The inaugural International Championships event occurs this Friday, marking the opening milestone of an all-new Play! Pokémon competitive season

London, UK—6 December 2016—The Pokémon Company International have today released a promotional video of the previous Play! Pokémon season, which culminated with the Pokémon World Championships held in San Francisco, California, in August 2016. In addition to providing a retrospective of that tournament, the video looks forward to the new season, challenging players to compete with the newly released Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon video games for the very first time at a major event.

The Pokémon European International Championships, to be held at the ExCeL Exhibition Center in London from 9–11 December 2016, is the first in a series of large tournaments that will take place around the globe. Players in good standing with the Play! Pokémon program, who have a valid Player ID, are encouraged to read information about fees and conditions to entry before registering at https://tpciprereg.appspot.com/. The event will also be the first time the World Record Breaking Pokémon TCG mosaic will go on display in United Kingdom.

The ongoing series will feature more amazing events that will provide high Championship Point payouts (comparable to previous years’ National Championships) and a prize pool value of up to $250,000 per event (based on attendance), spread between the Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game competitions. New players interested in competing in the 2017 Pokémon Championship Series will need to create a free Pokémon Trainer Club account at Pokemon.co.uk. For those interested in watching Pokémon competitive events from home, select tournaments will be streamed live at www.twitch.tv/pokemontcg_eu and www.twitch.tv/pokemonvgc_eu . Streaming dates and times will be announced soon.

YouTube Trailer - Get ready for the 2016 Pokémon European International Championships!

On November 27th, 2016, it was announced that a new playable character would be revealed for the arcade version of Pokkén Tournament. Today, it was revealed that Emperte will be added to the Arcade Version of the game in Japan on December 15th, 2016.


Source: http://www.pokkentournament.jp/news/

YouTube Trailer - Emperte

The Pokémon Company International officially announced that Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon will air the first two episodes as a sneak peak on November 20th, 2016.

THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL TO AIR FIRST LOOK AT NEW ANIMATED SERIES WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS

Selected episodes from the new season of the popular Pokémon animated series and latest Pokémon animated movie to be broadcast
London, UK—Thursday, 17 November—The Pokémon Company International announced today that it will be airing a first look at Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, which will feature new characters and action-packed adventures that continue the great storytelling and narrative of the Pokémon universe.

In conjunction with a chance to see the first two episodes ahead of the series’ scheduled full release, European fans can also look forward to premieres of the new feature-length animated film, Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

The film will air on 19 November and the season first look on 20 November in partnership with CITV in the UK. Additional air dates for Pokémon animated content on the channel will be announced at a later date.

A special QR Code is also planned for distribution via the Pokémon TV app from 6 December in Europe. Once scanned in the game, the code enables players to obtain the Mythical Pokémon Magearna. Not only that, but players who purchase Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon and connect to the internet between 23 November 2016 and 11 January 2017 can obtain a special Munchlax and a Snorlium Z via the Mystery Gift function. You can even start your adventure early with the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version—available now for download from Nintendo eShop at no charge. Players can transfer their Greninja from the demo version to their full-game version of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon when it launches later this month.

YouTube Trailer - UK: Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon Trailer

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced new information for the upcoming games Pokémon games Sun and Moon. Images from the press release have been added to our Imageboard thread.

NEW Z-MOVE DETAILS AND NEW POKÉMON ANNOUNCED FOR POKÉMON SUN AND POKÉMON MOON!

