June 2012 Corocoro Reveals BW2 Information, Dark Explorers Added to Deck Dex[permalink]
Posted by Frost on 11 May 2012 at 9:45am PDT Updated on 14 May 2012 at 11:07am PDT
The cover for June's edition of Corocoro was uploaded onto the internet this morning, and it features new forms of Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus in the bottom left corner. Tornadus now has huge new wings, and Thundurus has a giant new jaw to match...
Yikes.
On the first two pages, we learn that Cheren has become a Gym Leader in the Unova region, using Patrat, while Bianca has become Professor Juniper's assistant and is the character who gives the new player characters their Starter Pokemon. Speaking of the Starters, they received new official artwork, with Oshawott finally showing more than one facial expression. Alder is also present at the start of the game, but nobody seems to know where N has gone after BW.
The next pages explain a new feature in BW2 called the World Tournament. Here you'll be able to battle Gym Leaders and Elite Fours members of all previous Generations, including Cynthia, Blue, Brock, Misty, Giovanni, Volkner, Steven and Lance. In the screenshots of the game, you can also see sprites for Janine, Erika, Lt. Surge and Blaine.
The third set of pages discuss the other new feature, Pokewood, which is essentially a combination of Pokemon and Hollywood. Brycen is present because he was said to be an actor in the original games, and basically the feature seems like the new Contests/Musicals/what have you. Homika is also revealed to be the second Gym Leader you fight.
This set of pages reveals the new forms of Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus. Tornadus has taken on a bird-like appearance, while Landorus's new form is modeled after a grounded animal similar to a cheetah. Thundurus's new form seems the most confusing because it looks humanoid in the picture on the left but has scrawnier goat legs in its anime artwork a few pages later. The new forms are called Reijuu forms, with the originals being named their Keshin forms. The Reijuu forms are available from the new 3DS eShop game Pokemon AR Searcher and can be transferred to BW2.
This set of pages reveals Meloetta's Step forme and explains how she changes between her two forms. Official artwork for the Step form at last!
These pages show us the official stock art for Meloetta's Aria form as well as Keldeo and give us some information on their event giveaways happening during the summer. Meloetta will be Level 15, knowing Round, Quick Attack and Confusion. A sharp eye will notice that the Basic Badge is the first one in the Badge case, indicating that Cheren is a Normal-type Gym Leader. Since you're starting at the other side of the region than you did in BW, this obviously means that Cheren isn't Nacrene City's Gym Leader. Wonder what Lenora's doing?
The final page reveals two new EX cards, one for Black Kyurem and one for White Kyurem, with both being Dragon-types. The opposite side reveals that the BW series is renaming itself "Best Wishes - Season 2," probably to help promote Black and White 2, and it looks like some older characters will be making returning appearances, including Cynthia and Dawn; meanwhile Team Rocket and Giovanni pursue Meloetta.
Also, the newest TCG expansion, Dark Explorers, was released on Wednesday and the Deck Dex has been updated accordingly. The site menu for the TCG section was also broken up by Generation and, as always, I recorded a booster box opening for those wanting to see the cards in the set.
First off, you'll notice a trailer for the series when the page loads up. It features the some of the new areas and characters, including the new protagonists, rival, and gym leaders. Also of note are the new scientist/researcher character, a TV/movie filming area, and a bunch of other areas to explore.
There are also high-res, clear images of the two mascots, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem:
We've also got clear images for the new protagonists, showing off their new hairstyles and new attire:
The new rival and the mysterious scientist, Akuroma, are also shown:
Next up are the two new Gym Leaders, Homika (Poison-type rocker girl) and Shizui (Water-type swimming guy).
Lastly, we can get a good look at the Unova Map, which has several areas covered in what appears to be ice. It's unclear what that's really about right now - it might just be obscuring parts of the region on the map, or it could be an indication of more terrain changes.
The other big thing of note is the official announcement of the distribution of Keldeo in conjunction with the next movie.
Posted by Jigglypuff on 12 Apr 2012 at 9:36pm PDT Updated on 15 Apr 2012 at 12:34am PDT
I promised yesterday on Facebook that I'd post something about Black & White 2 once the dust from the latest CoroCoro settled. So, here's what we know.
