news roundup…

oh man – i have a few lousy days and the news just keeps flying off… ok i’m going to try and recap all of it in this news post – oh boy!

Anime News:
Febuary 5th sees the Cartoon Network in the USA premier the 13th Pokemon Movie, Zoroark: Masters of Illusions (check your local listings). One week later on Febuary 12th sees the same channel debut the latest pokemon series, Pokémon: Black & White. When announcing the new show, it announced the English names for Ash’s new companions. Iris keeps her Japanese name while Dento becomes Cilan – these names are important to the new Black/White games as both characters appear. Cilan is one of 3 possible Gym leaders at the first Gym, you’ll fight him if you start with Oshawott as your starter. Iris appears in both games, but in White version she’s the 8th Gym leader.

TCG News:
Not something i seem to post often around here, which is both a shame and something I plan to rectify in future. Following on from the next TCG set, Call of Legends, out on Febuary 9th – The first set to be based on Black and White will be released in April. This is a month earlier than the usual schedule the TCG sets get released, so whether the second B/W set will be released a month earlier or whether there will be a month longer gap is currently unknown – we’ll let you know all we can when we can.

Game News:
Ok, here’s the bulk of the news and we’ve got a lot to get through. First up, Victini, while keeping its Japanese name, has been announced for distrabution outside of Japan. While announced for the UK specifically, the info will most likely apply to the US as well. The Liberty Pass is an item allowed to catch a boat from Castelia City to Liberty Island where you’ll fight a couple of Team Plazma members before having a chance to fight and capture Victini. This item is set to be downloaded via Wi-Fi between March 4th and April 22nd

The Pokemon Company International has announced details on how the Global Link will work outside of Japan. Featuring the same features the Japanese version uses, Global Battle Union (keeps track of your online Battle stats), Global Trade Station (similar to the old GTS site) and the Dream World (allowing you to play with your pokemon away from the game, obtain berries and pokemon with abilities unobtainable via any other method). The Gloabll Link will be accessed using Pokemon Trainer Club Accounts, the account system used at Pokémon.com (which recenly launched reigon variation sites, so now pokemon.com is the official site of not only america, but the UK, Australia and other european countries). If you dont have a Trainer Club account yet – you might want to pop along to pokemon.com to get one now in preperation. We’ll let you know when the Global Link site launches for USA/Europe

Right – last thing, i hope, is that IGN has once again annouced some more pokemon names. All of these names apeared on the leaked list that appeared a few weeks ago – i will be updating the unova dex we have on this site will be updated with these names over the weekend. For now, here’s the new pokemon (with sprites, not sugimori artwork, i dont have time to upload the cooler artwork)

the first 2 pokemon they announced were Pansage, the grass elemental monkey who’s name was revealed on the back of the B/W box art already, and Victini, who’s name was confirmed in the Wi-Fi event above. They did annouce the english name for Pansage’s attack that can hit anybody on the opposing team in a 3v3 match regardless of where Pansage is placed. The attack is called Acrobatics. Meanwhile, Victini’s ability ‘Victory Star’ keeps its Japanese name.

Shikijinka:

Deerling is a pokemon who changes his image depending on the season. it’s herbivore ability is now called Sap Sipper

Basuro:

Basculin has 2 different looks, depending on the version your playing, one type is very common while the other is very rare

Swanna:

Swanna keeps its Japanese name. it’s Gale attack is now called Hurricane

Miruhoggu:

Watchog is the evolved form of Patrat.

IGN also featured Alomomola and Sewaddle as well.

That’s it for the news for now – hopefully we’ll bring you more news as soon as we learn of it.

