Nintendo announced their latest console at E3 on June 7th, 2011. The console will be release in 2012. Below are the details from the Nintendo press site.

With a revolutionary new touch screen controller, precision motion controls, and full HD graphics, a whole new world of play styles and gaming possibilities is on the horizon. The time is coming to truly expand your idea about what a game console is—and can be.


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Nintendo Wii U System Specs

Launches: 2012
Size: Approximately 1.8 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long.
New Controller: The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world. The rechargeable controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. It includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.Other Controls: Up to four Wii Remote™ (or Wii Remote Plus) controllers can be connected at once. The new console supports all Wii™ controllers and input devices, including the Nunchuk™ controller, Classic ControllerTM, Classic Controller ProTM and Wii Balance Board™.
Media: A single self-loading media bay will play 12-centimeter proprietary high-density optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs.
Video Output: Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI, component, S-video and composite.
Audio Output: Uses AV Multi Out connector. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI.
Storage: The console will have internal flash memory, as well as the option to expand its memory using either an SD memory card or an external USB hard disk drive.
CPU: IBM Power®-based multi-core microprocessor.
Other: Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible with Wii games and Wii accessories.


Source: http://e3.nintendo.com/

On June 1st, 2011, the yearly Pocket Monsters press conference reading for the current movie took place. For this years 14th Pocket Monsters movies Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram / Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム / ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム), Hideki Takahashi (高橋英樹) the voice of Zekrom, Shōsuke Tanihara (谷原章介) the voice of Reshiram, Satomi Ishihara (石原さとみ) the voice of Carlita (カリータ), Shōko Nakagawa the voices of Shade and Aude, Kōichi Yamadera (山寺宏一) the voice of Momont, Mao Daichi (大地真央) the voice of Janta, and director Kunihiko Yuyama (湯山邦彦) were all in attendance. Shoko-tan is participating in her 5th consecutive Pocket Monsters movie.


Pictures from the event have been added to the imageboard.

Source: http://eiga.com/news/20110601/14/

NintendoWorldReport has posted information about the first Pokémon related Nintendo 3DS eShop download, Pokédex 3D. Pokédex 3D features more than 150 Pokémon from the 5th generation games and allows players to look up information about them. The eShop download will be free and it will support the SpotPass and Augmented Reality features.

Players will only start with 16 Pokémon and but the remaining Pokémon can be unlocked by scanning the QR Codes, using SpotPass or by trading data with friends. Player can view each Pokémon in 3D and rotate them around. Pokédex 3D will also support the Nintendo 3DS's built-in Augmented Reality option to display Pokémon in pictures taken via the 3DS Camera.


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More screenshots from the Nintendo 3DS eShop download have been posted on the Imageboard.

JUNE 6 NINTENDO 3DS SYSTEM UPDATE ADDS INTERNET BROWSER, ONLINE STORE AND POKÉDEX 3D

REDMOND, Wash., June 2, 2011 – Nintendo of America has announced that the first major system update for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in North America the evening of June 6, Pacific time. By installing the free update via a wireless broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to an Internet browser and the Nintendo eShop, which contains a variety of new content, including Pokédex™ 3D, an application that lets fans see Pokémon™ characters in 3D. To celebrate the grand opening of the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo is offering the NES™ game Excitebike™ re-mastered in 3D as a free download until July 7 for anyone who installs the system update. Upcoming Virtual Console™ content available in the Nintendo eShop includes Game Boy™ games Super Mario Land™, Alleyway™ and Radar Mission™. New content will be added to the Nintendo eShop on Thursdays.

The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy and Game Boy Color "Virtual Console" games in their original 2D glory, and more than 350 Nintendo DSiWare™ games. Visitors can also view video game trailers, screen shots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.

