Randomized Dungeons, Online Features Fuel Latest Mystery Dungeon Adventures



REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 26, 2008 - Ever wondered what it would be like to become a Pokemon? With the April 20 launch of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness for Nintendo DS, hand-held gamers will soon find out.

In this pair of action-packed adventures, players journey as actual Pokemon through a fantastic land untouched by humans. Before the game starts, players take a test to help them figure out which of 16 Pokemon best represents their personalities. Players then experience their adventure through the eyes of a Pokemon as they explore the land and embark on an epic journey through time and darkness. They talk and team up with other Pokemon to set out on an epic voyage while navigating an endless array of randomly generated dungeons.

More than 490 Pokemon populate these new games, guaranteeing strategic, intense battles and infinite possibilities, no matter which Pokemon players become. To widen their circle of Pokemon friends, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection lets users engage in wireless rescue operations and send alerts to their friends via e-mail or mobile text message.

"Only the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series lets players experience the thrill of actually becoming a Pokemon character," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "It's a unique perspective that delights both longtime Pokemon fans and newcomers alike."

Fans of the two previous Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, will marvel at the greatly enhanced graphics, new story and grand adventure in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness. For Game Boy Advance owners, the fresh look and wireless aspects of these new Pokemon titles provide even more reasons to upgrade to Nintendo DS. And best of all for budget-conscious parents, Nintendo DS is also able to play the entire library of Game Boy Advance games.

For more information about these two new Pokemon games, visit Nintendo.com

Your search for powerful and legendary Pokemon will reach fantastic heights with these specially designed Pokemon Trading Card game: Diamond & Pearl Collector's Tins. Each one contains 1 of 3 amazing Pokemon LV .X to give your game some real power. Catch... train... and play!

In each tin, you'll find:

• 4 Diamond & Pearl Series boosters
• 1 of 3 foil Pokemon LV .X cards - Dialga, Palkia, or Darkrai .X!
• A great window design for displaying your favorite card!

Pick up your Pokemon TCG: Diamond & Pearl Collector's Tins on February 27th!

Source: http://www.go-pokemon.com/tcg/news/articles/70.html

SpongeBob SquarePants, Mickey Mouse and Pokemon are officially banned on Chinese prime time. China is extending a ban that virtually locks out all foreign cartoons from airing between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a bid to protect its fledgling domestic cartoon industry.

Source: The Associated Press

The Rise of Darkrai is the first Generation IV Pokemon movie, and the tenth Pokemon movie overall. Pokemon Movie 10 - The Rise of Darkrai will be released on DVD on May 27th 2008.

Source: Rightstuf

According to the BookScan Sales Numbers for 2007, seven manga series sold more than 24,000 copies of each volume on average. Pokemon was one of the seven series that sold 24,000+ on average per volume. Considering no new Pokemon manga's were released in English during 2007, this bodes well for the upcoming Pokemon manga's that were announced earlier this year.

Source: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/

JAKKS Pacific launched the first major Pokemon toy release for North American in more than four years in 2007 with action figures, plush, electronics and play sets. Pokemon merchandise from JAKKS Pacific's was a no show at this years Toy Fair 08 with no new Pokemon toys announced. Pokemon USA closed down their online store, Pokemoncenter.com last month in favor of selling Pokemon merchandise exclusively through its retail partners.

The American International Toy Fair is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. The Toy Fair features demonstrations and displays in an open trade show setting, while the toy district showrooms offer a chance for buyers to consult with sales representatives from the major toy manufacturers in a quieter setting. It's very odd that Pokemon USA and JAKKS Pacific would not announce any new Pokemon merchandise at such a large event. Hopefully we will see a press announcement from both these companies later this year.

The eighth annual T.O.T.Y. Awards were given out Saturday night. Women in Toys’ Wonder Women of Toys awards honored nearly a dozen women for excellence in their respective specialties. Pokemon USA’s Holly Rawlinson took home the Licensor award.

Sources: http://www.playthings.com/ & Jakks Pacific Press Release