The Pokémon Company International released a press release today with new information about Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Pictures from the press release have been added to the Imageboard.

Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza Joins Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

True powers of Groudon and Kyogre revealed; Mega Camerupt, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Gallade make their debut in the Hoenn region


The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced today that fan favourite Rayquaza, an incredibly powerful Pokémon, will join fellow Legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre in the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video games. This mysterious Dragon- and Flying-type Pokémon is said to descend to the planet’s surface when Groudon and Kyogre clash. Adding to its legend, Rayquaza is somehow related to the mystery of Mega Evolution. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire players will find out precisely how when the video games launch November 28, 2014, for Nintendo 3DS and 2DS systems.

True Powers of Groudon and Kyogre

Legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre intensify their power under Primal Reversion, each obtaining an Ability that only Primal Groudon or Primal Kyogre can possess.

Primal Groudon gains the Desolate Land Ability, which changes the weather condition to extremely harsh sunlight. Opponents cannot change the weather condition during extremely harsh sunlight, meaning moves like Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Sandstorm, and Hail will fail, and Water-type attacks will fizzle out. Abilities like Drizzle, Drought, Sand Stream and Snow Warning will also fail to activate. Groudon can unleash a move unique to it alone, Precipice Blades, a powerful attack that can hit multiple opponents with an upward surge of sharp rocks.

Primal Kyogre’s exclusive Ability is Primordial Sea, which changes the weather condition to an oppressive heavy rain. As with extremely harsh sunlight, opponents cannot change the weather condition during heavy rain. The Abilities Drizzle, Drought, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning will fail to activate, and Fire-type attacks become ineffective as well. Kyogre has its own move that only it can use, Origin Pulse, an attack that can slam multiple opponents with water massed into ballistic orbs.

Team Magma and Team Aqua battle with Mega-Evolved Pokémon Team Magma is led by Maxie, who leads the team’s mission in seeking a world ideal for humanity. The organisation wishes to increase the landmass on the planet, adding to it so humanity can labour to achieve greater evolution and development. Team Magma thinks labouring for the equal coexistence of humanity and Pokémon is foolish and only holds back humanity’s progress.

During the team’s mission, Maxie battles with the Fire- and Ground-type Pokémon Camerupt, which can Mega Evolve into Mega Camerupt. Maxie wears a pair of Mega Glasses, set with a mysterious Key Stone needed to Mega Evolve his Pokémon. Players can battle with Camerupt, too, and when it Mega Evolves, its Ability changes to Sheer Force, which raises the power of all attacking moves that have an additional effect. But beware—the additional effects are ignored. Most of Mega Camerupt’s base stats are uniformly raised, but its Speed drops. It’s best to think of strategies where Mega Camerupt can be used as the second act in battle.

Team Aqua is led by Archie, who leads the team’s mission in increasing the size of the oceans in an effort to bring back the rich habitats lost to Pokémon due to humanity’s greed. Team Aqua believes the ocean is the font of all life, and by restoring it, its members think that they can re-create an ideal home for Pokémon.

During the team’s mission, Archie battles with the Water- and Dark-type Pokémon Sharpedo, which can Mega Evolve into Mega Sharpedo. Archie wears the Mega Anchor, set with a mysterious Key Stone needed to Mega Evolve his Pokémon. Players can battle with Sharpedo, too, and when it Mega Evolves, all of its stats show a boost, and its already high Attack is enhanced. Mega Sharpedo also gains the Strong Jaw Ability, which raises the power of bite attacks like Crunch.

A young Trainer named Wally and his Mega Gallade

When players begin their adventure, they will meet a timid young Trainer named Wally, who hails from Petalburg City. He hopes to be a strong Trainer despite being meek and shy. Tiny Ralts is the first Pokémon that Wally catches, and after it evolves into Kirlia and then Gallade, it can Mega Evolve into Mega Gallade. Players can encounter Ralts, too, and when they evolve it to Kirlia and use a Dawn Stone on a male Kirlia, it will evolve into Gallade. When Mega Evolved, Mega Gallade’s Ability changes to Inner Focus, which prevents it from flinching during battle. Its Attack and Speed stats also improve, making Mega Gallade an effective first-strike Pokémon.

Play the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version!

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo also announced today that players can start their next Hoenn-region adventure early with a special demo version of the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire games.

