Wedbush Morgan Securities' 2009 industry report includes a list of the top thirty brands of 2008. The report notes that of the companies whose brands appear on the list, Nintendo, EA, and Activision were the only three with more than one brand to generate over $100 million at retail in the US last year.

And boy, did they. The top brand of the year, Guitar Hero -- perhaps you've heard of it -- was responsible for $992 million in US sales in 2008. The next two brands, Mario Bros. and Rock Band, generated $761 million and $662 million, respectively.

One company is notably absent from the top brands list: "Most strikingly," the report reads, "Sony had no top 30 brands for the third year in a row." Microsoft had two brands on the list (Gears of War and Fable) and Nintendo had four (Mario Bros., Wii Fit, Wii Play, and Pokémon). See the list of brands after the break.

Yes, the once-vague "fall" launch window for the pedometer-infused pokéremakes, Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, has evolved into a much more specific Japanese release date of September 12. The game will be catchable if you've got 4,980 yen ($50) to spare, which seems an exorbitant price, but is actually the standard cost of Pokémon titles in Japan, thanks to that completely unwarranted Adorability Tax.

North America hasn't gotten a release date or price for the remakes -- probably because Nintendo has yet to formally announce the games in the States -- but we'll let you know when it finally does. You'll know which post contains this announcement, because it'll be written in bold all-caps to reflect our uncontrollable excitement.

According to what has been identified as a pamphlet from a McDonalds location in Japan, Nintendo is preparing to launch three new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games -- on WiiWare.

A detail from the pamphlet shows an announcement of the WiiWare release of the three games, along with logos for Mystery Dungeon games called Susume! Hono no Boukendan, Ikuzo! Arashi no Boukendan, and Mezase! Hikari no Boukendan, which translate to Advance! Fire Adventure Team, Go! Storm Adventure Team, and Aim! Light Adventure Group!, respectively.

Since we don't even know if the pamphlet, presumably distributed as a promotion for the Mac de DS program, is real, obviously we don't have any more details about the games, like whether Mystery Dungeon series creator Chunsoft is creating them or if they are all variants of the same base game.

Turns out that the same technology used in Personal Trainer: Walking to train you will also help you train Pokemans in Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver. According to Andriasang, the Pokémon Sunday TV show revealed a new pedometer device used in the game, called the "Poké Walker," that resembles a cross between a Pokeball and the Pokémon Mini handheld. For some reason, Nintendo decided to make another wireless pedometer peripheral for the DS rather than allowing people to use the existing one.

The device allows you to build one Pokémon's experience and personal affinity simply by walking. In addition, the Poké Walker generates "watts," which can be used to catch wild creatures and find tools inside the Poké Walker world to send back to the full game.

Check out the first screens of the remakes in our gallery, as you come to the terrifying realization that Nintendo didn't mention this game at all at E3.

While we were off doing whatever, Nintendo announced a new Pokémon game for WiiWare in Japan. Melee! Pokémon Scramble is developed by the same company (Ambrella) as My Pokémon Ranch, but is combat-based instead of standing-around-based. In fact, it may be the most actiony Pokémon game yet!

The player controls a remote-controlled robot Pokémon, building strength by fighting Pokémon in the wild, in anticipation of a big tournament. Gameplay is real-time, like a Zelda or Ys-type action RPG. And, of course, four players can face off in the game's Battle Royale arena mode.

Melee! Pokémon Scramble will be out in Japan on June 16. No release dates have been announced outside of Japan, but Nintendo won't deprive the rest of the world of its biggest brand.

[Via Nintendo Life]

Update: We here at Joystiq are not perfect, and sometimes we're fooled. Sad to say, this has been one of those times, as some of the details you see around the net regarding Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver are false. Our good friend Serebii pointed this out to us, and we have removed the false information from this post. We apologize for the error, and are baking you a fresh batch of cookies right now to make up for it.

When Nintendo announced Pokémon Gold Heart and Soul Silver remakes, it was only a few days after that we caught a glimpse of some gameplay. Of course, the gameplay video didn't reveal anything on the game other than the ability to walk around, but we know trainers are still getting pumped for the remakes. Well, if you live in North America, prepare to be pumped out of your mind.

Nintendo is planning to bring both Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver your way, as some US trademarks Nintendo filed (courtesy of Siliconera) show. Sure, you probably had little doubt in your mind, considering how much Nintendo loves money, but we just thought you would like to know. Both Pokemon Heart Gold and Pokemon Soul Silver are listed, so turn your cap backwards and get ready to catch 'em all ... at an unconfirmed later date.

As promised, today's episode of Pokémon Sunday brought the now not-so-surprising reveal of Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver. While the actual revelation wasn't particularly mind-blowing, the episode did feature a few seconds of gameplay (posted after the break) that will likely whet the appetites of many a pocket-sized monster fanatic.

The gameplay itself isn't that interesting -- the protagonist merely walks in circles a few times -- though we do get a good sense of the Pearl and Diamond-esque art style the remakes will adopt. Also, if this clip is any indication, it looks like your starter pokémon will follow your character around in a Pokémon Yellow-esque fashion. We feel so sorry for Pokémon detractors. If you guys had hearts, that news would make them feel pretty warm.

