The Pokémon TCG Online closed beta is now over and all users accounts have been reset for the Open Beta. The Open Beta is open to any player that signs up. Below is the press release.

Press Release

BELLEVUE, WA – August 25, 2011 – The highly anticipated player-versus-player Pokémon™ Trading Card Game Online is now in open beta, and seasoned and new Pokémon TCG players can learn, practice, and play the popular trading card game anytime, anywhere at no cost, simply by turning on their computers and creating a Pokémon Trainer Club account. Coming on the heels of the game’s open beta, the newest Pokémon TCG expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers features in-pack codes in its theme decks and booster packs that unlock playable virtual cards for Pokémon TCG Online. The two English version theme decks are in stores now and booster packs hit shelves nationwide August 31st. This is the first Pokémon TCG expansion to feature booster packs broadly available with in-pack codes for the Pokémon TCG Online.

Pokémon TCG players who log into www.pokemon.com/tcgo have the freedom to learn, practice, and battle against opponents from around the world that features on-demand player matching whenever you want. The competition intensifies when players purchase Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers theme decks and booster packs and begin building customized decks online with virtual cards. Packs include codes that when entered into the online game unlock virtual cards players can use to enhance their decks for battle. The new expansion is one of seven that are now accessible in Pokémon TCG Online, including one complementary deck when players join and up to three decks players can earn at no additional cost to mix and match to create their own play experience without having to purchase cards right away.

“Fans of Pokémon TCG now have the freedom to battle against one another regardless of location, and that’s exciting for the entire Pokémon community,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “Everything Pokémon TCG players love about the game is replicated in a rich, customizable online environment, and our hope is that Pokémon TCG Online makes the game even more accessible to anyone who wants to play.”

Pokémon TCG Online makes it simple and fun to organize cards and trade with others quickly and easily. A unique Collection Management Tool provides players easy point-and-click access to their ever-growing virtual card collection. You will never have to search long for a card to put into battle. Additionally, for players just learning how to build their decks, Pokémon TCG Online features deck-building tools, including an innovative deck-building wizard, to help construct personalized decks that players of all skill levels can call into battle. Trading of virtual TCG cards and items is a breeze as players can trade directly with one another or offer public trades on the spot. Players can expect the introduction of new items and features frequently.

For more information about Pokémon TCG Online and the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers expansion, please visit www.pokemon.com/tcg.

The Pokémon Company International posted a press release announcing the 2011 Pokémon World Champions. Below is the press release.

Press Release

WORLD’S BEST POKÉMON PLAYERS CROWNED AT 2011 POKÉMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Elite Players from More Than 27 Countries Battled in San Diego for the Ultimate Titles of Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Game World Champions

San Diego, California — August 15th, 2011 — The dreams of competitive Pokémon™ Trading Card Game (TCG) and video game players around the world came true for a select few this weekend at the 2011 Pokémon World Championships in San Diego, CA.

Thousands of the world’s top Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game players, family, friends, and fans attended the most anticipated event of The Pokémon Company International’s Play! Pokémon season. The 2011 Pokémon World Championships featured the world’s best Pokémon players competing for the title of World Champion after advancing through nearly a year of regional and national tournaments around the globe.

Once the dust settled after three days of intense Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game battles, six skilled individuals were crowned World Champions, proudly representing their family, supporters, and home countries.

The Pokémon Company International announced today its 2011 Pokémon World Champions:

2011 Pokémon TCG Junior Division World Champion, Gustavo Wada from Brazil.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Junior Division World Champion, Brian Hough from the USA.
2011 Pokémon TCG Senior Division World Champion, Christopher Kan from Australia.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Senior Division World Champion, Kamran Jahadi from the USA.
2011 Pokémon TCG Masters Division World Champion, David Cohen from the USA.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Masters Division World Champion, Ray Rizzo from the USA.

More than 400 players from over 27 countries competed in the annual event. Winners of the invite-only tournament received medals, trips, Pokémon merchandise, and collectively more than $100,000 in scholarships. The event showcased the chief qualities of Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game players: skill, strategy, creativity, sportsmanship, and fun.

“The Pokémon World Championships is more than a tournament; it’s a global event for our entire community to compete, have fun, and create lifelong friendships,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “It’s been an incredible weekend, and we couldn’t be happier to congratulate this year’s World Champions for their dedication, their unbelievable talent, and most importantly, their sportsmanship during the entire Play! Pokémon season.”

