January - June 2005: Pokemon Emerald at #2!

-07/29/05-

Pokemon Emerald is on pace on doing what it has been doing for years, being one of the top selling games of the year.

For the period of January through June this year, the NPD Group reported that Pokemon Emerald is the second best selling game in that time period. At this rate, Pokemon will yet again have a place in the top selling games of the year. Pokemon Emerald is only behind Gran Turismo 4, which was released back in February (Pokemon Emerald was released in April).

January - June 2005: Top 10 Video Game Titles (Sorted By Units)

1. Gran Turismo 4 (PS2) - Sony Computer Ent.

2. Pokemon Emerald (GBA) - Nintendo of America

3. MVP Baseball 2005 (PS2) - Electronic Arts

4. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (PS2) - LucasArts

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2) - Take2

6.  God of War (PS2) - Sony Computer Ent.

7.  Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA) - Nintendo of America

8.  Resident Evil 4 (GCN) - Capcom USA

9.  Midnight Club 3: DUD Edition (PS2) - Take2

10. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (XBOX) - LucasArts

Pokemon Emerald is still selling well, it took second place for the month of June.

June 2005: Top 10 Video Game Titles (Sorted By Units)

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (XBOX) - Take2

2. Pokemon Emerald (GBA) - Nintendo of America

3. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (PS2) - LucasArts

4. Medal of Honor: European Assault (PS2) - LucasArts

5. Conker: Live and Reloaded (XBOX) - Microsoft

6. LEGO Star Wars (PS2) - Eidos

7. Madagascar (PS2) - Activision

8. Madagascar (GBA) - Activision

9. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition (PS2) - Take2

10. Destroy All Humans! (PS2) - THQ

Related Links

Pokemon Emerald

Pokemon Rocks America!

-07/29/05-

The Pokemon Rocks America event will visit five US cities starting in September through October. The dates are now revealed:

September 17th

October 1st

October 8th

October 15th

October 22nd

The exact locations of the Pokemon Rocks America event will be revealed next month.

Pokemon Rocks America Description

Get ready for the biggest Pokemon party in the U.S.! That's right - more games, more prizes, more stage shows, and more mania! We'll have playable video games, opportunities to trade and battle with thousands of other Pokemon fans, Pokemon Trading Card Game clinics and demonstrations, and more!

Meet your favorite Pokemon characters live - some of them never before seen at a Pokemon Rocks America event! Also, these events will be the first chance for you to get a hold of some exclusive items - like exclusive products at our traveling Pokemon Center store or even some super-secret Pokemon video game giveaways...keep checking back here at Pokemon.com to learn more of the details!

But the best part is that admission is FREE! That's right, FREE!

EX Master Trainer Decks Released!

-07/13/05-

The EX Master Trainer Decks are released today. Two decks are available: Blaziken Deck and Gardevoir Deck.

EX Master Trainer Decks Description

Get everything you need to become a Master Trainer! The EX Master Trainer Deck brings you endless Pokemon TCG fun, with a 60-card deck containing all the ingredients to challenge and outwit another player at every turn! Also included are two specially designed 10-card packs. That's a total of 80 cards! EX Master Trainer Deck takes your game to the next level - cool cards, fun game play, strategic deck building, and more!

Each Deck Contains:

One 60-card theme deck (including 1 rare holographic foil card per deck)

Two 10-card sideboards

16-page strategy guide

1-player playmat

Record Success For Pokemon TCG National Championships!

-07/13/05-

Press Release

Pokemon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in trading card games, today announced the results of the Pokemon® Trading Card Game (TCG) National Championships, which were held in Columbus, Ohio on July 2-3. With more than 400 players competing in this year's premier tournament, Pokemon Organized Play (POP) saw a 35 percent increase in attendance from the previous year, making it the most successful Pokemon TCG National Championship ever. On the final day of competition, POP awarded a total of 12 invitations and travel awards to 2005 World Championships, and $15,000 in scholarships to top finishers.

Pokemon TCG National Championships had weekend attendance of more than 1,000 and were held during the Origins International Game Expo. National Championships gave players the opportunity to earn a National Champion title while improving strategic skills, building creativity and making friends with peers from all over the U.S. The top four winners in each age category are headed to the Pokemon TCG World ChampionshipsTM at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, San Diego on August 19-21. The Pokemon TCG World Championships is an invite-only event, and players must participate in a qualifying tournament to receive an invitation. A Last Chance Qualifier will take place at the World Championships venue on August 19.

"This has been a banner year thus far, and we are impressed with the level of excitement and energy at the 2005 National Championships," said Dave Schwimmer, Pokemon Organized Play Program Manager for Pokemon USA, Inc. "Seeing players and parents from all over the country come together in a positive environment reinforces the values that Pokemon Organized Play represents. We expect to see participation and enthusiasm continue to grow during World Championships and extend into our 2006 premier events season."

Players can get involved with Pokemon TCG by visiting www.op.pokemon-tcg.com.

New Trailer: Mew and the Wave Guiding Hero!

-07/11/05-

A new movie trailer for Mew and the Wave Guiding Hero was released on the official Japanese site, you can view the trailer here: http://www.pokemon2005.jp/index.html#trailer

Related Links

Future Movies

Coro Coro Reveals Pokemon Ranger, and New Details on Diamond/Pearl!

-07/11/05-

[Click to Enlarge]

Pokemon Ranger

Coro Coro Magazine has revealed a new project title: Pokemon Ranger. However, currently it's unclear whether it's a game or a TV series.

Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl Details

More details of Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl has been revealed. The target release date for Japan is sometime in 2006. Diamond/Pearl will not introduce any new types, however, new type combinations along with new Pokemon (and new pre-evolutions and evolutions) will be introduced. Diamond/Pearl will be compatible with Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald (meaning, you can transfer your Pokemon from these games). Also, the game will support up to 16 players to connect to each other using the Nintendo DS wireless feature.

Related Links

Pokemon Diamond/Pearl

Pokemon XD Preorder Bonus and Limited Edition Bundle!

-07/11/05-

Preorder Bonus

Nintendo has announce a preorder offer Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. Starting on August 28, 2005, a Pokemon XD GameCube skin will be given to those that preorder the game.

Pokemon XD Limited Edition Bundle

A Pokemon XD Limited Edition Bundle will be available when the game is released. The Limited Edition Bundle will include GameCube, a controller, Pokemon XD, and a Pokemon XD faceplate.

Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, will be released on October 3, 2005.

Related Links

Pokemon XD

Mystic Ticket and Pikachu VW Beetle Giveaway at San Diego Comic-Con!

-07/10/05-

At this year's San Diego Comic-Con, being held on July 14-17, you can get a Mystic Ticket! Nintendo's booth will be giving out the Mystic Ticket on all four days at the San Diego Comic-Con. The Mystic Ticket will be given out at Nintendo's booth between 11AM - 1PM and 3PM - 5PM.

Mystic Ticket

The Mystic Ticket allows you to catch Ho-oh or Lugia on your Pokemon FireRed, Pokemon LeafGreen, or Pokemon Emerald game. For complete details on how to prepare to get a Mystic Ticket and what to do after you get it, go here: http://www.pokemon.com/catchem/

UPDATE: VW Beetle Giveaway

Also, stop by at the Pokemon booth for a chance to win a custom Pikachu VW Beetle!

Related Links

Comic-Con: http://www.comic-con.org/

Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire

Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen

Pokemon Emerald