Pokemon Company on the Super Bowl commercial, Detective Pikachu film, Pokemon GO, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 2 Comments
GamesBeat was recently given the opportunity to speak with The Pokemon Company consumer marketing director J.C. Smith. Smith had plenty to say about the Super Bowl commercial which aired earlier in the year, the Detective Pikachu film (we’ll hear more “soon”), Pokemon GO, and more.
Per usual, we’ve rounded up some of the important responses below. You can read the full interview on GamesBeat here.
More: interview, J.C. Smith, movie, Niantic, Pokemon, Pokemon GO, top
New Pokemon manga based on Sun/Moon releasing in September
Posted on 8 years ago by Jake in News | 2 Comments
CoroCoro Comics will be releasing a new manga based off of Pokemon Sun and Moon, starting in September. Set in the Alola Region, the manga will star a new trainer character and his Rockruff. More details on the comic will be released in this Friday’s issue of CoroCoro, around the same time as we get more news on the upcoming games.
Former 4Kids CEO on helping to bring Pokemon west, English name, anime, and success
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 20 Comments
Back in the day, 4Kids Entertainment played a large role in Pokemon’s distribution outside of Japan. Al Kahn, who was formally CEO of the company, took a business trip to the country when he stumbled upon the franchise. He then pitched the idea of bringing the IP west to Pokemon’s owners (including Nintendo). While that was met with reluctance, Kahn felt it could become a hit and was able to gain the rights to the game and anime outside of Asia when he offered money to get the franchise released overseas.
Pokemon is known as Pocket Monsters in Japan. However, Kahn “didn’t like the name” as it felt similar to other monster games. “I wanted the name to be more Japanese-y,” he told The Washington Post.
More: 4Kids Entertainment, Al Kahn, anime, Pokemon, top
3DS sales up over 200% in the UK, Pokemon games still selling well
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 1 Comment
Data obtained by MCV reveals that 3DS XL and 2DS sales have risen 222 percent and 234 percent in the UK, in comparison to the same period last year. The boost can be attributed to the continued success of Pokemon GO.
Also in large part due to the mobile title’s success, Pokemon games on 3DS are still selling well. MCV reports that Nintendo was the top boxed games publisher in the UK last week. Ten of the top 50 games were from the company, including Pokemon Alpha Sapphire (No.11), Omega Ruby (No.18), X (No.25) and Y (No.29). Pokemon titles sold roughly 9,000 units.
MCV adds that sales of Pokemon trading card, toys, and clothes are also experiencing a boost. Pokemon Sun/Moon pre-orders “have also increased significantly.”
Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel releasing in English later this year
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 14 Comments
Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, which previously premiered in Japan, is now heading overseas. It’s been announced that the animated film will be getting the dubbed treatment later this year.
Here’s an overview:
“In this latest cinematic adventure, Ash meets the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion! They arrive in a city of cogs and gears, where a corrupt minister has stolen the ultimate invention: the Artificial Pokémon Magearna, created 500 years ago. He plans to use its mysterious power to take control of this mechanical kingdom! Can Ash and Volcanion work together to rescue Magearna? One of the greatest battles in Pokémon history is about to unfold!”
And a trailer:
New HORI Pokemon 3DS accessories: Pikachu Pack Starter Kit, pouches
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments
HORI has three new Pokemon-focused accessories on the way for 3DS.
The Pikachu Pack Starter Kit arrives first, intended for use with the New 3DS XL. It features the following:
– Pikachu-themed Duraflexi protector, Game Card Case 6, System Skin and Cleaning Cloth
– Duraflexi Protector is flexible yet durable, protecting system from scratches and wear
– Game Card Case 6 holds up to 6 3DS or DS game cards
The Pikachu Pack Starter Kit arrives on October 11 for $20.
Two more accessories follow on November 18. Fans will be able to pick up a soft plush pouch based on Pikachu’s face that holds a New 3DS XL, 3DS, or DS. A Pokemon Sun/Moon pouch will also be available on the same day. Both of these are priced at $15.
Monopoly: Pokemon Johto Edition incoming
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 8 Comments
Monopoly: Pokemon Kanto Edition came out a couple of years ago. Now USAopoly is working on another Pokemon set, this time for Johto.
You’ll find the following inside:
In this special Pokémon Johto Edition of Monopoly, players will travel through all eight Gyms and battle Gym leader Pokémon. Trainer Battle and Professor Elm cards might reward you for Pokémon encounters, or bring an unexpected surprise as players join Pikachu and friends on an adventure through the Johto region.
Monopoly: Pokemon Johto Edition contains six collectible tokens comprised of Totodile, Togepi, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Pichu and Pikachu. It also features a custom designed game board based on the Johto region, renames for Hotels, the Community Chest, and Chance Cards (to PokeMarts, Pokemon Centers, and Chance Cards respectively), plus custom themed Monopoly money.
Here are some photos:
When Pokemon Monopoly: Johto Edition is actually releasing is a bit unclear. BigBadToyStore estimates that it’s coming in August. It seems to be in stock on Amazon at the moment, but only from third-party sellers. It should be made available at more retailers soon in any case.
Men who brought weapons to 2015 Pokemon World Championships sentenced to two years in prison
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 4 Comments
A potentially dangerous situation was thankfully avoided at the Pokemon World Championships back in 2015. Two men were put under arrest after threatening violence to attendees. Unlicensed guns were found in their vehicle, along with several other weapons.
Those men – James Stumbo and Kevin Norton – have now pled guilty to charges that they brought a rifle, shotgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition to the Pokemon World Championship last summer. Both will serve two-year sentences of prison and two years of probation. Stumbo and Norton had also previously served 335 days since they were arrested.
More: Pokemon
Screenwriter Max Landis gave a Pokemon movie pitch last year, drew “huge Netflix offer”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
We learned yesterday that Legendary Entertainment has obtained the rights to the Pokemon films, and will begin by producing a live-action Detective Pikachu film. Based on a new interview with screenwriter Max Landis, it sounds like that idea came straight from The Pokemon Company.
Landis, along with producer Roy Lee, pitched his idea for a different Pokemon film around a year ago. It was accepted, shown to studios (and led to a “huge Netflix offer”)… and then The Pokemon Company “pulled back”. Landis told Collider that they only wanted to sell one character, which was Detective Pikachu. He wasn’t interested, and that’s when everything fell apart.
You can hear about Landis’ pitch in the video below.
Pokemon 3DS games and apparel receive big boost in the UK stemming from Pokemon GO
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, Mobile, News | 4 Comments
In the UK, Pokemon is getting a huge sales boost on 3DS thanks to Pokemon GO. GfK numbers from last week show a 145 percent increase in combined sales of previous Pokemon titles on Nintendo’s handheld.
MCV shares the following data about the Pokemon boost:
Top selling Pokemon games for week ending July 16 (sales increase %)
1. Pokémon Alpha Sapphire – 148%
2. Pokémon Omega Ruby – 148%
3. Pokémon X – 238%
4. Pokémon Y – 188%
5. Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon – 65%
These five games in total –148%
Pokémon Total – 145%
MCV also heard from licensing sources that Nintendo has raised projections for Sun and Moon. Speaking of those two games, both are among the top ten most pre-ordered games on Amazon.
