Joystiq at the Pokemon launch party in NYC

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 23rd 2007 at 8:00AM }

Thousands of Pokemon fans stormed the Nintendo World Store for their incredible Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch party. Getting into the event was no easy task, as the line stretched across a New York avenue. Once inside, fans were treated to equally long lines to purchase the game, and a myriad of activities to partake in. A scavenger hunt had Pokemaniacs survive the heat and go through all the stations set up for fans.

Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori from Game Freak stopped by to answer fan's questions and sign autographs. In spite of the surprising success of the Pokemon franchise, the two were incredibly humble and seemed jovial in the presence of their adoring fans. Children (of all ages) crowded the plaza for a chance to meet some of the people responsible for this global phenomenon.

To end the festivities, Nintendo made an incredible donation to Earth Day NY: a giant check (is there any other kind?) for $10,000 was presented to the eco-friendly charity. The event was a blast, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits. Considering the thousands of people in attendance, it's safe to say that the Pokemon phenomenon is still going strong.

Gallery: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch in NYC

Tags: donation, earth day, earth day ny, EarthDay, EarthDayNy, game freak, GameFreak, junichi masuda, JunichiMasuda, new york, new york city, NewYork, NewYorkCity, nintendo, nintendo world, nintendo world store, NintendoWorld, NintendoWorldStore, nyc, pokemon, pokemon diamond, pokemon pearl, PokemonDiamond, PokemonPearl, shigeru ohmori, ShigeruOhmori

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SpArda @ Apr 23rd 2007 8:11AM

I thought pokemon died like 6 years ago. wow still going on its played out now i use to love it when i was yonger and shit only 152 pokemon i remeber.

deaftly @ Apr 23rd 2007 8:22AM

those crazy kiddies and their nintendo

shivr @ Apr 23rd 2007 8:22AM

hehe, nice video. I always like your lighthearted coverage of these events, yoon :)

sploogie @ Apr 23rd 2007 8:23AM

More people than a PS3 launch

sheppy @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:31PM

Some of the new designs are just sucky...

But I do like the day/night system that made it's return.

Evilsmevil @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:04AM

Hate to be a grammar troll but myriad is one of those words whose constant misuse is a regular annoyance.

As a noun, myriad means ten thousand, or a great number (a myriad of aircraft). In this case, you're not using myriad to modify: it's the subject. As an adjective, myriad means "having innumerable aspects or elements" (those myriad challenges - the myriad activity of the people - myriad butterflies).

Sorry to be so petty!

Einhanderkiller @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:16AM

Pokeymans.

Ken @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:48AM

Going to go pick this game up today at lunch.

I haven't played one since red, but I need a good RPG for my DS.

pikachuuuuu @ Apr 23rd 2007 12:07PM

damnit, i wish i was there :( stupid work.

that jessie was incredibly creepy. i just hope he/she/it didnt attack any poor kids in that event. it looked like a blast, and those parents acting out pokemon attacks really made me laugh out loud.

awesome event. back to diamond it is~

Benny @ Apr 23rd 2007 2:09PM

Of course the Pokemon phenomenon is still going on, A dad almost fought me because I couldn't open my GameStop earlier then we already were opening to stop his kids "suffering". See Pokemon is like food to kids now if they don't have it they will suffer.

Alex Belancourt @ Apr 24th 2007 12:57PM

Awesome vid, wish I was there during the scavenger hunt, and the parents depicting pokemon moves were funny.

Aex @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:18PM

See, Nintendo isn't kiddy! I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I knew pokemon was still popular, but wow!

Matters @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:18PM

Pokemon died 6 years ago? No my friend. What happened is that you grew out of it. I'm guessing around the time you started high school. Perhaps in another 6 years you will have a better understanding of why it's still popular. People didn't stop having kids after you were born and we don't all grown into things or out of things at the same time.