The holiday shopping season began on August 29th, 2014 as the first 12 amiibo interactive figures became available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $12.99USD each. The first dozen characters that are part of the Super Smash Bros. Collection are available for pre-order at select retailers and they are: Mario, Peach, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Kirby, Fox, Marth, Villager and Wii Fit Trainer. More amiibo figures will be released in the future. Pikachu is number 10 in the collection.


Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=41953

During the Nintendo Direct broadcast on August 29th, 2014, Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata (岩田 聡) revealed the New Nintendo 3DS and LL. The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS LL feature a C Stick camera analog control similar to the one on the Gamecube controller and it is placed above the A/B/X/Y buttons. New ZL and ZR shoulder buttons have also been added next to the L and R shoulder buttons. A faster CPU has been incorporated and these 3DS version feature the NFC reader incorporated into the system which will allow players to place the amiibo NFC figures on the bottom screen without having to use the upcoming 3DS NFC adapter. High resolution pictures from the broadcast are available on our Imageboard thread.


A special Super Smash Bros Soundtrack CD will be available for people that purchase both the 3DS and Wii U versions of the game. The offer has been confirmed for the North American, European and Japanese Club Nintendo markets. Pikachu is featured on the cover and it is expected to feature some Pokémon tracks. Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Pokémon X and Pokémon Y) is already confirmed on the Sample page link. The page also confirms Shota Kageyama from GAME FREAK who recently left the company and now works for SPICA MUSICA was one of the musicians who worked on new arrangements for Nintendo 3DS version. The CD has been added to our database and details will be updated as information becomes available.

Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Pokémon X and Pokémon Y) Sample

October 11th, 2014 Launch Date in Japan

New Nintendo 3DS systems will be released in Japan on October 11th, 2014 but Nintendo of America has confirmed they will not launch in North America or Europe in 2014. The New Nintendo 3DS LL will retail for 18,800 yen while the New Nintendo 3DS will retail for 16,000 yen.

Version Comparison Data

	New Nintendo 3DS XL	New Nintendo 3DS
Size	93.5mm high, 160mm wide, 21.5mm thick (when closed)	80.6mm high, 142mm wide, 21.6mm thick (when closed)
Weight	Approximately 329 grams (including Battery Pak, stylus and Micro SD Memory Card)	Approximately 253 grams (including Battery Pak, stylus and Micro SD Memory Card)
Upper Screen	4.88 inches (diagonal) Wide-screen LCD display showing approximately 16.77 million colors with 800 x 240 pixel resolution 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D visuals	3.88 inches (diagonal) Wide-screen LCD display showing approximately 16.77 million colors with 800 x 240 pixel resolution 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D visuals
Lower Screen	4.18 inches (diagonal) Touch-screen LCD showing approximately 16.77 million colors with 320 x 240 pixel resolution	3.33 inches (diagonal) Touch-screen LCD showing approximately 16.77 million colors with 320 x 240 pixel resolution
Battery Duration	Approximately 3.5 to 7 hours when using Nintendo 3DS software Approximately 7 to 12 hours when using Nintendo DS software * Depending on the brightness of the screens, the battery duration varies. When the “automatic brightness adjustment” is on, the brightness of the screens changes automatically in accordance with the brightness of the surroundings and, therefore, the battery duration becomes longer in dark places and becomes shorter in bright places. Also, when the “energy saving mode” is on, the battery duration becomes longer. * The above Battery Durations are rough indications and can be shorter depending on the status of use.	Approximately 3.5 to 6 hours when using Nintendo 3DS software Approximately 6.5 to 10.5 hours when using Nintendo DS software * Depending on the brightness of the screens, the battery duration varies. When the “automatic brightness adjustment” is on, the brightness of the screens changes automatically in accordance with the brightness of the surroundings and, therefore, the battery duration becomes longer in dark places and becomes shorter in bright places. Also, when the “energy saving mode” is on, the battery duration becomes longer . * The above Battery Durations are rough indications and can be shorter depending on the status of use.

Nintendo Direct August 29th, 2014 (Japanese)

Sources: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2014/140829.html, http://www.smashbros.com/us/music/ and http://club2.nintendo.com/smash-promo/

Nintendo released information about the sale of their software up to July 2014 in the United States. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y have sold a combined 4 Million copies in the United States alone now.

