It’s only been a few months since the 5th generation was announced in Japan, and already it’s being revealed in the U.S. with the advent of two new legendary Pokemon: Reshiram and Zekrom!

Not only that, but we have a release date of Spring 2011!

There are still some questions to be asked, however. For one, this is one of the few times that the Pokemon Company has decided to reveal new Pokemon at the same time in the U.S. and Japan. Why did they choose to do this?

Also, why is the white-colored Reshiram the mascot of Pokemon Black and the black-hued Zekrom the mascot of Pokemon White? Is it simply so they’ll contrast against the background? But then again, Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow’s mascots were the same color, so that theory wouldn’t work out. Perhaps there’s a different reason that’ll have to be discovered in the game’s plot. If so, does this mean the plot will be more intricate than the standard collect badges/fight evil team/beat the Champion formula?

Keep watch for more details on the new games!

-Shdowgroudon

PS. If you want to check out the new battle system, watch the videos here: http://www.pokemon-sp.jp/series/bw/#/partner
If you want to see the new camera system and 3D graphics, watch the video here: http://www.pokemon-sp.jp/series/bw/#/area

(To view the videos, click the small black bar with the video camera symbol on it.)

CoroCoro has revealed the Black and White Version starters!!

Tsutajaa, Pokabu, and Mijumaru

From left to right: Tsutajaa the Ivy Snake Pokemon is the Grass-type starter. Pokabu, the Fire-type starter, is the Fire Pig Pokemon. The Sea Otter Pokemon Mijumaru is the Water-type starter.

Illustrations of the protagonists and some screenshots have been revealed as well:

According to CoroCoro, Isshu is the name of the new region, and two of the new moves introduced will be Claw Sharpen, which boosts Attack and accuracy, and Trickery, the effects of which are unclear, but its damage depends on the opponent’s stats.

As well, if the Shiny Raikou, Entei, or Suicune is traded to Black or White, it will activate an event with a lv. 25 Zoroark available for capture!
Turns out I was right about Zoroark possessing a kitsune-like Ability: Illusion allows it to take the appearance of the Pokemon it’s fighting – but the illusion can be broken at certain points during a battle. Whether this is similar to the move Transform or something completely different remains to be seen, but it sounds intriguing!

As usual, stay tuned for more updates!

Zorua vs Zoroark!

 

That’s right, everyone! Pokemon Sunday and CoroCoro have officially revealed the fifth generation of Pokemon games, entitled “Pokemon Black Version” and “Pokemon White Version.”

The fifth generation games: Pokemon Black and White!

 

The new Pokemon games do not have a release date yet, but surprisingly, they will be on the Nintendo DS/DS Lite/DSi systems instead of the new 3DS.

The official Pokemon Black and White website can be found here: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/bw/
They promise to release more information later this month, so stay tuned! 

In the meantime, CoroCoro showed a few scans and it seems the graphics of the games have been improved.

The starting town?

 

 It seems the graphics for the paths, signs, and house have been changed to look more realistic, but still keep the 2D Pokemon feel. This kind of makes the characters look a bit out of place, but I guess they’ll have to fix that next generation.

An unknown 3D city

 

 Once again, the Pokemon Company and Game Freak are really getting into the 3D feel with this city, and it looks great, especially with the tall buildings’ windows and the ocean and sky in the background. But wait- where’s the Pokemart?

Inside a Pokemon Center

 

 One of the biggest changes I noticed inside the Pokemon Center is that it seems the Pokemart is now combined with the Pokemon Center! This is a great idea in my opinion; it’s much more convenient than to search around a city for two separate places.

It also seems that when characters talk to you now, they’ll speak inside a speech bubble so you can tell who they are.

I’m guessing the Wi-Fi center is either to the left offscreen, or maybe mixed in with the Wireless Communication floor on the top. 

The rest of the Pokemon Center, aside from the improved 3D effects, looks pretty similar to HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Male hero inside a cave

 

Hmm… are those water drops I see dripping down from the stalagcites? Aside from that, the cave looks cool, but there’s nothing else of note here.

A wild Zorua appeared! Zoroark used Dark Pulse!

 

And finally, we’re back to the battle between Zorua and Zoroark. Obviously, a lot has changed from the 4th generation’s battle scenes. You can now see the entire Pokemon you’re fighting with, even including its shadow! The background is defined now too, instead of D/P/Pt/HG/SS’s blurred background.

Well, that’s all for now, folks! Stay tuned for more Black and White news!!

-Shdowgroudon

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our silhouette revelation.