Within the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo 3DS users will also be able to download the free Pokédex 3D application and start collecting data for more than 150 Pokémon from the Pokémon™ Black Version and Pokémon White Version games. This new application lets users view each Pokémon in 3D with animated motion and sound. The Pokémon image can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing users to zoom in and view it from any angle. The detailed Pokédex also allows users to search, sort and filter all of the data they receive in a variety of ways, making it the essential guide for Pokémon fans. Players can complete their Pokédex by sharing data with friends and using the SpotPass™ feature, or by scanning special Pokémon AR Markers (augmented-reality markers). Once users have received data for a Pokémon, the AR Viewer allows them to view that Pokémon image in a real-world setting in real time, and create photos to share with friends.

"The Nintendo 3DS system is constantly evolving and growing," said Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. "The Nintendo eShop is a one-stop resource for a broad range of Nintendo information and downloadable games and applications. It expands the Nintendo 3DS experience with new and entertaining content."

Other capabilities that go live with the system update include a free Internet browser that has the capability to show 3D images on sites specifically designed to show 3D images. The browser can also be used during game play. Users can stop their Nintendo 3DS game and go to the browser by pressing the Home button and then resume their game when they are finished browsing.

The system update also gives Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ system owners the ability to easily transfer most of their previously downloaded Nintendo DSiWare™ games to their new Nintendo 3DS systems.

In the near future, users will be able to download a free application for a short-form video service that will enable them to view specially selected video content, including 3D movie trailers, comedy clips and music videos automatically received when the SpotPass feature is activated.

To install the recommended system update, Nintendo 3DS users can simply start the "System Settings" from the Home Menu, select "Other Settings" and scroll the page right to select "System Update."

Remember that the Nintendo 3DS system features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo3ds.com.

Sources: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26460 & http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=29211

McDonald’s announced on May 25th, 2011 that exclusive figures and one of 12 Pokémon Trading Card Game cards would be included in each McDonald’s Happy Meal Box starting on June 17th, 2011 until supplies last.

Press Release

BELLEVUE, Wash. May 25, 2011 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time--Pokémon™ Black•White-themed Happy Meals arrive in participating McDonald’s® stores across North America beginning June 17, 2011, as one of the world’s most popular entertainment properties launches its Happy Meal promotion with the leading foodservice provider. Pokémon fans visiting North American McDonald’s locations June 17–July 7 can purchase a Happy Meal featuring one of eight McDonald’s exclusive Pokémon figures, including Pikachu and brand-new Pokémon Reshiram, Zekrom, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Zorua, and Zoroark, as well as one of twelve Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, to celebrate what has already been a blockbuster year for the franchise. The Pokémon Company International continues its McDonald’s Black•White Happy Meal promotion in major markets around the world later in 2011 and 2012.

“We’re excited that our fans can visit McDonald’s, purchase a Happy Meal, and enjoy something special from Pokémon.”

“The Pokémon franchise is having an incredible year, and partnering with McDonald’s is definitely one of our highlights,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “We’re excited that our fans can visit McDonald’s, purchase a Happy Meal, and enjoy something special from Pokémon.”

The Pokémon Black•White Happy Meal promotion will be supported by McDonald’s through a fully integrated marketing campaign that includes television advertising, in-store POP, and online activities at McWorld.com and HappyMeal.com.

The Pokémon franchise continues to be one of the most enduring entertainment brands in the world. The release of the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems have shattered sales records with more than 11.5 million copies sold since their release in Japan last September and in the United States and Europe this March (Nintendo, March 2011). The all-new Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White expansion launched in April, adding to the more than 15 billion Pokémon TCG cards produced worldwide. A new season of Pokémon animation on Cartoon Network, Pokémon: Black & White, and a new feature length film, Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions, have also been released this year.

Viz has announces a Pokémon Travel Kit for younger kids to keep them busy on longer trips. The travel kit features the starter Pokémon from the 5th generation. Below is the full press release.