Pokémon is celebrating a blockbuster year in 2011 with the launch of the best-selling Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games; a brand-new trading card game expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White; an all-new season of animation, Pokémon: Black and White; and the debut of the hit movie, Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Junior Division (born in 2000 or later)
World Champion: Gustavo Wada (Brazil)
Second Place: Kohei Takenaka (Japan)

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Senior Division (born in 1996–1999)
World Champion: Christopher Kan (Australia)
Second Place: Marco Facchin (Italy)

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)
World Champion: David Cohen (USA)
Second Place: Ross Cawthon (USA)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Junior Division (born in 2000 or later)
World Champion: Brian Hough (USA)
Second Place: Ian McLaughlin (USA)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Senior Division (born in 1996–1999)
World Champion: Kamran Jahadi (USA)
Second Place: Sejun Park (South Korea)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)
World Champion: Ray Rizzo (USA)
Second Place: Matteo Gini (Italy)

Source: http://www.championmedia.competitiverankings.com/Pokemon2011/2011-Pokemon-Worlds-Release.pdf

The 2011 Pokémon World Championships website has launched in anticipation of the event which will be taking place in San Diego California from August 12th until August 14th, 2011. The site features news, standings, photos, C-Gear code and desktop wallpapers. Below is the press release.

Press Release

The World Championships Are About to Begin!

Once every year, the best Pokemon Trading Card Game and video game players from around the world get together to determine who is the best player in the world at the Pokemon World Championships! This year, the incredible three-day event takes place in sunny San Diego, California, and features players from over 20 countries.

The competitors for both the Pokemon TCG and video game competitions will share the floor at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego. And once all tournaments have concluded, the winners will take home more than $100,000 in scholarships! What's more, players will enjoy some great Pokemon fun with fans from around the world.

You don't have to compete to join the fun of the Pokemon World Championships. All events are free to watch and open to the public!

Source: http://www.pokemonworldchampionships.com/

The Australian company, Banter Toys has posted information about three new upcoming Pokémon TCG Black & White Character Boxes that feature the starter Pokémon. The boxes will be released this fall. Below are the details.


Click on images for higher resolution

Press Release

It's the More the Merrier in the Pokemon TCG: B&W Starter Figure Box!

Make the most of the great grass snake Pokemon Snivy in this box! Inside, you'll find a special foil promo card, an amazing 3D oversized card, and an awesome figure! But that's not all! Also included are 3 Black & White - Emerging Powers booster packs, and a special supplemental code card that will unlock all of this and more in the Pokemon TCG Online!

Each box contains:

• 1 x BW Character Starter Figure
• 1 Character Promo Card
• 1 3D Oversized Character Card
• 3 BW Series Boosters
• 1 TCGO Unlock Code Card

Source: Banter Toys

All Nippon Airways has announced the latest Pocket Monsters short Pikachu's Summer Bridge Story (ピカチュウのサマー・ブリッジ・ストーリー) will air on selected flights from August 1st, 2011 until August 29th, 2011. Last years ANA short was released on DVD last week. Below is the summary for the short.

Summary English

Pikachu and friends visit a town with a huge draw bridge, but problems arise when they come across Oshawatt and Tepig, who have eaten the fruits that Gothita and Darumaka had collected. They head off to collect fruits from the forest across the bridge, but then Meowth appears and tries to steal the fruits. On top of that, the bridge is raised, blocking their passage. What will Pikachu do? The fight for the fruits begins!!

Summary Japanese

とっても大きなはね橋がある街に遊びにきたピカチュウたち。でも、ゴチムやダルマッカたちが集めていたくだものをミジュマルとポカブが勝手に食べちゃってさー大変！　よーし、橋の向こうの森にあるくだものを取りに行こう。とそこに！ニャースたちがよこどりしようと現れた！　さらに、橋も上がって先に進めない…どうするピカチュウ？　さあ！くだものそうだつせんの始まりだ！！

Source: http://www.ana.co.jp/dom/promotion/pokemon/

Those wishing to use the new Pokédex 3D (ポケモン立体図鑑BW) app that was released earlier this month can now do so at a cheaper price. Nintendo announced that it will be lowering the price of Nintendo 3DS on August 12th, 2011 to $169.99. Below is the full press release.

