Newest Pokemon Game Launched Oct. 3 With Novel Storyline

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    REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Pokemon has not only proved itself
 as a leader in the video game industry, but it also has become an obsession
 for millions of zealous fans.  Pokemon has spawned more than $15 billion in
 worldwide retail sales, while the franchise is on the verge of selling its
 150 millionth game worldwide. Without fail, every new Pokemon game sells more
 than 1 million, while the legacy has grown in the United States since its
 introduction in 1998.  But the newest game speaks for itself -- Pokemon(R) XD:
 Gale of Darkness launched Oct. 3 for Nintendo GameCube(TM) and is the next
 step on the ladder of success for Pokemon.  As fans have grown up, so has the
 game.
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     The role-playing game brings with it nearly 40 hours of game play and a
 fantastic new storyline.  The legendary Lugia(TM) tragically has been turned
 into Shadow Lugia: the ultimate Shadow Pokemon that supposedly can't be
 purified. The evil organization Cipher is dedicated to world domination and
 uses Shadow Lugia to steal a Pokemon-carrying cargo ship.  Now players must
 snag and purify the Shadow Pokemon, saving them from a life of evil deeds.
     The game is inundated with fascinating and original features: Players can
 use a new method to help purify up to nine Pokemon at once in the Purify
 Chamber.  Taking full advantage of the Purify Chamber means building up a
 collection of purified Pokemon to place around the Shadow Pokemon: the more
 the Pokemon, the faster the purification.
     Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness also runs deep with inventive game-play
 components.  The option-rich Vs. Mode allows players to compete in extreme 3-D
 battles with their favorite Pokemon.  A mini-game called Battle Bingo appeals
 to players of all ages.  It's much like real bingo: Players must fill in their
 card squares by battling Pokemon.
     In addition, the game is highlighted by great battles, astonishing
 graphics and mind-boggling effects.  For Pokemon loyalists, Nintendo
 resourcefully incorporates the Game Boy(R) Advance by offering players the
 ability to import their preferred Pokemon and watch them battle in full 3-D on
 Nintendo GameCube -- the Vs. Mode allows players to import all their Game Boy
 Advance Pokemon from games like Pokemon(R) Ruby, Pokemon(R) Sapphire,
 Pokemon(R) FireRed, Pokemon(R) LeafGreen and Pokemon(R) Emerald.  The craving
 for Pokemon continues to escalate with Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, which is
 Rated E for Everyone.
     Pokemon USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Pokemon Company in Japan, manages
 and oversees the property outside of Asia, which includes licensing
 activities, brand promotions, publication of the Pokemon Trading Card Game, TV
 animation, home video entertainment, the official Pokemon.com Web site and
 pokemoncenter.com, an e-commerce site.  Nintendo of America manages marketing
 and distribution of Pokemon video games and the Pokemon Trading Card Game in
 North America.
     Pokemon was launched in Japan in 1996 for play on Nintendo's Game Boy(R)
 and has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon.  Pokemon was introduced in
 North America in September 1998 and has since generated more than $15 billion
 in worldwide retail sales.  More than 40 million Pokemon video games have been
 sold in the United States, including Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, which
 were the No. 2 and No. 3 best-selling video games of 2003, according to the
 NPD Group.
     The Pokemon Trading Card Game, fueled by organized play programs around
 the world, has spurred global sales of more than 14 billion cards to date,
 while the Pokemon animated series on Kids' WB!, now in its eighth season,
 consistently ranks within the top three shows for boys ages 6 to 11.  For more
 information, visit www.pokemonxd.com.
     The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive
 entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets
 hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems.
 Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy(R) Advance
 SP, Nintendo DS(TM) and Nintendo GameCube(TM) systems extend Nintendo's vast
 game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of
 quality video games for players of all ages.  Since the release of its first
 home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video
 games and more than 353 million hardware units globally, creating enduring
 industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching popular
 culture franchise phenomena such as 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
 www.nintendo.com.
 
 

SOURCE  Nintendo