Upper Deck Forced to Settle with Konami
Posted Wednesday, 2/3/2010 by PPNSteve

UPPER DECK FORCED TO SETTLE WITH KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AFTER ADMITTING TO COUNTERFEITING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME CARDS

The Upper Deck Company permanently barred from acting as an authorized distributor of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

El Segundo, CA - February 3, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) is pleased to announce that it has resolved its litigation against The Upper Deck Company (Upper Deck), KDE's former distributor of its immensely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG). The lawsuit was settled to Konami's satisfaction following opening statements during the trial in Federal Court in Los Angeles (Ca, USA) on January 26, 2010.

"At this point, Upper Deck doesn't have a lot of Life Points. We're talking about behavior that, from a defense attorney's standpoint, I can't defend and I am not going to defend," noted attorney Richard Howell, of Rutan & Tucker, who represented The Upper Deck Company during the trial. "I'm here defending a counterfeiter. And now I have to deal with that issue."

"We are extremely pleased with the successful resolution of our case against Upper Deck," said Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman of KDE. "Konami's goal is and has been to protect Duelists from counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards and to protect the integrity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. This goal was achieved when Upper Deck was prohibited for eternity from distributing counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards and from holding itself out as the authorized distributor of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG."

"This entire situation came as a huge shock to us. As a company that has based their entire business model on producing authentic entertainment and sports licensed products, Upper Deck went against their very core beliefs by counterfeiting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Cards," commented KDE's Vice President of Card Business Yumi Hoashi. "It was very disheartening to learn that a trusted business partner would take these actions to dupe us and the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG community."

"As a leading company in this card industry, Upper Deck should have known more than well that counterfeit activities would irreparably harm the trust of Duelists and the integrity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand," said KDE's Hoashi. Upper Deck initially denied those charges and issued press releases announcing that any suggestion that Upper Deck would be involved in counterfeiting activity is "absurd."

Mr. Howell of Rutan & Tucker noted in the opening statement to the jury: "The behavior is still undeniably wrong. And I am in here, as counsel for the two defendants, asking you to hold my clients accountable for that behavior; asking you to hold my clients responsible for this conduct that there is no dispute, and there was no disputing even before this case started today, that it was wrong."

Yu-Gi-Oh! Online Service Gets a Makeover
Posted Wednesday, 2/3/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Revamps Its Popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Online Service for March 2010 Release

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE Accelerates with the Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL ACCELERATOR which is due in March 2010!

El Segundo, CA - February 2, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc, (KDE) is pleased to announce a massive product upgrade for its ever-popular Yu-Gi-Oh!™ ONLINE game, with the advent of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL ACCELERATOR which will be released for the PC in March 2010.

As KDE's Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE enters its fifth year, the publisher added a wealth of new elements, cards and systems for online Duelists. Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL ACCELERATOR provides exciting Duels with the latest characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TV series, and will also feature old favorites such as Yugi, Kaiba, Jaden and Princeton.

Players are invited to create 3D avatars for use in the game, and KDE has enhanced the basic mechanics of online Dueling, too. The most Duelist-friendly change is that Duels will now be played at no cost. Players can buy BOOSTERPASS points to add new cards to their Decks, and these can be acquired by credit card or PayPal. In this new version of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE, players will not only be able to trade cards with other players but also lend cards to their friends and Dueling team members.

Konami has opened free Beta trials of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL ACCELERATOR now, which will continue until the end of February. It can be found at www.yugioh-online.net, and will run alongside the existing Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION service, which will come to an end when Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL ACCELERATOR launches in March.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 2010 Movie Debuts at #6 in Japan
Posted Saturday, 1/30/2010 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie: Super Fusion! Bonds that Transcend Time (Gekijō-ban Yu-Gi-Oh! ~Chō-Yūgō! Jikū o Koeta Kizuna~), celebrating Yu-Gi-Oh! anime's 10th year anniversary, has finally shown in Japanese theaters starting on January 23, 2010.

According to reports, the movie debuted at #6 on Kogyo Tsushinsha's Japan Box Office. The movie features the meeting of the anime's top three duelist: Yugi Mutou (original series), Jaden Yuki (GX) and Yusei Fudo (5D's), to defeat the evil Paradox.

According to Variety and Rentrak Theatrical, the movie was #7 and earned US$1,152,259 in 124 theaters.

Konami Releases Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG Duelist Pack - Yusei 2
Posted Thursday, 1/28/2010 by PPNSteve

Watch Out! The Duelist Pack is Back! Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Releases Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Duelist Pack - Yusei 2 to retailers today.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - January 28 2010 - Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME players anxious to get their hands on some of their favorite cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's television show will be scrambling to stores today as Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. releases Duelist Pack - Yusei 2 - at hobby and retail locations nationwide.

This 30-card Duelist Pack set includes five brand new cards. These exciting cards are mixed with 25 other favorites from Yusei's Deck, making it easier than ever for fans to build Yusei's Deck for themselves. Among the new cards, "Junk Archer," the latest of Yusei's scrap metal Synchro Monsters, has the power to make an opponent's monster vanish every turn. And "Eccentric Boy" makes Synchro Summoning easier than ever, by letting players use Synchro Material Monsters right from the hand!

Easy and affordable (MSRP $1.99 per booster/$3.99 per 2-pack booster blister) Duelist Pack - Yusei 2 - allows new and experienced players to get their hands on some of Yusei's favorite cards to complete their Decks. In addition, every pack also contains one Strategy Tip Card, to help newer players learn how to use these cards.

Duelist Pack - Yusei 2 - 30-card complete set includes:
17 Common Cards (4:1)
Seven Rare Cards (1:1)
Four Super Rare Cards (1:5)
Two Ultra Rare Cards (1:15)
Plus one Strategy Tip Card in every pack

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can be seen Saturday mornings on TheCW4Kids block. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Duelist Pack - Yusei 2 - product, please visit www.yugioh-card.com or call 310-220-8630.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Upper Deck Settles Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Counterfeiting Case
Posted Thursday, 1/28/2010 by PPNSteve

Upper Deck settles Yu-Gi-Oh! Card counterfeiting case, card company to pay Konami Digital Entertainment an undisclosed amount.

The card company Upper Deck has agreed on Tuesday to settle a lawsuit filed by Konami Digital Entertainment (KDE) for counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. The case was set to go to trial on Tuesday after the United States District Court for the Central District of California found Upper Deck liable for the counterfeiting in December. The two parties will submit the terms of settlement, which include a permanent injunction and an undisclosed payment from Upper Deck to KDE, by Friday.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! card game is based on Kazuki Takahashi's manga of the same name, and Upper Deck once distributed the game in North America on behalf of KDE. KDE alleged last year that Upper Deck "distributed and currently is distributing to [the reseller Vintage Sports Cards] and others counterfeit reproductions of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG's 'Rare Cards.'" In December, the court had found Upper Deck liable for federal trademark counterfeiting and infringement, unfair competition under federal and California law, and common law trademark infringement.

Due to a separate preliminary injunction that KDE filed against Upper Deck, Upper Deck had already canceled its Yu-Gi-Oh! events in North America last spring. KDE has since taken over operations related to the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise in North America.

March 9, 2010: Yugioh Tin Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010
Posted Wednesday, 1/27/2010 by PPNSteve

YGO 5D's TCG: Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010 receives a street date of March 9th, 2010 according to Konami.

March 2010: Yugioh Tin Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010

Each Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010 contains: 1 "Starlight Road" Secret Rare card, 3 packs of Duelist Pack - Yusei 2, 1 pack of Ancient Prophecy, 1 Yusei all-foil 3-card promo pack (1 Ultra Rare, 2 Super Rare cards), 1 Beginner's Guide.

Each Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010 includes 1 Secret Rare copy of "Starlight Road" as well as 3 packs of the latest Yusei set: Duelist Pack - Yusei 2, plus 1 pack of Ancient Prophecy. This unbelievable new Trap Card can prevent a player's cards from being destroyed, and as a special bonus it also Special Summons "Stardust Dragon" right out of their Extra Deck! This makes "Starlight Road" one of the most powerful and anticipated cards seen on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series.

As a special treat for fans of Yusei old and new, each Duelist Pack Collection Tin 2010 also includes a special Yusei all-foil 3-card promo pack. Each of these promo packs contains 3 cards used by Yusei on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series, upgraded to foil cards for the first time.

Available on March 9, 2010 priced at $8.50 - $15.00 depending on merchant.

Absolute Powerforce Booster Pack Sneak Peek
Posted Thursday, 1/21/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announces Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Absolute Powerforce Booster Pack Sneak Peek February 6-7, 2010

Booster Packs Feature the Season Finale Monsters from the Dark Signers' Storyline

El Segundo, CA - January 21, 2010 - Continuing its commitment of year-round support to hobby stores nationally, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today announced plans for the company's first Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Sneak Peek event of 2010 featuring the soon-to-be released Absolute Powerforce booster set.

Absolute Powerforce (MSRP $3.99 per nine-card pack) will first be released at Official Tournament Stores participating in KDE's Sneak Peek on either February 6 and/or February 7, depending on the store's preference. The Absolute Powerforce booster set will be available nationwide at those hobby stores not participating in the Sneak Peek event, and at other retailers, on February 16. New for 2010, based on feedback provided by Official Tournament Stores, and beginning with the Absolute Powerforce Sneak Peek, each Duelist will be eligible to play in one Sneak Peek event per day.

Five unbelievable Synchro Monsters anchor the Absolute Powerforce 100-card set, including new trump cards used by Yusei and Jack, as well as the amazing new Sun & Moon Dragons of Rex Goodwin. Absolute Powerforce also includes a brand new X-Saber Synchro Monster and as an added bonus for long-time Duelists, The Gravekeepers return – having first debuted in 2003.

Absolute Powerforce contains 100 cards:
48 Common Cards (8:1)
20 Rare Cards (1:1)
14 Super Rare Cards (1:5)
10 Ultra Rare Cards (1:12)

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can be seen Saturday mornings on TheCW4Kids block. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Absolute Powerforce Sneak Peek, please visit www.yugioh-card.com or call 310-220-8630.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Global Ranking System for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Goes Live
Posted Wednesday, 1/20/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Goes Live with Global Ranking System for the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game

New COSSY System Enables Duelists All Over the World To See Where They Rate Against Peers

El Segundo, CA - January 19, 2010 - Every Duelist wants to know how they measure up against the best in the world – now they'll know as quickly as their Internet connection will allow. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today announced that their new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) global online Duelist rankings system COSSY (Konami Card Game Official Tournament Support System) is now live.

There are now no boundaries with the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG as it is truly a global game with COSSY. Players can register at premier events throughout the year, such as Regional Championships, Continental Championships, SHONEN JUMP Championships and the World Championship, or at Official Tournament Stores to receive their COSSY Identification. A complete list of tournament events can be found at www.yugioh-card.com/en/events.

Players will notice two tabs on the Ranking screen: Preliminary and Verified. Preliminary Rankings are a running total of all results that have been input to date and show how Duelists stack up against each other using the results that have been input so far. Because the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a global game with millions of players there may be delays in importing results. That's where the Verified Rankings come in. When KDE confirms that all results have been input up to a certain time, the rankings become officially verified, showing Duelists where they officially rate against their peers.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can be seen Saturday mornings on TheCW4Kids block. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., and the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME please visit www.yugioh-card.com or call 310-220-8630.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KDE won its lawsuit against The Upper Deck Company
Posted Thursday, 1/14/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc Prevails in Lawsuit against the Upper Deck Company - Trial to Determine Damages to Start in Late January

El Segundo, CA - January 13, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) won a significant victory in its lawsuit against The Upper Deck Company, its one-time distributor of the immensely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG). United States District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank ruled that The Upper Deck Company counterfeited hundreds of thousands of cards from the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and is liable to KDE for those activities.

