McDonald's has announced that their Happy Meal toys in both the United States and Australia will feature Pokémon figures and a Pokémon TCG card starting in June of 2012. In Australia, Pikachu, Servine, Dewott and Pignite will be distributed and each toy comes with 1 of 12 random TCG cards.


In the United States, Dewott, Servine, Pignite, Pikachu, Woobat and Axew will be distributed and a random TCG card will also be distributed.


Sources: http://www.happymeal.com/en_US/index.html#/Toys and http://www.happymeal.com.au/en_AU/index.html#/Toys

Press Release

al Pokémon Black and White-themed Happy Meals arrive in participating McDonald's(R) restaurants across North America beginning June 15, 2012, as one of the world's most popular entertainment properties kicks off its second annual Happy Meal promotion with the leading foodservice provider. Pokémon fans visiting North American McDonald's locations June 15--July 5 can purchase a Happy Meal featuring one of twelve al Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, each featuring a special McDonald's "M" foil stamp on the card. The Happy Meal will also include one of six Pokémon figures, including Pikachu and five Unova region Pokémon: Axew, Dewott, Pignite, Servine, and Woobat.(1) The Pokémon Company International continues its McDonald's Pokémon Black and White Happy Meal promotion in major markets around the world later in 2012.

"Last year's Pokémon Happy Meal promotion was a huge hit, and we're certain Pokémon fans will love what's in store this summer," said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. "It's been fun partnering with McDonald's to once again provide something special to our fans."

The Pokémon Black and 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 official Japanese YouTube page has updated and has uploaded the 'How to Play the Pokémon Card Game DVD' to their list of available videos to watch. The video is in Japanese and is approximately a half an hour. The clip is a good introduction to the game.


Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSN8IMQC_vg

Japanese retailers have announced the next Japanese Pokémon Card Game expansion set and it is called Freeze Bolt and Cold Flare (フリーズボルト コールドフレア). The set will be released in Japan on July 13th, 2012 and will feature 59 cards including Black Kyurem and White Kyurem. Booster packs will sell for 158yen.

The official Pokémon website has announced the locations for the upcoming North American 2012 Pokémon Video Game and TCG Spring Regional Championships. All Regional Championship events take place on the weekend of April 14th and 15th. Below is the information from the official site.

The 2012 Pokémon Video Game and TCG Spring Regional Championships are about to begin!

This April, head to one of eight locations around North America to compete in the Spring Regional Championships! Top finishers earn travel awards to the National Championships this summer!

Pokémon Trading Card game battles begin on Saturday, April 14th and some larger events may hold the single elimination portion of the event on Sunday, April 15th. The Pokémon Video Game Regional Championships will be held in their entirety on Sunday, April 15th. Some larger Regional Championships may hold the single-elimination finals portion of the tournament on Sunday, April 15th.

Location Name	City	Link to map
Metro Toronto Convention Centre	Toronto, Ontario, CA	Map
Central City Shopping Center	Surrey, British Columbia, CA	Map
Alameda County Fairgrounds	Pleasanton, California, USA	Map
Crowne Plaza Hotel	Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA	Map
Classic Center	Athens, Georgia, USA	Map
Pennsylvania Convention Center	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA	Map
Hilton Houston North	Houston, Texas, USA	Map
Monona Terrace	Madison, Wisconsin, USA	Map

Sources: http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/vg-spring-regional-championships/ and http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/championship-series/tcg-spring-regional-championships/

Press Release

POKÉMON PLAYERS TO CHOOSE THEIR SPRING REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DESTINATION

Advancing to the Pokémon National Championships Is the Main Goal for Thousands of North American Pokémon Competitors North American Pokémon video game players are joining Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) players for a weekend of intense battling at the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships, taking place April 14th and 15th. Thousands of players in eight cities across the United States and Canada—Surrey, BC; Pleasanton, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Athens, GA; Toronto, ON; Philadelphia, PA; Houston, TX; and Madison, WI—will have one goal in mind: becoming a Pokémon Spring Regional Champion and winning a coveted Travel Award to this summer’s Pokémon U.S. National Championships or Pokémon Canadian National Championships.

