The official Pokémon website has announced the newest Pokémon Trading Card Game and it is called Black & White — Emerging Powers. The expansion will be released on August 31st, 2011 in it will feature 98 cards. Below is the full press release.

Press Release

It’s the dawn of a new age for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game with the release of Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Emerging Powers. Coming in August, this landmark expansion will be the first to give Pokémon TCG players full access to theme decks and booster packs in the new player-versus-player Pokémon Trading Card Game Online!

Pokémon TCG players who log into www.pokemon.com/tcgo will have the freedom to battle anytime, anywhere against players from around the globe. The competition intensifies when players purchase Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Emerging Powers theme decks and booster packs. These products will allow players to build customized decks for online battle with virtual cards unlocked with special in-pack codes!

The new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Emerging Powers expansion, featuring only Unova region Pokémon, comes ready for battle, whether playing in the real world or online, with more than 90 cards and brand-new Item cards to revitalize each deck. As players explore the secrets of the Unova region, they’ll discover a legion of 25 astonishing, never-before-seen Pokémon, including the debut of the Legendary Trio of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion!

Two Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Emerging Powers theme decks arrive at major retail stores nationwide on August 17. Each theme deck—Power Play and Toxic Tricks—will feature a special foil card! The four booster pack designs, debuting in stores August 31, feature fierce new Pokémon—Tornadus, Cobalion, Braviary, and Darmanitan—with each booster pack including one guaranteed foil card!

Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Emerging Powers expansion:

• Free codes to unlock similar virtual cards for the player-versus-player Pokémon TCG Online
• Over 25 new Pokémon from the Unova region
• Debut of the Legendary Trio of Unova
• Two new theme decks, Power Play and Toxic Tricks, built around powerful Pokémon Krookodile and Scolipede
• Full-card art cards of the Legendary Pokémon Tornadus and Thundurus
• Contains more than 90 cards

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/trading-cards/bw_series/bw2/

To promote the upcoming Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 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), McDonald's Japan has announced a new Happy Set promotion. Starting Friday, June 17th, 2011, participating McDonald's location in Japan will be distributing the 'Playing in the Water Pokémon! (ポケモンと水遊び！)' toys with Happy Set's. Each of these toys are waterproof and can be played with in the water. McDonald's America will also be doing a Happy Meal promotion starting on June 17th, 2011 but the toy distribution is different. Pictures of all the toys can be found on the Imageboard thread.

There are 8 different toys to collect:

Pikachu with Shiny Surfboard (ピカチュウの光るサーフボード)
Zekrom Vehicle (ゼクロム ビークル)
Reshiram Vehicle (レシラム ビークル)
Play in the Water Mijumaru (ミジュマルの水あそび)
Bubbles and Water Gun Pikachu (ピカチュウのシャボン玉と水でっぽう)
Victini Beach
Leaf Boat Tsutarja (ツタージャの木の葉ボート)
Fruit Boat Pokabu (ポカブのフルーツボート).

Source: http://www.terrafor.net/news_e5yWsj4TQ2.html

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 has announced they will be offering one of 12 Pokémon figures as a well as one of 12 Pokémon Trading Card Game cards in their Happy Meals starting June 17th, 2011. Below is the full press release.


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Press Release

BELLEVUE, Wash.--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/