The Pokemon Company hopes to open Pokemon Centers outside of Japan
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 14 Comments
The latest issue of Famitsu has an interview about the new Pokemon Center in Kyoto. Interestingly, this same discussion contained a brief mention that there are plans for more of these stores in Japan, and the hope is to expand to other countries as well. It’s not yet known which territories are being considered, however.
Only two Pokemon Centers have opened outside of Japan. One location popped up in New York, but became Nintendo World in 2005. There was also a pop-up store in Paris for the launch of Pokemon X/Y in Summer 2014.
You can find photos of the new Pokemon Center in Kyoto on Kotaku here.
More: Pokemon
Total sales for mainline Pokemon games surpass 200 million
Posted on 8 years ago by Matt(@OnePunchMaz) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
Famitsu published some sales numbers for the Pokemon series as a whole today. As of February 29th, 2016, worldwide sales for mainline Pokemon games have surpassed 200 million – more than 201 million copies have been sold.
If you add in the various spin-off games, that number rises to 279 million games sold.
More: Pokemon
Pokemon creative design director killed in windstorm
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 126 Comments
The Pokemon Company Interational creative design director Eric Medalle died on Sunday during a windstorm. Medalle was taking his one of his daughter for a drive, but a massive tree crashed down on the family’s SUV. The girl thankfully made it out with only minor injuries.
Medalle was credited with several games in the Pokemon series. Here’s the lineup, courtesy of Bulbapedia:
– Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: English & European Graphic Design
– Pokemon X and Y: English & European Graphic Design
– Pokemon Black and White Versions 2: English Version Artwork
– Pokemon Conquest: Graphic Design
– Pokemon Black and White Versions: English Version Artwork
– Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs: English-Version Graphic Design
– Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions: English-Version Artwork
– Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia: English Version Artwork
More disappointing news to share. Our hearts goes out to Medalle’s family during this tough time.
More: Eric Medalle, Pokemon
Game Freak’s Masuda on appealing to longtime Pokemon fans and newcomers
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 33 Comments
Pokemon has been around for 20 years, which is a very long time. The series has plenty of longtime fans, but new players come into contact with the series each day as well.
So how does Game Freak – the maker of the Pokemon RPGs – appeal to both types of players? That’s something GamesMaster asked the studio’s Junichi Masuda in an interview this month.
He told the magazine in response:
“Today you will see ’90s kids who played the first Pokémon games, who are now parents playing with their children. But some of the core gameplay elements simply appeal as much now as they did in 1996. The collectable elements of the game still appeal to people’s sense of achievement, and it’s great for strategic thinking.
“You have to make accurate judgements about what to change and what not to change. It is also about not making things too difficult. After two or three generations, games have a tendency to become more difficult. In recent titles, catching Pokémon by throwing PokéBalls is explained in-game, but we also make a point of trying to get into the heads of children who have picked up a Pokémon game for the very first time in order to better understand how the games feel to a first-time audience.”
More: Game Freak, interview, Junichi Masuda, Pokemon, top
CoroCoro teases “Pokemon Elections” for the movies, will be “huge”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 15 Comments
Another tease stemming from this month’s issue of CoroCoro concerns the Pokemon movies. Apparently, something known as “Pokemon Elections” are the way. We’ll be seeing a special countdown on the official site, with more details planned for the next edition of CoroCoro. The magazine promises that it’ll be “huge”.
Ditto-themed Pokemon merchandise to be sold in Japan next month
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 8 Comments
On March 26, reservations will open for some new Ditto-themed Pokemon merchandise, followed by the actual release on April 2. Pikachu, Clefairy, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle versions will be available.
Two different items are being prepared: dolls and keychains. The former is priced at 1,200 yen each while the latter costs 800 yen each. Reservations will be at Pokemon Centers in Japan and Amazon.
More: Pokemon
KFC to offer Pokemon goodies in Japan
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 10 Comments
KFC will soon be distributing Pokemon goodies to customers in Japan.
Starting on March 17, straw figurines will be available to those who order any drink for an additional 190 yen each. Customers can receive Froakie, Chespin, Fennekin, Sylveon, Pikachu, or Pancham at random. There will be a “Complete Pack” for 2,500 that features all straw figurines, plus a display stand, six free drink coupons, and an original tote bag.
KFC will also have two special game kits on March 17. These are made from cardboard and let Pokemon fans “catch” different Pokemon by throwing a Poke Ball at them. 16 character cards along with either a street scene or forest environment are included in each pack.
Finally, on April 21, KFC locations in Japan will offer a specially marked bucket featuring four pieces of the Colonel’s crispy fried chicken, fries and some Crispy Strips, and a limited-edition Pikachu-adorned placemat. This will cost 1,890 yen.
New Pokemon: The Movie – Volcanion and The Ingenious Magearna trailer
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 3 Comments
Update: Added in the official high-quality upload.
A new trailer for Pokemon: The Movie – Volcanion and The Ingenious Magearna debuted on Oha Suta a short while ago. The recording of the video can be seen below.
New 3DS Pokemon 20th Anniversary Edition back up at Amazon
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in New Nintendo 3DS, News | 0 comments
Amazon is the latest retailer to be taking orders for the New 3DS Pokemon 20th Anniversary Edition once again. This isn’t likely the last long though. Other stores have opened up orders over the past few days only to sell out soon after.
Photos of the Pokemon 20th anniversary fan celebration at Nintendo NY
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Images | 18 Comments
Earlier today, the newly renovated Nintendo NY hosted a special celebration for Pokemon’s 20th anniversary. Nintendo has since sent out some photos from the event. All of the shots can be found in the gallery below.
Source: Nintendo PR