Press Release

REDMOND, Wash., July 28, 2011 – Nintendo of America today announced plans to drop the suggested retail price of its portable Nintendo 3DS™ system to $169.99 in the United States, as new games based on some of the world's most beloved video game franchises head to the system. The new price, down from the suggested launch price of $249.99 and effective Aug. 12, makes an outstanding value even better and sets up a strong holiday season for the system.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games."

Nintendo 3DS has the strongest software lineup of any video game system this holiday season and the new price now opens up the glasses-free 3D experience to many more consumers. Building on the popularity of The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, which launched June 19, the upcoming game calendar is a Who's Who of iconic video game franchises. Star Fox 64™ 3D arrives on Sept. 9, followed by Super Mario™ 3D Land in November, Mario Kart™ 7 in December and Kid Icarus™: Uprising during the holiday season.

In addition to great games, Nintendo 3DS has a host of attractive features* that make it the must-have video game system this season:

• The new Nintendo Video™ service automatically delivers short 3D videos from the worlds of music, comedy, animation and Hollywood.
  
  
• A free application allows Netflix members with unlimited streaming plans to instantly watch TV episodes and movies streaming from Netflix.
  
  
• 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.

Since Nintendo 3DS launched in the United States on March 27, more than 830,000 people in the U.S. alone have purchased one to enjoy 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. These Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo's most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

1. Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.
   
   
2. By the end of 2011, Nintendo will provide Ambassadors with 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games. These include games like Yoshi's Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™. These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.

More details about this program will be announced in the future.

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=30048

Last week Nintendo announced that the Nintendo DS, the predecessor to the Nintendo 3DS was still selling units at a 2:1 ratio verses the 3DS. Nintendo and the Pokémon Company International have now announced the localization of Super Pokémon Scramble which should help increase the sales of the Nintendo 3DS. Pokémon Rumble Blast will be released in North America for the Nintendo 3DS on October 24th, 2011. Below is the press release from the official Pokémon website. A page has been created on our site for the game as well as a passwords page that keeps track of the passwords as they are announced.

Press Release from Official Website

Collect and battle Toy Pokémon in Pokémon Rumble Blast for the Nintendo 3DS™ system!

Pokémon Rumble Blast, the first Pokémon game created exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS system, is an action-packed Pokémon adventure in 3D! Battle against waves of opponents, connect and play with friends, and collect more than 600 different Toy Pokémon!

As you advance through each stage in Pokémon Rumble Blast, your Toy Pokémon will face dozens of Pokémon at once in fast and furious real-time battles! You’ll also run into giant Boss Pokémon, whose massive size and strength will make them especially tough to defeat—and who can become powerful allies if you’re lucky!

Pokémon Rumble Blast lets you connect wirelessly with your friends in two ways. You can use a local wireless connection to launch cooperative play mode, where you can team up to battle through levels and befriend defeated Toy Pokémon more easily. Or, you can use the StreetPass™ feature of the Nintendo 3DS system to challenge the Toy Pokémon collections of nearby players and to view other players’ Mii™ characters in your game.

You can collect more than 600 kinds of Toy Pokémon in Pokémon Rumble Blast, including those from the recently released Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games. Switch between the various Toy Pokémon you collect to discover the strengths and weaknesses of each Pokémon. Plus, some of the Pokémon you befriend will have special stats and abilities!

Pokémon Rumble Blast will be available for the Nintendo 3DS system starting October 24th!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/vg_pokemonrumbleblast_announce-2011-07-18/

Press Release from Nintendo Press Website

First Pokémon Game for Hand-Held Nintendo 3DS System Includes Fast-Paced Battles, Social Play Features and More Than 600 Pokémon

REDMOND, Wash., July 19, 2011 – Starting this fall, Pokémon™ fans will be able to experience the franchise's battle-based action and adventure in a whole new dimension. Nintendo of America has announced an Oct. 24 launch date for Pokémon™ Rumble Blast, the first Pokémon game created exclusively for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS™ system. An action-packed Pokémon adventure in 3D without the need for special glasses, the game lets players battle against waves of opposing wind-up Toy Pokémon, connect and play with friends, and collect more than 600 Toy Pokémon.

