The official Pokémon website has posted the two new LEGEND cards which feature Ho-oh and Lugia. Each Pokémon LEGEND requires two special cards to create one larger completed card. To play a Pokémon LEGEND, you must have both halves of the Pokémon in your hand and you must play them at the same time.

Below is part of the news that was posted on the official site regarding these new cards and the rule changes regarding them.

Pokémon LEGENDs are unique in that, when in play, they are neither Basic Pokémon nor Evolved Pokémon. As such, they can't be played during the set-up phase at the beginning of the game (only Basic Pokémon can be played then). But they also can't be hit by attacks that target Basic Pokémon or Evolved Pokémon specifically. Pokémon LEGENDs are like no Pokémon you’ve ever seen before!


Click on Images for Higher Resolution

As mentioned, one of the new Pokémon LEGENDs is Ho-Oh LEGEND. With its enormous fiery wings stretching over the two cards, the extraordinary Ho-Oh LEGEND is truly awe-inspiring. As the first of its kind, Ho-Oh LEGEND lives up to its name: a 140HP difference maker that can find a home in virtually any deck. With the Sacred Rainbow Poké-Body, all of the Energy attached to Ho-Oh LEGEND becomes Fire Energy, making Ho-Oh LEGEND usable now matter what kinds of Energy you have in your deck. Ho-Oh LEGEND can pound the Defending Pokémon with the Bright Wing attack, delivering 100 damage. The attack requires 4 Fire Energy (and you must discard one Energy attached to Ho-Oh LEGEND when you attack); fortunately, with the Sacred Rainbow Poké-Body, it won’t matter what kind of Energy is attached!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/tcg_hgss1_ho-oh-2010-01-12/

The latest Pokémon TCG expansion set: HeartGold & SoulSilver, was officially announced today. The expansion is the English regional version of the HeartGold & SoulSilver set that was released last year in Japan on October 9th, 2009. Below is the press release from the announcement.

Pokémon are the heart and soul of any great Pokémon Trainer, and now is your chance to catch some of the greatest Pokémon of all time with the all-new Pokémon Trading Card Game: HeartGold & SoulSilver! New kinds of cards will change the way you play—like Pokémon Prime and the astonishing Pokémon legends Ho-Oh and Lugia—plus you’ll find lots of Trainer cards that will accelerate your game and select Energy cards with a brand-new look. The HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion will get you started on your journey to greatness!



With more than 120 cards in all, the brand-new Pokémon TCG: HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion will arrive in stores nationwide on February 10, 2010.
* All-new card designs that give the set a unique look
* Introducing 2 dual-card Pokémon LEGENDs (Ho-Oh and Lugia)
* Discover 6 amazing Pokémon Prime (Ampharos, Blissey, Donphan, Feraligatr, Meganium, and Typhlosion)

Source: http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/cards/hgss/01/

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Rocket Gang! The Origin of Love and Youth / Pokéwalker Bingo with Different Pokémon Types! / Using the Pokémon Card Game as a Party Game (ロケット団！ 愛と青春の原点 ポケウォーカーでポケモンタイプ別ビンゴ！ ポケモンカードゲームを使ったパーティーゲーム), aired today in Japan.

The anime rerun episode for this week was a special side story episode featuring the Rocket Gang and how the famous trio was formed. Musashi, Kojiro and Nyarth recall their training at the Rocket Gang's headquarters and they ended up together.

In today's episode of Pokemon Sunday, a Domino's Pizza delivery boy arrived on set with a pizza for the crew. They are all happy to see him and quickly begin eating the pizza. To celebrate the release of PokePark in Japan, Domino's Pizza is offering an Exciting PokePark 「わくわくポケモンパック」 promo pack with their orders. The promo is being held from December 11th, 2009 to January 14, 2010. Promo quantities are limited, so be sure to order a pizza early! Below are the cards and some information about them.

While the crew begins eating the pizza, the delivery boy states that the pizza would be 2480 yen for the pizza, but Robert, Shoko and Red quickly ignore him leaving Golgo in a bit of a predicament. Reluctantly, he pays for the pizza only to find out by the time he'd done so, everyone else had eaten the pizza.

Yadon (ヤドン) 60HP Water Type	Yadoking Holo (ヤドキング)
Promo Number 028 - Height: 1.2m - Weight: 36.0 kg	Promo Number 030 - 100HP Psychic Type
Illustrator: Kagemaru Himeno	Illustrator: Noriko Hatta
Weakness: Lightning x 2	Weakness: Psychic x 2
Retreat Cost: 2 Colorless	Retreat Cost: 2 Colorless

During the Pokémon Daisuki Project segment, Robert played Pokéwalker Bingo with different Pokémon types throughout Tokyo. The three members of Robert each had a Pokéwalker and a large Bingo card handing in front of them. Each card had the different types of Pokémon listed in random locations. The objective was to trade Pokémon with people using their Pokéwalker and try to trade for Pokémon that matched the type on the card that they needed. The first person to line up 4 Pokémon types in a row, would be the winner.