More Pokémon-specific Z-Moves, New Alolan Forms and more revealed for upcoming Pokémon games.
The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo showcased new information for the latest games in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, available in Europe on 23 November and available exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

The following new Pokémon were officially revealed:

Alolan Diglett	Alolan Dugtrio
Type: Ground–Steel	Type: Ground–Steel
The Mole Pokémon Alolan Diglett live near volcanic areas, so they have few places to hide themselves away. It’s said they developed the hairlike metallic whiskers which grow from the top of their heads as a survival mechanism for the hostile volcanic environment. Their whiskers enable them to sense surrounding areas without exposing their face above ground. Alolan Diglett can have the Tangling Hair Ability, which is a new Ability that no other Pokémon has previously had. With the Tangling Hair Ability, opponents that hit this Pokémon with a move that makes direct contact will have their speed lowered by 1.	Alolan Dugtrio is the evolved form of Alolan Diglett. Alolan Dugtrio’s whiskers grow throughout its life at a very slow rate, shining with a brilliance akin to that of golden hair. In the Alola region, this Pokémon is revered as an incarnation of the god of the land, and it’s treated with great importance. Removing any of this Pokémon’s whiskers is strictly prohibited. There is a superstitious belief that many Alolan Dugtrio come out of their burrows on a day when a volcano will erupt.

Also revealed were the following new Ultra Beasts:

UB-05 Glutton	UB-03 Lighting
This beast has an astounding appetite, and it will completely devour anything in front of its eyes. It’s said that it devours not only objects, but the ground, rivers, and even the seas. There is a belief that it converts the abnormal amount it eats entirely into energy to sustain itself, leaving no waste product behind. Whether this is true or not is a mystery.	Another of the Ultra Beasts is known as UB-03 Lighting. More will be revealed during the players’ adventures around the Alola region.

The image of one additional Pokémon was also revealed, but players will have to pick up the games when they launch on 23 November to find out more about this mysterious Pokémon!


Each of the three Pokémon that you can choose as your first partner during your adventure have an exclusive Z-Move that they can use only after they fully evolve. These moves are:

Z-Move: Sinister Arrow Raid	Z-Move: Malicious Moonsault	Z-Move: Oceanic Operetta
Pokémon: Decidueye	Pokémon: Incineroar	Pokémon: Primarina
Decidueye slices through the air together with a hail of arrow quills, crashing into the target before dealing the final blow with its arrows.	With flames spouting from its flame belt, Incineroar leaps high into the sky and dives straight down onto its target.	Primarina manipulates a huge balloon using its voice, then causes it to explode over its target’s head, dealing a lot of damage.

Z-Moves are special moves that a Pokémon can use when it’s holding a Z-Crystal that corresponds to its move’s type. Their effects vary greatly depending on whether they’re based on attack moves or status moves. Z-Moves based on attack moves have far greater power than standard moves, but how powerful they will be seems to depend on the power of the original move that a Z-Move is based on. Since Z-Moves are full-powered attacks, they also seem to be impossible to fully ward off with moves like Protect and Detect—they still do some damage. When you use your Z-Power based on a status move, it will be powered up with additional effects. These effects come in many varieties, including raising your own Pokémon’s stats, healing the next Pokémon to switch in and more!

A special QR Code is also planned for distribution via the Pokémon TV app from 6 December in Europe. Once scanned in the game, the code enables players to obtain the Mythical Pokémon Magearna. Not only that, but players who purchase Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon and connect to the internet between 23 November 2016 and 11 January 2017 can obtain a special Munchlax and a Snorlium Z via the Mystery Gift function. You can even start your adventure early with the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version—available now for download from Nintendo eShop at no charge. Players can transfer their Greninja from the demo version to their full game version of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon when it launches later this month.

YouTube Trailer - Discover the Final Evolutions of the Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon!

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced new information for the upcoming games Pokémon games Sun and Moon. Images from the press release have been added to our Imageboard thread.

MORE NEW POKÉMON AND FEATURES ANNOUNCED FOR POKÉMON SUN AND POKÉMON MOON!

