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Pokemon In 3D!
On October 14, the first two Pokémon 3D anime film shorts will be returning once again to Japanese movies theaters in a remastered Pokémon 3D Adventure double bill. Originally opening in 2005 as the first 3D Pokémon film, the 11-minute Mew o Sagase! (Find Mew!) has been given a new ending for the re-release. The…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 5, 2009 -
Official Pokemon Camping Gear (Sure, Why Not?)
If there are Pokémon planes, Pokémon X-ray machines and Pokémon beverages, then damn skippy there should be camping goods. There are. Later next month, a line “Pikanicamp” outdoor goods go on sale. There are Pokémon Diamond/Pearl themed camping gear that includes chairs, mini-tables, flashlights, sunshades and leisure seats. 『ポケモン』がアウトドアグッズになった [GPara]
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 21, 2009 -
Pokemon Might Get More Action
Pokémon has been around for a while now — since 1996. Maybe it’s time to spice up the franchise with a little more action to the hugely successful role-playing-game franchise. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl game director Junichi Masuda is very keen on trying out new elements. “This is just an idea but…as you know, Pokémon…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 21, 2009 -
Pokemon Could Have Been Muscular Monsters
When cutesy monster series Pokémon was being prepped for the Western market, localizers told Nintendo this: No way will adorable monsters be accepted by Americans. In a recent interview, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata reveals, “We were sent a proposal of muscle-bound characters to use if we wanted to do well in the U.S.” Nintendo didn’t…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 19, 2009 -
Pokémon Gold, Silver Debut Footage from Japan
Full disclosure: I do not speak or read Japanese, and I don’t know a thing about Pokémon. Commenters, I’m looking to you to provide context. Here is 16 seconds of gameplay from Heart Gold and Soul Silver which, if you are in my position, is two characters in a top-down adventure game walking in a…
By Owen Good Published May 10, 2009 -
Pokemon Gold And Silver Getting DS Remakes
It’s official. Pokémon Gold and Silver will be remade — something that was hinted at last weekend on Japan’s Pokémon Sunday TV program. The tenth anniversary remakes will be called Pokémon Heart Gold and Poké Soul Silver — much akin to the Fire Red and Leaf Green Gameboy Advance remakes of Pokémon Red and Pokémon…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 7, 2009 -
Pokémon Remakes Take Gold, Silver?
Adding it all together, a teaser by Japan’s Pokémon Sunday TV program points to an announcement next weekend that Pokémon Gold and Silver will be remade. The tease, offered this weekend, said simply that Pokémon Sunday would have a “world-exclusive first announcement,” on May 10 during the program’s Pokémon Game Arena segment. Oh, but there’s…
By Owen Good Published May 3, 2009 -
Shoko Nakagawa Sings New Pokemon Song
Earlier this month saw a new ending for the Pokémon anime. A new ending means, you guessed it, a new theme. The tune, “Get Fired Up Notch-Eared Pichu”, is sung by geek princess Shoko Nakagawa, who also voices Giza Mimi Pichu (“Notch-Eared Pichu”). It’s a catchy and cute song. You know, for whatever the hell…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 17, 2009 -
The Pokemon X-Ray Machine
And not just a Pokémon x-ray machine, but a mobile Pokémon x-ray machine. In Japan, Pokémon is branded for products that range from instant noodles to sickness masks. This Pokémon x-ray machine from Shimadzu Corporation is directed not just at kids in the hospital, but kids in the hospital that are bed-ridden and unable to…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 16, 2009 -
Was The Pokemon Center A Hot Spot For Foreigners In 2008?
Yes, yes it was. Travel guide and research site TripAdvisor.com ranked the most popular places for foreign travelers last year. There’s loads of things for them to see: temples, shrines and Pokémon. Here’s the top twenty hot spots foreign travelers wanted to visit in 2008: …drumroll please… 20. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Tokyo) 19. Hokkaido…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 10, 2009 -
The 2009 Pokémon Video Game Championships
Do you want to be the very best, like no one ever was? Now is your chance, as Pokémon USA delivers the details on the 2009 Pokémon Video Game Championships. An excellent way to sell their newest title, the U.S. leg of the 2009 Pokémon Championships requires that players participate using the newly-released Pokémon Platinum.…
By Mike Fahey Published April 8, 2009 -
Why There’s Not A Pokemon MMO
Why isn’t there? A Pokémon online game sounds like a logical idea. But the Pokémon franchise director Junichi Masuda has an explanation. “At this point, we’re not thinking of going in that direction,” says Masuda. “Trading is a core concept of Pokémon. So when you’re trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 23, 2009 -
Team Rocket Sent Blasting Off from Poké-Launch
Some bogus flyers promising “exclusive Mystery Gifts” caused quite a foofaraw at yesterday’s Pokémon Platinum Launch in New York. Team Rocket is being blamed for the disturbance. Yes, really. The slightly ‘shopped flyer mentioning gifts (above) went up outside the Nintendo World Store launch party yesterday. Why, who could be behind such a plot? None…
By Owen Good Published March 22, 2009 -
Watch Pokemon In HD
The official site for Pokémon Diamond & Pearl announces some changes for next month. This April, the Sunday morning kiddy show Pokémon Sunday anime is going HD. The show is co-hosted by geek idol Shoko Nakagawa. The anime Pokémon Diamond & Pearl is getting a new end theme song sung by Shoko Nakagawa, and the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 18, 2009 -
The Difference Between Pokemon And Monster Hunter
Pokémon and Monster Hunter are both wildly popular franchises. The games are often compared, and they do share things in common. But there are differences, of course! The biggest difference between the two franchises is that in Pokémon, you capture monsters, while in Monster Hunter, you *kill* monsters and then *carve* parts out of their…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 18, 2009 -
New Pokemon Anime Special For Japan
Starting this April, Japan is getting a new, original Pokémon anime special. Based on role-playing game Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky, the new anime will air this April before the game ships. Showing on kiddy morning show Pokémon Sunday, it will recreate scenes from the DS game. The game’s plot follows a boy…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 16, 2009 -
Catch The New Pokemon Anime Trailer
Summer means one thing in Japan: school kids on summer break. What does summer break mean? A new Pokémon movie, that’s what. Titled Arceus: To the Conquering Space-Time, the film is the final saga in the Diamond & Pearl trilogy and the twelfth animated Pokémon feature film. Dialga, Palkia and Giratina are slated to appear…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 5, 2009 -
Get Colossal Pokemon Regigigas At TRU
Starting next weekend you’ll be able to download a Colossal Pokemon Regigigas from Toys R Us on your DS. To get the free critter you just need to bring your DS and a copy of Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl to your local Toys R Us anytime from March 8 through March 21. Make sure…
By Brian Crecente Published March 2, 2009 -
Preorder Pokemon Platinum Get Free Toy
Starting this Sunday, people who reserve a copy of Pokemon Platinum Version will land a free Girantina Origin Forme figure. The game, due out March 22 for the DS, will introduce the new form of the Girantina Pokemon as well as a few new features and online options. “Pokémon fans know all about one-of-a-kind characters,…
By Brian Crecente Published February 11, 2009 -
New Pokemon Center Opening In Japan
Pokémon Centers are official retailers in Japan that sell, you guessed it, official Pokémon goods. Now there are five of these stores in Japan. Starting next month, there will be six. On March 6, a Pokémon Center will open in Sapporo, joining Pokémon Centers in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Yokohama. More info in the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published February 10, 2009