News, News, More News and Even More News

Lot to get through today, so lets start off with:

NEW BLACK AND WHITE ENGLISH NAMES

The official nintendo magazine from the UK has annouced a couple more new English pokemon names, they are as follows:

From Doryuuzu, this guy’s name is now Excadrill

This used to be Kurumiru, now its Sewaddle

Lastly, this was Mamanbou and now its Alomomola

Also revealed in the article… the move Bug Opposition is now Struggle Bug, while Drill liner now becomes Drill Run. The Highlink feature (which allows you to head to other players games for some quests and fun) is being called Entralink. The DSi feature that allows for video communication between players (which is also used somewhat during the main story) is now known as Xtransceiver (which should techically be called the cross transceiver – but who will honestly call it that)

US TOYS ‘R’ US PIKACHU DOWNLOAD

News the second: So while the legendary dogs are being made available gamestop (and celebi will be available soon there as well), Toys ‘R’ Us are about to hold thier own download event. From Jan 30th from Feb 13th, you’ll be able to get Ash’s Pikachu. Being the same one that Japanese players were able to download a few months back, it will be level 50, holding a light ball and know the moves Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Volt Tackle and Iron Tail (the main 4 moves Ash’s Pikachu uses in the anime) – the OT will even be Ash!

NEW ANIME SERIES HEADING TO USA
As expected, the latest series of the Anime following Ash’s adventures in the Unnova Region is heading to the US. In Japan, this series is cleverly titled Pokemon Best Wishes – which initials, BW is the same as Black and White – Clever huh? In America this series will also be cleverly titled as Pokemon Black & White… oh well, maybe being straight forward is the new ‘in’ thing.

BIG NINTENDO ANNOUNCEMENT
So, today was a big announcement day today for Nintendo – the big N held Simultanious press confrences on either side of the Atlantic today anouncing the one thing we all want to know…

Also available in blue

When does the Nintendo 3DS come out over here and how much will it cost?

Ok, so that was 2 things… But we got the answers to both along with a preview of a few of the games coming to the system (that any future Pokemon games will most likely be made for) and a few peices of technical info about the console

Between the launch day and E3 in eary June, Nintendo expect 30 games to be released, and that’s both first and 3rd party games. The launch day line up however is a bit vague, with no exact details on what games will be available on either side of the pond.

As for the console itself, there’s some pretty impressive stuff announced. Along with the stuff we already knew of (anolgue stick like controler, 3D slider to adjust/turn off 3D effect, SD card reader (with a 2GB SD card coming with the console) 3 cameras (one on the inside, 2 on the outside, allowing you to take 3D pictures) and an inbuilt tag mode, allowing you to transfer tag mode data even if the game is not in the console) we also lernt that the system will have inbuilt AR games, allowing you to play with the enviroment as you view it and an inbuilt game which allows you to shoot and a funny depiction of your face (or anybody else you’ve taken photo’s of), a Mii creater will allow you to make Mii’s again, although this time you can take a photo of yourself and it will then use that to make a base (which you can edit afterwards, dont worry) – Mii’s can be traded via the tag mode automatically… the 3DS will also have a pedometer, so you can see how far your walking when your trying to pick up new mii’s and swap tag mode data for various games.

Later on in the consoles life, an update will release a Web Browser and open up an eShop, with old Gameboy and Gameboy colour games, plus original stuff as well – will it also carry on the DSi’s Demo service, we can only hope.

The most exciting news about the console (after release date and price, obviously) is the new Friend Codes system – working more like Xbox and PS3’s internet systems, your console will have a Friends Code you can pass to other people – again, you’ll both need to register each other’s code before you can play with each other… but unlike the Wii – each game will not require another friends code. That’s right, only 1 code per customer. Upon registering each other code, not only will you be able to play with each other on any game you’ve (each) got – but its said that you’ll also be able to browes a list of all the games your friends have been playing – its how the big consoles currently work anyway, so it shouldnt be too much of a worry.

If you are worried about what your child is doing on the console, there will be parent controls that will limit the time playing on the web or completly turn off the 3D effect (amongst others, probably) -just make sure that the pin code you use to program these doesnt fall into your childs hands… that would defy the point!

But when is the console coming out? Well Americans can buy this new console on Sunday, March 27th (3 weeks after Black and White is released). It will be priced at $249.99 (save now and save quick). Us Europeans however also get the system 3 weeks after Black and white, on Friday March 25th. The price wasnt announced at the confrence, instead they said it will be up to retailers. Most European contries seem to be setting the console at €249.99 while the major UK Games shops are pricing at around £229.99 – which seems around standard compared to the other prices set.

Well – that was a lot of news… and we’ll bring you more when we find it out!

