PokePark2: Wonders Beyond Release

This Friday March 23th sees the release of PokePark2: Wonders Beyond released for wii. The sequel to last years PokePark Adventure sees Pikachu teaming up with the Unova Starters to investigate a brand new PokePark when other pokemon start to disapear.

We’ve gotten news that on Saturday 24th, if you happen to be in the London Area, the Brent Cross store of Toy’s R Us are doing a treasure hunt competition were 25 lucky people can win a copy of the game. Action starts from 10am and there’s some other goodies as well up for grabs – check in that store for details. Unfortunatly it seems to be the only store doing this event, so if your not in the area, then your out of luck.

If your interested in PokePark2 and want to know more, check out these trailers first. Some of them feature some really cheesy music – which is something I personally like (am I the only one who misses the pokeraps?)

We’ll bring you more news when we learn it

News… Finally!

I should have posted this yesterday, but i’ve been a little addicted to the adoption agency myself… whopps.

Ok, so first up, Pokemon Rumble Blast has a European Release date… sort of. Only listed as December in the 4th Quater Release Schedule, the Re-named (again) Super Pokemon Rumble is a 3DS title that features toy Pokemon which you collect and then battle. They’ve changed the name of it again so its more like the Japanese title and nothing like the US title, probably just to confuse all of us down the line (another Trozi/link fiasco)

Next item, Remember that Online Program on found on the official Pokemon site which allowed you to learn the Trading Card Game, along with playing against AI controled opponents? Well that’s due to go full version which allows you to collect cards, build your own deck and play against other, real people online. Well the program has entered the open beta stage. What this means is that anybody can now play against other people online, as well as get cards and build decks… BUT since its still in beta stages, it may not work 100% and there may be still bugs to work out. Still, if you dont think the AI opponents were challenging enough, or you want a bit more customised deck than the pre-constructed decks, then you may want to start using it now.

Speaking of Pre-constructed decks, the latest TCG, Emerging Powers, set has had their theme decks this week, with the booster packs being sold in a couple of weeks time. Both Toxic Tricks (a psychic/fire deck) and Power Play (a Fighting/Water deck) have online codes which will allow you to play those decks in the Trading Card Online… see, its all connected!

Incidently, the next English TCG set has been announced as Noble Victories and will be based around Victini (well not the whole set, but Victini will feature in it, and probably be in both Theme Decks as there are different types of Victini cards, it could work (theme deck wise anyway) like Arceus did in the Arceus set, where there was a different Arceus in each Theme deck. Noble Victories will be out sometime in november.

And that’s all the news we have for you at the moment – more when we learn it

Not Unexpected At All…

Sorry for the lack of updates, but to be honest its been a bit of a news lull around here… and we’re busy behind the scenes on various things relating to and not relating to the website.

News comes out of America today that was completly expected eventually. The new 3DS game IS getting an english port. Now renamed Pokemon Rumble Blast, the 3DS game will be out on October 24th in America.

An updated version of the Wiiware game, Pokemon Rumble Blast features all Pokemon from Black and White as well as those of the older games, all in toy form. It also has a few new modes, including Charge Mode (where you take control of a team and charge into battle like 2 armies) and Team Battle (Where you control 3 Pokemon at once) as well as having Street Pass functionality.

No details on a European Release (yet, expect one in the next couple of months), but there IS a trailer available, which you can see below.

We’ll bring you more news when we learn it

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!

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

A Christmas Presant From Nintendo

Don’t get too excited, its not like its a free Pokémon download or anything. But Nintendo of America has finally announced the American Release Date for Pokémon Black and White. Sunday the 6th of March 2011 will be the day all Americans will be able to finally play the superb Black and White Versions. Make sure you mark that date down now, and you pre-order it the next chance you get. We don’t know the European date yet, but based on last years schedule of HG/SS – it wasnt far off that… we’ll bring you more on that when we know it.

In Celebration of announcment of the release date, pokemonblackwhite.com has updated with a lot of new English names – including one i predicted long before Generation 5 was even anounced. Back in August 2009 (long before Black/White was announced) i suggested that the next professor should be a feamle prof named Juniper… Well, now presenting Professor Juniper!

Juniper is the Main Professor of the Unova region. She’ll give you the customary ‘what are Pokémon’ talk at the begining of the game, along with presenting you with your pokedex.

