Starting to enter finals studying / testing period... Updates may become less frequent until December 12th.

Updated Entry Pack Translations - The [Entry Pack 2008 translations] have now been updated by Bangiras to include the Raichu deck, which is only available in the "Entry Pack DX" package. Some translation errors from the other day were also fixed, including Empoleon, who is now even better!

Snap Update - The official Pokemon website has revealed that Pokemon Snap will be available for download in America on December 10th, which is only in about a week or so! Also, I did not realize this, but you can also use the Gamecube controller to play Virtual Console games. If you do not own a Classic Wii Controller, you can still play Pokemon Snap on the Wii with your old Gamecube controller! You will still need 1000 Wii points to download Snap, though - no way to get around that requirement!

EDIT: Added a new story below concerning our previous "Pokemon Snap on Wii's Virtual Console Soon?" article.

No news was good news?

More Details on Pokemon Snap - Nintendo has sent out a press release stating that Pokemon Snap will be available for download via the Wii Shop Channel on December 4th in Japan. While the game will remain almost exactly the same as the N64 version, an added feature will be the ability to save pictures you take to the Wii Message Board, which you can then send to your friends. The Wii remote will not be used to play the game (no "point and shoot"), but will rather require the Wii Classic Controller to play like most Virtual Console games (if you do not have this controller, you will not be able to play it). The United States download date is still unknown, but it will probably be released soon, perhaps right after Japan gets it. Click the thumbnail to the right for a larger image. Again, the game will cost 1000 Wii points, which is the equivalent to ten dollars. For more pictures and videos of Snap on the Wii, you can check out the official Japanese Pokemon website.

Porygon-Z Lv.X - Porygon-Z Lv.X, a card we first reported on back in the beginning of October, has finally been revealed! Click the thumbnail below for a larger scan (courtesy of Toho) and look below this paragraph for translations (courtesy of Vincent). The card is available in the Japanese Moon Hunting / Night Dashing picture book, similar to how Garchomp Lv.X was released in the Mystery of the Lakes / Shining Darkness picture book. The book itself costs 750 yen and was released today (November 30th) in Japan. Since Garchomp hasn't even been released in America yet, don't expect to see Porygon-Z anytime soon.

Porygon-Z Lv.X - 130 HP [C]

Poke-Power: Crush Mode
You may use this Power when you play this card into play to Level-Up a Pokemon. Discard all special energy cards attached to your opponent's Pokemon.
Poke-Power: Decode
Once during your turn (before you attack), you may choose up to 2 cards from your deck. After shuffling your deck, put the 2 cards on the top of your deck in any order you want. This power stops working when this Pokemon is affected by a Special Condition.

Weakness: (Fighting) x2
Retreat Cost: [C][C]

Pokemon Platinum? - Beckett Pokemon Collector, an unofficial Pokemon magazine, reports in their latest issue the existence of a new Pokemon game entitled Pokemon Platinum, which is apparently set for release in 2009. A scan of part of the article can be seen to the right, courtesy of Nagrom. I have also reproduced the article's text below:

... The first one will be Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2 for the Nintendo DS. This game is currently available in Japan. However, Nintendo is planning on releasing this game in America in the Spring of 2008. / There are two more games scheduled as well. They include a new Ranger DS game due in the Fall of 2008 and a Pokemon Platinum release in the Spring of 2009.

While this news seems exciting, it may not turn out to be true, seeing as it comes from an unofficial source who rarely reveals new games first. Beckett has also printed news from random people on random forums in the past, and has sometimes proven to be unreliable when it comes to new information on future games (when it comes to other things, they are extremely reliable, though!). We will have to wait and see if this turns out to be true, but right now we can consider it a "rumor" until Nintendo or another source reveals new information (if there is any to reveal, that is). If this is true, could Pokemon Platinum be the Yellow / Crystal / Emerald of Diamond and Pearl (although D/P/P would be odd)? A Gold and Silver remake (since platinum is a metal)? A new game entirely? Only time will tell!

The holidays need to come... NOW! :p

Entry Pack 2008 Translations - The second entry pack to be released in Japan, [Entry Pack 2008], has now been translated by Bangiras (the translations are in Microsoft Word format).

The purpose of an entry pack is to teach new players how to play the Pokemon TCG, similar to the trainer kits we have in America. Entry Pack 2008 contains all new Pokemon cards, unlike the first entry pack released in Japan, which only contained Diamond and Pearl cards. The standard Entry Pack 2008 contains Empoleon, Infernape, and Torterra 30-card half-decks for around $20.00, while the "deluxe" version, Entry Pack 2008 DX, contains an additional Raichu half-deck for around $30.00 (at this time, we do not have the translations for the Raichu deck). How these cards will be released in America is currently unknown, but we can probably guess that they will be included in a future set.

Notable cards from the pack include Empoleon (100 for 3 energy?!), Infernape (120 for 3 discarded energy and even more damage for more energy - like Rayquaza ex?!), and Rotom (2 free energy attachments for no energy?!). Judge them as you will!

