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

At the start of Season 3 for Rating Battles, the Pokémon Global Link website added Rating Battle Pokémon Ranking statistics for each Season. The top 12 Pokémon are listed for: All matches, Single, Double, Triple, Rotation and Special Battles. Clicking on each Pokémon lists: The top moves used by that Pokémon, its Ability, the Nature, the Item held and the Top 10 Pokémon entered together with that Pokémon.


Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/battle/

Club Nintendo has announced that people who register a portable Nintendo 2DS, 3DS, or 3DS XL system and a qualifying game between March 1st, 2014 to March 31st, 2014 can get a FREE Pokémon X or Pokémon Y download code. The offer is only valid in Canada and the United States.

The six qualifying titles are:

• Mario Kart™ 7
• Super Mario 3D Land™
• Animal Crossing™: New Leaf
• LEGO® City Undercover: The Chase Begins
• Yoshi's New Island™
• Donkey Kong Country™ Returns 3D

Club Nintendo Free Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Offer FAQ

This promotion begins on 3/1/14. Products registered prior to this date do not qualify for this promotion. Buy and register a Nintendo 2DS™, Nintendo 3DS™, or Nintendo 3DS XL system and any one of six qualifying games (below) between 3/1/14 (12:01 a.m. PT) and 3/31/14 (11:59 p.m. PT) and you'll receive a free download code for the digital version of Pokémon™ X or Pokémon Y.

How to Participate:

1. Register the PIN number for a Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS, or Nintendo 3DS XL system between 3/1/14 (12:01 a.m. PT) and 3/31/14 (11:59 p.m. PT). The PIN number is found inside the hardware packaging.
2. Link your system's Nintendo eShop account to your Club Nintendo account.
3. Register a digital or physical version of a qualifying game (Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins, Yoshi's New Island, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D) in a Club Nintendo account between 3/1/14 (12:01 a.m. PT) and 3/31/14 (11:59 p.m. PT).
   
   Digital: To register a digital version, make sure to link your system to your Club Nintendo account before purchasing in Nintendo eShop.
   Physical: Physical versions can be registered using the PIN number included inside the software packaging.
   
   
4. After both the system and game have been registered, click "Select Your Free Game" in your Club Nintendo To-Do list.
5. Choose your free game (Pokémon X or Pokémon Y).
6. Verify the email address you'd like the download code to be sent to, then confirm your order.
7. The download code will appear on the screen. It will also be sent to the email address associated to your account, and will appear in your Reward Order History.
8. The download code can be redeemed in the Nintendo eShop of any Nintendo 3DS family system and expires on 05/31/14.

Nintendo 3DS - Free Pokémon X / Pokémon Y Digital Download Offer (US/CAN) Trailer

Source: http://club2.nintendo.com/3ds-pokemon-promo/

The Japanese Pokémon Global Link website announced that for 3 minutes between 14:43 and 14:46 on Wednesday February 12th, 2014, the Nintendo Network service had a system failure which caused Rating Battles to be logged improperly.

An investigation concluded that 55 matches and 110 players were affected during this time period. For those of affected, a personal apology addressing the issue will appear at the top of the page for those players when they login to the Pokémon Global Link website.

Pokémon Global Link Maintenance

It was also announced that the Pokémon Global Link will enter a maintenance period and will be unavailable for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y during the following times:

US: Monday, February 24, 2014, from 3:00 p.m. (EST) until Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 7:00 a.m.
UK: Monday, February 24, 2014, from 8:00 p.m. (GMT) until Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.

Sources: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/network/en_na/network_status.jsp, http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/98fd69cc-31ba-49a7-ac4f-e8de73c9a942/ and http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/87e54e29-2572-4e9e-810f-b88c4c4e9ebd

Nintendo UK has announced that they are searching for the very best Pokémon Experts and newcomers to participate in the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014. Tournament consists of 4 different categories: Ultimate Pokémon Expert, Junior Pokémon Expert, Pokémon Apprentice and Ultimate Pokémon Team.

Regional Heats

The Regional Heats are single elimination knock-out for each tournament category. All tournament rules adhere to the official rules for the Pokémon Video Game '14 Season unless stated otherwise. The winner of each tournament heat is entered into the Grand Final in London on April 26th, 2014.