"We were confident the court would rule in our favor as our cause was just," commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "This ruling shows Duelists, distributors and our hobby and retail partners the great lengths we will go to protect the integrity of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and the products that are on store shelves."

The Upper Deck Company admitted in depositions to printing and importing to the U.S., approximately 611,000 unauthentic Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards, which violated trademark, copyright and unfair competition laws. The bogus Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards were printed in China during 2007 and imported to the U.S. without KDE's knowledge or authorization.

Discovery in the lawsuit revealed that employees of the Upper Deck Company, including its Chairman, Richard McWilliam, participated in a 2008 meeting in Mr. McWilliam's office, where they discussed that the cards made without authorization by Upper Deck did not look authentic enough, and where Upper Deck's chairman then shredded samples of the counterfeit cards.

Additionally, the court threw out Upper Deck's countersuit accusing KDE of breaching the parties' distribution agreement and slandering Upper Deck, ruling that there was no real evidence to support Upper Deck's claims. Trial on Konami's claims for damages is set to begin on January 26, 2010, where a jury will consider whether damages are to be awarded to Konami based on the counterfeiting activities, and if so, in what amount.

"Konami is a good company and it was victimized here," noted Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s lawyer Benjamin J. Fox, a partner at Morrison & Foerster. "The court's orders recognize that. We are very pleased with the decisions so far in this case."

KDE announced in mid-December 2008 that it would assume responsibility for the distribution of its Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME in territories outside of Asia. As the Court's recent ruling confirms, KDE's decision was due to The Upper Deck Company's involvement in printing unauthentic Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. or the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the manufacturer and distributor of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

First 2010 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG SHONEN JUMP Champion Crowned
Posted Tuesday, 1/12/2010 by PPNSteve

Stephen Silverman Wins Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Shonen Jump Championship in L.A., Ca.

PHILADELPHIA'S STEPHEN SILVERMAN CELEBRATES THE NEW YEAR WITH A BANG AS HE DEFEATS HUNDREDS OF DUELISTS TO WIN THE KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sTRADING CARD GAME SHONEN JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP IN LOS ANGELES, CA USA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - January 11, 2010 - At this year's first Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) SHONEN JUMP Championship, held in Los Angeles over the weekend, more than 1600 players showed off their impressive Dueling skills for a chance to be crowned the SHONEN JUMP Championship winner. Stephen Silverman from Philadelphia, PA out-battled the field of 1632 to claim the coveted title at the first of more than a dozen SHONEN JUMP Championships scheduled for 2010.

Silverman matched Michael Anderson from Seattle, card for card for the title after two days of intense Dueling. Prepared for a grueling Match, both competitors were at the top of their game with both Silverman and Anderson playing Lightsworn Decks with "Archlord Kristya" from Stardust Overdrive. Silverman and his peers took home prize packages that included such items as a "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, a Top 16 SHONEN JUMP Championship Game Mat, popular personal video game console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010 Reverse of Arcadia, a copy of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 video game, a popular video game console, a 32 GB personal music player with docking station and speakers, and a complimentary subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine. Silverman will also receive a paid trip to the National Championship in 2010, courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment.

Top finalists from the Los Angeles SHONEN JUMP Championship, along with the top Duelists from the Sunday Regional Qualifiers, also qualify to participate in the 2010 National Championship.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Duelists at the Ready!
Posted Friday, 1/8/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami dates the new World Championship Yu-Gi-Oh! title for Nintendo DS

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced it will release Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia for Nintendo DS in March 2010.

Designed as the ultimate incarnation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME for Nintendo DS, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia marries intricate storylines and new gameplay features making for the most detailed and exhaustive Yu-Gi-Oh! experience on this platform to date.

The DS game game spans a number of strong game modes, inviting users to compete in story mode or enjoy a free duel mode against Jack, Yusei or any of 20 new characters as players take on the Dark Signers in an epic battle to settle the score between light and dark.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia includes three exclusive trading cards in package and will be released for Nintendo DS in March 2010. Click here for more information on this game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG Twilight Edition Released
Posted Thursday, 1/7/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Embarks on a Year of Spectacular Releases with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Twilight Edition

The world's best-selling trading card game (TGC) - Yu-Gi-Oh! - just got better: check out the brand new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game: Twilight Edition!

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game: Twilight Edition combines the booster packs that brought you the best of the game's LIGHT and DARK monsters from the last two years, including Phantom Darkness (the original debut of Dark End Dragon) and Light of Destruction (which featured Judgment Dragon). Twilight Edition also gives you easy access to one of the most recent powerful cards, the Ultra Rare variant card Honest, which was originally released as a Secret Rare card in 2008's Light of Destruction and quickly became one of the most wanted cards for Tournament-level play. Honest is a key card in many top Decks for today's competitive tournament scene.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - January 5, 2010 - Looking for a New Year's resolution that can be kept? No need to give up sweets, caffeine or lose weight. Make a pact to experience the world's best-selling trading card game, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and what better way to keep to that resolve than by playing with cards from Twilight Edition, Konami Digital Entertainment Inc.'s first introduction for 2010.

This Edition combines the booster packs that brought us the best of the game's LIGHT and DARK monsters from the last two years, including Phantom Darkness (the original debut of "Dark End Dragon") and Light of Destruction (which featured "Judgment Dragon,") and Twilight Edition also allows all fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME to have easy access to one of the most recent powerful cards, the Ultra Rare variant card "Honest"! "Honest" was originally released as a Secret Rare card in 2008's Light of Destruction and quickly became one of the most sought-after cards for Tournament-level play. "Honest" is a key card in many top Decks for today's competitive tournament scene.

"Twilight Deck" is the term many players have adopted for a Deck mixing LIGHT and DARK monsters such as Lightsworn monsters, "Dark Armed Dragon," and "Honest." Twilight Decks recently topped the mammoth SHONEN JUMP Championship tournaments in Austin, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, in October and November of last year. As many Duelists know, combining LIGHT and DARK together can make for one of the strongest Decks that exist, and Twilight Edition makes building that awesome Deck easy to do with one booster pack of Light of Destruction, a pack of Phantom Darkness and a Tactical Evolution pack included in each box! Twilight Edition is available now for $9.99 at hobby and retail stores nationwide.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can be seen Saturday mornings on TheCW4Kids block. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Twilight Edition product, please visit www.yugioh-card.com or call 310-220-8630.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Shonen Jump Championship Side Events Announced
Posted Wednesday, 1/6/2010 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment Announces Side Events for January's Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Shonen Jump Championship in Los Angeles Jan 9-10, 2010

22 Billion Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Sold Making it the World's Best Selling TRADING CARD GAME of All Time!

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - January 6, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s (KDE) Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) SHONEN JUMP Championship (January 9-10, 2010) in Los Angeles offers a plethora of side events for fans attending this premier event.

Over the course of the weekend, Yu-Gi-Oh! video and console game players interested in getting a jump on the competition for the Video Game World Championship in 2010 won't want to miss the chance to try out Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010 Reverse of Arcadia. Duelists looking to battle their friends online won't want to miss the chance to test out the soon-to-be-released Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's game. The online action doesn't stop there - KDE will also have demos available for the revamped Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE - DUEL ACCELERATOR. Be sure to stop by and get an insider's look at all of these upcoming titles! You can also check out Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4.

Looking for more TCG action? Make sure to check out the brand-new Pegasus League Side Event tournaments! Where else can you show off your creative deck-building skills while winning Turbo Pack 2 boosters? Decks used for Pegasus League Side Events must be constructed to a specific format, so be sure to check out the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME website for the latest Pegasus League format information, at www.yugioh-card.com/en/events/league. Make room in your Dueling schedule for an ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!! tournament, too - for the first time ever, KDE is offering four World Premiere cards from Absolute Powerforce as Giant Card prizes. Come be the first to see these cards!

KDE's SHONEN JUMP Championship in Los Angeles takes place January 9-10, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The registration fee is $20, and each player will receive five booster packs just for participating. The top three finalists from the SHONEN JUMP Championship will receive the highly sought-after "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, along with the winners of the Side Event Playoffs held on Sunday.

For more information on SHONEN JUMP Championship Los Angeles, consult the FAQ posted on the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website, at www.yugioh-card.com/en/events.

SHONEN JUMP Championship Los Angeles details:
The Los Angeles Convention Center SHONEN JUMP Championship will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. for registration with Round One beginning at 10:00 a.m. The top 16 finalists for the SHONEN JUMP Championship, along with the top Duelists of the Sunday Regional Qualifiers, earn invites to participate in their respective countries' 2010 National Championships.

The Los Angeles stop in the SHONEN JUMP Championship tour will offer exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG side events for both Saturday and Sunday which include Win-A-Mat tournaments for all ages, and Dragon Duel tournaments for Duelists aged 12 and under. There will also be 2010 Regional Qualifier tournaments on Sunday.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's DUEL TERMINAL AVAILABLE TO OFFICIAL U.S. TOURNAMENT STORES
Posted Sunday, 1/3/2010 by PPNSteve

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - December 21, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE), the manufacturer of the global sensation, Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG), today is pleased to announce it is making the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's DUEL TERMINAL only available to official Tournament Stores in the U.S. The DUEL TERMINALs are arcade-style video game machines that play and teach the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and dispense cards to players.

"After witnessing the excitement of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG players for the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's DUEL TERMINAL throughout Japan, we are excited to finally bring them to official Tournament Stores in the United States," commented Yumi Hoashi, vice president of Card Business for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's DUEL TERMINAL provides both new and existing players the opportunity to experience the highly strategic characteristics of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME in a casual manner."

"The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's DUEL TERMINAL perfectly complements the game play of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and allows Konami Digital Entertainment to create new synergies within our corporate business units," added Naoki Okada, vice president of Amusement for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "The distribution of the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s DUEL TERMINALs will increase the overall exposure for the brand to new consumers at the hobby store level which will further strengthen the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME brand."

YU-GI-OH! 5D's WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2010: REVERSE OF ARCADIA
Posted Thursday, 12/17/2009 by PPNSteve

KONAMI ANNOUNCES YU-GI-OH! 5D's WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2010: REVERSE OF ARCADIA FOR NINTENDO DS

Follow-Up to the Smash Hit Brings All-New Gameplay Elements Including 3,500 Playable Cards, Duelist Calculator, Worldwide Leaderboards and Wi-Fi Rankings

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - December 16, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia for Nintendo DS™. Torn from the immensely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series in TheCW4Kids block on The CW Television Network and on Cartoon Network. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia marries intricate storylines and new gameplay features making for the most robust Yu-Gi-Oh! experience to ever hit the Nintendo DS!

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia's story mode proceeds with a parallel story arch from the animated series involving the reprise of the Dark Signers and their quest for supremacy over New Domino City. After being banned to the Underworld, these Earthbound Immortals will stop at nothing to overthrow the rule of New Domino City and destroy Satellite. To defeat them, players will enlist the help of some of their favorite characters from the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe! Compete in story mode or free duel mode against Jack, Yusei or any of the 20 new characters to take on the Dark Signers in an epic battle to settle the score between light and dark!

The latest iteration of Yu-Gi-Oh! for the Nintendo DS expands on gameplay features to make this the biggest Yu-Gi-Oh! game with the most robust feature set EVER! Players now have 3,500 cards, including cards from the Absolute Powerforce series, to compete against friends or players worldwide via Wi-Fi connection. New features allow players to battle for the ultimate bragging rights by viewing leaderboards including their last 20 battles or using the new Wi-Fi ranking system to track win percentages against other duelists worldwide by elevating and decreasing their ranking based on the strength of opponents. With 3,500 cards, players can utilize the new Duelist Calculator to help quickly and accurately calculate attack and defense points while battling opponents! In addition, the Turbo Dueling, race mechanics have been enhanced to include obstacles, puzzles, hidden pathways and increased collection points. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia includes three exclusive trading cards in package.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010: Reverse of Arcadia is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2010 on Nintendo DS. For more information and screenshots, please visit: http://www.konami.com/yugioh

©1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI ©2008 NAS· TV TOKYO

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

"KONAMI" is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2008 Nintendo.

