Pokémon Video Game Championships 2010

Bellevue, WA - June 21, 2010 - After months of intense head-to-head tournaments, some of America's best Pokémon ^TM video game and Trading Card Game (TCG) players will be crowned National Champions this weekend-June 25-27-at the 2010 Pokémon Video Game and Trading Card Game National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pokémon video game and TCG competitors from across the nation will converge on the Indiana Convention Center in hopes of enduring a weekend of action-packed battles. Those that prove victorious will then test their skills against the best players from across the globe at the 2010 Pokémon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, August 14-15.

Pokémon Video Game National Championships

After using their remarkable talents and strategy for battles in Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, and New York, 192 top Pokémon Trainers have emerged from over six thousand others to guarantee their places in the 2010 Pokémon Video Game National Championships. Divided equally into two divisions-Junior (born in 1998 or later) and Senior (born in 1997 or earlier)-the competitors have battled using the recently released, top-selling video game titles Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version. The U.S. National Championships will fill 32 coveted spots to compete on the ultimate stage-the 2010 Pokémon Video Game World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Please visit www.pokemonvgc.com for more information about the 2010 Pokémon Video Game National Championships.

Last Chance Qualifier for Pokémon Video Game National Championships

The Pokémon Company International is offering fans one last chance to attend and compete at the 2010 Pokémon Video Game National Championships by holding a Last Chance Qualifier tournament on Friday, June 25, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. The event will open its doors to the public for entry with Senior Division Registration starting Friday at 8 A.M. and Junior Division Registration starting later in the day at 1 p.m. Hopefuls will need to show up for registration with their copy of Pokémon HeartGold Version or Pokémon SoulSilver Version for the Nintendo DS system. The top 16 players in each division will earn the right to play in the U.S. National Championships the following day.

Like last year's tournament, all attendees who bring their copy of Pokémon HeartGold Version or SoulSilver Version and their Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi ^TM system can walk away with a character distribution. This year, the Pokémon distribution is a rarely seen Shiny Eevee ^TM , presented in a different color than what's normally found in game play. Please visit www.pokemonvgc.com for more information about the Last Chance Qualifier for the 2010 Pokémon Video Game National Championships.

Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships

The 7th annual Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships, the culmination of the 9-month TCG season, will host over 1,000 players in the Junior (born in 1999 or later), Senior (born in 1995, 1996, 1997, or 1998), and Masters (born in 1994 or earlier) divisions. Players from across the nation are expected to compete in this weekend's three-day event, which is open to all U.S. residents who hope to secure seats at the 2010 Pokémon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Players do not need to qualify for the Pokémon TCG National Championships; however, there will be a limited number of slots that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. On site pre-registration for the Pokémon TCG National Championships will take place on Thursday, June 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center and Friday, June 25, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. This year's tournament follows a record-setting attendance at the 2009 Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships, which drew nearly 1,200 TCG competitors from across the nation.

Players finishing first through fourth place in each division will receive Travel Awards and invitations to the 2010 Pokémon World Championships, where they will compete against their counterparts from more than 25 countries around the world. Fifth- through eighth-place finishers will receive invitations to Worlds. Top finishers will receive scholarships totaling $40,000, with the first-place finisher receiving $5,000. Please visit www.pokemon.com for more information about the 2010 Pokémon TCG National Championships.

Make sure to follow all the action at the Pokémon U.S. National Championships, including winners announcements, at www.pokemon.com and www.pokemonvgc.com.

About Pokémon

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.

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Press Contacts:

For Pokémon Video Game National Championships:

Brian Reinert/ JP Shields

BENDER/HELPER IMPACT

212-689-6360

brian_reinert@bhimpact.com / jp_shields@bhimpact.com

For Pokémon Trading Card Game National Championships:

Catharine Neblett

BAROKAS PUBLIC RELATIONS

206-286-8220

catharine@barokas.com