On March 5th, 2011, Nintendo launched the new Pokémon Black and White games in New York City with a special launch party that was open to the public. TSS_Killer visited the event and recorded many of the events that took place. The event featured a special musical performance by 'The President of the United States' band who sang their new Pokémon song called "Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All)". The studio single can be downloaded for free from IGN by clicking here. Below are the videos from the event.

The Ultimate Pokémon Experience Hits Rockefeller Center® on March 5

Nintendo Offers “Passport to the Unova Region” at Launch Event for Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Video Games.

WHAT: New York’s famed Rockefeller Center® will be the epicenter of an over-the-top Pokémon™ celebration as Nintendo prepares to launch the new Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems across North America. On March 5, at the Nintendo® World store, fans will gather for a spectacular launch event and the chance to be among the first in the nation to buy the games in advance of their official March 6 release.

The event will offer attendees an interactive experience that will take consumers through stations featuring game-play kiosks, depictions of the games’ new starter and Legendary Pokémon, a download area for the Liberty Pass which enables players to get the new Mythical Pokémon Victini in the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games, a photo booth and a special collection of never-before-seen Pokémon artwork. Attendees will receive a “passport” upon entry and earn a stamp for each station they experience. Once they have visited all stations, fans will receive a special Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version T-shirt, while supplies last.

Full details of the events are available in the press release article.

Videos from the Event

Event Summary of video from Nintendo.


Introduction to the Events - Passport to the Unova Region


Movie 13 Trailer - Zoroark: Master of Illusions and Trivia Segment


Pokémon Trainer John explains the Pokemon Black and White games in detail. A Pikachu Freeze Dance contest follows, where seven lucky people are chosen to win prizes.


The President of the United States' band sing their new Pokémon song called "Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All)"

Well, it's really a pity there wasn't a similar event in Paris. More specifically, I'm thinking about that event where fans could meet Junichi Masuda himself at London.

I went to Paris for the special 3DS event in February, I would have done the same for Pokémon Black & White. I was (and still am!) really excited about this game, so that would have been a nice way for me to celebrate the launch of the new Pokémon generation.

Looks like I had only the game... but the game's even better than I expected, so I'm not going to complain.

Thanks for the videos by the way!

It's good to see that they had a pretty good launch party in New York City. The video looks great TSS. Looks like there were tons of people there at the event which is always good as it seems Pokemon is as popular as ever. Will be interesting to see how Pokemon Smash covers the event this week on the show.

I'm so upset that I didn't have a chance to go there. I wish that in country they would do such an event... It looks really really cool!

i was there :D it was so much fun

Well, according to UK Official Nintendo Magazine, the game sold more than 1 million in... one day.
It beat Diamond and Peal record as the fastest-salling Pokémon game ever. So yes, Pokémon IS as popular as ever... actually, it's more popular than it has ever been.