Video Gaming News - February 2003
Redmond, WA (February 11, 2003) - Within the first six weeks of
launching the new Game Boy Advance titles Pokemon Ruby Version and Pokemon
Sapphire Version in Japan, Nintendo sold through nearly 4 million copies
combined.
With both video games hitting store shelves in North America on March 17,
Nintendo anticipates brisk sales to continue, especially with the exclusive
pre-sell incentive. While supplies last, those who pre-order Pokemon Ruby or
Pokemon Sapphire also will receive a limited-edition, holographic Pokemon
collector's coin.
"The phenomenal sales of Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire in Japan
illustrate the continuing popularity of the Pokemon franchise," says George
Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications,
Nintendo of America Inc. "After five years, kids are watching the Pokemon
cartoon in record numbers, buying the video games and collecting Pokemon Trading
Cards -- and we have every reason to believe these two Pokemon games will be as
huge in North America as they are in Japan."
From Nintendo:
In Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, the quest to become a Pokemon Master
continues, as players discover more than 100 new Pokemon characters, as well as
many returning favorites. Players can play as either a boy or girl trainer, and
for the first time ever, players can strategically battle with two Pokemon
simultaneously.
"We are anxiously awaiting the launch of Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire in
the U.S. because these games will usher in a new phase for the Pokemon brand,"
says Akira Chiba, president of Pokemon USA, Inc. "Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon
Sapphire will be the starting point for a whole new Pokemon world in regard to
the trading card game, merchandise, the animated TV series and theatrical
releases."
The Game Boy Advance dramatically improves the visuals of previous Game Boy
titles such as Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue and most recently, Pokemon Crystal,
as the colors are more vibrant and the graphics are more detailed. Pokemon Ruby
and Pokemon Sapphire are the first two Pokemon titles designed for Nintendo's
Game Boy Advance and will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.95
each. Game Boy Advance is available for a suggested retail price of $79.95,
while the newest addition to the Game Boy family, the Game Boy(R) Advance SP,
will be available March 23 for an estimated retail price of $99.95. Pokemon Ruby
and Pokemon Sapphire are published by The Pokemon Company and distributed
exclusively by Nintendo of America.
Pokemon USA, Inc., the New York-based subsidiary of The Pokemon Company in
Japan, manages and oversees the Pokemon franchise in North and Latin America,
which includes licensing, merchandising, TV animation, theatrical releases, home
video entertainment, the official Pokemon website, the Pokemon Center NY in
Rockefeller Center and PokemonCenter.com, a retail site.
« Back to last page · News Page »
 |
