Bellevue, WA – June 22, 2009 – After months of intense head-to-head regional tournaments, The Pokémon Company International, the worldwide leader in video games and trading card games, today announced details for its 2009 Pokémon® Video Game and Trading Card Game (TCG) National Championships. This weekend — June 27th & 28th — Pokémon Video Game and TCG competitors from across the nation will converge at the America’s Center in St. Louis, MO, in hopes of surviving the two-day storm of battles. Those that rise victorious will then test their skills against the best players from across the globe at the 2009 Pokémon World Championships in August.


Pokémon Video Game National Championships

After using their remarkable talents and strategy for battles in Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Nashville, 48 master Pokémon Trainers have emerged from over fifteen hundred other players to guarantee their place in the Pokémon Video Game National Championships. Divided equally into two divisions – Juniors (born in 1997 or later) and Seniors (born in 1996 or earlier) – these competitors competed on the recently released video game Pokémon Platinum Version with their sights set on the World’s Championships in San Diego.

However, it is not necessary to win a Regional Championship Event to attend and compete at the Pokémon Video Game National Championships. The event will open its doors to the public for entry via random selection and hopeful contenders can show up for check-in at the America’s Center with a copy of Pokémon Platinum Version for the Nintendo DS. Senior Division registration takes place on Saturday, June 27th from 8:30 – 9:30 A.M.; Juniors registration is from 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

First and second place finishers will be awarded travel for two (invitee and a guest) and the opportunity to play in the Pokémon Video Game World Championships, trophies, and a Pokémon prize package including a Nintendo Wii™ console (first place only), a Nintendo DSi™ game system, and other cool Pokémon items. Competitors in each division placing 3rd-16th will also receive travel for two to play in the World Championships.

For details on Pokémon Video Game National Championships including prizes and times as well as Pokémon restrictions and rules, please visit www.pokemonvgc.com.

Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships

The 6th annual Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships will host as many as 1,000 players in the Junior (born in 1998 or later), Senior (born in 1994, 1995, 1996, or 1997) and Masters (born in 1993 or earlier) Divisions. Players from across the nation are expected to compete in this weekend’s two-day event in hopes of securing the title of National Champion. First-place winners are awarded a National Champion trophy, a prize kit containing a variety of Pokémon merchandise and a Travel Award to attend the 2009 World Championships.

The 2009 Pokémon TCG National Championships is the last title event of the 9-month TCG season where the toughest participants compete to receive a guaranteed slot to compete in the 2009 World Championships this August.

The Pokémon TCG National Championships is a sanctioned title event open to all U.S. resident players in good standing. Onsite pre-registration for the U.S. National Championships will take place on Friday, June 26th, from 4:00 P.M. through 8:00 P.M. Saturday registration takes place from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. This year’s tournament follows a record-setting 2008 U.S. National Championships, which drew nearly 1,000 TCG competitors from around the country.

More information about Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships, including prizes, tournament locations, times, and rules can be found by visiting www.go-pokemon.com.

PR