Puzzle Your Way To Free Pokémon!

14th March 2006 - Get set to experience a whole new dimension to the world of Pokémon, as Pokémon Link! the all-new slide action puzzle adventure launches exclusively on the Nintendo DS. Providing an exciting new addition to the Pokémon series, Pokémon Link! is available across Europe on the 5th May 2006.

Featuring over 380 characters from the Game Boy Advance Pokémon video game series, Pokémon Link challenges players to line up four of their favourite Pokémon icons in a row as they drop onto the game screen. Using the Nintendo DS's stylus and touch screen, players must move the icons horizontally or vertically to join up four of the same type. Once a line is formed 'Link Chance' occurs and the icons are cleared from the screen and collected in the players 'Link List'. By strategically moving Pokémon into certain formations, players can obtain higher scores with a 'chain reaction' where icons falling into cleared spaces create further 'Links'. To help form chains, for a short time after a successful link, a link of three Pokémon instead of four will clear, followed by a link of two.

Further to the sliding puzzle mode, an all-new adventure mode brings this exciting and unique new Pokémon world to life. Fans must guide secret agent Lucy Fleetfoot through this world on a mission to rescue stolen Pokémon from the evil organisation, "Phobos". In this epic adventure she will encounter Pokémon of all shapes and sizes from every previously released game.

For a chance to battle against friends, players can make use of the Nintendo DS's wireless functionality in 'Link Battle Mode', or join forces with them in 'Pair Link Mode' to challenge the game's high score in a co-op. Pokémon Link also allows players to compare scores with those of their friends through the games "Ranking Stats" facility. What's more, rare Pokémon are much more likely to appear in multiplayer modes, making this a must for the dedicated collector.

By using the 'Download Play' function of the Nintendo DS, players can enjoy Pokémon Link with their friends, even if they do not own a copy of the game! 'Pokémon Link! Mini' allow players to enjoy battle and pair Link modes with just one game card.

Pokémon Link! also features an 'Espionage Mode', which works in a similar way to 'bark mode' seen in Nintendogs. Players can create an 'Agent Card' featuring their nickname and message. When passing another DS in 'espionage mode' the agent cards will be traded. Collecting these cards also increases the chance to find rare Pokémon.

With four exciting modes to experience and new and exciting visuals, Pokémon Link! will appeal to young and old Pokémon fans alike when it launches across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 5th May 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30

Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo.

For further information please contact the Nintendo Press Office

on 020 7307 3103

Notes to editors:

About Nintendo

Nintendo Co., Ltd. of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games worldwide and more than 350 million hardware units globally, creating such industry icons as Mario^® and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda^® and Pokémon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems, including the Nintendo 64, NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy - the world's best-selling video game system which has sold over 180 million units. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.