Eight new Pokémon, new gameplay features and a special Z-Move revealed for upcoming Pokémon games.
The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo showcased new information for the latest games in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, coming to Europe on 23 November and available exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

The following new Pokémon have been revealed:

Decidueye	Incineroar	Primarina
Type: Grass/Ghost	Type: Fire/Dark	Type: Water/Fairy
The Arrow Quill Pokémon Decidueye is the fully evolved form of the Grass- and Flying-type first-partner Pokémon Rowlet. Decidueye attacks with astonishing speed, plucking arrow quills from its wings to send them hurtling towards its target with precise aim. This Pokémon is able to move about whilst completely masking its presence from others. Decidueye is the only Pokémon that can learn the move Spirit Shackle. This new Ghost-type move hits an opponent and makes it unable to leave the battle—it can’t flee or switch out.	The Heel Pokémon Incineroar is the fully evolved form of the Fire-type first-partner Pokémon Litten. As Incineroar’s fighting spirit increases, the flames it produces within its body burst from its navel and waistline. These flames resemble a championship belt, which it uses to unleash its moves. Incineroar is the only Pokémon able to learn the move Darkest Lariat. This new Dark-type physical attack allows Incineroar to deal damage to an enemy whilst ignoring the effects of any stat changes on that enemy.	The Soloist Pokémon Primarina is the fully evolved form of the Water-type first-partner Pokémon Popplio. As Primarina dances, it releases balloons of water and controls their movement using the sound waves from its voice. Primarina uses some of these balloons to jump on and maneuver in battle whilst others explode when touched, which can trigger chained explosions. Primarina is the only Pokémon that can learn Sparkling Aria, a new Water-type special move which heals the burns of any target it strikes.

Cosmog	Alolan Persian
Type: Psychic	Type: Dark
The Nebula Pokémon Cosmog is extremely rare, known only to a select few across Alola. Named by the Aether Foundation, Cosmog is very curious, and its gaseous body is so lightweight that it’s sent flying when the wind blows. When light falls on the Pokémon, Cosmog can absorb it and grow bigger.	Alolan Persian is highly intelligent and doesn’t like to grow attached to its Trainer, making it something of a difficult Pokémon to have as a battle partner. The round face of Alolan Persian is a symbol of the rich Alola region, and it is held to be a Pokémon of great beauty. Its exquisite coat shines with the glow of high quality and enchants both humans and Pokémon. For this reason, it is a very popular Pokémon in the Alola region.

Also unveiled were three Alola region guardian deities—Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini:

Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu	Tapu Fini
Type: Psychic/Fairy	Type: Grass/Fairy	Type: Water/Fairy
Tapu Lele is the guardian deity of Akala island. This Pokémon scatters glowing scales that have physical effects on others—providing stimulation to their bodies and healing their illnesses or injuries. Tapu Lele has the Ability Psychic Surge, an Ability that no other Pokémon has previously had. With Psychic Surge, the field will be turned into Psychic Terrain, which boosts the power of any Psychic-type moves used by Pokémon on the ground and prevents them from being hit by priority moves.	Tapu Bulu is the guardian deity of Ula’ula Island. This Pokémon has the power to manipulate vegetation and cause it to grow. It can use this power to make its wooden horns change shape and grow larger. Tapu Bulu has the Ability Grassy Surge, an Ability that no other Pokémon has previously had. With Grassy Surge, the field will be turned into Grassy Terrain, boosting the power of any Grass-type moves used by Pokémon on the ground and restoring a bit of HP to them each turn. It also halves the damage taken from the moves Earthquake, Magnitude and Bulldoze.	Tapu Fini is the guardian deity of Poni Island. This Pokémon is able to attack by manipulating water. It does not like to risk being harmed during battle, so it creates a thick fog to disorient its opponents and lead them to their own destruction. Tapu Fini has the Ability Misty Surge, an Ability that no other Pokémon has previously had. With Misty Surge, the field will be turned into Misty Terrain, halving the damage taken by Pokémon on the ground from Dragon-type moves and preventing them from being afflicted with status conditions or confusion.

All of the guardian deities can use the special Z-Move Guardian of Alola. When using this Z-Move, the Pokémon closes its shell and a huge avatar appears from the ground to attack the opposing Pokémon, dealing damage equal to 75 percent of the target’s remaining HP.