It looks like a lot more Pokémon this time around are keeping thier Japanese name, Here’s Munna, who in English is now called Munna

The Dream Eater Pokemon, a Psychic type, stands 2’00” tall and weighs 51.4lbs – It has the Forewarn or the Syncronize abilities. It knows a new move which is keeping its Japanese name of Telekinesis

Next up, what used to be Mamepato:

Now called Pidove, the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon, its a Normal/Flying type standing at 1’00” and weighs 4.6lbs. It has the Super Luck ability or a new one called Big Pecks (was Pidgeon Heart in Japanese)

Remember Meguroc? Well it too got a new English name

This is now Sandile, The Desert Croc Pokémon, a Ground/Dark type. Its 2’04” tall and its weight is 33.5lbs. It has either the Intimidate or a new ability Moxie (was Overconfident in Japanese)

This used to be Shimama:

Now its Blitzle, the Electrified Pokémon, an Electric Pokémon. Its 2’07” and weighs 65.7lbs. It has either the Lightingrod or Motor Drive abilities. Its Wild Bolt attack has been renamed Wild Charge

Shown by the Prof at the begining of the game, Chillarmy has a new name:

Minccino, the Chinchilla Pokémon, is a normal type. Its 1’04” tall and weighs 12.8lbs. It can have either the Cute Charm or Technician Abilities. its attack Sweep Slap has now been renamed Tail Slap

Simply called Gear in Japanese, this pokemon has had a slight rename to…

Klink, the Gear Pokémon, a Steel Pokémon. Its 1’00” tall and weighs 46.3lbs. It has either the Plus or Minus abilities

Hihidaruma also has had a name change

Daramanitan, the Blazing Pokémon, a Fire Type. Its 4’03” and weighs 204.8lbs. Its ability was known as Encourage but is now Sheer Force

A slight name change for Gigaith

Gigalith, the Compressed Pokémon, a Rock type. Its stands at 5’07” and weighs 573.2lbs. It has the Sturdy Ability

Lastly, a Location’s name. The big Port city was called Hiun City in Japan, its the location of the 3rd Gym and is the place where you can get a boat to the place where Victini lies (if you’ve got the liberty ticket). This place is now called Castelia City

And that’s Everything the microsite has updated with. There was a piece of news just before Christmas on the English names for the elemental monkeys, but its not comfirmed. Box Art has apparently leaked, which on the back has a picture of the 3 monkeys in battle, with the names for Yanappu, Baoppu and Hiyappu as Pansage, Pansear, Panpour respectivly. However these names arent confirmed. The person who leaked the box art also said the release date of Black and White was going to be April 16th, which we know isnt true so its really up to you if you want to beleive them or not. Until they’re confirmed, this Site wont be using those names for the Elemental Monkeys

And That’s all we have for you… we’ll bring you more news when we learn it

New Pokémon announced

It seems Pokémon Sunday offered more than just a firm Japanese release date but the rest seemed to pass us by unnoticed somehow. We’re here to fix this now because Pokémon Sunday also revealed some other important things: a couple of trailers, one of which reveals some new Pokémon! These videos are courtesy of Filb.de.

The first one shows some meager footage and isn’t especially exciting. The most notable revelation is the Japanese release date.

The second video however is much more exciting as it offers up footage of 8 new Pokémon!

As you can see, as well as new Pokémon the footage also reveals that Pokémon Black/White will have 3 on 3 battles! As for the new Pokémon, information for your dissemination below.

Moguryu (モグリュー) – A mole Pokémon by the look of things.

Doryuuzu (ドリュウズ) – The evolution of Moguryu

Desukan (デスカーン) – What looks to be a sarcophagus Pokémon.

Ononokusu (オノノクス) – A mantis-esque Pokémon. Definitely my favourite of the bunch.

Denchura (デンチュラ) – A tarantula Pokémon.

??? (???) – Then we have 3 new Pokémon we don’t know anything about. These were used to show off the new 3-on-3 battle feature but we didn’t get a look at their names unfortunately. What looks like a ghost type thing, a rock type thing and a…who knows what that thing on the end is supposed to be.

So what do you think of the new Pokémon? Join the discussion in the comments and on our forums!