In the 78th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Nintendo Co., Ltd. invitation document, it was announced that Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata has been nominated to become the new Outside Director of The Pokémon Company. The Shareholder Voting meeting takes place on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 10 a.m. Japan time.

Reasons for selection as a candidate
Mr. Satoru Shibata has gained extensive business experience in overseas marketing, successively served as the President of overseas subsidiaries, and has a thorough understanding of company management. We request his election as a new Director based on our judgment that he will enhance the decision-making and supervisory functions of the Board of Directors and contribute to the improvement of corporate value.

Source: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2018/convocation_notice1806e.pdf

Nintendo and GAME FREAK applied for a Card Display Screen Apparatus patent in the United States and details of this patent were disclosed on April 26th, 2018 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Inventor of the device is Koji Kawada and it was filed on October 25th, 2017 but it appears that work on the device began at least a few years ago as the Japanese patent was filed on October 25th, 2016.


The device seems to be intended for use in the Pokémon franchise as it is a joint patent between Nintendo and GAME FREAK and the patent indicates that: "In a game of this embodiment, the player can capture (collect) the character of wild monster by operating the player character and making it a fellow character. Moreover, the player can make the fellow character fight with the character of the monster owned by the enemy character. Furthermore, the player can train (raise) the fellow character and raise its level. For example, an offensive power or/and defensive power can be strengthened. However, the fellow character may evolve (deform) in some cases."

Patent Abstract:

A non-limiting example game apparatus includes a display device, and a card display screen including an image of a card object is displayed on the display device. The image of the card object is constituted by a character image arranged in the front most and a composite image that is arranged at a back thereof, and with the composite image is obtained by combining a color change image, a background image and a pattern image. The color change image includes a plurality of polygons, and a color of each of vertices is set so as to cyclically change according to an attitude of the game apparatus and respective vertices positions of the plurality of polygons. The color change image and the background image are combined with each other, so that brightness of the background image cyclically changes according to the color of the color change image that cyclically changes.

Source: http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov

Nintendo revealed its Nintendo's Consolidated Results for the Years Ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 report which indicted that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon sold 7.51 million units or just about 50% less of what Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon sold last year in a shorter time span.

Operating Results and Financial Positions for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2018

Nintendo 3DS hardware sales remained solid in each region even after the launch of Nintendo Switch, with sales during this fiscal year reaching 6.40 million units. For the Nintendo 3DS software, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon sold 7.51 million units, while overall sales for this fiscal year totaled 35.64 million units.

Source: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2018/180426e.pdf

Pokémon RPG for Nintendo Switch Still Scheduled for Release in "2018 or later"

Nintendo also revealed in the Earnings Release for Fiscal Year Ended March 2018 - Supplementary Information in the Launch Schedule of Primary Nintendo Products by Region (extracts: Apr. 2018〜) section that a Pokémon RPG for Nintendo Switch (temp.) is still scheduled for release in "2018 or later".

Source: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2018/180426_4e.pdf

Nintendo has announced that people can redeem 50 My Nintendo Platinum Points to get a Detective Pikachu wallpaper for your PC, smartphone and tablet. Also announced was the Detective Pikachu demo became available to download on April 5th, 2018 on the North American Nintendo 3DS eShop.


The wallpaper can be downloaded in eleven different resolutions.

Landscape format:
3840x2160・ 2560x1440・1920x1080・1366x768・1280x1024

Portrait format:
1440x2560・1242x2208・1080x1920・750x1334・720x1280・640x1136

Source: https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/852e66e921d7c568

Free special demo version of the Detective Pikachu game!

You’ve never seen a Pikachu like this one!

You can team up with a witty, tough-talking Pikachu to uncover clues, solve mysteries, and encounter familiar faces from the Pokémon world in Detective Pikachu, a new detective adventure game for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

Want to try out the game? You can play the FREE special demo version of Detective Pikachu, available now for download on Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. In the demo, players can enjoy the beginning of the game and transfer their save data to the full version of Detective Pikachu (once purchased).

Detective Pikachu is available now for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. For more information about the game, you can visit the official site.

For a limited time, players who purchase the Detective Pikachu™ game will receive a bonus download code for a Detective Pikachu theme for the HOME Menu on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, including Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 2DS XL. Starting 3/23 purchase the digital or packaged version of the game on Nintendo eShop, Nintendo.com, or select retailers to get your bonus code, and enjoy this cool yet cute Detective Pikachu theme! Offer ends April 22, 2018. Internet connection required. Code expires 12/31/2018. For more information on how to download the theme, visit http://support.nintendo.com/redeem-a-theme.