The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version features gameplay that players won’t experience anywhere else. During the course of this early adventure, players are likely to encounter a familiar Pokémon that can now Mega Evolve. What’s more, this Mega-Evolved Pokémon can be brought into the full Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire games. Reward items obtained during the Special Demo Version adventure can also be brought into the full game. Details about how to bring Pokémon and items into the full game will be announced soon.

More details about the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire special demo version will be announced soon.

Pokémon Bank and the Pokémon Global Link are compatible with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire games will be compatible with Pokémon Bank and supported by the Pokémon Global Link from the day of release.

Pokémon Bank is an application and service that allows players to deposit, store, and manage their Pokémon in private Boxes on the Internet. Pokémon Bank is a powerful resource for players who like to obtain many different kinds of Pokémon, or for those who like to raise many Pokémon in preparation for battles and competitions!

Pokémon Bank is a paid service with an annual charge for usage.

The Pokémon Global Link is a linked website that uses players’ saved data and gameplay progress, helping to bring together Pokémon players from around the world. The Pokémon Global Link will continue to support the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, as well as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

The Battle over Land and Sea! Trailer

The Pokémon Global Link website has announced the full details for the Fairy Face-Off Online Competition (フェアリーガーデン) which will take place from Friday, September 26, 2014, at 00:00 UTC through Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 23:59 UTC.

It was also announced that the Fairy Face-Off would be the first tournament to use the 2015 Season Age Division Update. The new age divisions are: Junior Division: Born in 2000 or later and Masters Division: Born in 1999 or earlier.

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, September 18, 2014, at 00:00 UTC through Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, September 26, 2014, at 00:00 UTC through Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 23:59 UTC Ranking Results Announcement: Friday, October 3, 2014 Max number of participants: 50 000 Player divisions: Junior Division: Born in 2000 or later Masters Division: Born in 1999 or earlier. Battle Type: Single Battle Pokémon Restrictions: Players could only use Fairy-type Pokémon from the National Pokédex (including dual-type Pokémon as long as one of the types is Fairy), excluding Xerneas and Diancie. Players could use only Pokémon found, caught, hatched from an Egg, or received through a special promotion in Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. Pokémon brought over via Poké Transporter could not participate in this competition. Entry Gift: 1000 PokéMiles
Description
The age divisions for Online Competitions were updated for the 2015 Season and the Fairy Face-Off was the first competition affected. The new age divisions were: Junior Division: Born in 2000 or later and Masters Division: Born in 1999 or earlier. Fairy-type Pokémon have been an exciting addition to the Pokémon battling scene and the Fairy Face-Off! Online Competition allowed only Fairy-type Pokémon. The competition used Single Battle format and players could register 3 to 6 of their level 1–100 Pokémon to their Battle Box. Pokémon automatically became Level 30 during battles. A 15-minute time limit for each match was automatically enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome had not been determined when the time limit expired, the game automatically applied tiebreakers to determine a winner. At the beginning of each battle, players had 90 seconds to select their Pokémon to battle with. At the beginning of each turn, players had 45 seconds to select a move or change Pokémon in battle. If a player had not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game automatically made selections for the player. Players could only play 10 rounds per day.

Sources: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/51792d84-32c9-493c-b468-abad2e914e2e and http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/5b2bfdf8-b14b-4b8b-97a2-ad6ad2365b7b

The Japanese Pokémon Global Link website has announced the details for the Japanese only Diamond Storm (ダイヤストーム). The details are listed below.

Information
Region: Japan Registration Period: September 4th, 2014 at 14:00 until September 12th, 2014 at 8:59 Tournament Period: September 12th, 2014 at 9:00 until September 15th, 2014 at 8:59 Ranking Results Announcement: Friday, September 19th, 2014 Max number of participants: 50 000 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 1999 or later. Masters Division: Born 1998 or earlier. Battle Type: Single Battle Pokémon Restrictions: Players were required to use the Diancie that was distributed at theaters in Japan for Movie 17. Players cannot use Pokémon that were brought to Pokémon X or Pokémon Y using the Nintendo 3DS downloadable software Poké Transporter. Players may use only Pokémon found in the Kalos Pokédexes of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y except Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde and Mewtwo. Entry Gift: 1000 PokéMiles
Description
Players were required to use the Diancie distributed at the theater for the 17th Pocket Monsters movie. The competition used Single Battle format and players could register 3 to 6 of their level 1–100 Pokémon to their Battle Box. Pokémon automatically became Level 50 during battles. A 30-minute time limit for each match was automatically enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome had not been determined when the time limit expired, the game automatically applied tiebreakers to determine a winner. At the beginning of each battle, players had 90 seconds to select their Pokémon to battle with. At the beginning of each turn, players had 60 seconds to select a move or change Pokémon in battle. If a player had not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game automatically made selections for the player. Players could only play 10 rounds per day.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/ef757ca5-a26a-401b-9efa-62e2e88d853f

The Japanese Pokémon Global Link website has announced the details for the Japanese only Pikachu Tournamentchu (ピカチュウ大会チュウ！). The details are listed below.