New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG Card Sleeves and Portfolios
Posted Tuesday, 12/1/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Helps Duelists Protect Their Favorite Cards with New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Card Sleeves and Portfolios

High-Quality Glossy Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME Sleeves Available for the First Time in North America

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - December 1, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE), the makers of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG), know Duelists enjoy showing off their card collection just as much as crushing an opponent. With this in mind, KDE is pleased to make available to players in the United States new high-quality card sleeves with the most current and remarkable Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's monster, starting with Majestic Star Dragon from Stardust Overdrive!

The card sleeves are the first products to be released in a proposed new line of card game accessories from KDE in 2010. The card sleeves, (MSRP $3.99), are the perfect way to show off your collection to other Duelists. The 50-card pack of sleeves is enough to protect most Duelists' Decks.

In addition, the company is also releasing a binder-sized ten-page card portfolio (each page has nine pockets) designed to protect and highlight individual collections. The nine-pocket U.S. version is in contrast to previously released versions, which hold only four cards per page. The nine-pocket Majestic Star Dragon Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG portfolio will have an MSRP of $9.99.

The new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card sleeves and nine-pocket portfolios will be available in January 2010.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the new card sleeves and portfolios, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

New iDuelpro - Yu-gi-oh! Calculator v3.6 hits the iTunes App Store
Posted Thursday, 11/26/2009 by PPNSteve

New iDuelpro v3.6 - Yu-gi-oh! Calculator hits the iTunes App Store

Today, after some delay, version 3.6 of PhoenxSoftware's Yu-gi-oh Calculator for iPhone & iPod Touch, iDuelpro was approved and added to the iTunes App Store. The price remains the same at $0.99 each. You can download it here on our downloads page.

This update is the biggest ever with 16 changes, the biggest are the settings panel where you can set the players their names, the initial lifepoints and watch statistics of previous duels and the new virtual field where you can play around with tokens and spell counters.

This update is a welcome addition to the most used Yu-gi-oh! calculator on earth and takes care of nearly all user suggestions.

Here's a full list of all new features and updates :

• Ability to change the player's names
• Ability to change the lifepoints base value from 8000 to 4000 or 2000
• Win/Loss/Draw counter in a statistics section
• Automated function to calculate your Victory percentage
• Added a function to reset statistics
• Added support for up to 19.980 spell counters on a virtual field
• Added support tokens on a virtual field
• Ability to toggle sides when using customized names
• Added a settings panel
• Added a twitter link to stay up to date on the latest iDuelpro news
• New snappier "custom lifepoint" and "preset" dialogs
• Fixed "Display wrong grammar on victory" bug
• Minor changes to make the top bar blend in with the GUI
• New online PDF help file with screenshots
• Various changes to the interface
• New Splash screen

Konami Revives Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Duelist League
Posted Wednesday, 11/25/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Revives Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Duelist League

League is for Duelists 14 and Under

EL SEGUNDO, CA. - November 24, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) is bringing the fun and innovation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) to Duelists 14 & under, in a special program just for them. The Duelist League, unveiled in August at Gen Con Indy, is a great way for players new to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG to hone their Dueling skills in an exciting, no-pressure environment.

The Duelist League is the perfect platform to draw new players to hobby stores and is a great opportunity to show new players (and their parents) how much fun can be had at an official event. The Duelist League enables first time Duelists and younger players to learn the nuances of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in a supervised environment.

Here's how it works: Each Duelist League runs for a two-hour window at a time and day chosen by the shop owner. Entry costs just $5 and each participant is guaranteed to get a cool prize card for participating.

Each young Duelist receives three Duelist tickets at the start of the event, and engages in casual, open play against other players for the two-hour event. Each time a Duelist defeats another Duelist, they win a Duelist ticket from that player.

At any time during the Duelist League, a player with five Duelist Tickets can "cash out" of the tournament, picking a Prize Card of their choice.

At the end of the two hours, any remaining Duelists will pick their Prize Cards, starting with those who have four Duelist tickets and heading down toward those with the least. (Ties are broken in favor of the youngest Duelist!) Anyone during the event who runs out of Duelist tickets is done for the day, but immediately receives a Prize Card at random (instead of getting to choose).

The Duelist League is set up so that young players can learn each others' names, see a record of who they and their opponents have Dueled that day, play as many or as few Duels as they want, and get a cool prize card for their efforts.

Hobby stores looking to participate in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Duelist League can send e-mails to us-opsupport (at konami.com).

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Duelist League, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

5D's TAGFORCE 4 NOW AVAILABLE
Posted Tuesday, 11/17/2009 by PPNSteve

KONAMI ANNOUNCES YU-GI-OH! 5D's TAGFORCE 4 NOW AVAILABLE ON PSP (PlayStation Portable) System

4,000 Playable Cards, 300 Hours of Gameplay, Ad-Hoc Multiplayer and Rich Story Mode Gives Players a Yu-Gi-Oh! Experience Unlike Any Before

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - November 17, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 is now available in retail stores nationwide. Marking its highly anticipated return to the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system in North America, Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 returns with an all-star caliber of gameplay features including over 300 hours of gameplay and an engrossing story mode pulled from the plotlines of the hugely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series in TheCW4Kids block on The CW Television Network and on Cartoon Network. In addition, Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 further pushes the boundaries of competition with players to competing in intense battles with each other with over 4,000 playable cards by taking advantage of the PSP system ad-hoc online multiplayer capabilities.

The Story mode within Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 reintroduces the Dark Signers and their lust for power and destruction as they travel back to New Domino City. The return of these Earthbound Immortals banished to the Underworld will mark the stage for a historic episode that will leave Satellite and New Domino City changed for eternity. Win duel points to purchase additional cards to stack up an impressive deck in order to battle, summon and trade with the vast cast of characters throughout the city. Meet, duel and befriend some of the most popular characters of the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe as you travel throughout New Domino City in hopes of building the most competitive card deck to take on and destroy the Dark Signers.

Yu-Gi-Oh! is known throughout the world for its core gameplay element and the fast-paced card dueling. Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 takes it to the next level by integrating dueling throughout the story mode or letting players go directly to the free-duels to jump right into the action. Players can battle opponents in one-on-one free duels or team up with a partner to defeat opponents with more than 4,000 cards, more than any other Yu-Gi-Oh! video game to date. In addition, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4, takes advantage of the ad-hoc capabilities of the PSP System by allowing up to four players to compete against each other at one time through cooperative gameplay or battle in one-on-one duels.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 delivers highly stylized, 3D animated cut scenes and provides gamers with more than 4,000 of the most up to date playable trading cards including the Ancient Prophecy card packs, which were released in September 2009. Three exclusive trading cards are also packed with the game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 for the PSP system is rated E by the ESRB and will be available in retail stores nationwide on November 17th for the SRP of $29.99. For more information on Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tagforce 4, please visit www.konami.com/yugioh

©1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI
©2008 NAS - TV TOKYO

Last Regional Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Shonen Jump Championship Winner Announced
Posted Tuesday, 11/17/2009 by PPNSteve

Vincent Ralambomiadana Wins Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Shonen Jump Championship in Columbus, OH USA

VINCENT RALAMBOMIADANA TROUNCED HUNDREDS OF DUELISTS TO WIN THE KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sTRADING CARD GAME SHONEN JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP IN COLUMBUS, OH

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - November 16, 2009 - At this year's final Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) SHONEN JUMP Regional Championship, held in Columbus over the weekend, more than 800 Duelists showed off their Dueling skills with the ultimate goal to be crowned the SHONEN JUMP Championship winner. Vincent Ralambomiadana, traveling from France to the U.S. to compete in this event, out-battled the field to claim the coveted title.

Vincent Ralambomiadana matched Kevin Slapnik, from Ohio, card for card for the title after two days of intense Dueling. Both competitors were at the tops of their game, with Ralambomiadana playing a French Twilight Deck and Slapnik countering with his Destiny Hero / Zombies Deck, respectively, ready for a grueling Match. Ralambomiadana and his peers took home prize packs that included such items as a "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, a Top 16 SHONEN JUMP Championship Game Mat, popular personal video game console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, a 32 GB personal music player with codes to download Konami Mobile Games, and complimentary subscriptions to SHONEN JUMP magazine. Vincent will also receive a paid trip to the National Championship in 2010, courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment.

Top finalists from the Columbus SHONEN JUMP Championship, along with the top Duelists from the Sunday Regional Qualifiers, also qualify to participate in their countries' respective 2010 National Championships.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual Decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Tagforce 4 to be Released Nov 17 2009
Posted Thursday, 11/12/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced a November 17th ship date for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4. The highly anticipated title, coming to the PSP, is the latest in the series of popular Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise releases that spans across video games, a worldwide best selling trading card game and an animated television series in the CW4Kids block on The CW Television Network and on Cartoon Network.

With a storyline surrounding the characters and environments of the animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 centers on the outcast Dark Signers and their quest for power. Their lust for revenge, the destruction of the Crimson Dragon and battle for New Domino City are their ultimate goal. Compete to protect the homeland and destroy the Dark Signers in an epic clash between light and dark that will change the landscape of New Domino City forever.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 offers the most expansive Yu-Gi-Oh! game to date, with riveting story mode and its signature trading card dueling. Yu-Gi-Oh! games are designed to be played in the spirit of competition, and wireless ad-hoc gameplay allows up to 4 players to compete against each other at one time through cooperative gameplay, which is unique only to the Tagforce series. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tagforce 4 ups the stakes by offering over 4,000 playable trading cards, including exclusive cards from the Ancient Prophecy and Stardust Overdrive card packs that can be bought sold or traded in the game. Four player tag duels allow players to partner and strategize with each other to defeat friends in no holds barred card battle showdowns. Tally up all the gameplay and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 presents one of the most impressive PSP system games to date, clocking over 300 hours of gameplay between all modes.

Brand new screenshots show elements of story and duel modes in-game when competing against friends or in single player mode. Additional screenshots showcase the new deck configuration structure and a glimpse into the all new Stardust Overdrive card packs.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 for the PSP system is rated E by the ESRB and will be available in retail stores nationwide on November 17th, 2009 for the SRP of $29.99.

YuGiOh! R Manga-only Sequel Released
Posted Tuesday, 11/3/2009 by PPNSteve

VIZ MEDIA MANGA RELEASE FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2009

New Titles Span A Variety Of Genres To Delight Fans Of All Ages And Interests

San Francisco, CA, November 2, 2009 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has previewed an array of new manga (graphic novel) releases scheduled to debut throughout the Fourth Quarter of 2009. The new titles span a diverse range of genres everywhere from science fiction, fantasy/adventure, and crime thrillers to shojo (comics for girls) and teenage coming-of-age stories.

YU-GI-OH! R, Vol. 1

• Rated 'T' for Teens
• MSRP: $9.99 US / $12.99 CAN
• Available Now!

YU-GI-OH! R is the shocking manga-only sequel to YU-GI-OH!: DUELIST and the prequel to YU-GI-OH!: MILLENNIUM WORLD. Volume 1, with story and art by Akira Ito, begins when the follower of an old enemy returns to take revenge. Yugi Muto must duel to save a friend's life, but can he overcome the power of the three "Jashin," the terrifying Evil God Cards? Creator Kazuki Takahashi built an action-packed adventure based on themes of friendship and fighting, and combined lots of weird and imaginative monsters to make YU-GI-OH! an international smash hit that spawned a real-world card game, multiple video games, and three anime series. Exclusive bonus card in the first print run!

For more information, contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.VIZ.com.