Press Release

NEW POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT FROM VIZ MEDIA GIVES KIDS HOURS OF FUN THIS SUMMER

Just in time for summer, VIZ Media delivers hours of Pokémon fun with the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT! Featuring Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott and other new Pokémon from the Unova region, the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT includes an activity pad, poster, stickers and six chunky crayons, all packaged in a suitcase-style case! Recommended for ages 5 and up, the POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT also makes a wonderful gift.

The POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT will be available on May 31st from the VIZKIDS imprint for the suggested retail price of $11.99 U.S. / $13.99 CAN, and includes:

• One 64-page POKÉMON activity pad (featuring word finds, mazes and other puzzle activities)
• Two full-color POKÉMON sticker sheets
• One double-sided poster for POKÉMON sticker play
• Six POKÉMON crayons
• Don’t forget to pull out the divider for bonus Legendary Reshiram and Zekrom standees!

The POKÉMON TRAVEL ACTIVITY KIT is one of several Pokémon releases from the VIZKIDS imprint. Look for POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE, the manga series inspired by the most recent POKÉMON video game releases, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems. Meet all-new Pokémon from the fastest-selling Pokémon video games in history. VIZ Media will launch the POKÉMON BLACK & WHITE series in July 2011.

Source: http://www.viz.com

Nintendo Japan posted a small press release today confirming rumors that a new Nintendo console would be released soon. Below is the press release.

Press Release

Nintendo Co., Ltd. has decided to launch in 2012 a system to succeed Wii, which the company has sold 86.01 million units on a consolidated shipment basis between its launch in 2006 and the end of March 2011.

We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

Sale of this new system have not been included in the financial forecasts announced today for the fiscal term ending March 2012.

Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp

The official Pokémon Youtube Channel is now available at: http://www.youtube.com/pokemon/. The official Pokémon website announced the channel and launched the debut music video "Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All)" by The Presidents of the United States of America. The Pokémon Youtube Channel also has movie trailers, game trailers and various other videos. Video embedding on website has been disabled on the account though, making the channels videos quite pointless, especially considering most of them are advertisements that are to be viewed as much as possible. Below is the description from the channel.

Official Pokémon Youtube Channel Description

Watch Pokémon game and animation trailers, special features, and event highlights here on the official Pokémon YouTube channel!

You can also watch full-length episodes of the Pokémon TV show, play online games, and get the latest information about Pokémon video games and Trading Card Game at http://www.pokemon.com

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/news_musicvideo-2011-04-14/

United Kingdom pop group One Direction, who shot to fame on the 7th series of X-Factor, have signed a promotional deal with Nintendo and will be starring in a series of television commercials starting Monday, April 11th, 2011 to promote the latest Pokémon Black and White games. Below is the official press release and their first diary.

Press Release

One Direction have been announced as the stars in a series of adverts for the latest smash hit Pokémon Black and Pokémon White on Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi. The advert will first air on Monday 11th April.

Meanwhile the stars of Pokémon joined the boys on the X Factor tour to find out more about what they get up to backstage! Keep an eye out on here, as we will be running competitions to win Nintendo goodies as well as, exclusive announcements and more, make sure you dont miss out!

Source: http://www.onedirectionmusic.com/

Unlike the previously announced Flash game, this new Pokémon Trading Card Game Online will allow players to play the card game online with virtually anyone else at any time. Below are the full details.

Press Release

New Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Offers 24-Hour Battling, Sanctioned Tournaments, Customizable Features, and More for Players Worldwide

BELLEVUE, WA-March 10, 2011-Pokémon fans can soon play the Pokémon TCG with anyone, anytime, anywhere, simply by turning on their computers. Expanding on the recently introduced Pokémon Trainer Challenge, The Pokémon Company International announced today the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, a player-versus-player TCG, launching in fall 2011 for anyone looking to battle 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the convenience of their PC. Pokémon TCG Online is a fully immersive online game using virtual Pokémon TCG cards that players can collect, trade, and use to battle with others just like in the real world!

