Pokémon Center

Once again the lucky folks over here on the east coast of the US, specifically those in the New York area, have yet another cool PokéSurprise.. This time it's a Pokémon sales kiosk inside the Times Square Toys 'R' Us store. Details:

NEW YORK — June 5, 2007 — With its flagship brand reinvigorated by the success of the latest Pokemon video games and the debut of a new season of its television series, Pokemon USA will open a boutique in Toys “R” Us Times Square on June 6, 2007 for a one month promotion featuring “an extensive collection” of licensed merchandise, including several exclusives.

The boutique, open through July 5, 2007 on TRU Times Square’s second floor, will offer products ranging from action figures and plush to backpacks and T-shirts. Among the assortment are exclusive Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl action figures from master toy licensee Jakks Pacific based on new characters from the property’s latest video games and season 10 of the Pokemon animated TV series, which began airing this week on Cartoon Network. In addition, the new Pokémon Trading Card Game: Diamond & Pearl 3-Pack booster blister will also be available one week earlier at the store — starting June 15 — than anywhere else. The store is located at the corner of Broadway and 44th Street NYC, NY.

In addition to product, fans will be able to watch the recently released movie Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea on a big screen monitor in the boutique.

“Pokémon fans of all ages are in for the thrill of the summer when they visit our boutique at Toys ‘R’ Us Times Square,” said Caryl Liebmann, Pokemon USA’s director of retail development and promotions. “The boutique will be brimming with exciting new Diamond and Pearl merchandise, as well as other Pokémon items that will be available for a limited time only. This is an amazing opportunity to celebrate the rich world of Pokémon and will inspire kids who want to add all the new characters to their collection.”

More than 1 million copies of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl for the Nintendo DS were sold in the titles' first five days at retail, making them the fastest-selling Pokémon games since the franchise’s U.S. introduction almost a decade ago. According to independent sales data gathered by the NPD Group, the two best-selling video games in April were Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

Sources: PPN News Services, www.pokemon.com