Nintendo Warns Pokemon DS Importers

Just as it did with previous GBA instalments, Nintendo will crack down if it feels it needs to.

Eager Pokémon fans anxious to taste the first proper DS games in the series may be wondering how long it will be until the new duo arrives. If the latest information out of Nintendo's American arm is anything to go by, they could be in for a wait.

Nintendo said this week that Pokémon Diamond and Pearl would be out for the DS in North America on 22 April. Tack on a few months for localisation and Europeans could find themselves waiting until summer to see what the fuss is about.

And there is a lot of fuss. The new instalments in the decade-old series have sold nearly 4 million copies in Japan, bolstering the already impressive momentum of the DS.

There are questions about how complete the game will be when it arrives here. Wired points out that the press released for the US version of the game goes to pains not to mention anything to do with online play, which is included in the Japanese editions. Despite the omission, Nintendo told Kikizo that it is "a full WiFi game".

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Nintendo will be keeping a keen eye on importers after Easter. Previous Game Boy Advance editions have been too popular with some ardent fans for Nintendo's liking, resulting in the company threatening local importers if they continued to sell it. With a rabid fanbase not satisfied with the piecemeal Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon games for Game Boy Advance and DS, there's every chance that the proper DS instalments could be a big hit before they officially arrive. Nintendo is prepared.

"We in no way condone the importing of games into territories other than where they are supposed to be sold," Nintendo's Robert Saunders told Kikizo.

"As in the past, if deemed necessary we will issue cease and desist letters to retailers whom we know are selling imported games not intended for sale within the EEA. Nintendo rigorously protects its worldwide trademarks and in doing so ensures fair play in the market for all retailers."

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo