On April 22, Two New Pokemon Jewels Will Have People Talking

2007-03-15 15:28:53 -

REDMOND, Wash., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- For a decade, fans of Pokemon(R) video games have been entertained by exciting adventures, dramatic battles and hundreds of new Pokemon. Now the record-setting franchise is evolving with Pokemon(R) Diamond Version and Pokemon(R) Pearl Version, two new games available April 22 for the top-selling Nintendo DS(TM). The in-depth games feature enhanced graphics that make Pokemon jump off the screen like never before. In addition to the 380 Pokemon available in previous versions, players can collect, train and battle more than

100 new Pokemon. After completing certain objectives, they can also import Pokemon from their Game Boy(R) Advance games. Starting March 18, fans who pre-order a copy of either game will receive one of two collectible Pokemon styluses (retailer may require pre-order deposit).

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But the game's wireless abilities are what will have everyone talking -- literally. Using a local wireless connection, up to eight trainers can connect and play. Both Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl are fully Wi-Fi compatible, meaning players can log onto Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, and compete with players all around the world. The microphone built into the Nintendo DS even lets players talk with friends before, during and after battles. Only players who have entered one another's Friend Codes can communicate using this Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, feature so players can control with whom they communicate. For kids, it's like having a cell phone that can only connect with their friends. The Nintendo DS Headset, sold separately, makes these conversations a breeze.

"The amazing wireless and voice chat features of Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl offer gamers something completely new," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "We make games for everybody, and these Pokemon titles are sure to be a hit with new and returning players."

Players can trade Pokemon or battle with players anywhere in the world, even without voice communication. The Global Trade Station allows players to post Pokemon they want to trade on a board and browse through Pokemon other players have posted. The Battle Tower allows players to battle with seven Trainers who have registered their player data in the Wi-Fi Battle Dome. After the battle, players can upload their data so other Trainers can battle them virtually. The more games a player wins, the higher his or her ranking.

Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl feature the ability for players to control their Pokedex using the touch screen controls of Nintendo DS. As time passes in the real world, the look of the games changes. The Pokemon characters that appear change, and the evolution of some Pokemon is affected.

More than 155 million Pokemon games have been sold worldwide. When Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl were released in Japan, they became the fastest-selling Pokemon games ever, with 5 million units shipped to retailers in their first three months of availability. For more information about these games, visit http://www.pokemon.com/.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii(TM), Nintendo DS(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance and Nintendo GameCube(TM) systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.2 billion video games and more than 387 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario(TM), Donkey Kong(R), Metroid(R), Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at http://www.nintendo.com/.

Pokemon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pokemon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia which includes licensing, marketing, the Pokemon Trading Card Game, an animated TV series, home entertainment, the official Pokemon Web site and an online retail center http://www.pokemoncenter.com/. Just coming off its 10th worldwide anniversary in 2006, Pokemon was launched in Japan in 1996 for play on Nintendo's Game Boy(R) and has since evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Pokemon was introduced in North America in September 1998 and today is one of the most popular toy and entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit http://www.pokemon.com/.

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Source: Nintendo