Nintendo of Europe announced today that Pokémon Bank V1.1 is now available to players of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y after being delayed since December 27th, 2013. It is also available in Australia and New Zealand. The 30 day trial is good until March 14th, 2014 while the Celebi event will run until September 30th, 2014. The official Pokémon Twitter also revealed that Pokémon Bank will be available in North America 'soon'.

Update: On February 5th, 2014, Pokémon Bank V1.1 launched in North America.


Source: https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/430673592527769600

The Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Beta Competition (インターネット大会 テスト Internet Tournament Test) is the first Pokémon Global Link online tournament to permit Kalos-region Pokémon. The tournament is split into two divisions, the Junior Category for those born in 1999 or later and the Master Category for those born in 1998 or earlier. Initial registration started on January 27th, 2014 to participants who played enough matches to make it to the ranking list. On January 31st, 2014, the open-to-all registration was made available with limited positions and tournament positions were determined by lottery rather than the first-come-first-serve rule used in earlier online tournaments. Players that registered have an equal chance to be chosen to play in the tournament. Those that are chosen to play in the tournament will notified by e-mail on February 14th, 2014.


All Pokémon are changed to level 30 for the tournament and players are allowed 20 battles each day of the tournament. Unused battles from a previous day are carried over to the next day for a total of 60 battles. All Pokémon from the National Dex are allowed but they need to have been caught or hatched in Kalos. Players could not cannot use Pokémon that were brought to Pokémon X or Pokémon Y using the Nintendo 3DS downloadable software Poké Transporter, nor can they use Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, or Zygarde.

Results will be published February 28th, 2014. Players in the Junior Category are not allowed to battle between 11PM and 5:59AM local time. Participants will also get a questionnaire to fill out to report on how they felt about the tournament which will then used to help decide on changes for upcoming tournaments.

English Game Registration

To be considered for the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Beta Competition, player must sign in to Pokemon.com and follow these steps exactly. If players do not follow these steps exactly, they may not be added to the invitation request list.

1. Go to the Pokemon.com support center.
2. Click on the "Home" tab
3. Click on “Ask a Question.”
4. In the Department dropdown menu, select “Video Games.”
5. Do not select anything in the Inquiry Type dropdown menu (this field is not required).
6. Click the checkbox for “Request Invitation to Beta Competition”
7. Type “XY Beta Competition” in both the Summary field and the Details field, and then submit the form.

Japanese Game Registration

Both the Pokémon Global Link and the Pokémon Daisuki Club have a news item linking people to the tournament introduction page on the Global Link site. Click on the registration link here to be redirected to the tournament registration page on the Daisuki Club site, which will prompt you to log into your Daisuki Club account. Once logged in, simply click on the button to register for the tournament.

We have created a Pokémon X and Y Online Competitions page that will keep track of all the tournaments for the game.

Sources: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pgl_beta_competition-2014-01-31/ and http://www.pokemon-gl.com/pre_competitions/

Lucario has been confirmed as a playable character in the upcoming Super Smash Bros for Wii U and Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS games. Masahiro Sakurai (桜井政博), Director of the games, posted on Miiverse that in the upcoming games, they've increased the influence of Aura so a damaged Lucario is truly a force to be reckoned with.


Sources: http://www.smashbros.com/en-au/characters/lucario.html and https://miiverse.nintendo.net/titles/14866558073037299863/14866558073037300685

The official Korean Pokémon website has revealed that Gouseuteu (고우스트) and Seurakeu (스라크) will be distributed to Korean players of Pokémon X and Y at participating E-Mart locations.


The Gouseuteu (고우스트) players will receive can be traded to evolve into Paenteom (팬텀) at the end of the trading process. Paenteom is level 25, has the OT Happy New Years (새해복맞이), has the Ability Levitate and knows the following moves: Psychic, Confuse Ray , Sucker Punch and Shadow Punch.

Seurakeu (스라크) will be holding the Metal Coat item and it will evolve into Hassam (핫삼) at the end of the trading process. Hassam is level 25, has the OT Happy New Years (새해복맞이), has the Ability Technician and knows the following moves: Aerial Ace, False Swipe, Agility and Fury Cutter.


Gouseuteu and Seurakeu will be distributed at the following E-mart locations in South Korea:
February 8th, 2014 - Seongsu E-Mart (2014년 2월 8일(토) : 이마트 성수점, 죽전점)
February 15th, 2014 - Manchon, E-Mart (2014년 2월 15일(토) ~ 16일(일) : 이마트 대전터미널점, 만촌점)
February 22nd, 2014 - Wolgye E-Mart (2014년 2월 22일(토) : 이마트 연수점, 월계점)

Source: http://pokemonkorea.co.kr/news/news_view.asp?IDX=10159

Nintendo Co., Ltd. released their Earnings Release: Third Quarter Ended December 31, 2013 report on January 31st, 2014 and announced that "During the nine months ended December 31, 2013, for “Nintendo 3DS (3DS, 3DS XL and 2DS),” “Pokémon X/Pokémon Y,” simultaneously released globally in October, marked 11.61 million units in sales."

Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2014/140129e.pdf

Nintendo and GAME FREAK Director Junichi Masuda have both posted on Twitter urging fans to be patient with Pokémon Bank's release. As we reported earlier, Pokémon Bank (ポケモンバンク) and Poké Transporter (ポケムーバー) launch has been delayed. The two software applications that were originally scheduled to launch for Nintendo 3DS on December 27th, 2013. Both Nintendo and Junichi Masuda have promised to keep fans updated about the release.

Junichi Masuda Tweet - January 11th, 2014

お待たせしているポケモンバンクですが、制作した私たちも皆様にお届けすることができず、大変心苦しく思っています。任天堂さんの公式発表をお待ちください。

I'm very sorry, but while we know you're all waiting for Pokémon Bank, we the developers are not the ones who deal with its distribution. Please wait for official announcements from Nintendo.

Nintendo of America Tweet - January 10th, 2014

More information on the launch of @Pokemon Bank and Poké Transporter will be announced in the future. Thanks for your patience!

Sources: https://twitter.com/Junichi_Masuda/status/421963221541462017 and https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/421680342257643520

Pokémon Bank Delayed

Pokémon Bank (ポケモンバンク) and Poké Transporter (ポケムーバー) launched yesterday on the Nintendo 3DS eShop in Japan but not too long after, the entire Nintendo Online Service had massive issues as it was overloaded with people attempting to access it for eShop downloads as well as updating their new systems they got for Christmas. As people received new Wii U and 3DS's as presents, most of those required firmware update downloads. In combination with people attempting to create new Nintendo Network ID's, the Nintendo Network Service was overloaded. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International have also posted an announcement regarding the delay.


Nintendo of Japan announced that they have temporarily removed Pokémon Bank from the Nintendo 3DS eShop to help lower the server issues. Players that were able to download the application will not be able to use it as its related services are down also. Nintendo of America did post their weekly press release for new downloads and it does state that Pokémon Bank is one of the available downloads. Release dates for both regions are currently unknown.

Pokémon Bank Announcement

Release of Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter postponed due to a large volume of traffic to the Nintendo Network service

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International have postponed the launch of Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter - two software applications that were originally scheduled to launch for Nintendo 3DS on Dec. 27 - due to a large volume of traffic to the Nintendo Network service. Due to the high traffic, players are having trouble setting up Nintendo Network IDs and downloading content in the Nintendo eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. We truly regret the inconvenience, and wish to reassure everyone that providing a solution is our top priority. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your continued patience.

Source: http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2393/p/430

Press Release - Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS - Pokémon Bank – Pokémon Bank is an application and service for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y that allows you to deposit, store and manage your Pokémon in private Boxes on the Internet. Pokémon Bank will be available on Dec. 27 with a free, 30-day trial for everyone who downloads and activates it prior to Jan. 31. After that, Pokémon Bank will be a paid service, with an annual subscription fee of $4.99.

Sources: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/network/en_na/network_status.jsp and http://www.nintendo.co.jp/support/information/2013/1226.html

Rating Battles Season 2

To coincide with the launch of Pokémon Bank and PokéTransporter, the second season of the Pokémon Global Link Rating Battles has now begun. Since PokéTransporter allows players to import Pokémon from Black, White, Black 2 and White 2, this second season will operate very differently from the first.

The rules for the Special Battles in Season 2 is as follows:
The format is Double Battles.
Only Pokémon found in either of the Kalos Pokédexes are allowed, some legendaries excluded.
Pokémon must be obtained in Pokémon X or Y, no Pokémon imported via the PokéTransporter may be used.
Between 4-6 Pokémon between level 1 and 100 may be used.
Pokémon with a level of 51 or higher will have their level reduced to 50.

The launch of this new season was announced on the Japanese Holo Caster. We have set up a subpage listing all Pokémon Holo Caster announcement, complete with English translations of the Japanese announcements, here.

Sources: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/356321fc-2949-45bc-a3ce-b0f8279dc295 and http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/edf84885-7f88-4fac-8760-9000b3284a0f.

Wal-Mart in the United States has revealed that they will be selling copies of Pokémon X and Y that feature exclusive unlock codes to download Garchomp and Scizor. Those that purchase a copy of Pokémon X from Wal-Mart from November 28th, 2013 until June 30th, 2014 will be able to get an exclusive Garchomp. Those that purchase Pokémon Y from Wal-Mart during the same time period will be able to get an exclusive Scizor. Players should look for the specially marked copies that have the label's on the covers.


Sources: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pokemon-X-Wal-Mart-Exclusive-Nintendo-3DS/33060453 and http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pokemon-Y-Wal-Mart-Exclusive-Nintendo-3DS/33060454

The Pokémon Direct on September 4th, 2013 was hosted by Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (岩田聡), The President of The Pokémon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara (石原恒和) and Game Freak Director Junichi Masuda (増田順一). The broadcast featured the announcements of many new features in the upcoming games Pokémon X and Y.