Pokemon Snap on Wii's Virtual Console Soon? - The Virtual Console is a feature on the Wii that allows people to play classic Nintendo games downloaded through the Wii Shop Channel, and when it was first announced, Pokemon Snap was on the list of games that would eventually be released for download. According to Tego, who attended a recent Japanese Winter Challenge TCG tournament (the tournaments where you get the Leafeon and Glaceon promos), Pokemon Snap was on demo for TCG players to play via the Virtual Console, as shown in this photo. This is probably a strong indication that Snap will be available for download soon, since according to Tego, it was advertised heavily at the tournament.

When can we expect its release? Hopefully soon, perhaps even within the next month due to how recently it was demo'd in public. As with most N64 games released through the Wii Shop Channel, Pokemon Snap will probably cost 1000 Wii points (or $10). We'll bring you more information once we hear anything!

Cresselia and Eevee Promos - Bangiras has also translated the Cresselia and Eevee promos posted in the previous update (they are not very good). Both will be given out at Toys "R" Us stores in Japan from November 22nd to December 20th through a "Pokemon DE Bingo Campaign." To receive the promos, a person will need to get a bingo card from the Toys "R" Us "Big Toy Book," which will tell you categories of items you can buy (such as booster packs, toys, or games). Every time you buy one of the items, your card will be stamped. If the first row of your card is completely stamped (which contains three columns, meaning you bought three items), you will receive the Eevee promo. Once your second row is full, you will receive the holo Cresselia. Three rows will award you a Chimchar coin, the fourth row will get you a Darkrai figure, and completing the whole card will entitle you to a gift certificate.

Cresselia L.43 - Psychic - HP70
Basic Pokemon

[C] Future Sight: Look at the top 5 cards of either player's deck, then return them to the top of that deck in any order.
[P][P][C] Healing Light: 40 damage. Remove 1 damage counter from each of your Pokemon.

Weakness: Psychic (+20)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1

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Eevee L.12 - Colorless - HP60
Basic Pokemon

[.] Gnaw: 10 damage.
[C] Sand-Attack: If the Defending Pokemon attacks during your opponent's next turn, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, the attack does nothing.

Weakness: Fighting (+10)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1

Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day! If you did not, you can always wake up early tomorrow morning for Black Friday and make yourself feel better by buying stuff. :D

Togekiss Pokemon Review - Kevin Garret and Team Eclipse have written their second Pokemon review, this time for [Togekiss]! To comment on their review, you can post in [this forum thread].

New Japanese Promos - Two new Japanese promos, Eevee and Cresselia, will apparently be available through some sort of toy campaign in Japan from November 22nd to December 20th, giving them a limited release. Details are sketchy right now, but we should have translations and more information in the next update!

Groundbreakers Set List and Pics - Thanks to Mewchou, we now have the full set list for the second Trading Figure Game set, Groundbreakers, along with images of all of the figures! The set contains exactly 42 figures (none of which are Diamond and Pearl Pokemon), and four are human Pokemon Trainers. The TFG Starter for the set is named "Skydive" and comes with Hariyama, Latios, Raticate and Green. Groundbreakers will be available in stores on December 14th, but you can find the set early at some Wal-Marts right now. Click the image below for a larger scan of the individual figures.

1. Armaldo
2. Blastoise
3. Bulbasaur
4. Cacnea
5. Cyndaquil
6. Elekid
7. Flaaffy
8. Geodude
9. Girafarig
10. Hariyama
11. Jigglypuff
12. Kabuto
13. Kadabra
14. Lairon
15. Lapras
16. Larvitar
17. Latias
18. Latios
19. Linoone
20. Mankey
21. Metagross
22. Mewtwo
23. Mightyena
24. Noctowl
25. Poliwag
26. Psyduck
27. Raticate
28. Slaking
29. Smoochum
30. Snubbull
31. Spinarak
32. Spinda
33. Steelix
34. Venusaur
35. Wartortle
36. Wobbuffet
37. Xatu
38. Zubat
39. Green
40. Koga
41. Landon
42. Sabrina

Sorry for not updating lately! Since I am Undecided / Undeclared at UCI, we have had to do "soul searching" this past week to figure out what major we want to go into (plus, I have been working on my second Humanities essay, which is due Friday, and the new website content junk). I have no idea what I want to do, so my "soul searching" has been nothing but a headache and Tylenol. I will try to get an update up tomorrow, though. As for that "POP is going downhill article," expect it within a week? Maybe in a few days? No one knows. :o

EDIT: Added Redshark news story.

Has this been a promo-packed week for this site or what?

Redshark Updated - Redshark, our exclusively-hosted TCG program, has been updated by Mike Ignatoski (the creator) to include Secret Wonders. You can download the newest version by [clicking here]. For more information on Redshark or for help installing the new version, visit our Redshark page.