Coming off the successful Pokémon Autumn Regional Championships in November, Pokémon video game and TCG players will once again battle under the same roof in a two-day event showcasing some of the best Pokémon competition on the continent. TCG competition begins on Saturday, April 14th, and the video game competition will kick off on Sunday, April 15th. Video game players who did not attend or earn a Travel Award at the Pokémon Autumn Regional Championships are encouraged to compete at the Spring Regional Championships because it will be the last chance to earn a trip to the U.S. or Canadian National Championships. Players who advance to the Pokémon National Championships will be one step closer to earning an invitation to the 2012 Pokémon World Championships held in Waikoloa, Hawaii, this August.

“With invitations to the Pokémon U.S. and Canadian National Championships on the line, the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships promise to feature some of the most exciting competition of the year,” said J.C. Smith, marketing director for The Pokémon Company International. “The Spring Regional Championships are not only premiere events for our new and veteran players, but destinations for our entire Pokémon community to meet and have fun.”

Video game players who wish to compete in the Pokémon Spring Regional Championships will need to bring their own Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system and a copy of the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game. They must also have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, which can be obtained for free at www.pokemon.com. Competitors are encouraged to visit www.pokemon.com/organized-play to learn more about the event, including rules, regulations, age divisions, prizes, tournament locations, and registration and event dates and times.

The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Dark Explorers TCG expansion was released on May 9th, 2012. Pictures from this set have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Press Release - March 14th, 2012

As you explore the darkness, the Pokémon TCG: Black and White — Dark Explorers expansion ushers in the return of the immensely powerful Darkrai-EX and a lineup of Darkness-type Pokémon, like Zoroark, Umbreon, and Sableye, to knock your opponent’s lights out! Playing with Trainer cards like Dark Patch, included in the expansion to help give Darkness-type decks an edge you’ll not only navigate the darkness, you’ll rule it!

The fifth Pokémon TCG: Black and White expansion also continues an impressive run of featuring Unova and non-Unova region Pokémon-EX cards, more powerful Pokémon that deliver devastating attacks to your opponents. Darkrai-EX is joined by Tornadus-EX, Kyogre-EX, Raikou-EX, and Groudon-EX, all featured as Pokémon-EX cards and rare Ultra full-art Pokémon-EX cards!


Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Dark Explorers expansion includes:

• Six more Pokémon-EX from the Unova region and beyond
• New strategies for Darkness-type Pokémon
• More than 100 cards, including three Shiny Secret rare cards
• More Restored Pokémon options
• First Eevee cards since the Pokémon TCG: HS—Undaunted
• Parallel foil card guaranteed in each booster pack

Each new theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Expand your personal deck and battle against others from around the world!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/black-white-dark-explorers

The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game Blog has revealed two new cards that will debut in the upcoming expansion sets Dragon Blast and Dragon Blade (リューズブラスト・リューノブレード) which will be released on March 16th, 2012. Below are the details.

Garbodor (ダストダス)
Psychic Type, 100HP, 028/050 BW5, Illustration: kawayoo, Stage 1 - Evolves from Yabukuron, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x2
特性 - ダストオキシン - このポケモンに「ポケモンの道具」がついているなら、お互いの場・手札・トラッシュのカードに書かれている特性（ダストオキシンを除く）は、すべてなくなる。 ヘドロなげ 60
Ability - Dust Toxin - As long as this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, all abilities (except Dust Toxin) that remove cards from the playing field, hand or the discard pile, no longer work. Sludge Toss 60

Nukenin (ヌケニン)
Psychic Type, 60HP, 018/050 BW5, Illustration: Masakazu Fukuda, Stage 1 - Evolves from Tutinin
特性 - ぬけがら - このポケモンがきぜつしても、相手はサイドを取れない。 のろいのしずく - ダメカンを3個、相手のポケモンに好きなようにのせる。
Ability - Empty Shell - When this Pokémon is Knocked Out, your opponent doesn't take any Prize cards. Cursed Drop - Put 3 damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon in any way you like.

