I've never been a fan of Pokemon, but this time around I'm going to give it a real chance, swear!

Fortunately, Nintendo's games don't live or die on my personal foibles. In fact, Pokemon continues to be a MONSTER hit. To celebrate the launch of the latest pair of Pokemon games, Diamond and Pearl, Nintendo is hosting a little party at their World Store at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

The party, which runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 22, will include an afternoon of "festivities for gamers and Pokemon fans of all ages." The store will be loaded up with interactive game play stations, trading card game play areas, a movie lounge featuring the new movie, Pokemon Ranger and The Tempe of the Sea, and a kid zone.

Attendees will be able to pick up pre-ordered copies of the game, participate in a Poke Ball scavenger hunt, take photos with characters from the game and win prizes. Brian Crecente

Thousands Gather in Rockefeller Plaza to Celebrate Arrival of Hot New Video Games

WHAT: Nintendo celebrates the launch of the new Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl games for the hand-held Nintendo DS system with an afternoon of festivities for gamers and Pok mon fans of all ages. These games have already sold millions in Japan, and are expected to be among the top-selling games of the year in the United States. More than 5,000 Pok mon fans are expected to attend this fun-filled event.

Rockefeller Plaza will become a Pok mon fan's paradise with interactive game play stations showing off the brand new games, Trading Card Game play area, a movie lounge featuring the new Pok mon movie, Pok mon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, and a special Kids Zone for younger Pok mon fans.

Attendees can be among the first to pick up their pre-ordered copies of Pok mon Diamond and Pok mon Pearl at the Nintendo World store, participate in a Pok Ball scavenger hunt, take photos with favorite Pok mon costume characters, and win prizes including exclusive Pok mon Nintendo DS Lite units, Pok mon gear and tickets to summer sporting events.

WHO: Parents, kids, Pok mon fans and video game fans of all ages

WHEN: Sunday, April 22
Nintendo World Store Opens: 8 a.m.
Event: 1 to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Nintendo World store
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
646-459-0800
www.nintendoworldstore.co