In previous adventures in the Pokémon series, the Pokémon League was always the ultimate stage for battle. The Pokémon League housed the Elite Four (four Pokémon Trainers with powerful Pokémon partners) and the Champion (who reigned as the region’s top Trainer), all awaiting challengers. In the Alola region, there is no Pokémon League yet—but it seems that there are plans to construct one at the peak of a certain mountain. After your major achievement in completing the island challenge, will the day come when you also take on the Pokémon League to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer?

Red	Blue

Somewhere in Alola, you’ll find the Battle Tree. It’s a place where Trainers who have completed their island challenge, or who are strong enough to have done so, battle one another. You can scout an opponent you’ve won against so they can partner and fight alongside you in future battles. You may even see some familiar faces, including the Trainers Red and Blue from the Kanto region!

Cynthia	Wally

YouTube Trailer - Discover the Final Evolutions of the Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon!

Niantic announced a new promotion for Halloween 2016 that takes place from October 26th, 2016 until November 1st, 2016.

Halloween is approaching...

Trick-or-Treat, Trainers! It’s Halloween season and we have a treat for you! From October 26th to November 1st, you’ll earn double the amount of Candy every time you catch, hatch and transfer Pokémon! Don’t forget your Buddy Pokémon, because they will help you earn Candy four times as fast.

If you encounter more spooky Pokémon than normal, don’t be startled, they want to enjoy the fun too! Scare up some friends, grab your buddy and enjoy this spooky, fun celebration with us! Happy Halloween!


Source; http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/halloween2016/

Nintendo Switch World Premiere Demonstrates New Entertainment Experiences from a Home Gaming System

Detachable Controllers Reinvent Gaming - REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 20, 2016 – In an introductory video released today (http://www.nintendo.com/switch), Nintendo provided the first glimpse of its new home gaming system and revealed that it is called Nintendo Switch. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles.

At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch Dock that connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting Nintendo Switch from the dock, the system will instantly transition to portable mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you. The portability of Nintendo Switch is enhanced by its bright high-definition display. It brings the full home gaming system experience with you to the park, on an airplane, in a car, or to a friend’s apartment.


Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of Nintendo Switch. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch systems together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.

“Nintendo Switch allows gamers the freedom to play however they like,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO, Nintendo of America. “It gives game developers new abilities to bring their creative visions to life by opening up the concept of gaming without boundaries.”

Developers can design their games supporting a variety of play styles, which gives gamers the freedom to choose an experience that best suits them. Some of the publishers, developers and middleware partners announcing support for Nintendo Switch are as follows:


Today’s video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay to demonstrate the liberating nature of the Nintendo Switch home gaming system. Full game demonstrations, the list of launch window titles, as well as launch date, price, product configuration and related specifics, will be shown and announced prior to the March launch.

Interview

Shigeki Morimoto, Game Designer and Battle Director at GAME FREAK, shared his memories from when the first Pokémon video games released 20 years ago in a video as part of the #Pokemon20 campaign.

Interview

Interview Transcription

So, it's the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, meaning that it's been 20 full years since the games first went on sale. I remember back when they first released, and I would go around to various shops to see if the games were selling at all...

It wasn't long before I could see that they were selling very well, and many shops were actually running out of stock! I thought to myself, "Is this turning into something big?" And it definitely did. It continued to sell really well, and then became really successful internationally, and here we are today!

And it's really thanks to all our partners and the support of all of our fans that Pokémon has made it this far. We will continue to evolve Pokémon in various ways in the future, and I hope that all of you will continue your relationship with the series, too!

The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced new information for the upcoming games Pokémon games Sun and Moon. High resolution images from the press release have been added to our Imageboard thread.

NEW POKÉMON AND CHARACTERS ANNOUNCED FOR POKÉMON SUN AND POKÉMON MOON!

