to buy a regular DSi instead (or additionally, of course): Pokémon pictures! The company announced limited-edition Pokémon Black and White DSi bundles, coming to North America on March 6. The bundle includes either a black or white DSi with an etched image of the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram and Zekrom, a matching copy of the new game, and an exclusive DSi case. It'll cost $179.99, about $5 less than buying the game and a DSi separately. A small relief, we're sure, to the Pokémon superfans and/or DS collectors who feel compelled to buy both.
Gamestop distributing Celebi before Pokemon Black and White launch
Jeez, between all the different Pokémon promotional events held over the past few months, it seems plausible that we could "catch em' all" before Pokémon Black and White even hits store shelves. Here's another one for the pile: From February 21 through March 6, owners of one of the existing DS Pokémon games can stop by their local Gamestop and download Celebi, the time-traveling Pokémon for (eventual) use in Black or White. The little guy will even come with a bonus move that's not accessible through normal training in the game. Also? He's adorable. There's extra incentive for you to grab Celebi from Gamestop while you can: transferring him over to your save file in Pokémon Black or White is the only way that you can access the new, shape-shifting Pokémon Zorua. You don't want to be the only kid on your block that doesn't have a Zorua, do you? Just think of all the smug looks you'd get from your neighbors.
Pokemon Trainer Challenge brings the trading card game online
The problem with trading card games is that you have to have friends around to play them -- and, a lot of times, that means you actually have to leave the house. In a video game, roaming the world in search of Pokémon may be relatively safe, but out in the real world, there are certain dangers that need to be taken into consideration. Bears, diseases and cosplayers are all real threats. That's why we're excited about the Pokémon Trainer Challenge, a new Flash version of the TCG coming to the internet near you this April. Using three pre-constructed decks, you'll be able to face off against 12 virtual trainers across three leagues in the online game, hopefully learning enough to keep you from embarrassing yourself at the next Saffron City Social. Pokémon Trainer Challenge will require a free Pokémon Trainer Club account to play. You can find more details on Pokemon.com. %Gallery-116787%
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.
Layton's Unwound Future and Kirby's Epic Yarn join Nintendo's million-seller club
In a supplemental document to Nintendo's latest quarterly earnings report, the company noted its million-sellers during the past three fiscal quarters (April–Dec. 2010), with Professor Layton and pink power-puff Kirby standing out from the games featuring keywords: Mario, Pokémon and Wii. Through the end of 2010, DS puzzler Professor Layton and the Unwound Future had reached global sales of 1.9 million units since its September 12 debut, while Dragon Quest IX just squeezed into the million-seller club with 1.02 million copies sold (since July 11). The Wii-llion seller list for the nine-month period featured several Mario and Wii [Fill in Blank] games, but Donkey Kong Country Returns was also a popular pick, moving a bananas 4.21 million units since its late-November release. Additionally, Kirby's Epic Yarn managed to stitch up sales of 1.4 million units in two and a half months at retail. Sitting on top of DS and Wii million-sellers for the period were Pokemon Black/White with 5.3 million copies sold (and it's not even out in North America and Europe yet!) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 with a hearty 6.2 million units in mushroom-fueled sales, respectively.
Pokemon Black and White getting PC connectivity, exclusive web content
Though Pokémon Black and White won't include the neat little Pokéwalker peripheral included in last year's HeartGold and SoulSilver, it won't be without alternative methods for monster collection. Nintendo has announced the Pokémon Global Link, a website launching this spring (shortly after the games' release) which will allow players to sync their save files to an online profile, giving them access to a wide range of tools with which to network with their fellow trainers. The site will let players keep track of their online battle statistics, assigning them a worldwide ranking which may grant them eligibility to participate in live regional, national and global tournaments. The site will also play host to mini-games which will let players collect Pokémon and items which they can transfer back to their Black and White cartridges. One such game lets players sync a monster from their game to the website, and explore their dreams online -- dreams that are ripe with transferable collectables. Pokémon Inception, then? Don't mind if we do.