MILLION-MILE MARKERS: MARIO KART 8 CROSSES 1 MILLION, NINTENDO 3DS SOFTWARE HITS 40 MILLION

Mario Kart 8 has now sold more than 1 million total units in the United States alone, becoming the second Wii U game to cross that milestone, along with New Super Mario Bros. U (1.69 million). Mario Kart 8 continues to drive momentum for the Wii U platform. Through the first seven months of 2014, total sales of Wii U hardware and software have increased by nearly 60 percent and more than 135 percent, respectively, over the same period in 2013.

Notable Wii U games on the way this year include: Hyrule Warriors (Sept. 26), Bayonetta 2 (October), Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Holiday) and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Holiday). These games will be joined by amiibo, Nintendo’s foray into the toys-to-life category, which will launch this holiday season. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will be the first game to support amiibo. Other games that will support amiibo include Mario Kart 8, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Mario Party 10 and Yoshi’s Woolly World, with more to come.

The continued strength of the Nintendo 3DS platform can be attributed to the breadth and quality of its overall lineup of software. To date, more than 40 million Nintendo 3DS software units have been sold in the United States alone. This includes 41 titles with a Metacritic score of 80 or higher, seven of which have a score of 90 or higher; and nine games that have sold at least 1 million units in the U.S. alone:

• Mario Kart 7: 3.48 million
• Super Mario 3D Land: 3.09 million
• New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2.28 million
• Pokémon X: 2.10 million
• Pokémon Y: 2.01 million
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D: 1.39 million
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf: 1.36 million
• Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon: 1.33 million
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: 1.09 million

Four of the 10 best-selling software SKUs for July are exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS platform. This includes Tomodachi Life, which finished at No. 5 and sold more than 85,000 units in its second month, and Pokémon Y (No. 8), Pokémon X (No. 9) and Mario Kart 7 (No. 10). Those last three games appeared on the list despite being on the market for 10 months, 10 months and 31 months, respectively. The lineup for Nintendo 3DS will be bolstered by three of the most anticipated games of 2014: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (Oct. 3) and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire (Nov. 21).​

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=41899

Images from the upcoming issue of Corocoro Comic have leaked on the Internet and reveal new information about the upcoming games Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

New Mega Evolutions

Dress-up Pikachu / Contests / Mega Metagross event

Source: Corocoro Comic, September 2014 issue

Reshiram, Zekrom and Milotic have been confirmed to make an appearance in the upcoming Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 3DS. Masahiro Sakurai (桜井政博), Director of the games, posted on Miiverse that a new stage based on N's Castle and the Unova Pokémon League will also be featured in the game.


Source: https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYMHAAACAABnUYoA29XTHA

The Pokémon Company International today announced exciting new features and story elements of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, launching on November 28th, 2014, for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS systems. A brand new gameplay trailer has also been released, giving fans a deeper look at what they will discover in their new adventure through the Hoenn region. Images from the press release have been added to the Imageboard.

New Mega-Evolved Pokémon Mega Metagross!

A new Mega-Evolved Pokémon was revealed today—Mega Metagross. Metagross is the partner Pokémon of Pokémon League Champion Steven, whose deep bond helps it to Mega Evolve into Mega Metagross. Despite helping Trainers throughout their journey, Steven is the last obstacle for Trainers to overcome before becoming the Pokémon League Champion.


Mega Metagross, the Iron Leg Pokémon, is a massive Steel- and Psychic-type Pokémon standing at 2.5 m (8’02”) and weighing 942.9 kg (2078.7 lbs). Upon Mega Evolving, Metagross’s Ability changes to Tough Claws, which increases the power of attacks that make physical contact. Mega Metagross also has a greatly increased Speed stat, with additional increases in its Attack, Defence, Sp. Atk, and Sp. Def, making Mega Metagross primed for both offence and defence.

Deepen Your Bonds with Pokémon-Amie and Meet Cosplay Pikachu!

First introduced in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, Pokémon-Amie returns in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Pokémon-Amie allows Trainers to create close ties with their Pokémon by playing games together, petting them, and feeding them special snacks called Poké Puffs. As a player’s Pokémon become more affectionate, they will be more likely to do such things as evade attacks in battle, land critical hits, and get an overall boost in performance.


Players will see Pikachu like they’ve never seen it before—Cosplay Pikachu—in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Meet Pikachu Rock Star, Pikachu Belle, Pikachu Pop Star, Pikachu Ph.D., and Pikachu Libre! They seem to have a connection to a kind of Contest Hall. Players will also be able to interact with Cosplay Pikachu in Pokémon-Amie. More information about the new Cosplay Pikachu images shown today will be revealed in August!

