Video Gaming News - March 2003
Redmond, WA (March 20, 2003) - Today, Nintendo of America Inc.
announced new plans for marketing, sales and distribution of future editions of
the Pokemon-e Trading Card Game (TCG) in North America. Nintendo is
establishing a new division housed at Nintendo's Redmond, Washington,
headquarters to manage the trading card business. Pokemon USA, Inc. based in New
York City, will work closely with Creatures, the Pokemon TCG designers, and
Nintendo of America in support of the TCG.
From Nintendo:
The first expansion of the Pokemon-e TCG from Nintendo will showcase all-new
characters from the highly anticipated Pokemon(R) Ruby and Pokemon(R) Sapphire
video games which launched for Game Boy(R) Advance on March 19 in North America. Nintendo adds the Pokemon-e TCG to
existing e-Reader(TM) card products, like Mario Party(R)-e, Animal Crossing-e(TM)
and the NES(R)-e series.
Nintendo of America will publish, market and distribute the first Pokemon-e
TCG Expansion, based on Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, in June 2003. These
cards will be compatible with Nintendo's popular e-Reader accessory, allowing
consumers to access additional game information on their Game Boy Advance
systems. In Japan, the new Pokemon-e Ruby and Sapphire TCG series, known as
Pokemon ADVenture, launched on January 31, 2003 and received strong response
from Pokemon fans.
"Pokemon video games and the Pokemon TCG are so closely integrated in North
America that it makes sense for Nintendo to manage both key components," says
Tatsumi Kimishima, president, Nintendo of America Inc. "Through innovations such
as e-Reader, Nintendo is able to consistently enhance the synergy between
trading cards and video games."
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are the first Pokemon video game titles available
for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance system and are available for an MSRP of $39.95
each. Game Boy Advance is available for an estimated retail price of $69.95,
while the newest edition to the Game Boy(R) family, the Game Boy(R) Advance SP
will be available March 23 for an estimated retail price of $99.95.
"Since Nintendo already produces the Pokemon video games, it's a natural
extension for them to distribute and market the trading card games," says Akira
Chiba, president, Pokemon USA, Inc.
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