Fans can play Detective Pikachu on a New Nintendo 2DS XL system that features Pikachu’s iconic face, now available in stores at a suggested retail price of //media.pocketmonsters.net/news/3218/detective_pikachu_platinum_points.png59.99. The New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition system is just as electric as the Pokémon itself, with an eye-catching yellow design featuring a stylized close-up of Pikachu’s face. As with all Nintendo 2DS systems, the New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition system plays Nintendo 3DS games in 2D. (Note: The Detective Pikachu game and the New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition system are sold separately.)

Source: https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/free-special-demo-version-of-the-detective-pikachu-game

Nintendo has announced that the Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Version 1.2 patch is now available to download and it fixes a glitch with the Curse, Forest’s Curse, Power Trick and String Shot moves that could cause the game to freeze during Live Competitions. The patch is required for all online functions and uses 539 Blocks.

Official Patch Notes for Version 1.2:

• Various fixes to improve gameplay.

Source: http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/28054/p/430

Play! Pokémon Video Game Rules Update

The recent move bans have been lifted from Play! Pokémon video game tournaments.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon have been updated to version 1.2. The moves Curse, Forest's Curse, Power Trick, and String Shot are no longer banned from Play! Pokémon video game tournaments. The new update is required to play in tournaments. To update your game, visit the Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon entry on Nintendo eShop and then download the latest patch.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-video-game-rules-update/

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced Detective Pikachu, a new video game scheduled to release exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems both digitally and at retail on March 23rd, 2018. It was originally released in Japan on February 3rd, 2016, which will be over two years later when it is released worldwide. High resolution images and screenshots from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

DETECTIVE PIKACHU COMING SOON TO NINTENDO 3DS

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced Detective Pikachu, a new video game scheduled to release exclusively on the Nintendo 3DSTM family of systems both digitally and at retail on 23 March 2018. An action-adventure title, Detective Pikachu finds the hero of the title – a unique Pikachu in the Pokémon world – partnering with Tim Goodman and searching for evidence and clues to solve a series of cases, whilst also investigating the disappearance of Tim’s father, Harry Goodman.


When he arrives in Ryme City looking for his missing father, little does Tim know he would meet a Pikachu, but more amazingly a Pikachu who he could communicate with. There’s more to this Pikachu than a detective hat – he’s one lovably gruff, tough-talking sleuth, with a taste for good coffee.


This Pikachu claims that he worked with Tim’s father, and the two pair up to discover his whereabouts. Together, Tim and Detective Pikachu will encounter a number of mysteries in Ryme City and will need to talk to witnesses and gather their testimony in order to discover the truth. Cases that would be impossible for Tim to solve alone can be cracked with the help of this Pikachu, because he is able to obtain vital clues and information from other Pokémon.

Detective Pikachu includes all the chapters of the 2016 Japan-exclusive Nintendo eShop release, Detective Pikachu – Birth of a New Duo, but adds further content that completes the story. The game features new locations to explore, as well as a colourful cast of both Pokémon and human characters.

For those players who are new to sleuthing and may need some help in uncovering the evidence, Detective Pikachu features an Easy Mode, where the title character will provide handy hints on what to do or where to go next.

A special Detective Pikachu amiibo is also planned for when the game launches. It’s larger than a regular amiibo, and it allows players to view all the Pika Prompts (short video clips) from chapters they have completed, including ones they missed finding earlier. These clips feature Pikachu’s quips and antics – and may even contain a hint.

YouTube Trailer - Solve Mysteries with Detective Pikachu!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeYARbPHcvk

On November 19th, 2017, a new update for Pokémon Bank became available bring it to version 1.4 and it requires 516 blocks. The update now supports Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon.

Pokémon Bank Version 1.4 Notes:

• This update must be applied in order to use the Internet features of Pokémon Bank.
• Save data will still be available for use after downloading the update.
• After downloading the update, please do not delete the update data. Update data can be viewed in the "Downloadable Content" area of the Data Management menu.
• Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon are now supported.

Source: http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13323/~/how-to-update-the-pok%C3%A9mon-bank-application

Nintendo has announced that to celebrate the launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Pikachu & Poké Ball Nintendo 3DS theme has been added to My Nintendo's rewards. The theme costs 100 Platinum Points.