Warriors' Strike Structure Deck Released
Posted Friday, 10/30/2009 by PPNSteve

STRIKE HARD, STRIKE FIRST, SHOW NO MERCY WITH KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC.'S WARRIORS' STRIKE STRUCTURE DECK

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - October 27, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the global publisher of the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME is calling all Duelists with its new Structure Deck, Warriors' Strike. The Warriors' Strike Structure Deck is a ready‐to‐play Deck that combine three themes: Warriors; Equip Cards; and Gemini monsters, which were first introduced in Tactical Evolution. The Warriors' Strike Structure Deck (MSRP $9.99) is available now at hobby and retail locations nationwide.

The Warriors' Strike Structure Deck has everything a Duelist needs including a 40‐card theme Deck (including one Ultra Rare and two Super Rare cards), rulebook, deluxe game mat, and Dueling Guide with instructions on how to enhance each Duelist’s chances. The Warriors' Strike Structure Deck is intended for players who know the basic rules, and are looking to build a competitive Deck for tournament use.

"Seasoned Duelists will be scrambling to get the Deck's six brand new cards, while casual Duelists will find cards to boost their gaming experience," noted Yumi Hoashi, vice president of Card Business for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Warriors' Strike will be supported by a national television campaign with commercials airing in the U.S. and Canada on Cartoon Network, TheCW4Kids and YTV. Warriors' Strike also includes the highly-anticipated Hidden Armory Spell Card, plus reprints of the Dark Bribe and Burden of the Mighty promo cards!"

The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can be seen Saturday mornings on TheCW4Kids block. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Warriors’ Strike Structure Deck, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

Chris Bowling Edged Out Hundreds of Duelists to Win the Konami Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Shonen Jump Championship
Posted Wednesday, 10/21/2009 by PPNSteve

Chris Bowling Edged Out Hundreds of Duelists to Win the Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Shonen Jump Championship.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – October 19, 2009 – More than 500 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Duelists showed off their Dueling skills with the ultimate goal to be crowned the 70th SHONEN JUMP Championship Winner in mind.

Chris Bowling, from Arlington, TX, out-battled the field to claim the coveted title and qualify for the 2010 U.S. National Championship. In 2008, Bowling also won the U.S. National Championship.

Chris Bowling matched Morandice Black card for card for the title after two days of intense Dueling. Both competitors brought their "A" game, with Bowling playing a Twilght Deck and Black countering with his Lightsworn Deck, respectively, ready for a grueling Match.

Bowling and his peers took home prize packs that included such items as a "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, a Top 16 SHONEN JUMP Championship Game Mat, popular personal video game console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, a 32 GB personal music player with codes to download Konami Mobile Games, and complimentary subscriptions to SHONEN JUMP magazine. Chris will also receive a paid trip to the National Championship in 2010, courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment.

In addition to Bowling and Black, the top 16 finalists from the Austin SHONEN JUMP Championship, along with the top Duelists from the Sunday Regional Qualifiers, qualify to participate in their countries' respective 2010 National Championship.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.Yu-Gi-Oh!-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.


About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion, cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.Konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, and Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.Konami.com.

Stardust Overdrive Retailer Sneak Peek
Posted Friday, 10/2/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Details Plans for Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

Sneak Peeks to be Held at Official Tournament Stores

El Segundo, CA - September 30, 2009 - Continuing its commitment of year-round support to hobby stores nationally, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today announced its fourth Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Sneak Peek event featuring the soon-to-be released Stardust Overdrive booster set. Stardust Overdrive (MSRP $3.99 per nine-card pack) will first be released at Official Tournament Stores participating in KDE's Sneak Peek on either October 31 and/or November 1, 2009, depending on the store’s preference. The Stardust Overdrive booster set will be available nationwide at those hobby stores not participating in the Sneak Peek event and at retailers on November 17, 2009.

Offering an upgraded version of Stardust Dragon, all new Blackwing and Fortune Lady cards make Stardust Overdrive an ideal booster set for the tournament store owner to draw Duelists into their store for this Sneak Peek. The addition of finding one of the never before seen World Premier cards adds an extra element of excitement to the event!

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s Sneak Peek program makes it easy for hobby stores to market themselves as the best place for Duelists to get their Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products supplies. Retailers interested in hosting a Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Stardust Overdrive Sneak Peek should send an email request to card-po@konami.com to become an Official Tournament Store. KDE has created kits specifically for store owners hosting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Sneak Peek events and are available to order from September 30th.

Each kit, designed to support 16 players, includes:

• 80 packs of Stardust Overdrive
• Limited edition Ultra Rare card for all participants – while supplies last
• One Stardust Overdrive Game Mat and one Stardust Overdrive t-shirt for prizes
• Official letter with scorecard from KDE thanking each player for participating

Additionally, stores which order the Stardust Overdrive booster set online will receive a free Stardust Overdrive Sneak Peak poster.

Stardust Overdrive features monsters from all three series of the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series, including many of the monsters used by and against the Dark Signers on current episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's. This all new 100-card booster set has something for everyone, fans of the Dark Signers can collect more Earthbound Immortals and Fortune Ladies and, the newest monsters of the Signers, including “Max Warrior” and the awesome Majestic Star Dragon, will satisfy any Duelist.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Stardust Overdrive Set Information

100-card complete set

Collect:
48 Common Cards (8:1)
20 Rare Cards (1:1)
14 Super Rare Cards (1:5)
10 Ultra Rare Cards (1:12)

Konami Press Release via Something Deeper: Anime, Manga, and Comics

Winner Named in the SHONEN JUMP Championship
Posted Tuesday, 9/29/2009 by PPNSteve

The Orlando, Florida SHONEN JUMP Championship held between September 26-27, 2009 is over and the newest SHONEN JUMP Champion is Spain's Rodrigo Togores!

A total of 673 Duelists threw down this weekend, and by the time the field was narrowed to a Top 16, there were six Deck types in contention. Blackwings, Synchro Cat, Destiny Hero Zombies, Twilight, and even a Deck built around Sky Scourge Norleras made Day 2, but more than half the field was occupied by classic Lightsworn Decks! With nine Lightsworn builds in the Top 16 it seemed like a victory could be in the cards for Lightsworn. But once again it was not to be.

Rodrigo Togores exploded through his opponents with an ambitious Blackwing Deck, starring Ancient Prophecy's new card: Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor. While many Duelists tried to take Blackwings in a new direction with Burial From a Different Dimension, Togores relied on Black Whirlwind instead, which won him Duel after Duel all weekend long.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 10th Anniversary Anime to Be a Film in 2010
Posted Friday, 9/18/2009 by PPNSteve

Film to feature all 3 TV anime heroes, a new enemy named Paradox, and 3D graphics..

As a way to celebrate Yu-Gi-Oh!'s 10th anniversary, a 3d film will be filmed in next year 2010. This was confirmed in the November issue of the Shuiesha's V Jump magazine.

The movie, entitled Gekijou-ban Yu-Gi-Oh! ~Chou-Yuugou! Jikuu o Koeta Kizuna~ will feature the three heroes of the three Yu-Gi-Oh! series: Yugi Mutou, Judai Yuuki and Yuusei Fudou from the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Yu-Gi-Oh!Gx and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5d, respectively. The story will bring together the three heroes to fight Paradox, a powerful new enemy that will appear for the first time in the film.

Source:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-17/yu-gi-oh-10th-anniversary-anime-to-be-film-in-2010

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Championship Sept. 26-27 in Orlando, FL
Posted Wednesday, 9/16/2009 by PPNSteve

Hundreds of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Players to Flock to Central Florida (Orlando) for the SHONEN JUMP Championship September 26-27

22 Billion Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards Sold Making it the World's Best Selling TRADING CARD GAME of All Time!

El Segundo, CA - September16, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) SHONEN JUMP Championship (SJC) is on the road again after being in Indianapolis in August. This time, The SHONEN JUMP Championship - the largest and most prestigious Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament series in North America - will be held in Central Florida's largest city, Orlando, September 26-27, 2009. The top three finalists will receive the highly sought-after "Dark End Dragon" Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card.

KDE's SHONEN JUMP Championship in Orlando takes place September 26-27 at the Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort. New and veteran Duelists alike can sign up for a KDE Player ID and COSSY number at the event. COSSY is KDE's own proprietary ranking system [Konami Card Game Official Tournament Support System], which is used at all official tournaments and SHONEN JUMP Championships. The registration fee is $20, and each player will receive five Ancient Prophecy booster packs just for participating.

The SHONEN JUMP Championships are created to be enjoyed by as many players as possible and are some of the most celebrated events held each year. Those who cannot make this SHONEN JUMP Championship will be able to follow round-by-round coverage online at www.Yu-Gi-Oh!-card.com/en/events.

SHONEN JUMP Championship Orlando details: The Ramada Orlando Celebration Resort doors will open promptly at 8:00 a.m. for registration with Round One beginning at 10:00 a.m. The top 16 finalists for the SHONEN JUMP Championship, along with the top cut of Duelists of the Sunday Regional Qualifier, earn invites to participate in their respective countries' 2010 National Championship.

The SHONEN JUMP Championship in Orlando offers exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG side events for both Saturday and Sunday which include Win-A-Mat tournaments for everyone, and Dragon Duel tournaments for Duelists aged 12 and under. There will also be a 2010 Regional Qualifier on Sunday.

SHONEN JUMP Championship prizes:

• 1st place - A "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, Trophy, Paid travel and accommodations for the winner's 2010 National Championship (if underage, travel and accommodations for the winner and a guardian), a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.
• 2nd place - A "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, 32 GB personal music player with docking station and speakers, a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.
• 3rd place - A "Dark End Dragon" SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, videogame console with a copy of a Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.
• 4th place - A videogame console with a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.
• 5th - 8th place - A personal videogame console with a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.
• 9th - 16th place - A copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, a SHONEN JUMP Championship Top 16 Game Mat, and a one year subscription to SHONEN JUMP magazine.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.Yu-Gi-Oh!-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.Konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.Konami.com.

YGO 5D's to Air on YTV Canada
Posted Wednesday, 9/9/2009 by PPNSteve

YTV Snaps Up 4Kids Titles..

4Kids Entertainment has licensed the latest series in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise to YTV in Canada, which also scored the rights to the comedy adventure series Gogoriki.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds is the ninth season in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. YTV has picked up 52 half-hour episodes for its 2009-2010 season. The 35x30-minute Gogoriki was adapted by 4Kids Productions from the long-running Russian TV series known as Smeshariki.

"4Kids and YTV have enjoyed a terrific and successful programming relationship throughout the decade as evidenced by YTV’s acquisition of over 1,200 episodes of 4Kids-offered content," said Brian Lacey, the executive VP of international at 4Kids Entertainment. "We’re proud to once again work with YTV this time to offer Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds and Gogoriki to YTV’s audience."

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game's Ancient Prophecy Release
Posted Saturday, 9/5/2009 by PPNSteve

Discover Never-Before-Seen Treasures with the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME's Ancient Prophecy from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

Release Includes Exclusive Cards Available for the First Time Ever!

El Segundo, CA - September 3, 2009 - Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) fans will be racing to hobby and retail stores nationwide to be the first to uncover many hidden gems in Ancient Prophecy, the latest booster set from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Ten never before seen exclusive cards making their world premiere are the cornerstone of this celebrated release.

Ancient Prophecy introduces all new and exciting Spells, Traps and monster cards from all 3 Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series, including 'Arcana Knight Joker' from the original series and 'Armityle the Chaos Phantom' from Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Cards like 'Blackwing - Vayu the Emblem of Honor,' 'Revival of the Immortals,' and the latest of the 5 Dragons: Luna’s 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' make Ancient Prophecy a formidable force for any Duelist smart enough to use its power.