CoroCoro March scans have come in, and we now have several questions answered.

The silhouetted Pokemon codenamed “Z” has been revealed to be named “Zoroark.”

It is a brand-new Pokemon and will probably not be a legendary or evolution of a current Pokemon. Why? Its pre-evolution was also revealed: “Zorua.”

These Pokemon are both Dark-type and, due to their species titles “Evil Fox” and “Monster Fox,” appear to be based off of mythical Japanese fox spirits known as ‘kitsune.’

(this is also what Vulpix and Ninetales are based on, as well as other characters such as Tails from Sonic and the Nine-tailed Fox from Naruto)

Now for some speculation!

If these Pokemon are indeed based on kitsune, being Dark-typed, they could be based on evil kitsune, whereas Ninetales is a normal kitsune. What’s the difference? Well, in old Japanese lore, although most of these fox spirits do enjoy playing tricks on people, they’re just harmless pranks.

However, there are some kitsune that truly are evil and can possess the bodies of other animals and humans.

So why does this matter?

Well, in the Movie 13 trailer, an evil form of Ash was briefly seen grinning at his good counterpart. If the movie is starring Zoroark, a Pokemon based on an evil kitsune, perhaps it has this power as well!

The next thing is: how do these powers convert to the video games? Will Zoroark have a unique Ability or move it can use? Will it learn Transform?

Stay tuned for more information!

EDIT: As a side note, it appears Celebi may be given away at the movie, as has been speculated since HG/SS’s releases. If so, this Celebi will activate an event at Ilex Shrine, allowing you to time travel and revealing your rival’s connection to Giovanni.

-Shdowgroudon

PS. In my opinion, Zoroark looks too 4th-gen; I was expecting something a little cooler-looking. But it does look pretty awesome crouching down.

Aside from looking a little like Glameow somehow, I have nothing against Zorua, though. I can’t wait to get one on my team – I think it looks pretty cute! =3

UPDATE: THE SILHOUETTED POKEMON HAS BEEN REVEALED!!
CLICK HERE TO SEE IT (and its pre-evolution!)

The first 5th Generation Pokemon’s silhouette has been revealed on Pokemon Sunday!! (and no, it’s not Spiky-Eared Pichu ^^;)

The Pokemon’s codename is “Z,” and will be the star of the 13th movie, Illusion Ruler Z! (this will probably change to “Phantom Champion ” when its name is revealed)

In two more weeks, Pokemon Sunday said they will show the Pokemon colored in – maybe they’ll reveal its name and some of its abilites as well!

As well, with CoroCoro March’s release soon, will there be more information on Generation 5 revealed? Will other sources like Yahoo Japan or Famitsu show new Pokemon or details on the games? We’ll have to see!

Stay tuned for more!!

-Shdowgroudon

PS. What do you think this Pokemon could be? Here are some possible questions:

Is it a legendary?
What type is it?
What will its name be?
Does it have a connection to Lugia, who was once codenamed “Pokemon X” before Gold and Silver came out?
Is it an evolution or a new Pokemon?

I hope you have (or have had, in the case of Hanukkah) a great holiday and spend plenty of time with family and friends!

Hey all!

I’m back with the latest on HG/SS and some Rumble passwords, this time for the new Legendary forms in Platinum: Giratina Origin Forme and Shaymin Sky Forme!

Giratina Origin Forme:

8322-3706

Shaymin Sky Forme:

5468-6284

As well, the release date for HeartGold and SoulSilver is set for March 14, 2010!

Here are some new screenshots from the English versions:

It also reveals, as expected, that the Shiny Pichu/Notched-Ear Pichu (Pikachu-Colored Pichu/Gizamimi Pichu) event will be released sometime soon in the U.S.

Until next time!

-Shdow

Hey guys,

I will be repairing my computer tomorrow, so I won’t have it for a few days. Thanks for your patience!

-Shdowgroudon

If you don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day, a leprauchaun will pinch you. If you're not thankful on Thanksgiving...

To all those in the US, happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

Sorry, Canadians, I wasn’t here during Thanksgiving for you…

But anyway, I hope you had fun and spent time with your family and friends! =)

-Shdowgroudon

PS. I’ve added three secrets for HeartGold and SoulSilver. If you have the Japanese versions or are planning to get them when they’re released in English, check ‘em out!

Just a few odds and ends:
1. Pokemon Secrets has been updated with two new secrets.
2. a Pokemon Prediction has been created.
3. By popular demand, I have made Ultimate Pokemon Strategy visible, even though the current strategies aren’t great.

Shdow out!