Journey through the Hoenn Region

Your Hoenn adventure begins when you meet Pokémon Professor Birch, who runs the Pokémon Lab in Littleroot Town. Professor Birch will help players begin their journey by giving them their first Pokémon and a Pokédex. The Pokémon that appear and the rarity of each will differ between Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.


The first step to becoming the Champion is to challenge and defeat each of the Gym Leaders in the Hoenn region, including the main character’s father, Norman, who is the Leader of the Petalburg City Gym. It was also confirmed today that players will encounter and battle Rustboro City Gym Leader Roxanne, Dewford Town Gym Leader Brawly, Mauville City Gym Leader Wattson, and Lavaridge Town Gym Leader Flannery.


After defeating eight Gym Leaders, players will travel to the Pokémon League to battle the Elite Four, including Sidney and Phoebe. Upon defeating the Elite Four, Trainers will take on the Hoenn League Champion, Steven, and his Mega Metagross, in the hope of becoming the new Pokémon League Champion!

More Information on Mega Diancie Revealed!

When Diancie Mega Evolves into Mega Diancie, it will get the Magic Bounce Ability, which makes any status condition or stat-lowering effect bounce back at the Pokémon trying to inflict it. Through Mega Evolution, Mega Diancie receives a big boost to its Speed, as well as boosts to its Attack and Sp. Atk, while experiencing a reduction in its Defense and Sp. Def. The boosts help Mega Diancie with its quick, powerful attacks, such as Diamond Storm and Moonblast.

Further details of how players can get Diancie for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will be shared soon. Players who receive Diancie can Mega Evolve it in Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

The Pokémon Company International revealed Super-Secret Bases in a press release and on the official Pokémon website on the evening of July 8th, 2014. Details of the new Super-Secret Base option in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire are below.

Secret Base Expert Aarune

Secret Base Expert Aarune (ギリー Gillie) helps players with Super-Secret Bases. Aarune and his Flygon have traveled the world and are bursting with excitement about the Secret Base culture in the Hoenn region. This enthusiastic adventurer teaches players all about the fun of Secret Bases.

Press Release - Build and Customise a Super-Secret Base and Share It with the World!

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire players will be able to create their very own Secret Base, a customisable area that will allow them to show off their individuality by setting up mazes or traps for visitors to encounter, and even creating Pokémon battle rules, transforming their Secret Base into their own Pokémon Gym!


Players will be able to share their Secret Base with other Trainers around the world using StreetPass functionality of the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS systems, or they can create a QR Code for their unique Secret Base, enabling friends to visit it with ease. When visiting other Secret Bases, players can meet other Trainers in the same base and invite them back to their own Secret Base as Secret Pals. Players can interact and battle with Secret Pals, who have special skills that can support players in their adventures, such as sharing new Decorations, making a Pokémon Egg hatch faster, or raising the level of a select Pokémon by one. The more Secret Pals players have in their Secret Base, the more special skills will be available to help them in their adventures.

Players can also capture flags while visiting other players’ Secret Bases. Flags are located beside the Secret PC in each Secret Base. The more flags a player collects, the higher the rank earned, which brings rewards like improving the skills of a player’s Secret Pals.

Full translations of the Pokemon ORAS material in the July 2014 issue of Corocoro Comic follows:


This Summer, a New Mega Evolution Takes Place in the Theaters!
The greatest highlight in the Pokémon movie is Mega Evolution! You absolutely can't miss this incredible scene!!

World Exclusive Reveal:
Diancie's Mega Evolution!!!
Diancie mega evolves into Mega Diancie in the movie, too! When Yveltal causes the "Great Destruction" after waking from it long sleep, something strange happens to Diancie!

It Mega Evolves in the movie before it does so in the game!

Premiers Saturday July 19th!
Witness the sacred radiance!

Go watch this year's movie and obtain a Diancie!
Make sure to do so so you can mega evolve it!

Also, the special pre-order movie ticket that comes with a "Darkrai" present code is now on sale!!
Get it before the movie premiers! (on sale until July 18th)


World exclusive scoop!
Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Will be released worldwide in November!

A grand scoop on the long-awaited new Pokémon games! A unprecedented amount of new information leading up to the greatest adventure yet!

Revealing the new protagonists for the new adventure!
As earlier, you will select the boy or the girl, whichever you like better, then set off on your adventure.