Qualification Locations:

• Bullring, Birmingham – 1st March
• GAME Churchill Square, Brighton – 1st March
• GAME Murraygate, Dundee – 2nd March
• Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle – 8th March
• GAME Hamleys, London – 8th March
• GAME St. David’s Centre, Cardiff – 8th March
• WestQuay, Southampton – 15th March
• GAME Meadowhall, Sheffield – 15th March
• GAME Castle Street, Banbury – 15th March
• Bluewater, Kent – 22nd March
• GAME Back Of The Inns, Norwich – 22nd March
• GAME Victoria Centre, Nottingham – 22nd March
• Intu Trafford Centre, Manchester – 29th March
• GAME Westfield Stratford City, London – 29th March
• Intu Braehead, Glasgow – 5th April
• GAME Cribbs Causeway, Bristol – 5th April

Ultimate Pokémon Expert

Ultimate Pokémon Expert is for players aged 13 and over. Players must bring their own console and copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y for use in the tournament. The battles are conducted under Double Battle Flat Rules. The Grand Final prize is a trip to Tokyo for two people for seven nights, including flights, accommodation and a trip to the Pokémon Centre. The winner and runner-up at the Grand Final will receive fast track entries to the second round of the Official Play! Pokémon UK VCG Championships in May 2014. Winners will be placed in the appropriate age category for the Play! Pokémon series events based on The Pokémon Company International rules set for the season.

Junior Pokémon Expert

Junior Pokémon Expert is for players aged 12 or under. Players must bring their own console and copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y for use in the tournament. The battles are conducted under Double Battle Flat Rules. The Grand Final prize is a family trip for four to The Alton Towers Theme Park & Resort, including 3 nights' accommodation and weekend access to the theme parks. The winner and runner-up at the Grand Final will receive fast track entries to the second round of the Official Play! Pokémon UK VCG Championships in May 2014. Winners will be placed in the appropriate age category for the Play! Pokémon series events based on The Pokémon Company International rules set for the season.

Pokémon Apprentice

Players can bring their own console and copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y for use in the tournament, or they will provide players with a console and game with a pre-set team. Battles are conducted under Double Battle Normal Rules. All Pokémon entered as part of the team may not hold items, including Mega Stones, or exceed Level 50 in their normal state. The Grand Final prize is a bundle of Nintendo 3DS games coming out in 2014, plus a collection of Pokémon Trading Card Game packs.

Ultimate Pokémon Team

The Ultimate Pokémon Team is for family teams of two. The older player must be aged 16+, and the younger aged 12 or under. Players can bring their own console and copy of Pokémon X or Pokémon Y for use in the tournament, or they provide players with a console and game with a pre-set team. Battles are conducted under Four Player, Double Battle Normal Rules. All Pokémon entered as part of the team may not hold items, including Mega Stones. The younger team member's Pokémon may not exceed Level 50 in their normal state. The older team member can enter Pokémon at any level. The Grand Final prize is £250 of Nintendo UK Online Store Vouchers, plus a trip for four to London including tickets to the EGX London exhibition.

Full tournament rules are available on Nintendo's website. Players can also register at the Battle Tournament website.

Tournament Trailer

Source: https://microsite.nintendo-europe.com/pokemontournament/

The Pokémon Company International revealed a newly discovered Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games, Rock- and Fairy-type Pokémon, Diancie! Diancie is an extremely rare Mythical Pokémon, a special Pokémon that cannot be found during normal gameplay. Known to boast the greatest beauty in all the world, Diancie’s body glitters pink, captivating the hearts of many. During battle, Diancie can produce a great volume of diamonds instantaneously by compressing air between its hands. It uses these diamonds to attack enemies and protect itself.

Details on how Pokémon X and Pokémon Y players can get Diancie will be shared at a later date. Images and screenshots for Diancie have been added to our Dex and Imageboard.

Meet Diancie in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Trailer

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcGXa9IJetY

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/

Nintendo has announced on their Current Network Status page that Pokémon X and Y will undergo Extended Maintenance from Monday, February 3rd, 2014 at 4:00 PM until Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 12:00 AM Pacific Time. Online Play, Rankings and other features that require the Nintendo Network will be unavailable for players of Pokémon X and Y. The Pokémon X and Y Game Sync duration will be changed to 3 hours after this maintenance window.

Source: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/network/en_na/network_status.jsp