Eight new Pokémon and two new characters revealed for upcoming Pokémon games.
The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo showcased new information for the latest games in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, coming to Europe on 23 November and available exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

The following new Pokémon have been unveiled:

Silvally	Hakamo-o	Kommo-o
Type: Normal	Type: Dragon-Fighting	Type: Dragon-Fighting
The Synthetic Pokémon Silvally is the evolution of Type: Null. This Pokémon changes its type when exclusive items are inserted into the drive on its head, and its somatic cells mutate and glow with different colors of light depending on its type. Silvally has the new Ability RKS System, which causes this Pokémon to change type when holding specific type-related items. It also has the exclusive move Multi-Attack, an attack which changes depending on which type-related item it is holding.	Hakamo-o is the Evolution of Jangmo-o. Hakamo-o dance before battle to show their strength, clanging their scales together. A solitary Pokémon that enjoys training alone, its scales are often torn off, but they grow back nearly immediately. Hakamo-o view the number of lost scales as proof of how ferociously they have fought in battle.	Kommo-o is the Evolution of Hakamo-o. There is a legend that says Kommo-o are covered in glittering scales in order to drive away a great darkness covering the world. This Pokémon can learn the new move Clanging Scales. When using this attack, Kommo-o scrapes the scales covering its body against one another, attacking with a loud clamor. After using this move, Kommo-o’s Defense is lowered.

Steenee	Tsareena	Ribombee
Type: Grass	Type: Grass	Type: Bug-Fairy
The Fruit Pokémon Steenee is the Evolution of Bounsweet. The calyx on this Pokémon’s head is very hard, and Steenee attacks by smacking its opponent with it, combined with kicks from its tough legs. This Pokémon’s fragrance is even more delectable than that of Bounsweet.	Only the strongest of Steenee are able to evolve into Tsareena. A very noble Pokémon, Tsareena use their strength to protect and rule over Bounsweet as their queen. This Pokémon attacks with very powerful, majestic kicks and uses its powerful fragrance to mesmerize its opponents. Some Tsareena have the exclusive new ability Queenly Majesty, which prevents opponents from using priority moves.	Ribombee is the Evolution of Cutiefly. This Pokémon collects flower nectar and pollen to make into balls, known as Pollen Puffs, which it can then launch at its opponent in battle. Some of the Pollen Puffs that Ribombee make also have relaxing effects or can relieve tiredness. These Pollen Puffs are distributed all over the Alola region.

Alolan Grimer	Alolan Muk
Type: Poison-Dark	Type: Poison-Dark
As the population of the Alola region increased, dealing with garbage became a serious problem. As a solution, Grimer were imported from other regions and fed primarily on garbage, so their body composition changed—as did their form. What appear to be teeth in this Pokémon’s mouth are in fact residual toxins from the garbage it eats, which have hardened and crystallized. There are more than a hundred Alolan Grimer in Alola’s garbage-processing plants.	Alolan Muk evolves from Alolan Grimer. The Muk in the Alola region produce and store their toxins within their bodies so, unlike Muk in other regions, you won’t detect any unpleasant aromas when you draw near one. Alolan Muk has the same poisonous crystals as Alolan Grimer, but they are all over the surface of its body. Alolan Muk uses them to attack, just like other Pokémon use their fangs or claws.

Two new characters who will appear in the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games were also announced. Introducing Olivia and Ilima:

Olivia	Ilima
Olivia is the kahuna of Akala Island, the second island you visit across your island challenge. She is extraordinarily skilled and has served as a kahuna since a young age. Although highly skilled, she insists that she is just a normal girl.	A graduate of the Trainers’ school and an expert in Normal-type Pokémon, Captain Ilima is considered a hero by the students of his former school.

YouTube Trailer - Meet Silvally, Kommo-o, and Other Stunning Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon!

On October 3rd, 2016, it was announced that a new playable character would be revealed for the arcade version of Pokkén Tournament. Today, during a stream on NicoNico, hosted by Haruka Ishida, Yuka Nakanishi and Cotton Taro with special guest Hoshino Masaaki from Namco Bandai Studio, it was revealed that Scizor will be added to the game.

Scizor Reveal Trailer