Ancient Prophecy is packed with some of the most powerful exclusive cards ever released, such as 'Card Guard' and 'Greed Grado.' Plus, it contains eight additional X-Saber cards, including the 'XX-Saber Gottoms' Synchro monster. Combined with the five X-Saber cards from the 2009 5D's Starter Deck released in June, they allow Duelists to build a new and exciting X-Saber themed Deck. But X-Sabers also have a lot of versatility, and monsters like 'X-Saber Airbellum' and 'XX-Saber Gottoms' go well with any Deck that’s packing Synchro monsters.

Duelists can also add 11 new Koa'ki Meiru cards to their collection, including world premiere cards 'Koa'ki Meiru Ghoulungulate' and 'Koa'ki Meiru Gravirose,' plus new Blackwing monsters, Earthbound Immortals, Psychics, Tuners, Synchro monsters, and new cards used by their favorite characters on TV to boost their Decks and unleash crushing blows to their opponents. Ancient Prophecy is available now at hobby and retail stores nationwide for an approximate retail price of $3.99 per nine-card pack.



The Yu-Gi Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. The original Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series can now be seen Saturday mornings on The CW 4Kids Network. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or Ancient Prophecy, please visit www.yugioh-card.com

Yu-Gi-Oh! Returns to US Broadcast Television!
Posted Friday, 9/4/2009 by PPNSteve

The Original Yu-Gi-Oh! Series Season 1 Returns To USA TV Broadcast

The Original Yu-Gi-Oh! series Season 1 returns to broadcast TV for the first time since.. we don’t know when.. anyone remember (let us know)? ..THIS SATURDAY, September 5th, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. on The CW4Kids TV.

Yu-Gi-Oh! returns with an one hour block of episodes #101 "The Heart of the Cards" and #102 "The Gauntlet is Thrown."

The series will continue on Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. and Saturdays at 9:00 am there after. (check local listings for exact times)

Hopefully, the return of Yu-Gi-Oh! will spark the interest of a whole new generation of duelists - a few of whom, through their adventures in the worlds of GX and 5D's, may have never laid eyes on the original Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters series. One thing's for sure though. This broadcast will finally put the "Yugi" back into "Yu-Gi-Oh!"

Duelpro 2009, the newest version of Duelpro for Windows Released
Posted Thursday, 9/3/2009 by PPNSteve

Duelpro 2009 (Sept. 2, 2009) All NEW version released.

UIC Phoenxsoftware has just released Duelpro 2009, the newest version of Duelpro for Windows. You can find it here : http://www.phoenxsoftware.com/Duelpro/dpr09_setup.exe

It includes a whole bunch of new enhancements, features and a completely revamped interface.

• New engine
• New interface
• Less crowded composition
• Easier access and integration of the quick keys
• Lifepoints bar added
• New PDF help file
• and much more...

See Double with the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game 2009 Collectible Tins
Posted Wednesday, 8/26/2009 by PPNSteve

El Segundo, CA (August 25, 2009) – Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) enthusiasts can expect double the fun with the first installment of this year's marquis product, the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME 2009 Collectible Tins, from industry leader Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE). In total, eight Collectible Tins will be released in 2009, including 4 limited distribution exclusive tins. The first two Tins feature Power Tool Dragon and Ancient Fairy Dragon – the dragons of the Dueling twins, Leo and Luna. Now fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's can have a sturdy collector's item featuring these two beloved monsters featured in the animated series.

Each tin includes a Secret Rare variant card of the monster depicted on the tin, plus 5 booster packs, including 2 packs of Crimson Crisis and 1 pack of Raging Battle. As a special bonus, each tin also gives Duelists a sneak peek of the near future, by including 2 packs of upcoming booster set Ancient Prophecy.

"We wanted to give Duelists another chance to grab Leo and Luna's most famous monsters," said Kevin Tewart, senior research & development manager for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Raging Battle has long since sold out, so Duelists' chances of getting Leo's Power Tool Dragon are becoming slimmer by the day, and we also expect Ancient Prophecy to fly off the shelves. So the Collectible Tins will be many fans' best chance to get these cards."

Additionally, each tin comes with one pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG branded card sleeves, color coordinated to match the tin. The first two 2009 Collectible Tins are available at hobby and retail stores nationwide for an approximate retail price of $19.99.

The Yu-Gi Oh! 5D's animated series airs Saturday mornings on The CW 4Kids Network and now Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.Konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.Konami.com.

Fili Luna Dominated Hundreds of Duelists to Win the Konami Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
Posted Saturday, 8/22/2009 by PPNSteve

Fili Luna Dominated Hundreds of Duelists to Win the Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG SHONEN JUMP Championship at Gen Con Indy..

El Segundo, CA – (August 17, 2009) – More than 460 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Duelists showed off their battling skills with the ultimate goal to be crowned the 70th SHONEN JUMP Champion during Gen Con Indy 2009. Luna, from Arlington, TX, out-battled the field to claim the coveted title and qualify for the 2010 U.S. National Championship. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Acted as the Official Contributing Sponsor of Gen Con Indy 2009.

"Fili Luna displayed sound strategies and smart game play that propelled him to win the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME SHONEN JUMP Championship at Gen Con Indy 2009," noted Yumi Hoashi, vice president of Card Business for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Gen Con Indy with its rich gaming history is an amazing place to hold the SHONEN JUMP Championship. We also rewarded each participant with five packs of Crimson Crisis, which allows Duelists to upgrade their decks and packs of Raging Battle just for entering the competition."

Fili Luna went deck-to-deck with Matt Hoey (Kenosha, WI) for the title after two days of dueling. Both came prepared to win with competitive decks - Luna wielding a Blackwings themed deck and Hoey packing a Synchro Cat, respectively, were ready for a grueling match. Fili Luna and his peers took home prize packs that included such items as a Dark End Dragon SHONEN JUMP Championship Prize Card, a Top 16 SJC game mat, popular personal video game console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, a 32 GB personal music player with codes to download Konami Mobile Games, and complimentary subscriptions to SHONEN JUMP magazine. Luna will also receive a paid trip to their respective National Championships in 2010, courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment.

In addition to Luna and Hoey, the top 16 finalists from the SHONEN JUMP Championship at Gen Con Indy 2009 along with the top eight Duelists from the Sunday Regional, qualify to participate in the 2010 U.S. National Championship.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.Yu-Gi-Oh!-card.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's returns to PSP
Posted Wednesday, 8/19/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami reveals UK Date for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 for Sony PSP handheld

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced an exciting addition to its PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) roster of Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, in the form of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4– due for UK release in November.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 marks the first appearance of the new animated TV series on PSP, and uses plot elements from the show's 'Dark Signers' episodes within its Story Mode. The new game’s graphics have been designed to perfectly recreate characters and settings from the TV show, with stunning anime likenesses bringing the game’s 14 duelists, and a huge supporting cast, to vivid life. Likewise, the same visuals are used to detail the many traps, spells and monsters that are used during battles, with in-game cameras panning to show off the various conflicts from a series of stunning vantage points.

The game's Story Mode provides a focal point for single-player use, and recreates the Neo Domino City and Satellite locations of the TV show. Players can move freely around these areas, and a different scenario will unfold dependent on which character the user opts for, and the story will evolve organically based on decisions the player makes. Players also use the exploratory elements of the game to meet new people, challenge them to duels and to add and buy new Trading Cards for their deck.

The dueling elements of the game have also been expanded, with each of the game's many characters holding their own decks. The strength of these decks acts as an in-built difficulty level, with players working their way through the increasingly challenging rivals as they look to build their deck and establish themselves as the Champion Trading Card Duelist. In total, over 300 hours of gameplay await– enough for even the most ardent Yu-Gi-Oh! fans!

The social aspect of the Trading Card Game has also been retained, with the option for multi-player games for up to four Yu-Gi-Oh! fans. One-on-one duels, or two-against-two and variations thereof are all supported, and the online capabilities of the PSP are also used for additional download elements. Users can enter the passwords found on real Trading Cards and use them in the game in order to improve their card decks and their strategies.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 represents a new high for the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, and Konami will also include three exclusive Trading Cards within each game’s packaging.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4 will be released for Europe on the PSP® in November.

© 1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI © 2008 NAS・ TV TOKYO

About KONAMI CORPORATION

KONAMI CORPORATION was established in 1973, and became a holding company on March 31, 2006. KONAMI CORPORATION covers the fields of "Digital Entertainment Business", "Health&Fitness Business" and "Gaming&System Business". KONAMI CORPORATION went public on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, the Singapore Stock Exchange in 1997, the London Stock Exchange in 1999, and the New York Stock Exchange in 2002. Home Page URL: www.konami.co.jp. Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary, responsible for popular franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Pro Evolution Soccer amongst other top sellers. For more information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH and its products, please visit www.konami-europe.com/games.

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Adds Duelist's Picks to New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game Turbo Packs
Posted Tuesday, 8/11/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Adds Duelist's Picks to New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Trading Card Game "Turbo Packs"

Turbo Packs to be given to Duelists for Participating in
Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Official Tournament Events

El Segundo, CA – (August 11, 2009) – The Duelists have spoken loud and clear. After conducting an online poll at www.YuGiOh-card.com earlier this year on what Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) enthusiasts wanted to see in the new Turbo Pack, the successor to the former Tournament and Champion Packs, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) has responded. The excitement will begin in August when Duelists open the first packs and see which cards made the final cut.

Turbo Packs are produced exclusively as a participation prize for Official Tournament Stores. Qualified stores will be able to begin ordering Turbo Packs for use in their in-store events beginning on August 10, 2009.

"We wanted to open up dialogue with Duelists and let them have a voice in shaping the first Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Turbo Pack," added Kevin Tewart, senior research & development manager for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "This new Turbo Pack is really the Duelists' creation and was designed to help both veteran players and players new to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG make stronger decks."

Turbo Packs will have foil versions of popular cards that were previously available only as non-foil commons or rares. The complete 20-card set of Turbo Pack will include one Ultra Rare, four Super Rares, six Rares and nine Commons. It has been suggested that an additional surprise may also be included.

The Yu-Gi Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Saturday mornings on The CW 4Kids Network and now Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network. For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the Turbo Pack, please visit www.Yu-Gi-Oh!-card.com or call 310-220-8630.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.Konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.Konami.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4 (PSP) Announced
Posted Monday, 8/10/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami announced Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tagforce 4, a new adaptation of the popular trading card game based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series, fully immersing players in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's world as the story of the Dark Signers is reignited.

Monday, August 10 @ 13:08:50 PDT - This new adaptation of the popular trading card game is based on the Yu-Gi-Oh!5D’s animated series in TheCW4Kids block on The CW Television Network and on Cartoon Network.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tagforce 4 fully immerses players in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s world as the story of the Dark Signers is reignited. The Dark Signers, derived from the Underworld, have been reborn with incredible abilities, a lust for revenge and a desire for complete power. These Earthbound Immortals were sealed in the Earth by the Crimson Dragon or the God of the Signers. The battle rages between good and evil for total domination of New Domino City and the fate of Satellite.

Players can battle opponents in one-on-one free duels or team up with a partner to defeat opponents with more than 3,500 cards, more than any other Yu-Gi-Oh! video game to date. In addition, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tagforce 4, takes advantage of the ad-hoc capabilities of the PlayStation®Portable by allowing up to four players to compete against each other at one time through cooperative gameplay or battle in one-on-one duels.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tagforce 4 delivers highly stylized, 3D animated cut scenes and provides gamers with more than 3,500 of the most up to date playable trading cards including the Ancient Prophecy card packs releasing in September 2009. Three exclusive trading cards will also be packed with the game.

Yu-Gi-Oh!5D’s Tagforce 4 for PlayStation®Portable is scheduled to launch on September 17th, 2009 inJapan with a possible US release date in November 2009.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Is One for the Record Books
Posted Friday, 8/7/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Is One for the Record Books With More Than 22 Billion Cards Sold Around the World

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Enters the Guinness World Records With More Than 22 Billion Cards Sold.

Global Sensation Created In 1999 Enters Guinness World Records(TM) and Named Best Selling Trading Card Game of All Time!