DP16 Promo - Pikachu - Yet another new Diamond and Pearl promo has been revealed this week - Pikachu! It seems as if Pokemon USA is really pumping out new holo promo cards and blister packages for this holiday season, which I guess shows how well the TCG is doing. I don't ever remember promos and packaging coming out this fast in the history of the TCG, even during the "fad" era.

The promo Pikachu is an exact reprint of the [Mysterious Treasures Pikachu], but with different artwork, and it is holographic. Shakespeare found it in a new blister package at Wal-Mart, which comes with a Secret Wonders theme deck and a Mysterious Treasures booster pack, all for $14.99. The blister package does not come with a special coin (although the theme deck does), unlike the other blister packages we posted this week. Click the thumbnail below for a larger scan.

DP13 Buizel and POP 6 Gible Holo - Wes1234 has sent us scans of Buizel (DP black star promo #13) and Gible (a POP 6 holo reprint), which are both available at stores like Target and Wal-Mart and come together in a blister package. Buizel was originally a Choco Snack promo in Japan, like with the Chatot posted yesterday. The blister package that Buizel and Gible come in is probably the counterpart to the blister package posted yesterday containing Chatot and Pikachu (if so, it comes with the same booster packs, the same type of coin, and is available for the same price). Click the scans below for larger images.

EDIT on Wednesday morning: Raikou Trainer, an employee of Wal-Mart, has informed us that blister packages containing black star promo Buizel (DP13) came in last night packaged with a new holo POP 6 Gible reprint. Buizel is apparently a reprint of the Diamond and Pearl set Buizel, but with alternate art. Hopefully, we will get scans of these cards soon!

DP14 Promo and POP Holo Reprint - The fourteenth Diamond and Pearl promo has finally been revealed - Chatot! In Japan, Chatot was packaged with Choco Snacks (boxes of chocolate), but was not holo. You can now find Chatot packaged with a new holo POP 6 Pikachu reprint at stores like Target and Wal-Mart. The blister package comes with one booster pack of Mysterious Treasures, three booster packs of Secret Wonders, and one blue or red energy coin, all for $14.99. Click the thumbnails of Chatot and Pikachu below for larger scans. Thanks go to our master card scanner, Shakespeare, for the scans!

The following is a list of Diamond and Pearl black star promos released thus far:

DP01 - Turtwig
DP02 - Chimchar
DP03 - Piplup
DP04 - Pachirisu
DP05 - Tropical Wind
DP06 - Buneary
DP07 - Cranidos
DP08 - Shieldon
DP09 - Torterra Lv.X
DP10 - Infernape Lv.X
DP11 - Empoleon Lv.X
DP12 - Lucario Lv.X
DP13 - Buizel
DP14 - Chatot
DP15 - Shinx

If there is any more news today, I will edit this news story.

Lucario Lv.X Tin Released - The Lucario tin that was revealed back in August has now been released at stores like Target and Toys R Us, although some still do not have it in yet. Each tin costs $14.99, comes with three Secret Wonders booster packs, one Mysterious Treasures booster pack, and a reprinted Mysterious Treasures Lucario Lv.X card with different artwork (it is DP Promo #12). Click the thumbnails of the tin and card below for larger images (thanks go to Omahanime for the Lucario Lv.X scan!).

Nidoqueen d Card Review - Red5bv06, Krucifier, and smacktack15 of Team Lv.X have reviewed [Nidoqueen d from EX Dragon Frontiers] for their third card review. To comment on their card review and Nidoqueen, post in this forum thread.

IGN Pokemon TFG Interview - IGN has conducted an interview with Pokemon USA in regards to the Trading Figure Game. The interview discusses the TFG's mechanics, why Pokemon decided to create the TFG, and other interesting aspects.

The name of the next set was also revealed - Groundbreakers, which will be released in December. For those of you wondering whether or not organized play will be established for the TFG, the interview states that Pokemon USA is considering it (and they probably will wait to see how well the TFG sells this holiday season to determine this). PUSA is already working on the third TFG set, so we can definitely say that it will continue to sell - organized play and tournaments are another story, though.

Leafeon and Glaceon Translations - Bangiras has translated the Leafeon and Glaceon promos that players will be able to receive at the Japanese "Winter Challenge" tournaments. The name for the Palkia trainer card posted in the previous update is "Mysterious Pearl," but the image is too small for translation.

Leafeon Lv.40 - Grass - HP90
Stage 1 - Evolves from Eevee

[G][C] Spiral Drain: 40 damage. Remove 1 damage counter from Leafeon.
[G][C][C] Leaf Blade: 50 damage. Flip a coin, if heads this attack does an additional 20 damage.

Weakness: Fire (+20)
Resistance: Water (-20)
Retreat: 1

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Glaceon Lv.46 - Water - HP90
Stage 1 - Evolves from Eevee

[W][C] Ice Shot: 30 damage. This attack also does 10 damage to 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon.
[W][C][C] Icy Wind: 60 damage. Flip a coin, if heads the Defending Pokemon is now Asleep.

Weakness: Steel (+20)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1