MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pokémon™, one of the top kids’ entertainment brands over the past decade, is set to have a blockbuster year in 2011. To coincide with the launch of the much-anticipated Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems and the new TV animation series, Pokémon: Black & White, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) is set to introduce a brand new toy line aimed to bring to life the experience of a Pokémon Trainer: to catch, train and battle Pokémon in the quest to becoming a Pokémon Champion.
The comprehensive and innovative new toy line from JAKKS is slated to include an all new Skill & Action line of toys for older kids, which allows them to “Catch,” “Train,” & “Battle” their Pokémon in unique, interactive and competitive toy-based experiences. JAKKS will also launch new figures and plush featuring all new Pokémon characters, playsets that emulate the new Unova region, and “Trainer” role play items inspired by the TV series.
The JAKKS™ Pokémon toy line, which is expected to hit retailers in May 2011, is based on three core ways kids want to play Pokémon: Skill & Action Play, Action Figure Play and Trainer Role Play.
Skill & Action Play! One of the featured products in this line is the innovative new Pokémon Pop ‘N Battle Launcher and Target (SRP $9.99). The Poké Ball Launcher pops open and reveals a 1” figure on a sliding base. Kids can then launch this figure into battle across the table towards an attack target. If a successful attack is launched, the unique target will then snap closed on the figure. The side of the attack target that lands face up then determines the strength and effectiveness of each attack and ties into a larger game play experience. The Pokémon Pop ‘N Battle Rivalry Pack (SRP $19.99) sets the stage for a 2-person battle and includes 2 Pop ‘N Battle Launchers, 2 Attack Targets and 2 Figures. It also includes a bonus of 2 Battle Clips for on-the-go play and 2 Battle Meters to track the competition against your friends. The Pokémon Catcher (SRP $12.99) allows kids to catch Pokémon using a unique, retractable Poké Ball that captures Pokémon micro figures and allows them to play out what a Pokémon trainer would do. It comes with 3 micro figures and also a special base that allows the figures to work with the Pop ‘N Battle Launcher line.
Action Figure Play! Products in this line include Pokémon 3” Figures (SRP $5.99); Pokémon 5”-7” Deluxe Figures (SRP $12.99); Pokémon 3” Attack Figures (SRP $7.99) which come with a shooting attack base that brings to life the attack of that Pokémon type (e.g. Electric, Grass, Water) and can shoot attack disks over 6 feet; and the Pokémon City Battle Playset (SRP $19.99) which is inspired by the new Unova region from Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version and sets up a Pokémon battle in the city. This includes an Attack Figure with base and 4 shooting disks as well as a unique motorized target base that works with all 3” figures. Figures pop off the target base when kids successfully aim and shoot their attack disks at the target.
Trainer Role Play! Products in the line include Pokémon 5” Mini Plush (SRP $6.99); Pokémon 7”-8” Reversible Plush (SRP $ 12.99) that transforms from a Poké Ball into a Pokémon; Pokémon Throw Poké Ball (SRP $10.99) with a mini Pokémon plush inside that launches out to battle when released by the Trainer; and the Pokémon Soft Poké Ball (SRP $1.99) featuring all the different types of Poké Balls. Ages 5+
Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version launches in the U.S. on March 6 as one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year, introducing players to a brand-new world with more than 150 never-before-seen Pokémon featured in an all new adventure. The games’ release in Japan last September shattered all existing sales records in the country, making them the fastest-selling Nintendo DS games in history with 5 million copies sold to date (Famitsu, Jan. 2011). The toy line release will coincide with a new animated series and feature film on Cartoon Network, and trading card game expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots® and Disguise™. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco®, Cabbage Patch Kids® and Pokémon™. www.jakks.com
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
© 2011 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.