I've set up our new Pokemon Platinum section! Thanks to two generous game guide writers, we already have a Legendaries Guide and EV Training Hotspot Guide for Pokemon Platinum. I'm currently working on covering Platinum details to complete our Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum Walkthrough. Stay tuned for more great stuff coming this summer!

In an exclusive press release earlier this morning, Nintendo announced that while testing Pokemon Platinum they had, in fact, discovered a glitch in which one could obtain a level 100 Shaymin through a few simple tests. Instead of getting rid of it, NoA decided to keep it as an Easter Egg.

The steps, they say, are simple:

1. Pick Chimchar as your starter
2. Give your Chimchar ro its evolutions a potion to hold
3. Follow the same process to get Spiritomb, except meet 50 people Underground
4. A level 100 Shaymin will appear instead of a Spiritomb

Press Release: For the first time, a special version of the powerful Pokemon Regigigas will be available for distribution to Pokemon fans at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide. From Sunday, March 8, through Saturday, March 21, Pokemon USA, Inc., and Nintendo of America Inc., will offer players the opportunity to obtain this Level 100 character. During that time, Pokemon fans who bring their Pokemon Diamond Version or Pokemon Pearl Version Game Card (each sold separately), along with their Nintendo DS system, to any Toys"R"Us store in the United States and Puerto Rico will have a chance to add the exceptionally powerful Level 100 Regigigas to their Pokedex.

Who: All Pokemon fans
What: Regigigas distribution for your Pokemon Diamond Version or Pokemon Pearl Version Game Card (each sold separately)
When: Sunday, March 8, to Saturday, March 21
Where: Toys"R"Us stores nationwide

This unique Level 100 Regigigas is extraordinarily powerful and comes equipped with dominating attacks such as Crush Grip, as well as special moves Icy Wind, Iron Head, and Rock Slide. Of special note to game players is that this Colossal Regigigas comes with the Held Item Custap Berry and is in a Poke Ball known as the Cherish Ball - a special Poke Ball exclusive to Pokemon distributed at events.

What valuable secret will be unlocked for players when they trade this special Regigigas to the Pokemon Platinum Version video game? A trio of Legendary Pokemon - Regirock, Regice, and Registeel - can be discovered!
These Pokemon cannot be found during normal play in Pokemon Platinum Version.

This Regigigas distribution comes just before Nintendo's highly anticipated release of Pokemon Platinum Version on March 22, 2009.

For more information, fans can visit www.pokemon.com.

So sad. I never partially liked her voice as Meowth, but I still feel sad that we'll never hear her voice again.

As a side note, she was the voices of: Meowth (after Nathan Price), Corphish, Torkoal and Farfetch'd (Seasons 1-8), Lieutenant Surge, and Additional Voices.

RIP

by Pichubro.

Press Release:

Bellevue, WA -- February 9, 2009 - Today, Pokemon USA, Inc. announced that it has expanded its retail presence for Pokemon in Toys"R"Us stores nationwide through 2009. Dedicated areas at the entrance of the "R" Zone video game departments now showcase a variety of Pokemon merchandise, including the top-selling video games, the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG), TV and movie DVDs, select TOMY products that are making their U.S. debut, and a full range of Pokemon toys from JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Starting in April, Toys"R"Us Times Square, the company's International Flagship store, will highlight the Pokemon brand in a dedicated boutique through the remainder of the year. Toys"R"Us stores nationwide will also host retail events throughout 2009.

The expanded Pokemon area within Toys"R"Us stores spotlights several popular Pokemon video game titles, leading up to one of the most anticipated titles of the year-Pokemon Platinum Version for the Nintendo DS system. The dedicated area also features a wide selection of TCG expansion sets for the Pokemon: Diamond & Pearl Series and the newest Pokemon TCG: Platinum expansion. Additionally, the section includes a broad assortment of DVDs, strategy guides, and other toys from JAKKS Pacific.

The dedicated area establishes Toys"R"Us as the premier destination for fans looking for a wide selection of Pokemon products. Toys"R"Us will host video game events featuring character distributions for Pokemon Diamond Version & Pokemon Pearl Version (each sold separately), with the first event taking place from February 8 - February 14. A second event will take place in the spring. Toys"R"Us will also be the first retailer in the U.S. to carry select Pokemon toys by TOMY.

