Nintendo has this crazy idea that Pokemon will sell well...or something.America Braces for Next Installment of Pokemon Mania
Nintendo Readies Pre-sell Campaign for Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire for Game Boy Advance
REDMOND, Wash.--Feb. 11, 2003--Within the first six weeks of launching the new Game Boy(R) Advance titles Pokemon(R) Ruby Version and Pokemon(R) Sapphire Version in Japan, Nintendo sold through nearly 4 million copies combined.
Now, North America prepares for the sales onslaught as the official pre-sell program for both games gets underway this week at participating retailers.
With both video games hitting store shelves in North America on March 17, Nintendo anticipates brisk sales to continue, especially with the exclusive pre-sell incentive. While supplies last, those who pre-order Pokemon Ruby or Pokemon Sapphire also will receive a limited-edition, holographic Pokemon collector's coin.
"The phenomenal sales of Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire in Japan illustrate the continuing popularity of the Pokemon franchise," says George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America Inc. "After five years, kids are watching the Pokemon cartoon in record numbers, buying the video games and collecting Pokemon Trading Cards -- and we have every reason to believe these two Pokemon games will be as huge in North America as they are in Japan."
In Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, the quest to become a Pokemon Master continues, as players discover more than 100 new Pokemon characters, as well as many returning favorites. Players can play as either a boy or girl trainer, and for the first time ever, players can strategically battle with two Pokemon simultaneously.
"We are anxiously awaiting the launch of Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire in the U.S. because these games will usher in a new phase for the Pokemon brand," says Akira Chiba, president of Pokemon USA, Inc. "Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire will be the starting point for a whole new Pokemon world in regard to the trading card game, merchandise, the animated TV series and theatrical releases."
The Game Boy Advance dramatically improves the visuals of previous Game Boy titles such as Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue and most recently, Pokemon Crystal, as the colors are more vibrant and the graphics are more detailed. Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire are the first two Pokemon titles designed for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.95 each. Game Boy Advance is available for a suggested retail price of $79.95, while the newest addition to the Game Boy family, the Game Boy(R) Advance SP, will be available March 23 for an estimated retail price of $99.95. Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire are published by The Pokemon Company and distributed exclusively by Nintendo of America.
Pokemon USA, Inc., the New York-based subsidiary of The Pokemon Company in Japan, manages and oversees the Pokemon franchise in North and Latin America, which includes licensing, merchandising, TV animation, theatrical releases, home video entertainment, the official Pokemon website, the Pokemon Center NY in Rockefeller Center and PokemonCenter.com, a retail site. Pokemon first launched for the world's best-selling Game Boy(R) video game system in Japan in 1996 and has since evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. Since bringing the franchise to North America in September 1998, Nintendo has sold more than 110 million Pokemon games worldwide. Pokemon merchandise has generated over $15 billion in worldwide retail sales since 1998. The trading card game, fueled by organized play programs with over 250,000 members in 47 countries, has spurred global sales of 9.8 billion cards to date. For more information on Pokemon games, go to www.pokemon-games.com or www.pokemon.com.
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