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 7, 2009 -- One trading card game stands out as the leader and has been named as the best selling of all time, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME from global gaming powerhouse Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME reached this lofty achievement in April 2009 as sales exceeded 22,587,728,173 cards and proudly entered the Guinness World Records(TM) on July 7th, 2009.

"We are amazed and humbled by the overwhelmingly positive response that Duelists from every corner of the world have had toward the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME," commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "We are excited to announce today at the 7th annual Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship in Tokyo that we have become the best-selling trading card game in history with sales exceeding 22 Billion cards since the card game's inception in 1999."

The Yu-Gi-Oh! storyline and characters were created by Kazuki Takahashi and was featured in weekly issues of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1996 to 2004. Due to its worldwide appeal, Yu-Gi-Oh! and its characters have been depicted in animated series, trading card and video games, plush toys and figurines.

The Yu-Gi Oh! 5D's animated series can be seen in the United States Saturday mornings on The CW 4Kids Network and now Monday through Saturday on Cartoon Network.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with more than 22 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid(R), Silent Hill(R), Dance Dance Revolution(R) and Castlevania(R), among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

SOURCE Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER 2009
Posted Monday, 7/27/2009 by PPNSteve

The quest to find the Greatest Duelist has now begun.

The "Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMER 2009"! With excitement from the previous "SPRING 2009" CHAMPIONSHIP still in the air, we are glad to announce the coming of another CHAMPIONSHIP event!!

The one that makes it through all the gruelling Duels will be crowned the "King of Duelists" !

How to take part

4Kids Has New Int'l Broadcast Deals for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
Posted Wednesday, 7/8/2009 by PPNSteve

NEW YORK (July 7, 2009) -- 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), the diversified children's entertainment and media organization, has reached agreements to license the television broadcast rights to the popular animated series "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's" in a number of key territories, it was announced today by Brian Lacey, Executive Vice President, International, 4Kids Entertainment.

CITV (UK), Network Ten (Australia), AB Group (France), Mediaset (Italy), RTL2 (Germany), VAS (Spanish Speaking Satellite /Latin America), TV2 (Denmark), Digiturk (Turkey), Children's Channel (Israel) and MBC (Middle East) will be airing Season One of "Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's" in their respective territories.

The first season of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's is the ninth season for the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series franchise. In the United States, "Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's" airs in TheCW4Kids Saturday morning block on The CW Television Network, and daily on Cartoon Network. Additionally, the series is also available for VOD viewing on the Comcast, Cox and Bresnan cable systems.

The future of dueling is revving up and it begins with a new legend, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the latest entry in the internationally renowned franchise. Set in Domino City, once the playground to legendary duelist Yugi Muto, this sprawling metropolis has since been transformed into a futuristic society where dueling has kicked into overdrive. Now the winners and losers aren't just separated by skill and strength, but by speed. For five special duelists, it's not just about winning or losing anymore, it's about survival, as they are the chosen "signers" who have been marked by destiny to uncover the secrets of the five dragons.

4Kids Links Up With CTM IN Germany
Posted Tuesday, 6/30/2009 by PPNSteve

June 30, 2009 - 4Kids Entertainment International Ltd. - 4Kids Entertainment International Ltd. has appointed Munich-based CTM Concept-TV & Merchandising GmbH as licensing agent in Germany for 4Kids' hit property YU-GI-OH! 5D'S.

YU-GI-OH! 5D'S is the latest series in the hugely successful YU-GI-OH! kids' franchise. Over 18.1 billion Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards have been sold. The cards have been translated into seven languages and sold in 51 countries worldwide. Approximately six million 6-8 year olds collect and play the trading card game across the globe.

The latest series features new duelists, vehicles (called Duel Runners), competition and challenges. Domino City has been transformed into a futuristic metropolis where duelists battle it out in high-octane contests called Turbo Duels. In this environment, the winners and losers are no longer determined only by skill and strength, but also by speed.

YU-GI-OH! 5D'S launched on RTL2 in Germany in March 2009 and initial ratings for the show have been strong. YU-GI-OH! 5DS has averaged an 19.5% market share for kids ages 6-13, and an impressive 33% market share for boys ages 6-13. The 5D's trading card game launched in Germany in August 2008. 5D's toys, which will be distributed by Upper Deck, are scheduled to be available in September 2009 at outlets including Kaufhof, Karstadt, Toys"R"Us, Vedes, Müller, Duo Schreib & Spiel, Idee und Spiel, Metro Real and Spiele Max,, and on the web at amazon.de.

CTM Concept-TV & Merchandising GmbH will work with 4Kids to further develop the YU-GI-OH! 5D'S licensing programme throughout Germany.

CTM Concept-TV & Merchandising GmbH, a subsidiary of the media group TMG, has handled licensing campaigns for global characters and brands since 1995. CTM specialises in launching custom-designed 360-degree cross-media and cross-marketing campaigns and promotions. CTM currently represents the YU-GI-OH! GX property in Germany.

"CTM spearheaded and continues to run a successful licensing campaign for YU-GI-OH! GX, in Germany" said Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, Managing Director of 4Kids Entertainment International Ltd. "We are confident that CTM will create and implement a strong licensing program for what is already proving to be an incredibly popular brand in Germany."

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG United States 2009 National Championship
Posted Tuesday, 6/30/2009 by PPNSteve

The Steel City (Pittsburgh) Braces for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME United States 2009 National Championship July 10-12

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 29, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Primarily known for its majestic steel bridges that lead into the city, its steel manufacturing plants, and its major sports teams, Pittsburgh will now be known as the home of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s (KDE) Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME United States 2009 National Championship. Hundreds of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Duelists will converge on Pittsburgh to prove that they are the best TCG players in the world.

"We are expecting some truly epic game play moments from the hundreds of worthy Duelists competing in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME U.S. National Championship in Pittsburgh," commented Yumi Hoashi, Vice President for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Pittsburgh is a fantastic city with a lot to offer and has a terrific facility for hosting an event of this magnitude."

The road to the U.S. Nationals began in late April at the SHONEN JUMP Championship in Anaheim, California and then progressed through more than 76 Regional Qualifier and Dragon Duel events held around the country. In Pittsburgh, 900 aspiring champion Duelists will be battling to be named a U.S. National Champion, the top four finalists will be invited to compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship in Tokyo, August 8th and 9th. Live coverage of the U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG 2009 National Championship will be available online during the event at www.yugioh-com/en/events, for those who are not able to attend.

Event information:
Where: David L Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
When: July 10-12
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Entry into the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG 2009 National Championship is FREE for Duelists who have qualified for the event through official KDE Regional Qualifiers, the KDE Anaheim SHONEN JUMP Championship, and KDE Dragon Duel tournaments; however there will be a cost for side events, participants will receive Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster packs equal to the cost of participation.

Prizing information:

-- 1st place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; "Dark End Dragon" Prize Card; Complete set of Raging Battle and a complete set of Ghost Rare cards from Tactical Evolution through Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 2nd place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle and a complete set of Ghost Rare cards from Tactical Evolution through Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 3rd place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 4th place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 5th - 8th place - Trophy; Nintendo Wii(TM) Console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breaker video game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 9th - 16th place - Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 video game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 17th - 32nd place - 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

-- 33rd - Last place - 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards

KDE will offer 16-player Last Chance Regional Qualifier flights on Friday to give Duelists without invites the opportunity to qualify for the U.S. National Championship. Additionally, all weekend long, there will be exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG side events which include Win-a-Mat tournaments, Team Dueling, Dragon Duel events and a Dragon Duel Championship Tournament for Duelists aged 12 and under. Sunday will also feature the first Regional Qualifier for the United States 2010 season.

For more information on Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or the SHONEN JUMP Championship series, please visit www.yugioh-card.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 20 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid(R), Silent Hill(R), Dance Dance Revolution(R) and Castlevania(R), among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 20 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2006 Nintendo

SOURCE Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. www.yugioh-card.com

US and CA Nationals Information Added
Posted Thursday, 6/4/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami has announced the dates and venues for this year's U.S. (July 10-12 - Pittsburgh, PA) and Canadian Nationals (June 27-28 - Toronto), along with more Regionals locations being added to their events list.

Full details and the updated lists can be found at http://www.yugioh-card.com/.

Yu Gi Oh 5D's Gets an Italian Presence
Posted Thursday, 5/28/2009 by PPNSteve

New licensees come on board for 4Kids' hit anime franchise.

4Kids Entertainment is boosting the presence of the Yu Gi Oh brand in Italy, inking a number of new deals.

After launching in Japan in 1999, YU-GI-OH! has captivated children across the globe. 17 million video games have been sold to date worldwide and over 18.1 billion YU-GI-OH! trading cards have been translated into seven languages and sold in 51 countries worldwide -- approximately six million 6-8 year olds collect and play the trading card game across the globe.

The franchise has already proved successful in the territory. Season three of Yu Gi Oh GX continues to air on Saturday mornings on Mediaset's Italia 1, which has also acquired the first season of new show, Yu Gi Oh 5D's. Set in Domino City, transformed into a futuristic metropolis, 5D'S feature duelists battling it out on motorcycles or 'Duel Runners', in a new form of dueling called 'Turbo Duels' -- hi-octane contests in which the winners and losers are no longer separated by skill and strength, but by speed.

"Yu Gi Oh is hugely popular in Italy and its success shows no signs of abating," stated Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, MD of 4Kids. "The brand is absolutely red hot at the moment and the arrival of 5D's is adding to the excitement surrounding it."

New licensing deals include Linea D, which will be creating t-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear, jeans, towels, jackets and shoes. Meanwhile, Giochi Preziosi has been signed up for back to school and stationery.

A new toy line is due to launch in the autumn from Upper Deck, including action figures, wrist card holders and Duel Runners (featured in the new series).

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's for Wii and Nintendo DS Hit Retail Stores Today
Posted Tuesday, 5/19/2009 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's for Wii and Nintendo DS Hit Retail Stores Today

Beloved Franchise Returns with Two Unique Gaming Experiences Based on the New Animated Series

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - May 19, 2009 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh!™ 5D's Wheelie Breakers for Wii™ and Yu-Gi-Oh!TM 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 for Nintendo DS will be available for purchase on May 19th 2009. The latest iterations in the popular franchise are based on the immensely successful Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series on 4Kids Network, which pits rivals Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlus against each other in Neo Domino City.

Marking the first Yu-Gi-Oh! game to incorporate a racing mechanic, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers takes players on a whirlwind course through city streets and race courses to compete as their favorite characters head to head. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers is based on "Riding Duel" in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series. Yusei and Jack duel in a new motorsport called "Wheelie Breakers" that combines card dueling with duel wheel racing. As they race around tracks on their Duel Runner motorcycles, players call upon powerful monsters from their decks which they manage before duels to battle their opponents and in an attempt to prevent them from finishing the race by attacking or setting traps. Using achievement points which players receive based on their race results, allow them to purchase new cards and add them to their decks providing upgrades to their Duel Runners or new monsters.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers takes full advantage of Wii as players use the Wii Remote™ for competitive card dueling and Duel Runner racing. Gamers can also use the Nunchuk during races, allowing for split-second maneuvers including, acceleration, steering and recovery. Various gameplay modes are also offered including Story Mode, Grand Prix Mode, and Competition Multiplayer Mode with up to 3 friends in racing split screen. Also included are three exclusive trading cards bundled in the package.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009, players can experience the most robust offering in the World Championship franchise to date with up to 2,800 playable cards. The title features multiple gameplay modes including Story Mode, where players journey from Satellite to Neo Domino City and duel with characters from the animated series in various situations. Or play through World Championship Mode, where head-to-head battles can take place against Yu-Gi-Oh! gamers around the world.

