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16th March 2009

Pokemon Platinum Version Makes its North American Debut

NintendoVancouver – The March 22 launch of the Pokémon™ Platinum Version video game for the Nintendo DS™ system is almost upon us, and Pokémon fans are already buzzing with anticipation. This new game in the storied franchise brings a host of new features, including the mysterious new Distortion world, never-before-seen forms of powerful Pokémon, exciting online games in the all-new Wi-Fi Plaza and strategic battles that are the hallmark of the main Pokémon game series.

“Some of the world’s most faithful fans are Pokémon enthusiasts,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Pokemon PlatinumVersion, the two previous releases in the core Pokémon series, have sold over 5.3 million copies in North America. With Pokémon Platinum Version, fans will be excited to see Giratina in its Origin Forme and lots of other fun and new experiences.”

It has been over a decade since the Pokémon series launched in Canada and close to 2 million Pokémon video games have been sold here. Since their debut, Pokémon video games have become one of the top three video game licenses in Canada, along with NHL licensed video games and Mario™ himself. But the devotion Canadians have for the franchise extends beyond video games; along with the Pokémon Trading Card game and licensed products including clothing and figurines, fans can also enjoy the Pokémon animated TV series and a host of movies.

In Japan, more than 1 million copies of Pokémon Platinum Version were sold during its first three days of availability. There are still a few days left to pre-order the game and fans who reserve a copy will receive a Giratina™ Origin Forme figurine, while supplies last. The Giratina Origin Forme has never been seen before and appears for the first time in this game.

On March 21, Nintendo will host a blowout launch celebration for the game at the Nintendo World Store in New York. Pokémon fans will be able to demo and purchase the game a day before it’s available in other retail stores. Rockefeller Plaza will become a Pokémon fan’s paradise with a myriad of Pokémon activities, including game-play kiosks showing off the game and its online capabilities, the “Pokémon Platinum Plunge,” where Pokémon fans will
get a chance to win a copy of the Pokémon Platinum Version video game, and opportunities to take photos with their favourite Pokémon characters.

Consumers enjoy Pokémon games, in part, for both their social aspect and their re-playability. For instance, in the new Wi-Fi Plaza, up to 20 players with wireless broadband access from around the world can connect together to experience mini-games, take part in parades and even see a fireworks show. And players who visit the Global Terminal can post their Pokémon for trade to other players around the world. This allows for a greater variety of Pokémon that a player can collect, and also allows players to get Pokémon from other
countries, which have become sought-after by many fans. Also the new Global Terminal allows players to use a new item, the Vs. Recorder, to save and post “videos” of their best battles online for everyone to see.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 5:29 pm and is filed under Everyone, Fighting, New Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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