PSP World

Online Gaming Storms Onto Wii With Pokemon Battle Revolution

This weeks launch of Pokemon Battle Revolution heralds a number of firsts for Nintendo's hot-selling Wii video game system. Pokemon Battle Revolution is:

* The first online Wii game in the Americas.

* The first Pokemon game for Wii.

* The first Wii game to wirelessly link to Nintendo DS.

* The first Wii game that lets players use their Nintendo DS as a controller.

Pokemon Battle Revolution is set to become a groundbreaking smash hit this summer.

In battles using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, players can use their Wii Remote to compete with friends after exchanging friend codes, or against players of comparable skill. The game automatically searches for other players who are online. The sights and sounds of the game bring the action to life as well: The beautiful graphics show each move in full detail, while the action is narrated by the same announcer from the Pokemon TV show.

The game contains a number of battle modes for different kinds of play. In Colosseum Battle Mode, players have 10 different Colosseums in which to stage their epic challenges. In Nintendo DS Battle Mode, players battle Pokemon that they have raised in their Nintendo DS Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl games. Up to four players can use their Nintendo DS systems as a wireless controller, which uses the same battle interface found in the DS games.

"Already more than 2 million copies of Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl have sold in the United States alone," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "The arrival of Pokemon Battle Revolution brings those players a whole new set of challenges and, for the first time on Wii, online battles."

Online setup is extremely easy, even for novices. With a few clicks, players are instantly connected, whether they're using a Wii Remote or a Nintendo DS as a controller.

Trainers are fully customizable. Players can select one of three female or three male Trainers and outfit them with clothing, hats and glasses after earning points during competition. Players can even create personalized in-game text for their Trainers to use when they win or lose a battle.

Pokemon Battle Revolution, rated E for Everyone, launches June 25. For more information about the game, visit www.pokemon-games.com. The Official Nintendo Pokemon Battle Revolution Player's Guide is now available at retail.