So, that Pokémon announcement that everyone assumed would be remakes of Gold and Silver? Totally remakes of Gold and Silver. We'll get to play new versions of the Game Boy Color Pokemans and we get the satisfaction of being right! This time, it was Nintendo that jumped the gun with the announcement.

The DS remakes, called Pokémon Heart Gold and Pokémon Soul Silver, are scheduled for release in Japan this fall. Going by the time it took Diamond and Pearl to reach North America, we could possibly see these by spring 2010.

[Via Kotaku; thanks, Fernando Rocker!]

This past Friday, it was announced that Japan's Pokémon Sunday variety show would be making a world exclusive announcement on May 10, leading many to believe the reveal of a new monster-catchin' title was imminent. Speculation on the nature of this new title was set aflame by the image you see above -- a picture of this past episode of Pokémon Sunday, which clearly depicts gold and silver balls hanging precariously from the ceiling.

It's fairly tenuous as far as speculation goes, but the timing is right for Pokémon Gold and Silver remakes to hit the street. It's probably too soon for Generation V to be released like a plague unto the world, and Generation IV is pretty much all tapped out. Since Gold and Silver (and Crystal, we guess) are the only ones that haven't had a post-GBC adaptation, it makes sense for them to modernize it. Oh, and to monetize it. Again.

The Pokémon anime has a new closing theme in Japan, let us show you them it. Kotaku notes the tune is called "Get Fired Up Notch-Eared Pichu" and is sung by Shoko Nakagawa -- she's also the voice of the "Notch-Eared Pichu." We don't know what the lyrics mean, but just watching the video causes us to write another check to The Pokémon Company, which is secretly bio-engineering the real thing ... oh wait, we weren't supposed to mention that. Hey, watch the video after the break.

A Japanese company called Shimadzu has unveiled a new mobile X-ray machine designed to help reduce the anxiety level of hospitalized children -- by showing them Pokemans. The self-contained X-ray cart, available to Japanese hospitals on the 17th, features a Pokémon Diamond and Pearl theme, with pictures of smiling Pokemon all over it, as well as precious Pokeball wheels. On a more practical note, the mobile nature of the device allows X-rays to be taken of kids who can't be moved to a dedicated X-ray room.

We kind of want to say something about the commercialization of even hospital equipment, and the use of hospitals as ad space, but kids love Pokémon, especially in Japan, and we suspect that seeing this contraption could induce a moment of genuine happiness.

[Via Famitsu]

There's plenty of essential sightseeing spots and activities any tourist must partake in during a visit to Japan, such as hitting up the local jumbo-sized arcades, dropping by the beautiful Sensoji Temple, and falling in love with a washed-up actor in a luxurious hotel. However, according to travel site TripAdvisor.com's Top 20 most popular Japanese tourist destinations in 2008, the third-hottest locale for visitors was Tokyo's Pokémon Center store.

It seems a little silly that a retail outlet dedicated to Poké-merch was so outrageously popular amongst Japan-bound travelers last year. Then again, where else are you supposed to heal your sick or injured pokémon -- the veterinary hospital? Don't be ridiculous.

[Via Kotaku]

For all you pokémaniacs, the 2009 Pokémon Video Game World Championships are set to begin qualifiers next month. Regional qualifiers (apparently the northeastern part of the country doesn't count) will begin in May. Trainers need to bring their own copy of Pokemon Platinum to compete in the "2-on-2 Double Cup" format -- no creature can exceed level 50.

Regional qualification will accept "128 players for each age division (Juniors and Seniors)" at random from those in attendance. All registrants will receive a "level 50 Shiny Milotic."

• May 9 - Seattle, WA
• May 16 - San Francisco, CA
• May 23 - Phoenix, AZ
• May 30 - Dallas, TX
• June 6 - Philadelphia, PA
• June 13 - Nashville, TN
• June 27 - St. Louis, MO

For full details about the regional competitions and the international locations, head on over to www.pokemonvgc.com.

With the popularity of Twitter exploding everywhere, it was bound to happen -- Pokemon are now twittering. If you've ever wanted to follow the daily musings of your favorite characters, then Twitter is the place to be. Pokefan David Cole has compiled a detailed list of all current twittering Pokemon, focusing specifically on those who tweet in character -- like the filthy mouthed Primeape, above. If ever there was a reason to join Twitter ... well, this isn't it. But it's a great time waster.

[Via Darkzero]

You know your idea for a Pokémon MMO? Or a full Pokémon RPG on a home console? We're talking to all of you here, because literally everyone has come up with those ideas. Anyway, they're not going to happen.

Pokémon Platinum game director Junichi Masuda told What They Play, "At this point, we're not thinking of going in that direction."

"Trading is a core concept of Pokémon," Masuda said. "So when you're trading, you meet with a friend and decide which one you want and which one they want. I would like to emphasize real-world communication. You don't see each other online." This statement paints Diamond and Pearl's online trading, then, as some kind of concession rather than a defining feature.

Masuda also said that the concept for Diamond and Pearl was to produce the "ultimate" Pokémon game. For Platinum? "My direction to (game designer Takechi Kawachimaru, also present at this interview) with Platinum was to produce another ultimate version."