POKÉMON LAUNCHING ONLINE TRADING CARD GAME EXPERIENCE WITH POKÉMON TRAINER CHALLENGE

BELLEVUE, WA, Tuesday February 15, 2011

Are you a Pok�mon� Trading Card Game player? Perhaps you�re looking to join the fun of the Pok�mon TCG for the very first time? Whether you�re a Pok�mon TCG pro or new to trading card game play, get ready for a completely interactive online experience: Pok�mon Trainer Challenge, coming from The Pok�mon Company International in April! This all-new online version of the Pok�mon Trading Card Game (www.pokemontcg.com) will initially feature three preconstructed Pok�mon TCG decks for you to choose from in order to battle against fourteen virtual Pok�mon TCG players in three Leagues, all of which replicates real-world game play and strategy.

Adding to the fun of Pok�mon Trainer Challenge, fans can purchase the brand-new Pok�mon TCG: Black & White preconstructed decks on April 6 at major retail stores nationwide and unlock an identical virtual deck to battle with in the online world! After Pok�mon Trainer Challenge launches, exciting features and additions will be added in the months to come, including the opportunity to play future preconstructed decks in the online game.

�Pok�mon Trainer Challenge provides convenient, on-demand access to exciting TCG game play for all Pok�mon TCG fans, whether they�re currently playing, coming back to the action, or just getting introduced to the world of Pok�mon TCG for the first time,� said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pok�mon Company International. �Now anyone who wants to play Pok�mon TCG can, either live or online.�

In order to play with the new Pok�mon TCG: Black & White preconstructed decks in Pok�mon Trainer Challenge, players will need to create a free Pok�mon Trainer Club account that is easily obtained at www.pokemon.com/us/account/login.

For Pok�mon Trainer Challenge features and updates, please visit www.pokemontcg.com.