Pokemon Black and White's 'triple battles' will change everything
Compared to the usual, minor changes between Pokémon games, the ability to bring three pokémon into a fight in Black or White is nothing short of revolutionary. Perhaps this trailer will help you wrap your mind around the chaos of six pokémon out at the same time!
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.
UK catches Pokemon Black and White March 4
UK Pokemon trainers will gain a crucial tactical advantage over their American counterparts on March 4, when Pokemon Black and White launch in that country, two days ahead of the North American release. This date comes courtesy of Official Nintendo Magazine. To take full advantage of this ... advantage, we've got just the plan for you: first, buy the game. Then, get on the first plane to the USA and train your team the entire time. Then, wait outside of the GameStop until the first customers get their copies. Challenge them to battles on the way out, and bask in the assured victory until the police get here. Then your return travel will be booked for you (when you're deported)!
Rumor: GameStop to distribute Celebi for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
There are already plenty of upcoming opportunities for you to go to stores and download new Pokemon for HeartGold, SoulSilver, Diamond and Pearl. According to reports claimed to originate from GameStop employees with access to the promotional materials for those events, there is still one more that has yet to be announced. In the underworld of retail Pokemon data distribution events, news travels fast. According to the reports, GameStop will offer Celebi downloads from February 27 through March 7. This is noteworthy enough, as Celebi is exceptionally rare, but this particular Celebi activates a time-travel event when encountered in HeartGold and SoulSilver, which can't be accessed any other way. Having this Celebi and transferring it into the upcoming Pokemon Black or White will also allow you to get a Zorua, one of the new Pokemon in that game. So, in conclusion, we just wrote a whole bunch about a Pokemon distribution event that hasn't been announced. Didn't expect to do that today.
PSP is Japan's best-selling console of 2010, Pokemon Black/White the top game
You could probably guess the two best-selling games in Japan this year: Pokemon Black and White and Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. The DS monster collecting adventure and the PSP monster murder adventure sold 4,734,064 and 3,163,750 units respectively, according to a year-end report by ASCII. Monster Hunter managed to finish in second place after less than one month of sales -- it was released on December 1. It should come as no surprise, given the blockbuster status of those two, that the DS and PSP were the best-selling hardware platforms in Japan as well. The PSP was the only console to show growth in sales versus 2009, selling 600,000 more consoles than the previous year. 2,719,544 DS systems were sold in 2010, down a million from 2009. Find out how other systems did, and see the rest of the top ten best-selling games, after the break.
Pokemon Black and White dated March 6 for North America
Nintendo's encapsulated warrior creatures return to North America in a new adventure with Pokémon Black and Pokemon White on March 6, 2011. The two versions of the game continue the tradition of being slightly different (this time, slightly more than usual) with different locations, creatures and seasons available. The Black version will offer the Pokémon Reshiram and a setting called Black City, while White will contain the "lush, green area" of White Forest and let you capture Zekrom. The game will also feature seasons this time around, with certain areas only becoming accessible during specific times of the year and several creatures -- of the 150 new ones in the game -- appearing more frequently at specific periods. Nintendo of America has made no mention of those classy Pokémon Black and White DSis with regards to a stateside release.
Call of Duty: Black Ops debuts at #1 (and #7) in Japan
Call of Duty: Black Ops launched in Japan last week, and though it wasn't the major cultural phenomenon it was here, it managed to top the Media Create sales charts for the week of Nov. 15-21. Well, the PS3 version did, anyway, with 128,922 copies sold. The Xbox 360 version came in at #7 with 30,279 copies. This is just the subtitled release -- it'll get another sales boost in December when the dubbed version arrives. Other success stories in Japan last week include the sequel to Fossil Fighters on DS at #2, Pokemon Black/White at #3, Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition at #4, and Tactics Ogre on PSP at #5. Black Ops trumped Colors last week, as Sonic raced to a #33 finish on Wii and #49 on DS.
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.