First off, the two forms of Kyurem are pretty different. While they have the same weight, White Kyurem is .3m taller, and they have different signature moves; Freeze Shock and Ice Burn, the two attacks that went unused in the original games.
The games take place 2 years after the events of Black and White, and the parts of the map that aren't obscured by ice show several changes around Unova, including Liberty Garden being visible on the map, new towns, dried up waters, new roads, and more.
There are now a full 300 Pokemon in the Unova Pokedex - Pokemon from past generations will be available, including Eevee, Riolu, Psyduck, Tyranitar and Metagross's lines, as shown in the pictures.
There are new player characters, a new rival, and new Gym Leaders. The two shown in the magazine are Homika, a Poison-type Gym Leader musician, Shizui, a Water-type Gym Leader dressed in swimming gear.
There's also a new scientist/researcher character, Akuroma, but it's not clear if this is meant to be the games' Professor.
You'll start off in Hiougi City, which is one of the new cities in B2W2. It even has a Pokemon Center and Trainer School in it.
We'll keep updating in the coming days as more information surfaces. After all, it's barely 2 months before these games come out!
Pokemon/Nobunaga's Ambition Crossover, BW2 release date, et al[permalink]
Posted by Frost on 9 Apr 2012 at 10:43am PDT Updated on 9 Apr 2012 at 10:51am PDT
Slow month on our part. Let's do a news update round-up!
The Pokemon/Nobunaga's Ambition crossover has been retitled Pokemon Conquest and will be released in North America in June 18, 2012. The region, Ransei, has seventeen different territories and is shaped like Arceus. The battling system is somewhat like a tactical RPG and has teams of up to six Warlords and Pokemon fighting each other on a grid-based battlefield.
The Japanese release date of Black and White 2 is currently five days later on June 23. The box art was revealed a couple of weeks ago, as seen above. Yes, both mascot forms of Kyurem are still Dragon/Ice-type Pokemon. The tentative English release date remains as autumn 2012.
Next Wednesday, April 18, will see the release of a new TCG box called the Forces of Nature Collection, featuring three new promos: a full-art Landorus reprint of Noble Victories's Landorus, and holo reprints of Emerging Powers's Thundurus and Tornadus. These three reprint promos originate from the Tornadus/Thundurus Gift Set that was released in Japan last autumn. It comes with two BW-era packs and one earlier pack.
The next English expansion set, Dark Explorers, will be released in North America on May 9. The last Japanese expansion, Dragon Blade and Dragon Blast, came out on March 16 and we will probably see the bulk of those cards in our August set.
From April 5 to May 23, Piplup fans can unlock a Piplup C-Gear on the Pokemon Global Link website using the code PIPLUPCGEAR2012.
Other than news, I've also rewritten a couple dozen Techdex descriptions and will be doing more in the near future, thanks to the error reporting of forum member DNA in our site typo thread on the forums.
I'd also like to plug our Facebook page since Jiggz and I tend to do quick news updates and other goofy little things on there more often than on the main page.
And a belated Happy April Fools Day as well as a belated Happy (western) Easter! While rainbow seizure text is something I could only tolerate one day per year, I wish every day could have a Bidoof stampede visiting the site.
Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 confirmed for June 2012 release, Kyurem alternate forms[permalink]
Posted by Frost on 25 Feb 2012 at 3:49pm PST Updated on 25 Feb 2012 at 4:09pm PST
On Pokemon Smash this morning in Japan, Junichi Masuda appeared to announce the upcoming release of Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2, leaving us with pictures of alternate forms of Kyurem that the official Japanese Pokemon site has already uploaded, along with a confirmed June 2012 Japanese release date. Based on their appearances, it's reasonable to think that Kyurem combines with Reshiram and Zekrom to become Ice/Fire- and Ice/Electric-type Pokemon.
Because this is the first time that the main series games have ever used a "2" in their titles, could it be that this is a storyline sequel to the original games that still takes place in Unova and primarily features the Unova Pokemon, rather than having a third version that basically takes place at the same time as its original version?
