The registration period for the first official Pokémon Black and White Wi-Fi tournament has begun. Pokémon trainers from all countries can show off their skills and prove that they are the best in the world.

This competition will be a bit different from a traditional tournament. Instead of eliminating each other, participants will be competing for rankings on a leaderboard. Basically, the better they do, the higher up they rank.

There are a set of restrictions for the tournament:

• All battles will be two-on-two Double Battles
• Rankings will be decided based on player Ratings at the end of the competition.
• Participants can only use pokémon from the Unova Pokédex (numbers 1-148 and 151).
• Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem are prohibited.
• Battles will be restricted to Lv.50 pokémon only (pokémon higher than Lv.50 will have their level lowered. Lower leveled pokémon will stay the same).

Additional rules can be found in this .pdf.

Trainers have until October 19 to sign up. Though, there are only 10,000 spots available and it’s first come, first served, so it’s best to hurry on over to the tournament website to find out how to sign up.

Battles will go on from October 20 to October 24. Participants are free to battle as often as they like during the battle period.

… and in Black.

Even though the North American 3DS launch is happening soon after the release of Pokémon Black and White, Nintendo is still hoping there are people who will go out and pick up these limited-edition Pokémon DSi bundles.

Both bundles come with a DSi featuring etched art of the game’s legendaries, a copy of either Pokémon Black or White and a special carrying case.

The bundles are priced at $180 and will be available the same day Black and White comes out: March 6.

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Like the Pokémon Contests that came before it, the Pokémon Musical is another arena for trainers to showcase their pokémon’s other talent.

By dressing up and giving your pokémon props, you can try to get the crowds attention and bask in the glow of the main spotlight.

Sadly, the game does not have a choreographed dancing Team Rocket.

Source: Pokémon Black/White website

If you happened to miss out on GameStop’s in-store distribution of Raikou, Entei and Suicune last month… or were like me and completely forgot about the giveaways after getting the first one, fret not! Nintendo is now offering Johto’s Legendary Trio over Wi-Fi.

Just like the GameStop events, the three pokémon will be made available one at a time. Starting today and going on until the February 13, you can get a level 30 shiny Raikou. Entei and Suicune’s distribution dates will be available later.

Also like the GameStop legendaries, if any of them are transferred over to Pokémon Black or White. Trainers will be able to encounter the pokémon Zoroark in the Lost Forest.

Oh, and to those of you hoping to get a second shiny Raikou after getting the one from GameStop, you are out of luck. Attempting to download the pokémon over Wi-Fi results in this message:

“You have already received this gift.

You may not get another one.”

There go your dreams of building an all-shiny, legendary beast team.

Source: Serebii [via Siliconera]

Anyone who buys Pokémon Black or White around launch time will get the chance to catch pokémon number 000: Victini.

Nintendo will be distributing a special Liberty Pass item over Wi-Fi from March 6 until April 10. The item will grant trainers access to a secret area where they will be able to encounter Victini.

According to Nintendo, Victini cannot be captured through normal game play. So, this may be the only opportunity to get the rare Victory pokémon.

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[Note: I don't know why there is so much extra space under the video. Blame iframe not playing nice with wordpress.]

The new triple battles debuting in Pokémon Black and White take center stage in this trailer.

The idea of having three pokémon fighting in one battle makes me wonder what things would be like if the developers decide to have two full teams of six duke it out.

Chaotic, I’m sure.

Just like the most sub-par of wannabe pop stars, Nintendo’s monster-catching franchise is hitting up malls across the country to promote the upcoming Black and White versions.

Visitors will be able to play the game early, watch a free screening of the new Pokémon movie, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, and take part in a bunch of Pokémon-themed events, including the chance to download the legendary Celebi.

The 14-city tour kicks off in Seattle and Cleveland on February 5th and then roams the country before ending in Phoenix and Jacksonville on March 20th.

February 5^th and 6^th:

·      Seattle, WA (Westfield Southcenter, Seattle, WA)

·      Cleveland, OH (Westfield SouthPark, Strongsville, OH)

February 12^th and 13^th:

·      San Jose, CA (Westfield Oakridge, San Jose, CA)

·      Memphis, TN (Wolfchase Galleria, Memphis, TN)

February 19^th and 20^th:

·      Los Angeles, CA (Westfield Santa Anita, Arcadia, CA)

·      Indianapolis, IN (Castleton Square, Indianapolis, IN)

February 26^th and 27^th:

·      Denver, CO (Town Center at Aurora, Aurora, CO)

·      Philadelphia, PA (Franklin Mills, Philadelphia, PA)

March 5^th and 6^th:

·      Minneapolis, MN (Mall of America®, Bloomington, MN)

·      *New York, NY (Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ)

*Friday and Saturday, March 4^th and 5^th

March 12^th and 13^th:

·      Dallas, TX (Grapevine Mills, Grapevine, TX)

·      Atlanta, GA (Discover Mills, Lawrenceville, GA)

March 19^th and 20^th:

·      Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Mills, Tempe, AZ)

·      Jacksonville, FL (Orange Park Mall, Orange Park, FL)

Another series of downloadable pokémon are available at GameStop. Throughout this month and part of the next, trainers will be able to download shiny versions of the three legendary pokémon Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. These legendaries aren’t just valuable for their shiny status, if any of them are transferred to the upcoming Black or White versions, they will unlock the chance to catch Zoroark.

The distribution of the legendaries is staggered, so you have until January 9 to head to a local GameStop and download the shiny Raikou. Beginning January 17 and continuing until the 23rd, you will be able to get a shiny Entei. Finally, shiny Suicune will be available from January 31 to February 6.

Another legendary will be given out later in February. GameStop’s will be giving away Celebis from February 27 until March 7, a little after the release of Black and White. If transferred to either of those games, trainers will be able to capture Zoroark’s pre-evolved form Zorua.

Toys “R” Us is also getting in on the poké-distribution. Starting January 30 and going on until February 5, trainers will be able to walk into participating stores and get Ash’s Pikachu. This special Pikachu was already distributed in Japan. It was a level 50 male Naughty nature Pikachu in a Cherish Ball with a Classic Ribbon and a Light Ball. It’s movelist consisted of Volt Tackle, Iron Tail, Quick Attack and Thunderbolt. It’s assumed that this will not change for the American version.

Downloading pokémon requires a copy of a Generation IV game (HeartGold, SoulSilver, Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum) and the Mystery Gift option available.

Source: Bulbagarden, 2, Monsters and Critics

North America’s chance to explore the new region of Unova and catch a brand new set of pokémon is only a few months away.

Nintendo sent out a press release and put up a trailer announcing both Pokémon Black and White will be launching on March 6. According to the press release, both games are available for pre-orders. They’ve been priced at $35 USD.

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According to Bulbagarden, a flier at GameStop has the release date for the North American versions of Pokémon Black and White.

If true, you can expect to see both games in stores on April 17.

Source