Robert's first stop was the Tokyo Pokémon Center. There they traded Pokémon with employees and customers that were in the store at the time. By the time they left the Pokémon Center, Baba was in the lead with 5 spaces covered.

Their second stop was Tokyo's Kōtō Ward's, Sunamachi-Ginza Shopping Street (東京都江東区砂町銀座商店街) where they continued trading Pokémon with people they saw on the street that had Pokéwalkers. When they left the shopping area, both Yamamoto and Baba were tied with three separate ways to get a Pokéwalker Bingo.

Robert's final stop was Tokyo's Kōtō Ward's, LaLaport Toyosu Shopping Park (東京都江東区砂 ららぽーと豊洲）where they continued to trade Pokémon until Baba was the first to get a Pokéwalker Bingo and win the game.

After the Pokémon Sunday News, the original Movie 13 teaser trailer with Lugia and Ho-oh was shown and then right after it, the new Theatrical Edition Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl - Phantom Champion Z (劇場版ポケットモンスターダイヤモンド＆パール「幻影の覇者 Z」) trailer that originally aired on Oha Suta (おはスタ) earlier in the week was shown.

A new preview for the upcoming episode Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl - 156 - Fukamaru and Draco Meteor!! (フカマルとりゅうせいぐん！！) was also shown. High resolution pictures from the preview are available in the Imageboard thread.

Pictures and characters from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The official English Pokémon Trading Card Game has announced some new Collector’s Tin that will go on sale just before Christmas. They include cards from the recently released expansion set Platinum Arceus. Below is the press release.

Begin your collection with real power or create an amazing deck with the Alpha Pokémon Arceus! The specially designed Pokémon Trading Card Game: Platinum—Arceus Collector’s Tin contains a spectacular foil Arceus LV.X card plus 4 booster packs to shape your TCG world. Make every game a great game when you play the Pokémon Trading Card Game!

In each tin you will find:

* 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
* A specially selected foil Arceus LV.X card
* A great window design for displaying your favorite card!

Look for the Platinum—Arceus Collector’s Tins in stores on December 16th!

Source: http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/news/articles/147.html

The latest Japanese TCG expansion has been announced for release on February 11th, 2010. According to the Scyther card, it would appear that this expansion has 80 standard cards. Pokemon Card Game LEGEND Revived Legends (ポケモンカードゲームLEGEND 「よみがえる伝説」) will feature 2 two 60-card decks: Pokemon Card Game LEGEND Construction Standard Deck Haganeil Steel (ポケモンカードゲームLEGEND 構築スタンダードデッキ ハガネール鋼) and Pokemon Card Game LEGEND Construction Standard Deck Bangiras Darkness (ポケモンカードゲームLEGEND 構築スタンダードデッキ バンギラス悪). Both decks will retail for 1500yen including tax.



Pokemon Card Game Director Shinji Higuchi and Pokemon Card Illustrator Wataru Kawahara were recently interviewed by weekly.ascii.jp about working on the latest expansion. They talked about their experiences with the card game as well as the creative process used to make the latest cards. The interview features an exclusive concept art picture of a Scyther (ストライク) card the two collaborated on showing the initial concept drawing and the final computer generated image.

Sources: http://shop.surpara.com/search.php?RYMD=20091127 & http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/014/14148/

Stepping out of ancient times comes a Pokémon so mighty that legends say it shaped the Pokémon universe! The Pokémon TCG: Platinum—Arceus expansion introduces the Alpha Pokémon Arceus and its multiple Energy types. So, harness and wield this awesome power or rise to its incredible challenge! Capture previously unseen Pokémon LV. X to aid you in this titanic struggle, and turn the tide of battle with all-new Trainer and Stadium cards. Prepare to face your greatest test...



Flamemaster Theme Deck Stormshaper Theme Deck
Make your opponent feel the burn as Fire Arceus unleashes its Bright Flame attack, and keep the damage coming with the Trainer card Energy Restore as you racet oward victory! Bring Tangrowth into the equation and inflict some tag-team trouble on already weakened Pokémon with its devastataing Swallow Up attack or use Leaf Guard to both defend and attack at the same time. Only those who play with fire can become the Flamemaster!

Stormshaper Theme Deck
Shocks are in store for your opponents with this Lightning Arceus-led deck. Vary your Active Pokémon and attacks at breakneck speed with the Alpha Pokémon's Lightning Turn attack and, as if that weren't enough, use the Pokémon Tool Expert Belt to both boost your Pokémon HP and increase the damage...as well as the devastation of your attacks! But beware, pitfalls await the unwary Trainer who allows a Pokémon to be Knocked Out while using the Expert Belt...so shape your storms carefully!



Each theme deck contains 1 complete 60-card deck. Many of the cards exist in multiples to provide a more enjoyable playing experience.

Source: http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/news/articles/145.html

From the TV to the tabletop, you can play Pokémon Rumble wherever you want! Pokémon TCG: Rumble is a fast-paced card game that up to seven people can play at the same time! Using actual Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, players take turns rolling special dice and trying to Knock Out Pokémon in the Battle Royale to claim the last Pokémon standing! The player with the most points is the winner!