When Pokémon TCG Online launches later this year at www.pokemontcg.com, players will already have two ways to collect virtual Pokémon TCG cards, ensuring they are ready for battle online. The recently announced Pokémon Trainer Challenge, launching in April, will give players access to three free virtual Pokémon TCG pre-constructed decks that will be transferable into Pokémon TCG Online. New and seasoned Pokémon TCG players can also prepare for online battles against other players by purchasing physical cards -the three Pokémon TCG: Black & White theme decks, which are available April 6th, include a code that unlocks a virtual deck for play in the Pokémon Trainer Challenge and Pokémon TCG Online. The more virtual cards players collect, the easier it will be to create a strong deck for battle!

To help manage virtual Pokémon TCG cards for easy sorting, trading, and showcasing while ensuring a customizable, in-depth TCG play experience, a unique Collection Management Tool will provide players easy point-and-click access to their collections. Additionally, Pokémon TCG Online deck-building tools, including an innovative deck-building wizard, will help construct personalized decks that players of all skill levels can call into battle.

“We developed the Pokémon TCG Online to enable fans of the Pokémon TCG to play against opponents worldwide,” said Andrew Finch, senior director of Online & Community Development at The Pokémon Company International. “Everything Pokémon TCG players love about the game is replicated in a rich, customizable online environment, making it possible to battle when you want and how you want, from training for real-world events to simply battling other TCG players from across the globe.”

Some of the most popular elements of social and casual games are intertwined with the best of TCG game play in Pokémon TCG Online. Similar to the real-world Pokémon TCG community, the trading of digital TCG cards and items in real time will allow players to interact with others while building decks and collecting a wide variety of Pokémon TCG-related items online. Various customizable features and digital items will be available through a special currency system earned through numerous game play scenarios, including officially sanctioned online tournaments staged by The Pokémon Company International. Players can expect the introduction of new items and features frequently.

Individual and community game play statistics will be tracked with ease using three features, including Leveling, which gauges individual playtime to unlock certain features within the game; Ratings, which tracks a player’s games along with any online tournaments entered and won; and Leaderboards, which will post standings for players across various skill levels.

For more information about the upcoming launch of the multiplayer Pokémon TCG Online or to sign up for an opportunity to play the single-player Pokémon Trainer Challenge open beta, please visit www.pokemontcg.com.

Fans can play the single-player Pokémon Trainer Challenge at PAX East, March 11-13 in Boston, MA. To play at home, players need to create a free Pokémon Trainer Club account, easily obtained at www.pokemon.com/us/account/login.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/tcg_tcgo_pvp-2011-03-10/

Pokémon Black and White set a new record to become the fastest-selling Pokémon games. Over 1 million copies of the game were sold on March 6th, 2011. Below is the full press release.

Press Release

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Combine to Sell More Than 1 Million in a Single Day

REDMOND, Wash., March 8, 2011 – Two new Pokémon™ video games went on sale on March 6 and promptly shattered all previous U.S. Pokémon sales records. The Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems became the fastest-selling Pokémon video games of all time, selling more than 1.08 million units after just one day of availability. That surpasses the previous one-day sales record of more than 780,000 set by the Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version games in April 2007.

"Longtime Pokémon fans are attracted to the new Pokémon, new battle systems and a new region to explore, while newcomers enjoy the ability to jump in and have fun right away," said Charlie Scibetta, Nintendo of America's senior director of Corporate Communications. "These sales numbers illustrate the continued strength of the Nintendo DS family of systems. Already established as the nation's best-selling video game platform of all time, the installed base of more than 47 million makes it the ideal hand-held for developers to reach a huge gaming-focused target audience."

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version feature more than 150 new Pokémon for players to catch, train and battle. The never-before-seen Unova region gives players a whole new world to explore. For the first time in the series, in-game environments change with the four seasons. The games also introduce Triple Battles and Rotation Battles, which give players even more choices when battling.

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=28157