Information
Region: Japan Registration Period: August 14th, 2014 at 14:00 until August 22nd, 2014 at 8:59 Tournament Period: August 22nd, 2014 until August 25th, 2014 at 8:59 Ranking Results Announcement: Friday, August 29, 2014 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 1999 or later. Masters Division: Born 1998 or earlier. Battle Type: Triple Battle Pokémon Restrictions: Players are required to use Pikachu and last evolution chain Pokémon were not allowed to be used. Players may use only Pokémon found in the Kalos Pokédexes of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. All Pokémon not caught or hatched in the Kalos region. Entry Gift: Light Ball
Description
This tournament was based off of The Great Pikachu Outbreak! at Yokohama Minato Mirai (ピカチュウ大量発生チュウ！ at 横浜みなとみらい). Players could not use evolved Pokémon such as Lizardon, Garura or Kentaros. The competition used Triple Battle format and players could register 6 of their level 1–100 Pokémon to their Battle Box. Pokémon automatically became Level 30 during battles. A 30-minute time limit for each match was automatically enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome had not been determined when the time limit expired, the game automatically applied tiebreakers to determine a winner. At the beginning of each battle, players had 90 seconds to select their Pokémon to battle with. At the beginning of each turn, players had 60 seconds to select a move or change Pokémon in battle. If a player had not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game automatically made selections for the player. Players could only play 10 rounds per day.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/dfeeee2e-d3bb-4a32-a4b0-10073c464b77

The Pokémon Global Link announced that they are changing the Weekly Maintenance Time for the system. This is the normally scheduled downtime and not the extended maintenance that sometimes takes place.

Change in Scheduled Weekly Maintenance Time

Starting on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, the scheduled weekly maintenance time for the Pokémon Global Link will change as follows:

Current:
US: Every Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. EST
UK: Every Monday from 9:00 p.m. until Tuesday at 1:00 a.m. BST

New:
US: Every Monday from 8:00 p.m. until midnight EST
UK: Every Tuesday from 1:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. BST
This will also affect the time that new Rating Battle seasons begin.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/53bb11c1-3a44-4563-88d8-0204076ee8a2

The Pokémon Global Link website updated with details on the Super Speed Double Battle Online Competition (超速！ダブルバトル！！).

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 00:00 UTC through Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 00:00 UTC through Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 23:59 UTC Ranking Results Announcement: Friday, August 15, 2014 Max number of participants: 50 000 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 1999 or later. Masters Division: Born 1998 or earlier. Battle Type: Double Battle Pokémon Restrictions: Players may use any Pokémon from the National Pokédex, excluding the following: 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, Zygarde, and Diancie. Pokémon brought over from Pokémon Black, Pokémon White, Pokémon Black 2, or Pokémon White 2 Versions via Poké Transporter could participate in this competition. Entry Gift: 1000 PokéMiles Points
Description
Battle against Trainers from around the world in lightning-fast Double Battles! Who will emerge as the master of the Super Speed Double Battle Online Competition? The competition used Rotation Battle format and players could register 3–6 of their level 1–100 Pokémon to their Battle Box. Pokémon are automatically became Level 50 during battles. A 10-minute time limit for each match was automatically enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome had not been determined when the time limit expired, the game automatically applied tiebreakers to determine a winner. At the beginning of each battle, players had 15 seconds to select 3 Pokémon to battle with. At the beginning of each turn, players had 20 seconds to select a move or change Pokémon in battle. If a player had not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game automatically made selections for the player.

The Pokémon Global Link website has updated with the details for the next online competition. Battle of Legends Online Competition (ポケモン バトルレジェンド) will take place in July of 2014.