Pokémon TCG: Rumble is easy to learn, and every game is sure to be different! Coming December 2nd! Pokémon TCG: Rumble is sold separately and not required to play the Pokémon Rumble video game.

Each Pokémon TCG: Rumble game allows up to seven players to open the box and compete in a true Battle Royale with the goal of being the last Pokémon standing. The fast-paced card game is played on a playmat where the simple roll of the dice can decide your fate.

To play the game, simply place your markers to guess which Pokémon cards will outlast the others, roll the Energy dice to figure out which move you can use and roll the Target die to find out which Pokémon you will attack! Score points for each Pokémon you Knock Out and score even bigger if your marker is on the last Pokémon standing.

Features:
* 1 Battle Royale Playmat
* 16 exclusive Pokémon TCG cards with foil Rumble logos, including 3 all-foil cards. Each card uses Pokémon art from the WiiWare Pokémon Rumble title.
* 4 Energy Dice & 1 Target Die
* 14 Player Markers (2 per player)

This is the same set that was released earlier in Japan. For more information about the Japanese set, see the archived news article.

Source: http://www.pokemonrumble.com/

Three new Platinum Arceus cards were revealed today. The latest Pokémon card game expansion set, Platinum: Arceus, will be released on November 4th. Below is information about the newly revealed card.



Fire-type Arceus
Reflecting the heat of the sun, this Fire-type Arceus (AR3) charges forth to take on all foes! It can unleash the incendiary Bright Flame attack, a searing move that delivers 80 damage. A heavy blow, especially for a Basic Pokémon! The only downside to Bright Flame is that you may have to discard 2 Energy attached to Arceus, but this is dependent on a coin flip, and is a small price to pay for the kind of inferno Arceus can create. Fire-type Arceus is sure to become a centerpiece for your Fire deck.

Grass-type Arceus
Boasting distinctive green markings, the Grass-type Arceus (AR2) brings your Bench to life in impressive fashion. Like most of the Arceus cards, this Arceus has only one attack—an attack that can be the difference between victory and defeat! Leaf Refresh does 30 damage to the Defending Pokémon, but more important, it removes 3 damage counters from each of your Benched Pokémon and keeps them healthy enough to join the fight whenever they’re called upon! With the Grass-type Arceus your defenses against attacks on your Bench are stronger than ever before.

Darkness-type Arceus
The Darkness-type Arceus (AR1) begins our preview series of Arceus cards available in the Platinum—Arceus expansion. Standing tall in front of a total eclipse, this Arceus performs best when you’re behind in the game. Its Prize Count attack does 20 damage, but if you have more Prize cards left than your opponent, you’ll do an extra 60 damage! When you start to struggle, the Darkness-type Arceus could be exactly what you need to fight your way back into the game.

Source: http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/cards/featured/pl4/

A new Platinum Arceus card was revealed today. The latest Pokémon card game expansion set, Platinum: Arceus, will be released on November 4th. Below is information about the newly revealed card.

Beginning Door (82/99), a Trainer card with the sole purpose of moving an Arceus card from your deck to your hand. Since it’s a Trainer card, you can play more than one per turn. This, in turn, allows you to load your Bench with Arceus before your opponent can blink! Beginning Door is a portal to all kinds of opportunities in the Platinum - Arceus expansion!

Source: http://go-pokemon.com/tcg/cards/featured/pl4/

Pokemon USA, Inc., the worldwide leader in trading card games and video games, today announced details for both the 2008 Pokemon(R) Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships as well as the first-ever Pokemon Video Game Showdown, which will pit the most skilled Pokemon video game players from the U.S. and Japan against one another in a battle to determine the ultimate champion. Both events will take place August 16-17 at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, bringing together hundreds of Pokemon fans from around the globe.

The Pokemon Video Game Showdown will feature 64 of the most talented players from the U.S. and Japan competing in two different age divisions. U.S. qualifiers were selected from two regional tournaments held in Los Angeles and New York on July 12 and July 19, respectively. Over 1,000 players from ages 6 to 43 came from all over the country to battle playing Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl for the opportunity to compete against the best players from Japan. Participants will strive for the chance to call themselves a champion and win a grand prize that includes a six-day vacation package for four to New York City, Honolulu, or Tokyo. Runners up will win custom Nintendo DS(TM) game systems and special Pokemon prize packs.

The 2008 Pokemon Trading Card Game World Championships follow a record-setting U.S. National Championships in June, which drew nearly 1,000 competitors. Hundreds of players from nearly 30 countries will compete in the invite-only event for the title of Pokemon TCG World Champion. The top 32 winners in each of the three age divisions will be awarded various Pokemon prizes and merchandise, including scholarship awards worth more than $100,000.

Pokemon has proved its dominance over the past 10 years as one of the most successful kid's franchises of all-time. The Pokemon animated series is broadcast in more than 30 countries in over 25 languages. Nintendo's Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl games sold more than 1 million copies in the first five days and more than 14 million copies since their launch. The Pokemon Trading Card Game is the number one collectible trading card game and boasts over 80,000 organized play members. Both championship events will promote the fun of the trading card and video games as players are required to use skill, strategy, and creativity to play.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/