"Pokémon Rumble Blast delivers instant Pokémon gratification," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "The controls are intuitive and simple enough for anyone to pick up and play, while new battle modes, more than 600 Toy Pokémon and social play opportunities offer deep experiences for longtime fans."

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

For more information about Pokémon Rumble Blast, visit http://www.pokemon.com/rumbleblast.

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=29791

Official Trailer

The DVD release dates for the Pokémon Zoroark: Master of Illusions have now been announced for North America, the United Kingdom and Denmark. The DVD and Blu-ray of this movie were released last month in Australia but now other regions of the world will be able to purchase it. This movie also aired today on TV Tokyo in place of the weekly Pocket Monsters Best Wishes episode. Below is the press release for the UK Edition of the DVD which will be released on August 29th, 2011. The North American DVD will be released on September 20th, 2011 and will be one of the last regions in the world to get this movie on DVD even though it was announced at the beginning of the year at the American International Toy Fair 2011.

Press Release UK Edition

BRAND NEW POKÉMON FILM FEATURING TWO PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN POKÉMON FROM Unova region – Zorua and Zoroark

LIMITED EDITION VERSION FEATURES BONUS POKÉMON TCG CARD

Fans of Pokémon in all its forms - video games, TCG and animation – will be delighted with the release of this brand new feature length Pokémon adventure, released on DVD on 29th August 2011.

“Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions” features new Pokémon Zorua, and Zoroark from the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games that smashed the UK Games chart on its recent release. It’s an action-packed adventure featuring a city under attack, a mysterious Time Ripple and the powerful Pokémon Zoroark.

An exclusive limited edition DVD will include a bonus Pokémon TCG card featuring the Mythical Pokémon Celebi.

SYNOPSIS:

As Ash & his friends journey to Crown City to join the crowds watching the Pokémon Baccer World Cup, mysterious forces are in motion that could bring untold misfortune to them all! What secrets does Zorua, a Pokémon they befriend along the way, hide? Why is the powerful Zoroark rampaging through the city, and what does the appearance of the Legendary Pokémon Raikou, Entei, & Suicune mean? What has brought Celebi back to the city at this precise moment in time, for the first time in 20 years? And what will happen when the paths of all of them come together in one time and place?

Pre-Order Region 2 English DVD (United Kingdom): http://www.amazon.co.uk

For a list of DVD & Blu-ray's that this movie will be available on, check out our DVD/Bluray database that has listing from around the world.

After two hard-fought days of head to head battles this weekend, the nation’s top Pokémon video game players were crowned at the 2011 Pokémon Video Game U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. The top eight players in each age division all earned an invitation to represent the U.S. in the 2011 Pokémon Video Game World Championships in San Diego, California, August 12 th–14 th, with the top four finishers winning travel and accommodations. The tournament drew more than 500 Pokémon video game players, family, and fans from across the U.S.

The 2011 Pokémon Video Game U.S. National Championships, featuring the smash hit Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games, ended with 24 Pokémon Trainers, divided equally into three divisions—the Junior Division (born in 2000 or later), the Senior Division (born in 1996–1999), and the Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)—and each earning guaranteed spots in the upcoming Pokémon Video Game World Championships, where they will compete against some of the best Pokémon video game players from Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

To qualify for the invite-only Pokémon Video Game World Championships in San Diego, players participated in qualifying tournaments held in seven cities leading up to the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis. The Pokémon U.S. National and World Championships are premier events managed by The Pokémon Company International.

The final results for the 2011 Pokémon Video Game U.S. National Championships are as follows:

JUNIORS

1st Place – Henry Maxon, age 11, Carnation, WA
2nd Place – Brendan Zheng, age 8, Fresh Meadows, NY
3rd Place – Luke Lavin, age 11, Marietta, GA
4th Place – Brian Hough, age 6, Ann Arbor, MI
5th Place – Scott Ramirtha, age 8, Sugarland, TX
6th Place – Tristan Lankford, age 9, Athens, GA
7th Place – Janelle Hagan, age 7, New Bremen, OH
8th Place – Grace Arnold, age 11, Frankfort, IL