Battle of Legends Online Competition (ポケモン バトルレジェンド)

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 00:00 UTC through Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, July 25, 2014 at 00:00 UTC through Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 23:59 UTC Ranking Results Announcement: Friday, August 1, 2014 Max number of participants: 50 000 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 1999 or later. Masters Division: Born 1998 or earlier. Battle Type: Rotation Battle Pokémon Restrictions: Players may use any Pokémon from the National Pokédex. However, only up to two of the following Pokémon may be registered to the Battle Box: 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, Zygarde. Players cannot use Pokémon that were brought to Pokémon X or Pokémon Y using the Nintendo 3DS downloadable software Poké Transporter. Banned Pokémon: All Pokémon that are not directly from XY Entry Gift: 1000 PokéMiles Points
Description
In the Battle of Legends Online Competition, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon join in the fun! The competition uses Rotation Battle format and players can register 4–6 of their level 1–100 Pokémon to their Battle Box. Pokémon are automatically raised to Level 100 during battles. A 30-minute time limit for each match is automatically enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome has not been determined when the time limit expired, the game automatically applies tiebreakers to determine a winner. At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select 4 Pokémon to battle with. At the beginning of each turn, players have 60 seconds to select a move or change Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game automatically makes selections for the player.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/09fbce42-43ce-4192-a2f7-093f89cbb066

The Pokémon website has revealed the 2014 April Friendly online tournament for Pokémon X and Y. Below are the details.


Do you have a Pokémon party that you can't wait to battle with against top Trainers? Join the 2014 April Friendly, an Online Competition featuring players from around the world! The 2014 April Friendly features Single Battles, and every Pokémon in the Kalos Pokédex is eligible—even Legendary Pokémon such as Xerneas and Yveltal! All the Pokémon on your party will be set to Level 50 automatically for the duration of the battle—this goes for Pokémon above and below level 50.

Tournament Details

Region: North America and Europe
Registration Period: Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 00:00:00 through Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 23:59:00 UTC
Tournament Period: Friday, April 25, 2014 at 00:00:00 through Monday, April 28, 2014 at 23:59:00 UTC
Ranking Results Announcement: Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 00:00:00 UTC
Max number of participants: 50 000
Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 1999 or later.
Masters Division: Born 1998 or earlier.
Battle Type: Single Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Players may use only Pokémon found in the Kalos Pokédexes of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. Players cannot use Pokémon that were brought to Pokémon X or Pokémon Y using the Nintendo 3DS downloadable software Poké Transporter.
Banned Pokémon: All Pokémon not found in the Central Kalos, Coastal Kalos or Mountain Kalos Pokédexes.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pgl/2014-april-friendly/

The official Japanese Pokémon Website has revealed the Famitsu Challenge (ファミ通チャレンジ) online tournament for the Japanese versions of Pokémon X and Y. Registration is done via the Pokémon Global Link, and requires a Pokémon Daisuki Club membership account. All participants will receive a special "Famitsu Challenger" medal on their Global Link medal list.


Region: Japan
Registration Period: April 10th, 2014 until April 18th, 2014 at 8:59
Tournament Period: May 18th, 2014 until May 21st, 2014 at 8:59
Max number of participants: 50 000
Player divisions: Junior (players born in 2003 or later), Senior (players born between 2002 and 1999) and Master (players born in 1998 or earlier)
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Pokémon caught or hatched from eggs in Kalos
Banned Pokémon: All Pokémon not found in the Central Kalos, Coastal Kalos or Mountain Kalos Pokédexes, as well as Mewtwo, Xerneas, Yveltal, or Zygarde.
Entry Gift: Famitsu Challenger Medal

UPDATE: A Holo Caster message was sent out informing of this tournament. It can be found on our Holo Caster page alongside all other such messages.

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2014/03/140320_e01.html

The official Japanese Pokémon website has announced the Japan Cup 2014 (ジャパンカップ2014) will take place May 2nd, 2014 at 9:00 until May 5th, 2014 at 22：59.


As the preliminary competition for the Pokémon World Championships 2014, the PGL Japan Cup 2014 will be held in Japan. The tournament helps with ranking people to decide who would represent Japan for the Pokémon World Championships held in Washington, DC.

Region: Japan
Registration Period: April 23rd, 2014 at 14:00 until May 2nd, 2014 at 8:59
Tournament Period: May 2nd, 2014 at 9:00 until May 5th, 2014 at 22：59
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Pokémon caught or hatched from eggs in Kalos
Banned Pokémon: All Pokémon not found in the Central Kalos, Coastal Kalos or Mountain Kalos Pokédexes, as well as Mewtwo, Xerneas, Yveltal, or Zygarde.

Details of this tournament have been added to our Pokémon X and Pokémon Y online tournament list.

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/wcs2014/game.html