Noteworthy point: They're wearing Mega Bangles
They are wearing "Mega Bangles", which you set the mysterious "Key Stones" needed for Mega Evolution into, on their wrists!

The character you don't choose will appear throughout your adventure as a supporting character.

They are both dressed in individual and unique light clothes designed for active movement.

These are clothes made for running around in Mother Nature.


What is the significance of the legendary Pokémon's new forms?

The legendary duo undergoes "Primal Reversion"!! Just what is this new power...!?
Groudon and Kyogre grow even more powerful!!

"Primal Reversion" gives the duo overwhelming power from the energy they originally possessed! These forms are called "Primal Groudon" and "Primal Kyogre"!

By acquiring the energy of nature, they display further power!
What terrible things will happen when these two once again clash!?
These are the forms they take hen they regain their original powers!
The two will seek out further power, then repeatedly clash together!

Primal Groudon's move
Spear-shaped pieces of the ground pierce the opponent!

Primal Kyogre's move
Columns of water strike the opponent! Just what kind of move is this..!?


The young man holding the key, Daigo!

He guides the protagonist in the right direction!!
A mysterious upper-class young man you meet on your adventure.
He, too, is pursuing the mystery of Mega Evolution.


Noteworthy point: The starter Pokémon are this trio!
Kimori, Achamo and Mizugorou

Choose one of these three Pokémon all of which are brimming with personality, for your adventure!
See below for their evolved forms!


Noteworthy point: You will use two bikes on your adventure!
Two different bikes will help you on your adventure! They each have different uses:

Mach Bike
Emphasizes speed, and lets you ride up sharp slopes.

Dirt Bike
Used for tricks, allows you to jump.


Noteworthy point: The story will change depending on which version you play!
The evil organization standing in the protagonist's way on their adventure will change!

In Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby, the Magma Gang will stand in your way!
From left to right:
*The Magma Gang's Leader, Matsubusa
*The Magma Gang Commander, Homura
*Kagari
*Magma Gang Underlings

In Pocket Monsters Alpha Sapphire, you will instead face the Aqua Gang!
From right to left:
*The Aqua Gang's Leader, Aogiri
*The Aqua Gang Commander, Izumi
*Ushio
*Aqua Gang Underlings


Suddenly, All New Mega Evolved Pokémon Have Been Discovered!!
Your first partner Pokémon will obtain new powers! Here we'll show them off for the first time!!
Which will you choose as your first partner?

Mizugorou	Achamo	Kimori
Mizugorou Type: Water Ability: Torrent Evolves to Numacraw Type: Water/Ground Ability: Torrent Evolves to Laglarge Type: Water/Ground Ability: Torrent Mega Evolves to Mega Laglarge It is proud of its power. Species: Mud Fish Pokémon Type: Water/Ground Height: 1.9m Weight: 102.0kg Ability: Swift Swim The muscles on its upper body have grown to enormous sizes! It functions well on both land and in water. It can learn "Arm Hammer"! It lands powerful blows with its bulky arms!	Achamo Type: Fire Ability: Blaze Evolves to Wakashamo Type: Fire/Fighting Ability: Blaze Evolves to Burshamo Type: Fire/Fighting Ability: Blaze Mega Evolves to Mega Burshamo A blazing marauder!! Species: Blaze Pokémon Type: Fire/Fighting Height: 1.9m Weight: 52.0kg Ability: Speed Boost When it mega evolves, it kicking power improves! Its Ability "Speed Boost" makes its Speed increase!	Kimori Type: Grass Ability: Overgrow Evolves to Juptile Type: Grass Ability: Overgrow Evolves to Jukain Type: Grass Ability: Overgrow Mega Evolves to Mega Jukain The first Grass/Dragon type in the series!! Species: Forest Pokémon Type: Grass/Dragon Height: 1.9m Weight: 55.2kg Ability: Lightning Rod Incredibly when it mega evolves, it gains the Dragon type! When it uses "Leaf Storm", it detaches its giant tail. It then fires the detached tail at the opponent.

Just how do you obtain this trio's Mega Stones...!?

Source: Corocoro Comic July 2014.

The official Pokemon movie website has updated with a feature on the upcoming movie tie-in game The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon (とうぞくと1000びきのポケモン). Translations follow:


Free to play! A new Pokémon game based on "The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie"!

