December 2005
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Next: January 2006 |
Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl Going Online? -12/29/05- | Junichi Masuda, the director of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl from Game Freak, has stated in his Director's Column that the two new Pokemon games for the Nintendo DS might include an online feature that will allow players to connect to any other player around the world. Work on the Pokemon Diamond and Pearl games are still ongoing, so nothing is official as of yet (feature not built in yet). But for those that been wanting an online feature for the Pokemon games, Junichi Masuda gave a lot of hope for such a feature with Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl is scheduled to be released in Japan sometime in 2006. It has been stated before that Pokemon Diamond and Pearl will feature new Pokemon, as well the the old Pokemon from previous versions, and new evolutions and pre-evolutions of existing Pokemon. Diamond and Pearl will also take place in a new
region. The game will make use of the Nintendo DS's Wi-Fi feature that can connect 16 players together (the multiplayer feature that is connected in the same area, not to be confused with the possible online feature). |
Pokemon USA and 4Kids Entertainment Cuts Ties! -12/23/05- | 4Kids Entertainment, who had licensing rights for Pokemon for eight years, will no longer have the licensing rights to Pokemon. 4Kids Entertainment and Pokemon USA had shared licensing duties, but the move to not renew the licensing agreement with 4Kids now makes Pokemon USA responsible for all licensing duties. Pokemon USA will be in control effective on January 1, 2006. This means that the eighth season of the Pokemon TV show, Pokemon: Advanced Battle, will be the last Pokemon season 4Kids will be in charge of. Since the Advanced Battle is still running and will run through 2006, 4Kids will continue to be in charge of those episodes until the season is finished. Similar Move For Pokemon Trading Card Game Not long ago, Pokemon USA announced that they are taking over for the Pokemon Trading Card Game's marketing and distribution from Nintendo, effective on January 1, 2006, as well. (Refer to news: "Pokemon USA Takes Over as Pokemon TCG's Marketing and Distribution! - 12/08/05) Pokemon USA Moves Licensing In-House in 2006 4Kids Entertainment to Transition Its Representation of Pokemon 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) and Pokemon USA, Inc., announced today that they have agreed not to renew the Pokemon representation agreement set to expire on December 31, 2005. Beginning in 2006, Pokemon USA, Inc.'s in-house licensing group will handle all Pokemon licensing outside of Asia. "We felt it was in the best interest of the Pokemon property for Pokemon USA, Inc., to assume all aspects of licensing," said Akira Chiba, President of Pokemon USA, Inc. "This was a brand management decision. We would like to thank 4Kids for all of its great work over the last eight years in helping to establish Pokemon as one of the leading children's brands in the world." "4Kids has had a successful eight-year exclusive relationship with the Pokemon property that will be expiring at year end," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "Over the next month, 4Kids will assist Pokemon USA, Inc., in its transition to in-house representation. We wish Pokemon USA much success going forward." Under the terms of the expiring Pokemon USA, Inc. - 4Kids representation agreement, 4Kids will continue to receive commissions for the next several years on payments made under existing Pokemon license agreements whose term expires after December 31, 2005. It is expected that commissions earned by 4Kids from the Pokemon property will decline over the course of the next several years. 4Kids will also continue next year to produce the current eighth season of Pokemon television episodes. |
Pokemon
Trozei Release Date: March 6, 2006! -12/20/05- | |
Pokemon Trozei, a Pokemon game puzzle game, will be released
in the United States on March 6th, 2006.
Game Summary
Pokemon Trozei features a story mode with Lucy Fleetfoot as
the main character. She works for the Secret Operations League (SOL), to
rescue stolen Pokemon from the Phobos Battalion. Using the touch screen
pen (stylus), players line up four Pokemon puzzles pieces (vertically or
horizontally) to create a "Trozei." The Pokemon is also added to the
Trozei list. Some Pokemon are more rarer than others. You can increase
your chances by playing in modes such as the Agent Cafe or Esponiage Mode
to exchange Agent Cards.
Screenshots
Related Links
Pokemon Trozei |
Pokemon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea Website/Trailer! -12/09/05- |  
The official Japanese website for Pokemon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea is now up online. You can visit the website here:
http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/ The first trailer of the movie and the movie posters for the main movie and the mini-movie are also at the website (you can see the posters here in the new article above, as well as screenshots of the trailer below). Trailer Screenshots  
 
Related Links Future Movies Future Games |
9th Pokemon Movie Title: Pokemon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea! -12/08/05- | 
The title of the next Pokemon movie is revealed: Pokemon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea. The movie will be released in Japan in July 2006. There is currently no US release date available. The movie will feature Kyogre, along with Ash and the others. As the title suggests, Pokemon Ranger will play a major role in the film as well. The Pokemon Ranger game for the Nintendo DS is scheduled to be released sometime in 2006 (presumably sometime near the film release date). Back in the USA As for the United States, we're still awaiting for a release date for the 8th Pokemon movie: Mew and the Wave Guiding Hero (Japanese title, no official English title yet). As with the past two Pokemon movies, the movie is expected to be released direct to DVD. You'll hear about any news about a US release date here in the news. Related Links Future Movies Future Games |
Pokemon USA Takes Over as Pokemon TCG's Marketing and Distribution! -12/08/05- | 
Press Release Nintendo of America Inc. and Pokemon USA, Inc. Announce Change in Pokemon Trading Card Game Distribution Pokemon USA, Inc. Will Assume Distribution and Consumer Marketing Duties Nintendo of America Inc. and Pokemon USA, Inc. today announce that effective January 1, 2006, Pokemon USA, Inc. will assume the consumer marketing and distribution responsibilities for the PokemonŽ Trading Card Game (TCG) currently handled by Nintendo of America Inc. For the last three years, Nintendo of America Inc. has managed the distribution and consumer marketing efforts for the Pokemon TCG working in tandem with the creators and manufacturers of the game at Pokemon USA, Inc. and The Pokemon Company. During this period Pokemon USA, Inc. has focused on establishing the Pokemon Organized Play program and international distribution for the game. "We are proud of the successes Nintendo of America Inc. and Pokemon USA, Inc. achieved working as close partners on the Pokemon TCG. As the brand enters into its tenth year Pokemon USA, Inc. is best-positioned to direct the marketing and distribution efforts of the Pokemon TCG as an integral part of managing the Pokemon brand," says Gail Tilden, Nintendo's Vice President, Brand Management. Pokemon USA and Nintendo will continue to work closely to promote and create synergy between all Pokemon franchise elements. "We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Nintendo of America and working together to build the brand to new heights," said Mr. Akira Chiba, President of Pokemon USA, Inc. |
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