Pokémon X & Y may have been released last October, but we suspect a number of players are still actively playing online, strengthening their teams and utilising the Pokémon Bank. Competitive tournaments are also coming up in the Spring and Summer, with regional tournaments culminating in the World Championships later in the year.
Nintendo UK is offering an opportunity to warm up for the official tournaments, and win attractive prizes, with its own Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014. Beginning on 1st March there'll be a number of qualifying tournaments held around the UK in GAME stores and shopping centres, with a grand final for regional winners in London on 26th April.
Locations and prizes — including a trip to Japan and official tournament fast-tracking — are outlined below:
Bullring, Birmingham - 1st March
GAME Churchill Square, Brighton - 1st March
GAME Murraygate, Dundee – 2nd March
Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle - 8th March
GAME Hamleys, London - 8th March
GAME St. David’s Centre, Cardiff - 8th March
WestQuay, Southampton - 15th March
GAME Meadowhall, Sheffield - 15th March
GAME Castle Street, Banbury - 15th March
Bluewater, Kent - 22nd March
GAME Back Of The Inns, Norwich - 22nd March
GAME Victoria Centre, Nottingham - 22nd March
Intu Trafford Centre, Manchester - 29th March
GAME Westfield Stratford City, London – 29th March
Intu Braehead, Glasgow - 5th April
GAME Cribbs Causeway, Bristol – 5th AprilUltimate Pokémon Expert - The winner of the prestigious “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title – a category open to those aged thirteen years or older - will earn themselves a week-long trip for two to Japan, the birthplace of Pokémon. They’ll be able to immerse themselves in the Pokémon world by visiting the Pokémon Center and also explore all of the sights of Tokyo. Recommended for seasoned Pokémon players the “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title will test your Pokémon skills to the limit. The first and second place winners in the Ultimate Pokémon Expert category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the official Play! Pokémon UK VGC event this Spring.
Junior Expert - Younger Pokémon Trainers (12 or under) itching to compete can enter the “Junior Expert” category. In this competition, a weekend trip for the whole family to Alton Towers theme park with hotel stay is up for grabs, for whoever comes out victorious. The first and second place winners in the Junior Expert age category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the UK Pokémon Video Game Championships event this Spring.
Ultimate Team - The “Ultimate Team” competition is exclusively for two family members (one aged 16 or older, and one 12 or under) who want to team up and take on other families in a four-player Double Battle. Successful teams will have the chance to win a £250 Nintendo UK Online Store voucher and a group trip for four to one of the world’s best gaming shows: EGX London 2014. This event takes place in Earls Court London, from 25th – 28th September and offers visitors the chance to play the biggest games before they are released.
Pokémon Apprentice - New enthusiasts can enter the “Pokémon Apprentice” title; where complete newcomers to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y can battle it out to receive a mega bundle of Nintendo 3DS games up to the value of £300.
If you're interested in testing your mettle and going for big prizes you can register for the events and get full details on the official website. Are any of you in the UK planning to take part?
[source microsite.nintendo-europe.com]
Comments 16
Great two game stores within half an hour might actually go to this but need to practice first.
What a surprise! If you want to win anything you have to travel all the way down to crappy London as usual.
@RainbowGazelle Birmingham, Glasgow & Newcastle all famously being in London I take it?
My only annoyance is that us older players get lumped in with the expert players again, while there are people with lots of experience out there, it's also the hardest time to pick up battling.
I'll drop by the Cardiff one for the street pass hits.
@RainbowGazelle I see plenty of options so I can't see why you are complaining.
Because of course NoA couldn't do anything like this.
Man... I could really use an all-expenses paid trip to Japan.
Any idea on the rules? I've had a look around the various sites but can't see anything. I'd assume it'd be similar to VGC confirmation would be good.
Edit: Found it, hidden amongst the T&C: "Prescribed tournament rules will adhere to the Standard Format Style, Double Battle Flat Rules as set out by the official rules for the VCG '14 Season, as written by The Pokémon Company International. A full copy of the rules will be available to you at the event and form part of these terms and conditions. Please read this document carefully before taking part."
I am all over this! Looking forward to it!
Northern Ireland is part of the UK but we never get anything
@Jazzer94 @DanteSolablood I said if you want to actually win anything. These are the regional heats. The final, where you win the prizes, is in London. Perhaps, read the article?
Does anyone know why it won't let me add my brother's birthday in the Ultimate team? It only goes down to 2002 but he was born in October 2001, so he is 12 or under.
@RainbowGazelle Okay I admit I was a bit hasty but where else are they going to hold the finals but the capital of the country.
@Jazzer94 Somewhere in the middle of the UK would be nice for a change. Then people in the North wouldn't be as far away. It doesn't have to be in the capital.
Would be cool if NL hosted a tournament too :3
gosh dangit its not for 'merica
@JubilifeRival Don't see why you're complaining tbh, Americans usually get the better nintendo related stuff more than the UK people do.
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