Pokemon not included in Olympics closing ceremony because of international recognition
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 17 Comments
Several notable characters were represented in the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics this past weekend as the transition was made to the next event Japan will be hosting in 2020. Mario and Pac-Man were just two of many that appeared in a pre-made video. There was, however, one huge Japan-made IP that was conspicuously absent: Pokemon.
As Buzzfeed Japan reports, the site heard from a Tokyo Olympic/Paralympic Committee member that preparations started in January, well before Pokemon GO launched and became a huge success. The timing was just not considered right as Pokemon isn’t as well known worldwide, and the Mario franchise has also sold more games – 320 million compared to Pokemon’s 200 million.
Nikkan Sports has an article up about how the obvious pun of “Mario” and “Rio” from “Rio de Janeiro” was too much for the Japanese Olympic Organizing Committee to pass up. We can thank committee president and former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori for the idea.
More: Pokemon
Nintendo considered Fire Emblem and Pokemon crossover before moving on to Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 21 Comments
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE certainly had an interesting development cycle. At one point, it was considered for 3DS. The team also thought about various genres. But in the end, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE was made for Wii U as a mostly unique RPG that borrows some elements from Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei.
Going back well before development started, the game’s origins also have some ties to Pokemon, strangely enough. Nintendo director Hitoshi Yamagami revealed in a Nintendo Dream companion booklet at the end of last year that the company’s Kaori Ando “proposed a plan” that would have featured Pokemon and Fire Emblem. However, since a different proposal was floating around at the same time which would eventually become Pokemon Conquest, the idea was abandoned.
Here’s what Yamagami and Ando had to say about the situation, as translated by kantopia:
Video: Pokemon fans share memories playing the series at Hyper Japan
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 0 comments
At Hyper Japan last month, Nintendo spoke with some Pokemon fans about their treasured memories playing the series. Some players also talked a bit about the upcoming Sun/Moon. Here’s the full video:
More: Hyper Japan Festival 2016, Pokemon
Guardians of the Galaxy, Gravity Falls writers penning Detective Pikachu film
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 31 Comments
Variety is reporting that Nicole Perlman and Alex Hirsch are in negotiations to write Detective Pikachu, the new live-action Pokemon film from Legendary.
Perlman is known for her work on Guardians of the Galaxy, and will be involved with the live-action Captain Marvel film. As for Hirsch, he created the cartoon series Gravity Falls.
As previously mentioned, Toho will distribute Detective Pikachu in Japan. Universal Pictures will be in charge of the movie in overseas territories.
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.