A new Pokémon game utilizing the Streetpass system!
Streetpass people and keep incrasing your Pokémon!
"The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon" will be available from Thursday June 5th!
*This game is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS download service. It will be available from Thursday June 5th to Tuesday September 30th


The same setting as the movie!
Incredibly, the story is connected to this year's movie. You will go up against Marilyn Flame and Ninja Riot!
"The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon" is set in "Diamond Ore Country", just like this year's movie. The thieves Marilyn and Riot also appear in the movie. What are they planning to do? How does it relate to the movie's plot?
Marilyn
In the movie, she has a Mafoxy as her partner. What kind of Pokémon will she use in the game?
Riot
Despite being called a ninja thief, he's quite tough.

It connects with the movie!
If you download "The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon" and then go see the movie in a theater, "something special" will happen!? This can then be further connected to "Pocket Monsters X/Y"!
With The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon, at a theater showing the Pokémon movie: Download "The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon" and go to a theater to watch "Pokémon the Movie XY: The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie" to make "something special" happen!
With Pocket Monsters X/Y: Challenge that "special something", and something amazing will happen in "Pocket Monsters X/Y"!


How to play
"The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon" is a game you play using the Nintendo 3DS Streetpass function! When you streetpass users that have the same game, you will gain more Harimaron, Fokko and Keromatsu! With a band of Pokémon in tow, battle the thieves that stand in your way! Streetpass a lot, gain a lot of Pokémon, and beat the thieves!
You assemble 1000 Pokémon and go for victory too!

For further information on how to play, how to download the game, etc, see the official Pocket Monsters website.

Trailer

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/topics/thief_and_1000pokemon.php

Nintendo has revealed that Pokémon Art Academy will be released worldwide in 2014. The title will be released in Europe on July 4th, 2014 and in Australia and New Zealand on July 5th, 2014. It will be released in North America in the fall of 2014.

Press Release - LEARN TO DRAW YOUR FAVORITE POKÉMON IN POKÉMON ART ACADEMY FOR NINTENDO 3DS

40 Unique Lessons Give Fans Step-By-Step Instruction for Drawing the Series’ Most Iconic Pokémon

REDMOND, Wash., May 12, 2014 – Grab your stylus and start your Pokémon-drawing journey in Pokémon Art Academy, launching this fall exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems. This Pokémon-themed installment of the Art Academy series offers Pokémon fans and budding illustrators alike 40 unique lessons to learn how to paint, sketch and draw beloved Pokémon characters in 2D. Along the way, students of Pokémon Art Academy can pick up actual illustration skills that they can transfer onto real canvas, or share their digital masterpieces with the world.

The Art Academy series made its debut on Nintendo DS in 2009, offering a comprehensive virtual art studio with a variety of realistically behaving art materials. Wield the stylus with tactile precision on the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 2DS touch screen to use a plethora of paint, pencils and pastels. A hallmark of the Art Academy franchise is its easy-to-follow lessons with step-by-step guides that teach painting and drawing techniques. A friendly tutor takes students of all ages through these lessons, each of which breaks down complex-looking images into simple steps. Gradually, players pick up more new techniques that allow anyone to create artwork they can be proud of. Pokémon Art Academy boasts 40 lessons in which players can encounter favorite Pokémon from throughout the series, such as Pikachu, Oshawott, Charizard, Torchic, Fletchling and Fennekin.

“The Pokémon characters themselves are among the most endearing and enduring aspects of the Pokémon video games, with everyone having their own favorite,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Pokémon Art Academy lets fans deepen their connection with these iconic characters by providing detailed lessons teaching how to draw them on their Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 2DS in a straightforward and enjoyable way.”

Game Overview

The gameplay is designed so anyone can quickly begin illustrating Pokémon masterpieces and hone their skills at the academy as they draw through lessons using the Nintendo 3DS Touch Screen. Players can unlock all of the options in the game, including a set of special lessons that include Mega Evolution Pokémon, once they’ve graduated. Players can even share their art via Miiverse, the SpotPass feature, and local wireless.

Features

• Players can Bring their Pokémon artwork to life using a variety of tools
• Players can Create amazing pictures with step-by-step lessons
• Players can Post directly to Miiverse and show off their art
• Players can Save their art to the SD Card and print it out
• Players can Learn the basics of art, then graduate to more advanced techniques to become a real Pokémon artist
• Players can Participate in dozens of art lessons to help improve their skills

Sources: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=41598 and http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/pfF0n2KqVPlrFfdOyxK7sqolDaoIuINt