Entertainment Electronics Blog

Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver have yet to hit the States, but they’re already gearing up for the next DS installment of the monster hoarding series over in Japan. The official Japanese Pokemon website (via Serebii.net) broke the news this morning that a new Pokemon game is on the way in 2010.

Details are still scarce, but the announcement makes it relatively clear that this will be a continuation of the main Pokemon RPG series and not a spinoff like Pokemon Ranger or the Mystery Dungeon games. They also promise brand new Pokemon to capture, but that’s pretty much a given.

Even if this currently unnamed Pokemon title hits Japan within the year, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be seeing it in the U.S. anytime soon. The localization process for the series has historically resulted in a release gap of roughly six months or more between the Japanese and North American launches. So if you absolutely must catch them all in 2010, then you’d better warm up to importing.

Americans are still waiting for Pokémon Rumble, but Nintendo has already moved on full Wii title starring the iconic creatures. And it’s not a battle simulator either.
Screenshots of PokéPark Wii have emerged, most of which feature Pikachu doing what it does best — being best. As you might have guessed, the yellow rodent once again takes center stage in this adventure, and he must explore the titular PokéPark, which features a variety of attractions populated by — what else — Pokémon.

Pikachu will apparently be able to befriend the Pokémon around the park, utilizing their abilities to make the various challenges easier. For instance, Flying Pokémon will be useful in the Sky Race. There will also be a variety of tag, battle and quiz mini-games.

Pokémon fans rendered skeptical by the franchise’s less-than-stellar console outings should take note — this is the first console title to be developed by Creatures Inc., which is responsible for the mainline handheld series. It’s due in Japan on December 5, with a North American release likely due next year.

Great news for Nintendo DS/DSi owners! Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have just announced two new handheld games are in the works. The games will be called Pokemon Heart Gold and Pokemon Soul Silver and will be hitting store shelves in North America and Europe in spring 2010, after releasing in Japan next month.

These new games are not entirely new, but remakes of the old Gold and Silver editions of the Pokemon series. Only this time there will be some touch-screen features, updated graphics and sounds, and “a host of surprises” for the two Pokemon titles, Nintendo says.

Some people may don’t like Pokemon games by thinking that it’s the same story over and over again, without any difference. For me, Pokemon games aren’t just about the story, it’s about the adventure, and building up a stronger team over time. The actual story in the game is something that happens under the surface. Hope they’ll be great!