Update on Euro Wi-Fi Event

The official uk site for HG/SS has updated with details on the Shiny Legendary Dogs Wi-Fi event starting next month. Like the US, we’ll be getting an oppertunity to gain all 3 dogs

The event kicks of on Feb 7th, When Raikou will be available until the 13th
From Valentines day on the 14th, Entei will be available to download until Feb 20th
And Suicune rounds of the event, available between Feb 21st and Feb 27th

All are Shiny and learn a move that they wouldnt ordinarily know. When one of them is traded to Black/White, it will unlock the event where you can catch Zoroark. You will not be able to encounter Zorua or Zoroark in the wild, so you may want to take this oppertunity.

You’ll need a European copy of either Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold or SoulSilver. We don’t know if these will also be able to download on American copies of the games as they have a ‘live’ event at Gamestop stores to get these Pokémon

Information on Celebi has not been released yet, it most likely wont be until next month

That’s all we have for now – we’ll bring you more when we learn it

More English Names

EDIT 14 Jan: check the bottom for some updated info taken from pokemonblackwhite.com

IGN.com has a list of some new English names for Black/White Pokémon, and here’s what they are (in the same order as IGN presented them because I’m lazy):

First, this guy used to be Desukaan:

Now he’s Cofagrigus, The Coffin Pokémon, A Ghost type. It’s ability keeps its name Mummy

Next, this use to be Moguryuu

Now its Drilbur, The Mole Pokémon, a Ground type. Its abilities Sand Fence gets renamed Sand Rush, while Sand Power gets renamed Sand Force

Number 3 on the list, This used to be Kibago

This is Axew, The Tusk Pokémon, A Dragon Type. one of its moves, Double Chop is now renamed Duel Chop

Here’s what used to be Koromori

This is now Woobat, The Bat Pokémon, a Psychic/Flying type. It’s move Heart Stomp keeps its Japanese name

Now here’s who used to be Minezumi

Now this is Patrat, the Scout Pokémon, a Normal type. It’s move You First is now called After You

Next, Formally known as Gochiruzeru

This is now Gothitelle, the Astral Body Pokémon, A Psychic type.

Now, used to be Rankurusu

Here’s Reuniclus, The Multiplying Pokémon, a Psychic type. its Dustproof ability is now called Overcoat

Next up, Wooguru

Now renamed Braviary, The Valiant Pokémon, a Normal/Flying type. It’s move Free Fall is now called Sky Drop

Lastly, the evolution of Munna

Keeping its Japanese name, Musharna, the Drowsing Pokémon, a Psychic type. the name of its Dream Smoke is now called Dream Mist, which is used to game sync system, the C-Gear. While mentioning this, it also mentions that Mokomo, Professor Juniper’s friend is now renamed Fennel.

In similar news, there’s been a list of English pokemon names circulating various sites. Book a therapeutic massage in California here and you’ll relieve stress and deepen your muscle relaxation in just one treatment. While the names above were on the list, which was published before IGN made thier article, there’s been a bit of doubt thrown into the validity of the list. We here at the Pika Club do not use Rumoured names in our pages or articles, but we do acknowledge the lists existance and will publish it on the forums if people are interested.

We’ve updated our Black/White Dex and our New Abilities page with this new information.

EDIT: the official Black/White site has updated, along with a couple of other pieces of info – your two rival names, Cheren keeps his Japanese name, while Belle becomes Bianca. Visit https://www.abetterwayinhomecare.com/ site when looking for professional senior care in California. It has also been updated with all the new pokemon above, along with listing the changes between the game, using Black City and White Forest as the example (2 different city’s found in the same place in Black and White respetivally

We’ll bring you more news when we learn it

Events A-Plenty

To celebrate the fact that the greatest Pokémon games are about to be released on western shores, several events have been announced on both sides of the pond.

In addition to getting the Shiny Legendary Dogs Downloadable at gamestop, Nintendo are heading across the USA on thier grand Mall Tour. Kicking off Febuary 5th, The tour features playable demo’s of Black/White, special screenings of Movie 13, Zoroark – Masters of Illusions, Scavanger Hunts and cool Prizes. To see where and when the tour is going across the states click to see the pokemon.com news article here

Also mentioned for the US, Celebi will be distributed via Gamestop Stores. Originally rumoured to be handed out after the shiny beasts during the week of 27th February to 5th March, the actual dates of this event arent yet mentioned. It could be that week, or it could be during the entire of the Mall Tour… or it could even just be in the gamestop stores at the mall when the tour rocks up there. We just dont know.