Offering more playable cards than any other Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship title, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 includes playable cards from the latest booster pack "Crimson Crisis," as well as three exclusive trading cards bundled in the package.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 will be available on May 19th in stores nationwide with an SRP of $32.00 and $29.99 respectively. Both Yu-Gi-Oh! games launch in tandem with the Yu-Gi-Oh! US National Championship tournament schedule and website.

For more information on Yu-Gi-Oh! games and the Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments, please visit www.konami.com/yugioh.

Raging Battle, the new booster set for Yu-Gi-Oh!
Posted Thursday, 5/14/2009 by PPNSteve

El Segundo, CA - Raging Battle, the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! booster set from Konami, may be the most lethal collection yet. The Raging Battle booster set, available at hobby and mass market stores, includes 10 world premiere cards and 10 bonus cards never-before-seen in North America.

Raging Battle picks up where Crimson Crisis left off, with all-new Synchro monsters, spells, and trap cards. For the first time, Yu-Gi-Oh! players can use the Dark Signers' Earthbound Immortal monsters, and the new Koa'ki Meiru, specifically designed to defeat the most popular deck strategies used at tournaments.

"Duelists first witnessed the awesome power of Raging Battle at local hobby stores that participated in the KDE Sneak Peek event on May 2nd and 3rd," noted Kevin Tewart, Senior Research & Development Manager for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Raging Battle’s Koa'ki Meiru and the Earthbound Immortal cards will have Duelists scratching their heads to design new Decks and solve matchup problems created by this new booster set. Each pack contains at least one Rare Card with a chance for more!"

Product Breakdown:
Nine cards per Raging Battle booster pack
48 Common Cards
20 Rare Cards
14 Super Rare Cards
10 Ultra Rare Cards

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 18 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and Latin America.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Wheelie-spins on to Wii
Posted Wednesday, 4/29/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami reveals first Yu-Gi-Oh! title for Nintendo format as racing title based on new 5D's series revs up...

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced its first Yu-Gi-Oh! title for Wii. Entitled Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers, the game will be released in the USA on April 19th, and for the UK in September, 2009.

The Wii game uses characters and situations from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's series, which takes place in the future and revolved around the adventures of Yusei Fudo, the hottest duelist in Neo Domino City.

Based on the 'Turbo Duels' in the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers introduces players to a fast-paced twist on the racing genre. Yusei and Jack duel in a new motorsport called 'Wheelie Breakers' that combines card dueling with duel wheel racing. As they race around the track in their Duel Runner motorcycles, players call upon monsters from their decks to battle their opponents and prevent them from finishing the race. These cards can then be rearranged between races as strategies to unseat the rival players are developed. Using achievement points which players receive based on their race results, they can purchase new cards and add them to their decks providing upgrades.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers takes full advantage of the Wii's control system as players use the Wii Remote for both competitive card dueling and Duel Runner racing. Users can also use the Nunchuk during races, allowing for split-second maneuvers including, acceleration, steering and recovery. A wide selection of gameplay modes are also offered including Story Mode, Grand Prix Mode, and Competition Multiplayer Mode with up to four players competing via a split screen system.

As has become traditional with Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! titles, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breakers will be released with three official Trading Cards inside the box.

© 1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI
© 2008 NAS・ TV TOKYO

Konami Unveils new Products and Tournament Play System
Posted Tuesday, 4/28/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) unveiled new organized play plans at the GAMA Trade Show (GTS) in Las Vegas. These plans include a new ranking system, the Konami Card Game Official Tournament Support System (COSSY), and a new barcode scanner for use in official tournament stores, which will enable players to enter events and record rankings.

New Konami player ID cards feature a barcode system which allows store owners to input player data directly into the COSSY system with a single swipe through a USB-enabled barcode scanner. COSSY will also track each player’s record during the event. Once the tournament is over and final results have been submitted and confirmed, the COSSY system automatically updates player rankings online.

Konami also unveiled a number of new products at GTS, including new releases for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and the Blue Dragon Role Playing Card Game (RPCG). Upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! releases include Raging Battle, 2009 Yu-Gi-Oh! Starter Deck, Raging Battle Special Edition, Gold Series 2009.

Konami Digital Prevails in Appeal Proceedings against Upper Deck
Posted Wednesday, 4/15/2009 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Prevails in Appeal Proceedings against Upper Deck

Here is the Press Release from Konami Corporation:

El Segundo, CA (April 15, 2009) -- The Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (KDE) in appeal proceedings against Upper Deck International (UDI). UDI had requested a preliminary injunction to compel KDE to accept UDI as its exclusive distributor for Europe, Oceania and Latin America. On April 7, 2009, the Court of Appeal rejected all of UDI's claims.

Having reviewed the evidence presented in summary proceedings, a panel of three professional appeal judges issued a decision holding that UDI had failed to show that the 12 December 2008 termination of the distribution relationship regarding the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) in Europe and Latin America, had been unlawful. The decision confirms that there is significant evidence that links the Upper Deck Company to the distribution of counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America. In this respect, the Court of Appeal's decision echoes an earlier ruling by the District Court for the Central District of California, United States.

"This is a terrific victory for the legions of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Duelists worldwide," noted Kunio Neo, President of Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. "Managing all aspects of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG business directly not just in Asia and North America, but globally, will allow Konami Digital Entertainment to strengthen and protect the integrity of the brand throughout the world."

4Kids uploads Japanese Yu-Gi-Oh! episodes to YouTube
Posted Wednesday, 3/18/2009 by PPNSteve

A few hours ago, 4Kids uploaded the first two episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters onto their official YouTube channel. Both episodes are available in the dubbed English version and in the original, unedited Japanese version. This is the first time that 4Kids has uploaded any version of YGO DM onto YouTube.

The Japanese episodes appear to be the TV versions, as they contain the still image after the opening and ending that normally displays the sponsors of the show (when the it airs on Japanese TV). The episodes also contain the next-episode preview, which weren't available even on 4Kids' three, short-lived Yu-Gi-Oh! Uncut DVDs. Unfortunately for non-speakers of Japanese, the videos are raws - they don’t have any subtitles, neither hard-subs nor YouTube captions.

Upper Deck Forced to Discontinue Support
Posted Friday, 2/27/2009 by PPNSteve

Courts rule against interests of Yu-Gi-Oh! community

North Las Vegas, NV (February 26, 2009) — Throughout this uncertain time for the Yu-Gi-Oh! players and retailers, Upper Deck has continued in good faith to support the community of which it has been an integral part for six years.

Despite having no new product since December of 2008, Upper Deck has continued to ship league kits to hobby stores, run top level Organized Play events, such as Shonen Jump Championships and Regional Championships, without interruption for as long as possible and at great expense over the last three months.

Unfortunately, Konami has continued to disregard the needs of the Yu-Gi-Oh! community and the court has placed a temporary injunction against us on all Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME products. This ruling will immediately affect all support for Yu-Gi-Oh! online and through Upper Deck’s proprietary Mantis tournament software. In addition, the cancellation of Upper Deck sponsored Organized Play, which it hoped would be temporary, is now permanent. We do not feel that this course of action is in the best interest of the players and regret that the absence of Upper Deck support will leave such a large void in the Yu-Gi-Oh! community.

As Upper Deck moves forward with this transition, we will always keep our customers’ needs in mind. To find out more about our exceptional products and exciting Organized Play opportunities for all of our great games, please visit www.UDE.com.

About The Upper Deck Company
Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.UpperDeck.com.

source: http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/ude/en/articles.aspx?aid=5303

YuGiOh Banned and Restricted List Updated
Posted Tuesday, 2/24/2009 by PPNSteve

YuGiOh Banned and Restricted List Updated by Konomi today..

Konami has officially updated the banned and restricted list that will go into effect starting March 1st, 2009. The Japanese list was released a few days ago, and it looks like they are keeping the changes consistent.

Full list and details can be found at: http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/limited/

Upper Deck Cancels YuGiOh OP
Posted Thursday, 2/19/2009 by PPNSteve

YU-GI-OH! ORGANIZED PLAY CANCELED IN NORTH AMERICA

Konami's Action Detrimental to Yu-Gi-Oh! Community

North Las Vegas, NV (February 17, 2009) - Due to circumstances beyond its control, Upper Deck regrets to announce that all future Organized Play programs and events in North America for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME have been canceled. The unavailability of product and prizes affects all upcoming North American Yu-Gi-Oh! OP programs and events, including Shonen Jump Championships, Regional Qualifiers, the National Championship and the monthly Hobby League programs.

For months, Upper Deck has continued in good faith to support Yu-Gi-Oh! OP, so as not to abandon the player and retailer community of which it has been an integral part for six years. Upper Deck remains committed to the Yu-Gi-Oh! community and will continue to fight Konami’s actions in court. Upper Deck hopes to once again be able to offer Duelists the high caliber events to which they have become accustomed.

Yu-Gi-Oh Ettique Reminder
Posted Tuesday, 2/3/2009 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh Ettique Help

The Yugioh trading card game has grown in popularity, with avid players in countries across the world. Dedicated players everywhere are familiar with the specific and elaborate set of rules of etiquette that govern an official round of battle.

The official guide to the Yu-Gi-Oh game urges opponents to proceed with much decorum. Here is a brief guide to exercising maximum Yu-Gi-Oh etiquette.

The official Yugioh rule book asks players to greet each other before beginning to battle. Opponents should give each other a friendly, firm handshake. Each player must shuffle his or her deck thoroughly.

Players may also decide if they want to exchange decks with their opponent, and have them shuffle the deck as well. Once they have been shuffled, decks should be returned to their respective players. Each player must then play his or her deck face-down on the appropriate deck space of the game mat.

The winner of a match is the first player to win 2 out of 3 games. Opponents flip a coin in order to decide who will begin the first game. The player who wins the coin toss can decide to go first.

After the first game has been played, the loser of each subsequent game decides whether to go first or second. If a battle ends in a tie, opponents should conduct another coin toss in order to decide who will go first.

The Yu-Gi-Oh rulebook stresses that each player must declare each and every move in a loud and clear voice before conducting any move. That way each player knows what is going on and there is no confusion.

Fusion Monster cards are powerful cards that have an etiquette all their own. A deck of Fusion Monster cards is created in the course of a battle by combining two or more monsters. A player can “fuse” two cards together with the use of the “Polymerization” Spell card, thereby created a new, more powerful monster out of the two discarded Monster cards. Each Fusion Monster card details what two normal Monster cards must be used to create that specific Fusion Monster.

Also, different from most cards, Fusion Monster cards are not included in the 40 card minimum of the Deck. People who use Fusion Monster cards must always place the cards face-down on the appropriate space on the game mat.

Players in order to modify and improve their primary Dueling Deck use side Deck cards. The Side Deck must contain exactly 15 cards. Cards from the Side Deck can be exchanged for cards in the Dueling Deck, as long as the number of cards in the Dueling Deck remains the same.

Proper Yu-Gi-Oh etiquette requires that you count out the cards in your Side Deck so that your opponent(s) can see that you are only playing with 15 cards and no hidden extras. Side Deck cards must always be counted face-down so as not to reveal their identity. Every time opponents exchange cards from their primary Dueling Deck with those in their Side Deck, he or she must re-count the cards in their Side Deck to ensure they are only playing with 15.

According to the Yu-Gi-Oh rulebook, opponents must always be honest about the content of their Graveyard. The Graveyard consists of any discarded cards. These cards must always be kept face-up. No cheating!

About the Author:
About the author: John Jones a writer and an avid toy collector.

4Kids secures toy deal for Yu Gi Oh 5D's
Posted Friday, 1/9/2009 by PPNSteve

Upper Deck adds toy distribution to its remit for animated property.

4Kids Entertainment International has appointed Upper Deck as distributor of toys for its Yu Gi Oh 5D's series.

The deal - which sees Upper Deck distribute the toys from master toy licensee Playmates - covers territories in Europe including the UK and Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Benelux, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Greece, plus Israel, Turkey and South Africa.

