If you love Pokemon and plan on picking up Pokemon Black or White, then you’re going to have to stop by GameStop at least three times this month. Yes, it’s pokemon distribution time again, and everybody loves shiny versions of the legendaries Raikou, Entei and Suicune…

As is expected for every portable Pokemon game, Nintendo has announced that there will be preorder incentive items for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver designed to encourage people to place their orders early. Not like the game really needs it in the first place, given it’s Pokemon, one of the best loved and best selling portable games series in existence. Nonetheless, it is nice to get something for free when buying a game you already knew you were going to buy.

The preorder program starts February 1, 2010, and will give every person who takes the time to reserve a copy a statue of one of two legendary pokemon found in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. If you place your preorder for HeartGold, you get a figurine of Ho-Oh that appears to be preparing to soar up into the skies. If you prefer SoulSilver, you get the Lugia figurine pictured at the right.

Amazon isn’t mentioning the preorder offer yet, but…

One of the best things about Japan are the unexpected gadgets that find life there. You know what I’m talking about, the cute, tiny things whose sole reason for existance seems to be that they’re utterly adorable. These kinds of treats typically don’t fufill any necessary need, but they do make our lives a bit brighter.

Thankfully, you don’t have to live in Japan to have access to these items. Many online retailers stock some of the cute and unusual gems, so you can own one no matter where you live. And even if you don’t really feel like spending money on one of these charming items, it’s always fun to window shop…

Pokemon is easily one of Nintendo’s most prominent and recognizable series. That means that the company is going to do everything in its power to promote and hype up the game to ensure that almost every DS has a copy of Pokemon.

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl were huge successes, selling over 10 million copies. So it is no surprise that Nintendo decided to go the way of Pokemon Yellow, Crystal and Emerald – release a slightly updated and tweaked version called Pokemon Platinum.

So if you own Diamond or Pearl, is Platinum worth it? The answer is a resounding maybe…

The ultimate Pokemon finals are ongoing, and you may have a chance to enter. See, The Pokemon Company and Pokemon USA teamed up to create this super challenge, the Pokemon Video Game Showdown 2008, where 16 US players and 16 Japanese players of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl would duke it out for glory. While the official entry period for players closed, additional players who attend the Qualifier Tournaments.

There are two Qualifier Tournaments being held in the US, and they’re on both coasts. The California Science Center in Los Angeles will be having one on July 12, 2008, and the Altman Building in New York will be having one on July 19, 2008. Both tournaments start at 8am. People will be broken into Junior (born after 1996) and Senior (born before 1995) divisions, and up to 128 alternates from each division will be chosen to participate.

June is shaping up to be a fun month for Pokemon Diamond/Pearl owners. On May 31 and June 1, 2008, Toys “R” Us stores were offering up a Darkrai download. Now GameStop stores will be offering up Deoxys.

On two separate weekends in June, 2008, GameStop stores will be offering Deoxys as a download. So if you live near a GameStop, stop in between June 20~22 or from the 25~27 with your DS and either Pokemon Diamond or Pearl to download the exclusive pokemon to your game.

In case you haven’t heard the rumor/revelation, the new version of Pokemon Diamond/Pearl will be called Pokemon Platinum. Scans from Coro Coro Comic magazine confirm the new DS Pokemon title, which may be out in September 2008 in Japan.

The title Platinum doesn’t really fit among Diamond and Pearl. Platinum is a white-gray metal and diamonds and pearls are precious gems. It’s like one of those games you played in school, where you had to pick out the thing that didn’t belong. There are plenty of more appropriate names for Pokemon Platinum, so let’s look at a few options…

Its been a long time coming, but finally Pokemon fans will be able to collect yet another exclusive pokemon. On February 3, 2008, Gamertell reported that a Darkrai event was scheduled for the United States. Thanks to a tip from reader Jess, it has come to light that dates have finally been set for Darkrai distribution.

A new page on the official Nintendo Pokemon website reveals that one of the rarest pokemon, Darkrai, will be getting a North American debut. As Pokemon Diamond and Pearl players know, Darkrai is only available at special, official Nintendo events. At these events, players can download a special item to their DS units. They then go to any pokecenter in the game to receive the Member’s Card item. This card allows players to enter the locked Canalave Inn and battle Darkrai.

Nintendo takes four of the top five spots in NPD Group’s May 2007 sales report, the with the top spot remaining Pokémon Diamond which sold more than 331.2 thousand units in the US. Activision’s Spider-Man 3 broke the streak to grab the number 3 slot and, with the help of Mario Party 8, break up the Diamond and Pearl Pokémon duo.

Read more for console sales numbers for May 2007…