New Features Announced

• Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle will be the Pokémon Professor Sycamore gives out to players.
• Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise can Mega Evolve into Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard and Mega Blastoise.
• Chespin, Fennekin or Froakie will be given to player by their friend in game.
• Trainers must also obtain a bracelet called the Mega Ring that holds a mysterious stone called a Key Stone in order to perform Mega Evolutions.

Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter

Pokémon Bank (ポケモンバンク) and Poké Transporter (ポケムーバー PokéMover) are separate 3DS applications for the Nintendo 3DS that complement the Pokémon games. Players can securely store their Pokémon using this cloud service. Up to 3000 Pokémon can be stored but users must pay a yearly $5 subscription fee.


Poké Transporter allows players to send stored Pokémon from previous generation games and retrieve them in X and Y. It supports Pokémon all the way back to Generation 3 but only Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X and Y will be able to directly communicate with the service. All previous games will first have to transfer their Pokémon to one of those games through a variety of previous generation methods in order to get them into one of those games.

Two Limited Edition Pokémon-themed Nintendo 3DS XL Systems Launching on September 27

Available September 27th, 2013 at a suggested retail price of $199.99, two Limited Edition Nintendo 3DS XL systems featuring the new Legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will be available for purchase in North America and Europe. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y will be both sold separately.

Pokémon Direct - September 4th, 2013

Get Excited for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y!

CHOOSE BULBASAUR, CHARMANDER OR SQUIRTLE AND BATTLE WITH THEIR MEGA-EVOLVED FORMS IN POKÉMON X AND Y

Two Limited Edition Pokémon-themed Nintendo 3DS XL Systems Launching on September 27

BELLEVUE, WA—September 4, 2013—In a surprising twist announced this morning during a special Nintendo Direct presentation, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y players do not receive Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie from Professor Sycamore but are in fact given the choice of a classic partner Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle—from the very first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue! Adding to the excitement, once a player has evolved this Pokémon into Venusaur, Charizard, or Blastoise and obtained its unique Mega Stone, the Pokémon will be able to Mega Evolve while in battle. Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard, and Mega Blastoise will possess overwhelming powers never before seen in a Pokémon game. Players can choose fan favorite Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle when Pokémon X and Pokémon Y launch worldwide October 12, 2013, for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

More secrets about Mega Evolution were also revealed today. It was previously announced that certain Pokémon needed to hold a unique Mega Stone in order to Mega Evolve, but now it's known that there is a second requirement players must fulfill for Mega Evolution to occur. Trainers must also obtain a bracelet called the Mega Ring that holds a mysterious stone called a Key Stone. The Trainer's Key Stone resonates with the Mega Stone held by his or her Pokémon, and together they trigger the Evolution that is normally impossible—Mega Evolution.

Director from GAME FREAK inc., Mr. Junichi Masuda, also announced Pokémon Bank—a new Nintendo 3DS application and service that allows Pokémon X and Pokémon Y players to conveniently store up to 3,000 of their beloved Pokémon on the Internet. Pokémon Bank gives players the flexibility to store and deposit 100 Boxes worth of Pokémon. This is in addition to the Boxes found within Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, just like in previous Pokémon titles.

Additional features of Pokémon Bank include the ability to deposit and withdraw Pokémon from multiple copies of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Once a Pokémon X or Pokémon Y Game Card is inserted into a Nintendo 3DS system or the downloadable version of the game is opened, the Pokémon Bank software can be turned on for use. Players can then transfer Pokémon from multiple copies of the game via Pokémon Bank to one copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y.

Pokémon Bank software is activated upon payment of an annual service fee. This charge will support maintenance of the online server that allows players to store up to 3,000 Pokémon conveniently, and will provide the application's support for future Pokémon titles.

Players who activate Pokémon Bank, will be able to use its linked application, Poké Transporter, which makes transferring many Pokémon caught in other Pokémon games easy. What used to be a lengthy process to transfer Pokémon from a previous Pokémon game to the latest titles is now a breeze with Poké Transporter—just insert Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, or Pokémon White 2 into your Nintendo 3DS system and use Poké Transporter to transfer Pokémon from those games into Pokémon Bank.

Pokémon Bank will be available in North America on Nintendo eShop. More details about this software, including a free trial period, will be added to Pokemon.com in the near future.

Also announced in this morning's Nintendo Direct presentation were details for the North American release of two special Nintendo 3DS XL hardware designs featuring imagery from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. These systems come in Red or Blue and feature brand new Legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal. The systems will launch on September 27 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 each.

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=40392

A new update for Pokémon Tretta Lab for Nintendo 3DS is now available on the Japanese eShop. The Version 1.1 patch fixes some scanning accuracy issues.

Version 1.1 QR Code - Update Procedure

Instructions	QR Code
1. Turn on the camera by pressing the button (R or) L in the "HOME MENU". 2. Touch the two-dimensional code reader at the bottom left of the screen. 3. To read the QR code, use the camera and line up the code.

Source: http://www.pokemontretta.com/goods/dssoft.html