"Our partnership with Toys"R"Us speaks volumes about the unwavering popularity of the Pokemon franchise," said Caryl Liebmann, director, retail development and promotions, Pokemon USA, Inc. "We're excited that Toys"R"Us is offering our fans this first-class retail destination."

Pokemon is one of the most successful children's franchises in history and the #1 collectible trading card game of all time. The record-breaking TCG boasts 374 percent sales growth in the U.S. alone since 2005 and is sold in more than 30 countries around the globe. The Pokemon video game series has sold more than 186 million units worldwide through September 2008, with many more sales expected with the release of this spring's Pokemon Platinum Version. Other successful extensions of the property include eleven seasons on U.S. television with the debut of the series' 12th season this spring. Pokemon films and DVDs continue to reach fans in amazing numbers, often ranking at the top of the box office in Japan.

Press Release:

BELLEVUE, Wash. - December 18, 2008 - Prepare to face challenges that no Pokemon Trainer has ever before encountered as Pokemon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in the trading card game industry, announces the all-new Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG): Platinum. Hitting stores on February 11, 2009, this latest installment of the best-selling Pokemon TCG features 130 cards. Pokemon TCG: Platinum will introduce players to Shaymin™ and the new Forme of the Renegade Pokemon Giratina-Origin Forme. Additionally, Platinum contains six new Pokemon LV.X, including Giratina and Shaymin, as well as three Shiny Pokemon, which are only available as parallel foil cards.

The announcement of Pokemon TCG: Platinum coincides with Nintendo of America Inc.'s announcement of the highly anticipated video game release of Pokemon Platinum Version, which comes to retail on March 22, 2009. The Platinum video game and trading card game are linked by another notable thread as they both include the key character Giratina. Featured as one of the key characters in the Pokemon Platinum video game, the new Forme of Giratina is also a paramount addition to the Pokemon TCG expansion.

The first step in the next Pokemon TCG adventure, Platinum, features theme decks for beginner and intermediate Pokemon players, as well as booster packs for collectors and players of all ages. The theme decks will be available in two 60-card theme decks-Rebellion and Flourish-and feature an innovative packaging look with holographic treatment. Each theme deck and 10-card booster pack is priced at a MSRP of $11.99 and $3.79, respectively.

Pokemon TCG fans eager to view Platinum prior to the February 11 release date can get a sneak peek of the new expansion at　Platinum Prerelease tournaments held over the weekends of January 31 - February 1 and February 7-8. For more information regarding the Prerelease tournaments and product, visit http://www.go-pokemon.com.

Press Release:

For the first time, Dragonite, one of the strongest Dragon-type Pokemon, will be available at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide as Pokemon USA, Inc. and Nintendo of America Inc. offer Pokemon players a special two day opportunity to obtain this unique character. On Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9 from 12 pm to 4 pm, Pokemon fans who bring their Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl Game Card (sold separately), along with their Nintendo DS, to any Toys"R"Us store in the United States and Puerto Rico will have a chance to add a Level 50 Dragonite to their game. Giveaways at this exclusive Toys"R"Us event also include a complimentary Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia poster and a coupon for $5 off any Nintendo DS game, for redemption at Toys"R"Us stores only.

This special Dragonite is very unique at Level 50 -- making it the only Dragonite that will be allowed in official Pokemon video game tournaments that are limited to Level 50 Pokemon. Dragonite is battle-ready and equipped with dominating attacks such as Outrage, Dragon Dance, Thunderbolt, and the ultimate Dragon-type move, Draco Meteor. It is also equipped with Yache Berry -- a Hold Item that will halve the strength of super-effective Ice-type moves used upon it!

Who: All Pokemon fans

What: Dragonite distribution for your Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl Game Card

When: Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 12 pm to 4 pm

Where: Toys"R"Us stores nationwide

Today, Nintendo introduced their newest DS, the Nintendo DSi. It's basically a Nintendo DS Lite with several exciting new features. Compared to the Nintendo DS Lite, it is smaller in every dimension, weighs less, has larger screens, and has better speakers. It features two built-in 0.3 megapixel cameras, one on the bottom-right corner of the cover facing out and one on the hinge facing in, where the microphone is located on the DS Lite.

What's even more cool about this new handheld system is that it'll also act as a music player. All its media content will be stored on an SD memory card. It even comes with a web browser! Finally, you'll be able to download software directly through an online Nintendo store. The Nintendo DSi will be released in Japan on November 1st this year at a price of 18,900 yen (or about $180), and will be released outside of Japan in 2009.