Posted by Frost on 12 Feb 2012 at 10:25am PST Updated on 12 Feb 2012 at 10:33am PST
The newest TCG set, Next Destinies, came out on Wednesday, and I finally got around to adding the card transcriptions to the Deckdex. The set features the new Pokemon-EX cards (not to be confused with the old Pokemon ex cards from Generation III) as well as the return of pre-Unova Pokemon.
If you're interested in seeing the cards, I also recorded a booster box opening for the set that you can check out in my latest Psyblog entry.
Following the results of a poll of all version mascot Pokemon, a special Rayquaza will be available to Japanese players this month.
Outside of Japan, Pokemon's promotion of The Legend of Mewtwo will allow players to receive the special Mewtwo previously available in Japan as part of the Black and White anniversary last fall.
If you're an anime fan and awaiting the next season, you've only got two more weeks to wait, as that premiers on Saturday the 18th.
For TCG fans, the Legend of Mewtwo event means both the return of the Pokemon and of Pokemon-Ex cards.
Posted by Jigglypuff on 17 Jan 2012 at 10:17pm PST Updated on 17 Jan 2012 at 10:45pm PST
Despite today being the Blackout, we do have some news to report.
Pokemon Ranse (aka, Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition) is getting released in Japan on March 17th. No announcements have been made regarding if the game will be released outside of Japan.
Other than that, I think I can accurately summarize the news as "the Victini movie has aired around the world" and that's pretty much it. There have been a few TCG announcements as well, mostly the official site revealing cards from the upcoming Next Destinies expansion that will be released on February 8.
Also coming is the debut of the TCG's Dragon type in the Japanese Dragon Selection 20-card, all holographic mini-set, which will be released in Japan next week to celebrate Chinese New Year for Year of the Dragon. So far Haxorus, Rayquaza, Druddigon, and Salamence's families have been confirmed for Dragon Selection, with the numbering scheme implying that Dragonite, Altaria, Latias and Latios's families will be present along with two of Palkia, Dialga or Giratina, and either the Hydreigon line or Reshiram, Zekrom and Kyurem.
We hope that your holidays and end of 2011 treated you well, and that the start of 2012 is treating you even better. To everyone settling in for the start of their spring semester, good luck on all your studies.
Global Link, Pokemon Center, and McDonald's Events[permalink]
Posted by Jigglypuff on 21 Dec 2011 at 6:10pm PST Updated on 22 Dec 2011 at 5:13pm PST
Following up the recent game announcement, here's a few other upcoming events, mostly for Japan.
The Thick Fat Mamoswine that's been available throughout Europe is now available pretty much worldwide through the Global Link, with the password POKEMONDOTCOM.
A set of 6 Pokemon who evolve into Dragon-Types will be available beginning next month in Japan. Though there are 6 different Pokemon available, there are only 4 separate distributions (one each week) and a game can only receive one egg per distribution.
Shaymin will be distributed to Black and White games in Pokemon Center stores across Japan leading up to the release of the Dragon Egg event.
The final Pokemon distribution are a pair of Thundurus and Tornadus to celebrate their appearance in the anime. Depending on which version you're playing, you'll get the one normally not available, meaning you can also unlock Landorus.
Lastly, Japanese McDonald's stores will be giving away a set of Pokemon toys in their Happy Meals for the next few weeks.
Befriending a Pokemon, New Crossover Game, New Movie[permalink]
Posted by Jigglypuff on 18 Dec 2011 at 8:26pm PST
It's been a busy time for all of us, so I apologize for the lack of news posts recently. There is a bit to report now, however.
First off, the results of the Vote to Befriend a Pokemon poll have been posted. Arceus, who has no special ability in the Dream World, took first place. The password to unlock it will be revealed in February. The rest of the Top 10 from the poll are, with bolded names having special Dream World abilities, Mudkip, Ditto, Mew, Magikarp, Deoxys, Darkrai, Celebi, Pikachu, and Rayquaza.
The other big news right now (which our Facebook fans have already seen) is that a new crossover game, Pokemon Ranse, has been announced. The game mixes Pokemon with Feudal Japan, specifically the classic game series Nobunaga's Ambition by Koei - who may be better known in the English-speaking world for their Samurai Warriors games, featuring the same characters. The game is due out for the DS next year.
The next Pokemon Movie has been announced, which features Kyurem.