Source: http://pcgn.pokemon-card.com/blog/

The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game Blog has revealed a new energy card that will debut in the upcoming expansion sets Dragon Blast and Dragon Blade (リューズブラスト・リューノブレード). The card can be one of 5 different energy types which makes it a bit easier for player to be able to use moves that have a lot of different energy requirements.

Blend Energy (ブレンドエネルギー 草炎超悪)
Colorless Energy Type, 050/050 BW5, 015/015 SZD, Illustration: 5ban Graphics
このカードは、エネルギー1個ぶんとしてはたらく。ポケモンについているかぎり、の4つのタイプのエネルギー1個ぶんとしてはたらく。
This card provides energy. While attached to a Pokémon it provides 4 types of energy , but only 1 at a time.

Source: http://pcgn.pokemon-card.com/blog/2012/03/000199.html

During the commercial break of Thursday's episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 70 - Fukiyose Gym! A Decisive Mid-Air Battle VS Furo!! (フキヨセジム！VSフウロ空中決戦！！), a new Pokémon Card Game commercial was shown that featured cards from the upcoming sets Dragon Blast and Dragon Blade (リューズブラスト・リューノブレード). The sets are part of the 5th Japanese BW TCG expansion and they will be released on March 16th, 2012. Images from the TCG commercial are available on the imageboard thread.


The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game site also updated with a new Rayquaza EX and Giratina EX Promo Cards Campaign where players can submit their bar codes from select packages in order to win 1 of 1000 promo combination packs that includes both cards. There is four ways to enter: Sazandora Deck 30 (サザンドラデッキ30) + two Dragon Blast (リューズブラスト) Boosters, Sazandora Deck 30 + a Dragon Selection (ドラゴンセレクション) Booster, Gablias Deck 30 (ガブリアスデッキ30) + two Dragon Blade (リューノブレード) Boosters or Gablias Deck 30 + a Dragon Selection Booster. The Sazandora Deck 30 (サザンドラデッキ30) and the Gablias Deck 30 (ガブリアスデッキ30) also go on sale March 16th, 2012 for 780 yen. The Rayquaza EX and Giratina EX Promo Cards Campaign ends May 7th, 2012 and all submissions must be postmarked before that date. Prizes will be shipped in late May of 2012.

Rayquaza EX and Giratina EX Promo Cards

Below is the revealed information about the Rayquaza EX and Giratina EX Promo Cards.

Rayquaza EX (レックウザEX)
Dragon Type, 170HP, Promo, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x 2
てんのさけび - 自分の山札を上から3枚トラッシュし、その中のエネルギーをすべて、このポケモンにつける。 ドラゴンバースト - このポケモンについている炎または雷の基本エネルギーをすべてトラッシュし、トラッシュしたエネルギーの枚数×60ダメージ。 60×
Sky Shout - Discard the top 3 cards from your deck. If any of the cards are Energy cards, attach them to this Pokémon. Dragon Burst - Discard either all Fire Energy or all Lightning Energy attached to this Pokémon. This attack does 60 damage times the number of Energy cards discarded. 60×

Giratina EX (ギラティナEX)
Dragon Type, 180HP, Retreat Cost: , Weakness: x 2
ひきさく　- このワザのダメージは、相手のポケモンにかかっている効果の計算をしない。90 りゅうのはどう - 自分の山札を上から3枚トラッシュする。 130
Tear Up - This attack's damage isn't affected by any effects on the Defending Pokémon. 90 Discard the top 3 cards from your deck. 130

Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/campaign/combination/

Various online toy and card sites have posted the initial release information for the next English Pokémon Black and White Trading Card Game expansion. Dark Explorers will be released on May 9th, 2012 and it will include more EX cards. Darkrai EX, Raikou EX, Tornadus EX and Groudon EX have all been confirmed to be in this set.

