Nintendo begins Pokémon campaign

Nintendo has announced plans to start a preorder campaign for the upcoming releases of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire for the Game Boy Advance. Consumers who preorder either game will receive a special limited-edition holographic Pokémon collector's coin. Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire will feature more than 100 new Pokémon and allow players to use two Pokémon at once during a battle.

"The phenomenal sales of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire in Japan illustrate the continuing popularity of the Pokémon franchise," said George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America. "After five years, kids are watching the Pokémon cartoon in record numbers, buying the video games, and collecting Pokémon trading cards--and we have every reason to believe these two Pokémon games will be as huge in North America as they are in Japan."

Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire are scheduled for release on March 17.