Pokemon Franchise Approaches 150 Million Games Sold

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.

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 http://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 http://www.nintendo.com/.

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