Press Release

What's out there in the darkness, waiting to be discovered Play the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Black and White - Dark Explorers expansion and find them all! In addition to more Pokemon-EX like Tornadus-EX, Raikou-EX, and Groudon-EX, the shadows are filled with other exceptional surprises, like Darkrai-EX and a host of Trainer cards that will knock your opponent's lights out! When you play Black & White - Dark Explorers, you'll not only explore the darkness, you'll rule it!

Source: http://www.toywiz.com

A press release has announced that the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo will be distributed via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for a limited time starting February 12th, 2012. Further details about the Mewtwo event were not disclosed but its likely to be the same Mewtwo that was announced by Shoko-tan and Junichi Masuda on Pokémon Smash 49 and Pokémon Smash 50 last year.

The Mewtwo event distribution is part of a number of different Mewtwo related events that will take place during February. Mewtwo returns in the next Pokémon TCG expansion: Black & White - Next Destinies with the Mewtwo-EX card. The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon anime special is also available on the official site right now to watch. Below is the press release.

Press Release

POWERFUL MEWTWO MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN FOR A SPECIAL CHARACTER DISTRIBUTION EVENT AND AS MEWTWO-EX TCG CARD

Fans Can Celebrate the Return of One of the Most Popular Legendary Pokémon With a Special Online Showing of The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

BELLEVUE, WA - January 25th, 2012 - Pokémon™ fans can get into the heads of their opponents when the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo returns with its psychic powers in a special Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video game character distribution event via the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection service. For a limited time starting February 12th, Pokémon video game players with wireless broadband Internet access can receive what is arguably one of the most powerful and popular Pokémon of all time!

Mewtwo, a historically elusive Psychic-type Pokémon, has had a deep connection with fans since its debut in the franchise's first video games - Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version. Its prominent appearance in these titles, as well as in the first Pokémon TCG expansion and the first Pokémon movie, has cemented its special position in the hearts and minds of Pokémon fans across the globe. Created by cloning the Mythical Pokémon Mew, Mewtwo's origin has always been shrouded in mystery. The secrecy continues, as more details surrounding this special Mewtwo character distribution, including its powerful move set, will be revealed early next month.

Pokémon TCG players can also celebrate the awesome powers of Mewtwo when Mewtwo-EX makes its debut in the newest Pokémon TCG expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Next Destinies! In stores nationwide February 8th, Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Next Destinies features powerful Pokémon from the Unova region and beyond, including Reshiram-EX, Zekrom-EX, Kyurem-EX, Regigigas-EX, and, as already mentioned, Mewtwo-EX, which is a 170 HP powerhouse that knows X Ball and Psydrive - two devastating attacks that inflict serious damage on the Pokémon's opponent.

Receiving Mewtwo for your Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game and obtaining the Mewtwo-EX card is only part of this Legendary Pokémon's monumental return. For a limited time only, fans can also watch Mewtwo's appearance in a special showing of The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, only at www.pokemon.com/ex. The story centers on a Pokémon scientist's ability to restore extinct Pokémon using the Mirage System machine. Add in a stranger's claim that this machine can create Pokémon without weaknesses, and imagine the challenges Ash and his friends must face to preserve the natural balance of the Pokémon world. Visit www.pokemon.com/ex now to watch the movie! To participate in the Mewtwo character distribution event beginning February 12th via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection service, players will need:

• Wireless broadband Internet access
• A Nintendo DS™, Nintendo DSi™, Nintendo DSi XL™, or Nintendo 3DS™ system
• A copy of the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version game
• No more than 11 Wonder Cards in their possession

UK Press Release

Nintendo UK posted their press release which was identical to the one above on January 26th, 2012 but it also included pictures of the moves that the Mewtwo would be distributed with. The Mewtwo is identical to the one given out in Japan in 2011. It's level 70, in a Cherish Ball, has the King's Rock as a held item and knows the moves: Psystrike, Shadow Ball, Aura Sphere and Electro Ball.


Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/ex/mewtwo/get-mewtwo