I just received this email from Nintendo France. It's about a special event which, apparently, will allows players to download Victini if they stop by their favorite store, starting March the 4th. Here's a translation of the mail

Starting this Friday, in order to celebrate the release of Pokémon Black and White versions, you can get the ultra-rare Pokémon Victini, exclusively at your favorite store, from March the 4th to April the 22nd.

Take your Nintendo DS and your Pokémon Black/White version with you, then follow these instructions:

How to get Victini?

You need a Nintendo DS (lite, DSi, DSi XL), as well as a copy of Pokémon Black or White.
You need to get the PokéDex in the game.
You can't have more than 11 wonder cards. If you already have 11 of them, you'll need to delete one of them.
You can't get Victini more than once per game.
Start your console and launch the game. Click on 'Mystery present', then select 'Receive the present via wireless connnection'.


(Sorry for the bad translation of 'mystery present' at the end, I don't know the English name for that option in the game)

Anyway, I'm really surprised by this special download event. I thought you could only get Victini by getting the Victory Pass, via the NWFC, a pass that would grant you access to a special tower where you can find Victini. The official French website says so. But this email is pretty clear: if you get to some stores (probably Micromania, FNAC and such), you can download the Pokémon directly to your game.
Maybe it just means that you'll be also able to get the Victory Pass if you go to a brick and mortar store (if you can't use the NWFC for example), but I can't say for sure.

Anyway, I'm going to check this myself when I get the game, this Friday.

GameTrailers GameFreak Interview

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/overview-interview-pokemon-black/710753

Official Japanese Zukan Updated to Gen 5

http://www.pokemon.co.jp/zukan/

Masuda also posted pictures of his visit to the Pokémon Black and White Version Tour at Westfield Oakridge in San Jose, California on his Director's blog on the GameFreak Director's Column blog.

Game Freak has confirmed that Black and White won't get an 'updated' version (like what Platinum was to Diamond and Pearl).

Source: UK NOM (http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/23736/news/pokmon-black-and-white-is-last-game-of-this-generation/)
NWR (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/25353)

Celebi will be available for download at the Micromania stores (France), until March the 3rd.

The official Movie 13 Taiwanese website updated the other day to announce the release date of Movie 13 in Taiwan. The Ruler of Illusions Zoroark (神奇寶貝 幻影の霸者 索羅亞克) will begin screening in Taiwanese theaters on July 30th, 2010. The 30 second trailer dubbed in Mandarin Chinese is available on the site.

http://www.gamestop.dk/A310.asp

Pokemon Black and White Preorders

Cartoon Network Sneak Peak - Black and White

http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/promotion_landing_page/9p/

Join players from around the world and get ready to compete in the 2011 Pokémon Video Game Championship series! The series starts this spring and consists of multiple events across the United States and Europe—events where anyone can compete. Top players from the National Championships will be invited to the Pokémon Video Game World Championships, taking place this August in San Diego, California!

Here’s a quick snapshot of the major changes you’ll see at the 2011 Pokémon Video Game Championship competitions.

All of the events will be played exclusively on Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, which will launch in early March. Players will be limited to Pokémon from the Unova Pokédex only, and no two Pokémon on a player’s team can have the same Pokédex number.

Pokémon Plans Blockbuster Year With Extensive Offerings Tied to Release of Pokemon Black Version and Pokemon White Version Video Games. National Mall Tour, New Animated Series, Feature-Length Film, Trading Card Game Expansion, and Toy Line, Competitive Gaming Tournaments and an All-Encompassing Marketing Program Highlight Landmark Year for Entertainment Franchise.

