Pokemon-e Trading Card Game Ex-Plodes to the Next Level with Pokemon-e Ex Ruby and Sapphire Trading Cards -- in Stores on June 18

Over 40 All-New Pokemon Characters, New Strategic Options and Game Boy Interface

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2003-- Nintendo of America Inc., now the distributor of both video and trading card games for the Pokemon franchise, announces an exciting expansion to the Pokemon Trading Card Game with the June 18th release of Pokemon-e TCG: EX Ruby and Sapphire. The newest addition to the popular trading card game features EXpanded playability, EXciting all-new Pokemon and EXtreme new strategies.

The highly successful release of the Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire for Game Boy® Advance games this March has sold nearly 2 million copies. Pokemon-e Trading Card Game EX Ruby and Sapphire introduces over 40 new characters from those games -- the first new Pokemon for the franchise since October 2000. The Pokemon-e TCG cards include the fiery Torchic, the cool Treecko and the tiny and surprising Mudkip, while favorites like Mewtwo and Magmar return as Pokemon-ex with updated and exciting new rules. These new cards bring the total number of unique Pokemon characters to nearly 400!

Pokemon-e TCG: EX Ruby and Sapphire are completely compatible with previous Pokemon Trading Card Game releases and for the first time allows 2-on-2 Pokemon battles. The new set also introduces the new high-risk, high reward Pokemon-ex characters -- powerful creatures with more hit points and stronger attacks.

"Given the overwhelming success of the recent video game launch, the addition of more than 40 new characters, as well as the exciting new strategic play options, we are anticipating a phenomenal demand for this new release. Existing players and newcomers alike will have a great time collecting and playing with this newly expanded version of the Pokemon-e TCG," says Gail Tilden, Nintendo's Vice President, Brand Management.

The expansion set features eight of the challenging Pokemon-ex; and updated rules streamlining game play and enhancing strategic deck building. The innovative e-Reader function allows players to access EXtra Pokedex information from their Pokemon-e cards, helping to redefine the game for both players and collectors.

Pokemon-e TCG: EX Ruby and Sapphire theme decks and booster packs go on sale June 18th with a MSRP of $10.99 for the theme decks and $3.29 for the booster packs. Each pack features nine randomly inserted game cards (five common, two uncommon, one rare, one reverse holo). Theme decks include a 60 card deck, plus one holographic card, a card list, game coin, damage counters and an updated rulebook. Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and e-Reader are required to access the data on the card.