Pokémon Day 2023, the annual fan-focused, pop-culture holiday celebrating the launch of the original Pokémon video games on February 27, 1996, a special Pokémon Presents video presentation was streamed online to fans around the world.
During the presentation, The Pokémon Company group announced new experiences coming to the globally popular entertainment franchise in 2023.
Highlights included the reveal of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, new DLC for the blockbuster Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games; Pokémon Concierge, a new stop-motion Netflix series; Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic, a premium Pokémon TCG set; a much-anticipated update about Pokémon Sleep; the Pokémon GO Plus + device; newly discovered Pokémon; multiple in-game events for current titles; and more.
Additionally, in celebration of Pokémon’s global fanbase on Pokémon Day, The Pokémon Company International revealed a digital mosaic in the style of the iconic Poké Ball.
The mosaic is composed of photos and videos submitted by fans showcasing their passion for Pokémon as part of a full-year brand campaign inviting them to “Pokémon Together.”
“Pokémon Day is the most exciting day of the year for Trainers, and we’re honored to ‘Celebrate Pokémon Together’ with them by revealing what’s next for the ever-evolving franchise,” said Kenji Okubo, president of The Pokémon Company International. “As we invite fans to ‘Pokémon Together’ in 2023, these new experiences across the brand reflect the growing world of Pokémon and the many ways it continues to connect and bring joy to people of all ages around the world.”
NEW GAME EXPERIENCES, ENTERTAINMENT, AND PRODUCTS:
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero for Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet: Downloadable Content
Global sales of the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games for the Nintendo Switch family of systems surpassed 10 million combined units in the first three days following their worldwide launch on November 18, 2022—the highest global sales for any software on any Nintendo platform in that same timeframe. The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will take fans deeper into the world of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet with two different adventures—Part 1: Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask, launching in fall 2023, and Part 2: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Indigo Disk, releasing at a later date. Fans can purchase The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero now on Nintendo eShop. To learn more about The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, please visit here.
Pokémon Concierge
Growing its diverse lineup of entertainment offerings, The Pokémon Company, in partnership with Netflix, unveiled a brand-new series titled Pokémon Concierge, which expands the Pokémon world with a new storyline and innovative stop-motion animation. Developed in collaboration with dwarf studios, Pokémon Concierge will be set at the Pokémon Resort and follows the story of a concierge named Haru and the many Pokémon that visit as guests. Fans can catch a first glimpse of the new series with the teaser trailerthat was also revealed today. For more information about Pokémon Concierge, please visit the Netflix Newsroom.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic
Created as a collaboration among The Pokémon Company, Creatures Inc., and design firm nendo, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is a premium Pokémon TCG set that is designed to last a lifetime. Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic contains everything fans need to play the Pokémon TCG, including preconstructed decks and gameplay accessories—all of which have been uniquely designed to be both beautiful and functional to deliver a polished battling experience.[1] More information about Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic can be found here.
Pokémon Sleep and Pokémon GO Plus +
First announced in May 2019, Pokémon Sleep aims to offer a fun and enriching experience to Trainers by having a player’s time spent sleeping—and the time they wake up—affect the gameplay. Today it was announced that Pokémon Sleep is slated to launch in summer 2023 for iOS and Android devices. Fans will join Professor Neroli—who studies Pokémon sleep styles—and Snorlax, to carry out research into how Pokémon sleep.
The Pokémon GO Plus + accessory uses Bluetooth® Low Energy technology to link with smartphone apps for use in Pokémon GO and Pokémon Sleep gameplay. For Pokémon GO, the Pokémon GO Plus + enables players to throw Poké Balls automatically. Pokémon Sleep players can use the device to track their sleep in conjunction with their smartphones. The Pokémon GO Plus + will be available on July 14, 2023.
More information about Pokémon Sleep and Pokémon GO Plus + can be found here.
IN-GAME EVENTS:
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
From Monday, February 27, to Sunday, March 12, 2023, a Tera Raid Battle event will take place in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Trainers will encounter two newly discovered Paradox Pokémon: Walking Wake in Pokémon Scarlet and Iron Leaves in Pokémon Violet. For full details about these new Pokémon and the in-game event, please visit here.
Pokémon GO
Starting at 7:00 a.m. PST on Monday, February 27, 2023, Trainers will be able to connect Pokémon Scarletand Pokémon Violet to Pokémon GO. New gameplay experiences will be available in each game after they’ve been connected, including new ways to interact with Vivillon and Roaming Form Gimmighoul. To learn more about these updates, please visit here.
Pokémon UNITE
In celebration of Pokémon Day, the Legendary Pokémon Zacian will join the fray in Pokémon UNITE. From Sunday, February 26, at 8:00 p.m. PST to Sunday, March 26, at 4:59 p.m. PDT, players can roll dice they receive by logging in (and through other means) to advance squares on a board. They can earn adventure coins by completing missions on each square and then exchange them for Zacian’s Unite license. To commemorate Pokémon Day, players can use a gift code (POKEMONDAY) to get a gold Zacian Pokémon boost emblem, which has useful effects in battle. More information about this event can be found here.
Pokémon Café ReMix
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly have just arrived from the Paldea region to join Pokémon Café ReMix. Players can choose one of the three to join their staff if they play the event that’s now under way. A new dish, Paldea plate, inspired by Paldea Pokémon, will also appear. The Welcome from Paldea event will take place from Monday, February 27, to Friday, March 17, 2023. More information about this event can be found here.
Pokémon Masters EX
Trainers can celebrate Pokémon Day and Pokémon Masters EX’s 3.5 Year Anniversary with special log-in bonuses and new master sync pairs. Those who log in today will receive 3,000 gems as a celebratory gift. Trainers can also log in throughout the coming weeks to claim additional bonuses, such as a 5★ Champion Select Scout Ticket and 10-Pair Scout Tickets.
COMPETITIVE LIVE EVENTS:
2023 Pokémon World Championships
The 2023 Pokémon World Championships will be hosted in Japan for the first time ever, taking place at the PACIFICO Yokohama. Today, The Pokémon Company International announced the dates of the event, August 11–13, and revealed special artwork that Trainers can look forward to seeing thematically included across all touchpoints of the massive competitive event. Participants will battle in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE for the title of World Champion.