Pokémon™, one of the most successful entertainment properties in the world and the second-largest video game franchise of all-time, is celebrating a blockbuster year in 2011. Led by the release of the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems, The Pokémon Company International will roll out an all-new animated television series and feature-length film. A brand-new trading card game (TCG) expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White, and merchandise, including an innovative new toy line, round out an exciting year of offerings from the company. A comprehensive, multi-million dollar marketing campaign supports the brand's initiatives, in addition to video game marketing from Nintendo of America Inc. This multi-pronged strategy will thrust Pokémon into the spotlight across its many entertainment offerings.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version launches in the U.S. on March 6th as one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year, introducing players to a brand-new world with more than 150 never-before-seen Pokémon featured in an all new adventure. The games' release in Japan last September shattered all existing sales records in that country, making them the fastest-selling Nintendo DS games in history with 5 million units sold (Famitsu, Jan. 2011).

"The release of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version gives us the opportunity to launch brand-new entertainment that our existing and new fans will love," said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. "Every major pillar of the brand -- including video games, TV animation, feature films, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game -- will see exciting changes throughout the year."

Pokémon kicks off the year with a new animated series and full-length feature film set to air on Cartoon Network, Pokémon's national broadcast partner. The year's animation entertainment begins with the film debut of Pokémon -- Zoroark: Master of Illusions on February 5th at 7:00 p.m., to be followed just one week later by the special premiere of two episodes of the new animated series -- Pokémon: Black and White -- on February 12th beginning at 9:00 a.m., starring an entirely new cast of Pokémon characters who join Ash and Pikachu on their continuing adventures.

In April, Pokémon will launch the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White expansion, an all-new set of Pokémon TCG cards featuring new Pokémon, Trainers, and environments inspired by the video games. Pokémon TCG collectors and players will discover new expansions of Pokémon TCG: Black & White throughout the year. This latest installment of the TCG will add to a franchise that boasts more than 15 billion cards sold in over 60 countries.

The franchise's year will be kick-started by an extensive, multi-million dollar marketing campaign beginning with the nationwide Pokémon Black Version & White Version Tour, arriving at major malls beginning February 5th. The tour will hit 14 key markets over a seven-week schedule offering fans a first-look at the new video games and a slate of activities designed to heighten awareness and create a groundswell of anticipation around the franchise. The itinerary will include immersive Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video game demonstrations, free screenings of the new Pokémon movie, Pokémon -- Zoroark: Master of Illusions, photo opportunities with Pokémon characters, and various games and prize-winning opportunities for fans. A Pokémon Center store offering a variety of merchandise will also be on-site.

The Pokémon Company International will extend its grassroots marketing strategy with special character distributions throughout the year for the Pokémon video games at select retailers across the country. These character distributions offer Pokémon video game players the chance to receive, via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, specific Pokémon that will not be available through regular gameplay.

Pokémon fans interested in playing the new video games and trading card game competitively can do so through Play! Pokémon events. These gaming tournaments, held throughout North America, Europe and Asia, culminate in the highly anticipated Pokémon World Championships in San Diego, California in August 2011, which hosts thousands of Pokémon players from around the world.

At retail, all-new Pokémon licensed merchandise is slated to roll-out throughout 2011, including a full line-up of toys from JAKKS Pacific. JAKKS plans to launch an all new Skill & Action line of toys for older kids which allows them to "Catch," "Train," & "Battle" their Pokémon in unique, interactive and competitive toy-based experiences. JAKKS will also launch new collectible figures and plush featuring all-new Pokémon characters, playsets that emulate the new region, and "Trainer" role play items inspired by the TV animation series.

Reshiram and Zekrom have taken over Official Nintendo Magazine. With Pokémon Black & White on the way to the UK on 4 March, we went to Game Freak HQ in Japan to find out more about the biggest Nintendo games of the year.

How did they make Reshiram and Zekrom, how do they create so many likebale Pokémon and how do they make battle music that doesn't become annoying? All is revealed in the new ONM. Plus you can find out everything you need to know about Black & White.

http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=22783

World Hobby Fair 2011

Be the first to play in Canada! The Nintendo team will be on-tour to share the latest in the Pokémon series. Join us for a chance to play the game, and enjoy other free family activities including colouring stations and face painting.