SENIORS

1st Place – Aaron Zheng, age 13, Freshmeadows, NY
2nd Place – David Arnold, age 14, Frankfort, IL
3rd Place – Phillip Codio, age 14, Floral Park, NY
4th Place – Aaron Traylor, age 14, Boston, MA
5th Place – Kristian Mosquito, age 15, New York, NY
6th Place – Brandon Mitchell, age 15, Memphis, TN
7th Place – Enosh Shachal, age 15, Tenafly, NJ
8th Place – Brandon Tang, age 13, Fort Wayne, IN

MASTERS

1st Place – Wolfe Glick, age 15, McLean, VA
2nd Place - Dan Zollner, age 23, Edgeweater Park, NJ
3rd Place – Simon Yip, age 19, New York, NY
4th Place – Michael Floccare, age 18, Baltimore, MD
5th Place – Greyson Garren, age 17, Metamora, IL
6th Place – Jason Fisher-Short, age 28, Phoenix, AZ
7th Place – Matt Coyle, age 21, Buffalo, NY
8th Place – Stephen Morioka, age 21, Chicago, IL

Bellevue, WA - June 28, 2011 - Thousands of Pokémon™ Trading Card Game and video game players from all across the nation will converge on Indianapolis, Indiana, July 8th-10th, for the chance to become a Pokémon U.S. National Championships finalist and move one step closer to the 2011 Pokémon World Championships in San Diego, California, this August.

The Pokémon U.S. National and World Championships are major events in what has already been a blockbuster year for the Pokémon franchise, which included the highly anticipated March release of the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems, a brand-new Pokémon TCG: Black & White expansion, and the imminent debut of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online that will allow Pokémon TCG fans to battle head to head, anytime, anywhere.

Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships
More than 1,500 players are expected to attend the 8 th annual Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships, the culmination of the nine-month Pokémon TCG season in the United States.

Competitors from across the United States in the Junior Division (born in 2000 or later), the Senior Division (born in 1996, 1997, 1998, or 1999), and the Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier) will battle during the three-day tournament that is open to all U.S.-resident TCG players in good standing in the Play! Pokémon program. Players do not need to qualify for the Pokémon TCG National Championships; however, there will be a limited number of slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration for the Pokémon TCG National Championships will take place on Thursday, July 7th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Friday, July 8th, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Indiana Convention Center.

Players who finish in the top eight in each division will receive invitations to the 2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships in San Diego, California, August 12 th-14 th, with the top four winners receiving paid travel and accommodations to Southern California. There, U.S. Pokémon TCG players will battle against top players from more than 25 countries all around the world.

The Pokémon Company International awards scholarships, medals, and other prizes to top finishers at the Pokémon Trading Card Game U.S. National Championships.

Pokémon Video Game National Championships
This spring, thousands of Pokémon video game players competed in six Pokémon Video Game Championship series Regional tournaments in Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, D.C.; and Newark, New Jersey. Now only the top Regional finalists remain to compete at the Pokémon Video Game National Championships for 24 spots at the 2011 Pokémon Video Game World Championships in San Diego, California, August 12th-14th.

Divided equally among the Junior Division (born in 2000 or later), the Senior Division (born in 1996, 1997, 1998, or 1999) and the new Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier), the Regional finalists will battle head to head playing the recently released, top-selling Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game.

Players who finish in the top eight in each division at the Pokémon Video Game National Championships will receive invitations to the 2011 Pokémon Video Game World Championships in San Diego, California, August 12 th-14 th, with the top four winners receiving paid travel and accommodations. At the Pokémon World Championships, U.S. video game players will battle against top players from Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

Top Pokémon Video Game National Championship finishers also receive medals and a Nintendo 3DS™ system.

U.S. National Championships Video Game Last Chance Qualifier
For fans who think they've missed their chance to compete at the 2011 Pokémon Video Game National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, The Pokémon Company International is offering one last chance to attend and compete!

The U.S. National Championships Video Game Last Chance Qualifier tournament will be held on Friday, July 8th, at the Indiana Convention Center. The event will begin with the Junior Division and Senior Division registration from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., followed by the Masters Division registration from 1:00p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Hopefuls will need to arrive for registration with their copy of Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version and their Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS system. The top 16 players in each division will earn the right to play the following day in the 2011 Pokémon National Championships.

Visit www.pokemon.com/vgc for more information about the Last Chance Qualifier for the 2011 Pokémon Video Game National Championships.

Be sure to follow all the action at the Pokémon National Championships, including announcements of the tournament's winners, at www.pokemon.com/vgc.