Pokémon Global Link or PGL in short, the official website accompanying Pokémon Black & White, has just updated, confirming the accidentally revealed global launch date from a couple of days ago: April 13th. The japanese version of PGL will receive aesthetic enhancements and re-launch on the same date as well.
In order to take advantage of PGL, players will have to make an account on Pokemon.com, a copy of Pokémon Black or White and access to a wireless internet hotspot.
The PGL will be available in seven different languages: Japanese, English, French, German, Italian and Korean. It will allow access to the Pokémon Dream World, an online collection of games which in turn allow the player to transfer special Pokémon and items to their Nintendo DS games, and the Global Battle Union, a ranking and worldwide rating mini-site. In addition to that, players will be able to check the status of the Global Trade Station starting this summer.
Update: Read the official press release after the jump.
Update: Pokémon Global Link has opened, check it out!
BELLEVUE, WA – April 11, 2011-The millions of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video game players around the world can expand their game play experience online with the launch of the Pokémon Global Link on April 13th. For the first time ever, a Pokémon™ video game incorporates dynamic, customizable, Web-only content and online options that make it even easier to communicate with fellow Pokémon Trainers anytime, anywhere. The Pokémon Global Link also provides fun new ways to interact with Pokémon and introduces battling features found online and in your Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems. Starting April 13th, players can use Game Sync-a feature of the C-Gear in the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games-to seamlessly sync their game play to the Pokémon Global Link via the Internet at www.pokemon-gl.com. A computer with broadband Internet access and a Pokémon Trainer Club account (which can be easily obtained for free at www.pokemon.com) are required to log in to the Pokémon Global Link.
The Pokémon Global Link launches with two main features to enhance the game play of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, with more exciting content to come. The Pokémon Dream World allows players to interact with their favorite Pokémon characters and other Trainers in a customizable Web-only setting that comes alive with minigames and other fun activities. At the Global Battle Union, players can check weekly ratings online and access to-be-announced battle features in the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games.
After a player “tucks in” a Pokémon using Game Sync, he or she can enter that Pokémon’s dreams online in the Pokémon Dream World-a brand-new Pokémon destination with a unique watercolor look. While visiting the Pokémon Dream World, players can befriend various Pokémon not found in the Unova region by successfully completing various minigames. These newly befriended Pokémon can be transferred into Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version and trained for battle! The Pokémon you’ve tucked in will have a home in the Pokémon Dream World that you can customize and decorate as you like, plus a garden where you can grow Berries. Berries and other items discovered in the Pokémon Dream World will be kept in your Treasure Chest and can be transferred into Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. The Pokémon Dream World also allows for easy interaction with other Pokémon Trainers. Visit fellow Trainers’ homes, help them grow Berries, and share items with other players exploring the Pokémon Dream World!
After syncing with the Pokémon Global Link, players can also visit the Global Battle Union to view online battle content and unlock new battle features in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. At the Global Battle Union, players can check their worldwide match Rankings and Ratings. In order for a player’s match Rankings and Ratings to appear in the Global Battle Union, that player must first gain access to Random Matchup Rating Mode in his or her copy of Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version, available only after a player creates a Pokémon Trainer Club account and logs in to the Pokémon Global Link. Results from Random Matchups played in the video games will also appear in the Global Battle Union.
The Pokémon Company International will offer special Pokémon character and item distributions via the Pokémon Global Link throughout the year, allowing players to easily transfer limited-time-only Pokémon and items into their copy of Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version. Right now, players with a Pokémon Trainer Club account can visit www.pokemon.com and try out the Play to Befriend a Pokémon game in the Pokémon Fun Zone for a chance to meet one of Eevee’s seven evolutions in the Pokémon Dream World later this spring! And just as with any other Pokémon befriended in the Pokémon Dream World, players will be able to transfer it into their copy of Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version.
“The PokémonGlobal Link further expands the world of Pokémon and enhances the global connectivity of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon has always been about communicating and battling with others, and the Pokémon Global Link has taken that philosophy to a new and exciting level.”
To begin exploring the Pokémon Global Link, please visit www.pokemon-gl.com.
For more information about the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games, please visit www.PokemonBlackWhite.com.