Pikachu & Poké Ball Reward info

A new light shines on the Alola region!

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon are now available for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems and My Nintendo is celebrating the launch with Pokémon-themed rewards!

You can redeem your My Nintendo points and get this cute Pikachu & Poké Ball Nintendo 3DS Home Menu theme. Pikachu soaks in the Alola region sun by jumping on the top screen and napping on a familiar-looking beach ball on the bottom—just the thing for your New Nintendo 2DS XL - Poke Ball Edition system!

Source: https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/607fede71a49a834?imp=53ac554b820f3f2956da96e5e70882755a3776fd:reward_list:1:11

Nintendo of Europe has announced that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Producer Shigeru Ohmori and Director Kazumasa Iwao will be available for StreetPass Mii Plaza in Europe to celebrate the launch of the games.

New arrivals in the Mii StreetPass Plaza

To celebrate the launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, two special Mii characters are heading to a StreetPass Mii Plaza near you!

Until January 9th 2018, producer Shigeru Ohmori will be available in the StreetPass Mii Plaza wearing a pair of golden trousers to mark the occasion! Director Kazumasa Iwao will also be available to StreetPass at Nintendo Zones at GAME until January 9th 2018. And yes – he’ll be sporting a pair of golden trousers too!

Source: https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2017/November/In-shops-and-on-Nintendo-eShop-now-Pokemon-Ultra-Sun-and-Pokemon-Ultra-Moon-1306255.html

Nintendo has announced the Patch Notes for Pokkén Tournament DX Ver. 1.1.0 for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokkén Tournament DX Ver. 1.1.0 Patch Notes:

• Players can now participate in online Team Battles.
• A recording feature has been added to Free Training in Practice Mode.
• Players can get special titles based on their ranking in Official Group Matches.
  • Official Group Matches are groups held officially for Pokkén Tournament DX. Rewards are only available for certain Official Group Matches.
• It is now possible to change how battle records are displayed.
• Battle records will be displayed when players enter a group.
• Team Battles are now available in Event Mode
• Adjustments have been made to some Pokémon and attacks.

Pokémon	Attack	Adjustments
All Battle Pokémon	System	Fixed an issue that caused Support Pokémon to be called and Synergy Burst to be activated simultaneously when players press L and R while being hit with an attack that does not cause hit stun.
All Battle Pokémon	Double Jump	Fixed an issue where players couldn’t double jump diagonally after certain actions in Field Phase. Fixed an issue where players couldn’t double jump while affected by a positive status increasing their number of jumps.
Lucario	Forward Weak Attack	Fixed an issue that allowed Lucario to move during a Burst Attack’s animation when hit by a Burst Attack with specific timing.
Machamp	Burst Attack	Fixed an issue that allowed opponents to move during its Burst Attack’s animation.
Suicine	Aurora Beam	Fixed an issue where an Aurora Beam to the left or right couldn’t be used from a canceled Ranged Attack.
Gengar	Permeate	Fixed an issue that allowed players to use Permeate again after using Permeate, double jumping, and then using a Jumping Ranged Attack.
Chandelure	Overheat	Fixed an issue where Chandelure did not turn black when affected by a negative status when its action was interrupted by an opponent’s attack.
Chandelure	Forward Strong Attack (Synergy Burst active)	Fixed an issue that caused its stats to change after using Burst Attack.
Garchomp	Dragon Claw (Field Phase)	Fixed an issue where players couldn’t transition to Running Stance when canceling a Ranged Attack into this move.
Empoleon	Grab attack (Duel Phase)	Fixed an issue where some attacks would combo after a Phase Shift.
Scizor	Metal Claw	Fixed an issue where some attacks would combo after a Phase Shift.
Scizor	Bug Bite to dash step	Fixed an issue where Duel Phase moves could be used after a Phase Shift.
Decidueye	Razor Leaf to Soaring Stance to dash step	Fixed an issue where players could double jump even if they were not affected by a positive status increasing Decidueye’s number of jumps.
Decidueye	Soaring Stance	Fixed an issue where players temporarily lost control of the Pokémon after it was hit by an attack with specific timing.
Decidueye	Soaring Stance to Strong Attack	Fixed an issue where when only the first hit connected, opponents were unable to move even after the hit stun had finished.

Source: http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27506/p/897