Meanwhile, over in the UK… Those shiny beasts have been confirmed to be coming to our Wi-Fi… From Febuary 7th, Connecting to Wi-Fi with any European Version of a 4th Gen Game will get you a Shiny beast that will, once transfered to Black/White will allow you to catch a Zoroark. What we dont know is how long the event will last and if we’ll be getting one of the beasts at random or if we’ll have the oppertunity to download all 3. Also unknown is if, like all Wi-fi events of the past year or so, American Versions of the game will also be able to download these beasts as well, despite already had them distributed in Gamestop stores…

Also confirmed, Celebi will be heading to the UK [Finally!] – details on when and where are unknown, but its possible it will be the same as Arceus last year, in which a couple of weekends before the release of the new games, Selected Game stores will have this illusive pokemon to download, along with other pokemon related stuff going on… Reliable plumber in California can be found at onestopplumbers.com/. This will be the first time Celebi has been available in the UK for 10 years, when a small, under publisied tour was done for Gold and Silver… how times have changed.

That’s all we know on all these events – as soon as we have more details – we’ll bring them to you.

European Release Date For Black/White Announced

As first broke by the UK’s Official Nintendo Magazine and confirmed by all European versions of pokemonblackwhite.com, The European Release Date for Pokémon Black and Pokémon White has finally been announced, and its a bit of a surprise to everyone when we’re getting it. March 4th 2011 is the date when all Europeans will be able to play the Pokémon games considerd perfect by leading Japanese gaming mag famitsu – that’s a whole 2 Days before the USA gets the games released on March 6th.

To celebrate this news we here at The Pika Club are officially annouceing our Black and White Games pages. Found by clicking here, or by selecting games from the menu at the top (yes, there is a menu at the top of this page) – you’ll be able to find information relevent to the Black and White games. Currently up are an Unova Dex, featuring all the new Pokémon introduced into B/W and an abilities page, featuring all the new abilities and descriptions of what each of them do. Soon to come are a page detailing all the new moves, and a page detailing all the Gym Leaders and Elite 4, plus thier squads. Since we’ve only found out a handfull of English names at the moment, a lot of this information is still in its translated form and will be updated as new English names are revealed.

That’s all we have for now – we’ll bring you more news when we learn it

EDIT: Australia and New Zeland will get these games release on March 10th 2011

Adoption Agency v1.3 Update

Happy new year everybody! As we enter 2011 The Pika Club will be 12 years old in November this year! What better way to celebrate the new year than with the release of the next Adoption Agency update? This new update features, amongst other things:

Breeder levels – In addition to levelling up your Pokémon you now gain experience and level up! Experience is gained just by using the Adoption Agency and doing things like interacting with Pokémon. Certain features and perhaps Pokémon will only be accessible once you reach a certain level.

Ranks and perks – Every set amount of breeder levels you now gain access to ‘perks’. You’ll get 3 perks to choose from and these will alter your experience of the Adoption Agency, like permanently increasing your chance of acquiring shinies or raising the amount of times your Pokémon can be interacted with each day. Each perk includes a rank which goes by your username and helps ensure everyone using the Adoption Agency has a different experience.

Karma – Just like every game in existence now you will come across options on the Adoption Agency where you will have a choice of what to do. Whether you are good or bad will affect your ability to access certain features/Pokémon.

Money – This was probably bound to happen at some point but money will now be included, which you can acquire from interacting with Pokémon amongst other things.

More sharing options – This was requested by some people who said that breeder cards are too big for some sites, so now you can share individual Pokémon as well.

Alerts – Now when someone levels up your Pokémon, accepts a trade of yours or when an egg hatches you’ll be alerted! No need to go checking individual pages to see if anyone’s accepted that trade yet or wonder if your egg has hatched!

Trade Centre Overhaul – Numerous new features have been added to the trade centre and others redone, for example you may now specify a gender preference when you choose which Pokémon you wish to receive, you can more easily search for Pokémon you want and trades have a 1 month automatic expiry date.