Fixing Warped Cards

If you've played the Pokemon TCG for any length of time, you've probably had this happen: One or more of the foil cards in your deck has warped and sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. Getting your cards flat again can be a tricky task. But before you spend the money to get replacement cards, try one of these techniques suggested by the folks at the Pokegym:

1. Take a tube that will accomodate the card (such as a TP tube), insert the card so it bends in the opposite direction of the warp, push it gently against the walls of the tube, and quickly (this is key - you don't want it warped in the opposite direction!) pull it out.
2. Place the card(s) under several heavy books (schoolbooks, old encyclopedias) overnight.
3. Put the card(s) under an old T-shirt and iron at a medium setting for a few minutes, then place the card in a book under a heavy weight overnight. I wouldn't try this with any valuable cards, however.
4. Place the card(s) in a book, then place the book in the freezer for a while. Weird, but it suppsedly works.

Reshiram/Zekrom Nintendo WiFi Download

From now until April 8, anyone in Europe, North America, or Australia with a copy of Pokemon Black or White can download a Reshiram (Pokemon White) or Zekrom (Pokemon Black) from Nintendo WiFi. These Pokemon are at Level 100, carry a Dragon Gem (which grants a one-time boost of a Dragon-type attack), and have the exclusive moves Mist (Reshiram) or Haze (Zekrom). These special Pokemon also unlock a special area in the Dream World where you can play a mini-game to unlock a very special C-Gear skin.

Also, you can get a Victini doll to decorate your Dream World home. The password is: PGLVICTNI12.

Pokemon Black and White 2: Electric (and Fiery) Boogaloo

Last Saturday, Pokemon Black and White 2 were officially announced - first on on Japanese TV, and on the offical websites soon after. This marks the first time the "third" installment of a Pokemon game was an actual sequel, as opposed to a remake with more bells and whistles. Two new forms of Kyurem have also been revealed, both of them fusions with either Reshiram (in White 2) or Zekrom (in Black 2). (Personally, I think Black Kyurem (the Zekrom fusion) is way cooler-looking than White Kyurem (the Reshiram fusion), but to each their own.)

The games are scheduled to be released in June 2012 in Japan and fall 2012 in Europe and the Americas. More info as it appears.

News has been slow....

Not much has been going on in the Pokemon world as of late (save for Keldeo's official revelation), so I've been taking some time to enjoy life. Counting down to States, attending my local Leagues (and growing my own), tearing my hair out trying to get the new Pokemon-EX - yeah, life's been good.

Internet Quote of the Whenever: White Irony

"The funny thing about white supremacists is that all the reasons they give for white people being superior to black people would make Asian people superior to them."

"Nova" on the Alternate History Discussion Board, February 4, 2012.

Oh God! Arceus in the Dream World (plus more Mewtwo stuff)

Pokemon Trainers voted, and Nintendo listened! From now until May 1, Arceus will be available internationally via Global Link. The Alpha Pokemon is Level 100 and knows Recover, Hyper Beam, Perish Song, and Judgment. The password is ARCEUSVOTE.

In related news, there is some confusion over the end date of the Mewtwo Wi-Fi giveaway (which starts tomorrow). Most press releases say February 26, whereas Pokemon.com says March 6. Regardless of the date, it's a good idea to snap Mewtwo up as soon as you can.

For those of you who frequent the Pokemon TCG Online website, a Mewtwo T-shirt is available for your online avatar. For those of you who don't want to play the Trainer Club Spin game on the main site, the password is MEWTWO2012.

Mewtwo-A-Go-Go

The Pokemon world has gone crazy over Mewtwo lately, thanks to the upcoming release of EX:Next Destinies and the highly anticipated Mewtwo EX card. Shortly after the release of Next Destinies on February 8, a special Mewtwo Collection box containing two Next Destinies packs, a Mewtwo EX jumbo card, a cool Mewtwo figure, an exclusive Battle City Stadium card promo, and (of course) a Pokemon TCG Online code card, will be released.

If the video games are more of your bag, then there's good news for you as well: a special Mewtwo will be given out via Nintendo WiFi. The Level 70 Mewtwo will have a random nature, hold a King's Rock, and know a move Mewtwo doesn't ordinarily know: Electro Ball. The promotion starts February 12.

To learn more about Mewtwo and EX:Next Destinies (and to download some cool wallpapers in the process!), you can go to Pokemon.com's mini-site here.