The toy line relates directly to the Duel Runner (vehicles) trading cards and Battling Monster Figures featured in the new series.

Products include figures, Duel Runner vehicles and Yusei's Wrist Dealer which holds and deals the trading cards. The new figures are equipped with a special 'resistor' which retains information about their powers and are compatible with the Yu Gi Oh Figure Reader.

"We're thrilled that Upper Deck will be distributing the new toys from Playmates in these key territories," said Sandra Vauthier-Cellier, MD of 4Kids Entertainment International.

Konami VP Speaks on Changes
Posted Monday, 12/15/2008 by PPNSteve

Yumi Hoashi, Vice President of Card Business for Konami, issued the following letter to the YuGiOh gaming public to explain the transition period that the game will be going through in the near future....

Dear Duelists,

This is truly a thrilling time for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. With the recent news regarding our decision to bring the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in-house to Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., many of you are anxious to find out what is next for the brand. We are extremely excited to be the one who will now market and distribute the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG as Konami has always been the worldwide creative and manufacturing force behind the brand. The intention of this letter is to let you know where we are headed next.

With the state of the economy today, this is a time of great change within the gaming industry and in the world. By handling all aspects involved with the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, Konami expects to provide the highest level of customer and retail support. We also look forward to taking advantage of the existing synergies between our well-developed gaming platforms to introduce exciting new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products and tournament opportunities. Duelists, organized play, and the property mean a tremendous amount to us. We are committed to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, after all, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the brand!

So where do we go next? We are currently evaluating all aspects of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME - Organized Play (OP), SHONEN JUMP Championships, Sneak Previews, hobby store participation, and player rankings, to name but a few. As you can imagine, there are a lot of critical decisions to be made quickly as we look to the future. We are currently in a transitional period. Once complete, we will announce a series of new organized play events for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Meanwhile, Konami encourages all of you to join forces and keep Dueling to maintain the spirit and friendship within the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG community.

Konami is enthusiastically counting down the days until the new OP and other Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME-related activities resume in the New Year.

Everyone at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of you in the gaming community who have actively and passionately supported the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME over the years and we look forward to your ongoing involvement.

Sincerely,

Yumi Hoashi
Vice President, Card Business
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

What are your thoughts on this and on the overall move to in-house?

Konami Takes Control of Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Cards
Posted Friday, 12/12/2008 by PPNSteve

Konami Takes Control of Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Cards

December 11, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment. (KDE) is taking over all operational and business aspects of the YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD GAME, effective immediately.

KDE will take over distribution and customer support for the YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD GAME from Upper Deck Ent., KDE's former exclusive distributor of the trading card game.

The YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD GAME first took the Asian market by storm in 1996 and became a global sensation in 2002 as it reached the shores of North America, quickly followed by Europe and other territories. Today, the YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD GAME continues to reach new milestones as the game evolves.

Here is the Official Press Release:

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. to Take Control of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™

Company Will Support All Aspects of Distribution, Gameplay, Customer Service and Marketing

El Segundo, CA - (Dec. 11, 2008) - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) today announced that the company is taking over all operational and business aspects of the worldwide phenomenon, Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™, effective immediately. KDE will take over distribution and customer support for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME™ from Upper Deck Entertainment (Carlsbad), KDE's former exclusive distributor of the trading card game. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME first took the Asian market by storm in 1996 and became a global sensation in 2002 as it reached the shores of North America, quickly followed by Europe and other territories. Today, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME continues to reach new milestones as the game evolves.

"Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is very pleased that the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME continues to be the number one TCG in the world. We are fully committed to maintaining a very high level of game support, from sales to organized play, and to providing a seamless transition during this process," commented Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman and CEO of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "We look forward to having distribution of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME within our corporate umbrella as it allows us to take advantage of the synergies from our existing gaming platforms to ensure continued great products for the Duelists and for our retail and distribution partners."

For distributors and retailers wanting to set up accounts with KDE, please contact customer support at 310-220-8630 or card-po@konami.com.

About The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is the #1 trading card game in the world with over 18 billion cards sold. It is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is the exclusive licensee and rights holder to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in North America and various countries in South and Central America and Europe.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 18 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiaries Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Episode 1 of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds dub premieres!
Posted Monday, 9/15/2008 by Bluntasaur

Episode 1 of the 4Kids dub of Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds has finally aired! In case you missed it, you can grab the torrent here

Many fans have feared that the 4Kids dub was going to be bad, and sad to say, after seeing this episode, I can safely say those fears were justified.

Anyone who's seen the original Japanese version is going to notice some major inconsistencies with the storyline. The script writing and dialogue made absolutely no sense.

Not only that, but there were numerous cuts and edits that turned the whole thing into a huge mess.

However, to its credit, the voice acting was decent, and Jack's British accent was actually nice to hear.

However, for those of you who wish to embrace the original, you can grab raws and subtitle scripts over at Tatsu no Kiba Productions

Updated Duelpro 2008.1 Released!
Posted Saturday, 9/13/2008 by PPNSteve

Duelpro 2008.1 Update Released!

The new version of Duelpro has been released and is now available online. Duelpro 2008.1 (4.1.1) fixes some bugs and improves Duelpro at some points.

You can download the updated application here: http://www.phoenxsoftware.com/Duelpro/download/DPR08_Setup.exe

This Yugioh-tcg Lifepoints calculator is virtually the best in the entire world.
With many functions like: lifepoint-calculator, phase-controller, card quantity-controller, a display of the game status and simulations of a dice roll and a coin flip. Very easy to use and child friendly. Update panel included and now with a function to view the latest news on YuGiOh, Live and provided by yugioh-world.com.

4Kids Announces Saturday Lineups
Posted Wednesday, 9/3/2008 by PPNSteve

4Kids Sets Saturday Lineup for FOX, The CW

Wednesday, September 03, 2008 -4Kids Ent. today unveiled its lineup of fall programs to air on Saturday mornings on FOX and The CW Network. Both blocks will kick off the new season on Sept. 13, featuring new animated series and returning favorites. The five-hour TheCW4Kids block will debut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back to the Sewer and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, while the four-hour 4KidsTV lineup premieres Chaotic: M'Arrillian Invasion. Other shows joining the 4Kids schedules later in the season include Huntik, Rollbots and GOGORIKI.

On September 12 at 4:30 p.m. (ET), The CW will offer kids an exclusive first look at the lineup of shows with TheCW4Kids Brand Spankin' New Spectacular Saturday Sneak Peek Party. The half-hour special will include a preview the new comedy GOGORIKI, which is expected to join the fall schedule on Sept. 27.

The 2008-2009 run marks 4Kids' seventh consecutive season on FOX and its inaugural season on The CW Network. 4Kids Prods. is involved in the development, production, adaptation and/or post-production of ten of the series airing this season. In addition to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back to the Sewer, original 4Kids productions include Chaotic, Viva Piñata, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward and Chaotic: M'Arillion Invasion. The entity also adapts the anime shows Dinosaur King and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, and the new Russian show GOGORIKI (SMESHARIKI) for American audiences. Al Kahn, chairman and CEO of 4Kids Ent., and Norman Grossfeld, president of 4Kids Prods., oversee the company's network television operations.

In Back to the Sewer, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to present-day New York City, but are shell-shocked to find that Master Splinter didn’t make the trip back through time—at least not all in one piece. During the harrowing leap, their beloved Father was digitally decompiled into hundreds of tiny data bits, which were then scattered through the vast nether regions of cyberspace. To save Master Splinter and make him whole again, the Turtles must enter cyberspace and collect all of his lost data bits. Along the way, they encounter various megabyte baddies lurking around every encoded corner.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the latest entry in the internationally successful anime series, takes place in the new Domino City. Once the playground of legendary duelist Yugi Moto, this sprawling metropolis has since been transformed into a futuristic society where dueling has been kicked into overdrive. Now the winners and losers aren't just separated by skill and strength, but by speed as well. For five special duelists, it's not just about winning or losing anymore—it's about survival.

Chaotic: M'Arrillian Invasion finds Tom and Kaz delving deeper into Chaotic and confronting new creatures, uncovering strange new locations and scanning awesome new BattleGear and Mugic. Their games take a shocking , however, when a mysterious new tribe is accidentally unleashed. Will the force of their mega-mental powers let them conquer the Tribes and rule Perim?

GOGORIKI involves a circle of best friends who live in a safe and peaceful world where stories revolve around characters and comedy rather than conflict. The GOGORIKI are animal-like beings, each with a cute round shape, a unique personality and infectious charm. Each half-hour installment consists of three 6 1/2 minute stories. The show was created with the aid of Russia’s Ministry of Culture and animated at Peterburg animation studio in the region. It first premiered in Russia in March of 2003.

TheCW4Kids block airs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon on The CW Network, while 4KidsTV runs 8 a.m. to noon on FOX.

Yu-Gi-Oh for the Wii?
Posted Saturday, 7/19/2008 by PPNSteve

Recently Konami confirmed that one of their successful batch of Yu-Gi-Oh games will be making an appearance on Wii, but as something slightly different.

According to Siliconera, a Konami representative, after confirming the title's existence, simply said 'think racing'.

Konami announced their yearly Yu-Gi-Oh PSP game in Japan, but it won’t see a release in North America. Don’t worry Yu-Gi-Oh fans, a game based on Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds is in development for the Wii. Usually, this isn’t the kind of thing I would report, but my interest piqued when a Konami representative told me it wouldn’t be like any other Yu-Gi-Oh game to date. I said, “No cards or dice?” He replied, “Think racing.”

San Diego Comic Con 2008: Thursday Program Schedule Posted
Posted Wednesday, 7/9/2008 by PPNSteve

It appears that the programming schedule for the first day of this year's San Diego Comic Con has been posted, revised and then taken offline. For those who didn't get a chance to catch it, we've noted the scheduled English-Language World Premiere of the new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's television series.

12:00-1:00pm The New Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: English-Language World Premiere - Be the first on the planet to see the English language version of the new Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's television series. Plus, meet the team behind the show, including—straight from Japan—producer Teruaki Jitsumatsu (Transformers: Robots in Disguise). Yumi Hoashi of Konami, and representatives from UpperDeck, 4Kids Entertainment, and Playmates Toys will also reveal what's in store for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's fans and, while supplies last, offer a few surprises for lucky attendees! Room 5AB

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds: Duelist Genesis coming to US!
Posted Saturday, 7/5/2008 by Bluntasaur

Upper Deck Entertainment has confirmed that the first Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds TCG expansion set, Duelist Genesis, will be available in the US on September 2nd, 2008!

I don't have many details yet, but it's a mixed bag.

The good news is that the new set will indeed introduce Tuner and Synchro monsters to the game, including the well-known Turbo Warrior and Goyou Guardian! Naturally, the two big highlights of Duelist Genesis will be Stardust Dragon (Yusei's signature monster from 5Ds) and Red Demons Dragon, a.k.a. Red Dragon Archfiend (Jack's signature monster from Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds.)

The bad news is that the set does not include Speed World or any Speed Spells, so no real-life Riding Duels (yet)

No word as to the full card list, but I'll keep you posted as I find out more!

YU-GI-OH! Trading Card game invades Hawaii with monstrous tournament event
Posted Tuesday, 6/24/2008 by PPNSteve

Hundreds of Die-Hard Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Fans Will Battle for the Exclusive "Doomcaliber Knight" Card, High-End Prizes, and a Chance to Compete in the Upcoming 2008 Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. National Championship Tournament.

WHAT: Upper Deck -- the premier sports and entertainment trading card company -- brings the ultimate gaming experience to Honolulu, Hawaii with the one of the biggest trading card game tournament events in the region - the Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG) Tournament.

Hundreds of players are expected to take part in the all-day tournament, which allows die-hard trading card game fanatics a chance to battle for prizes such as a high-end laptop, state-of-the-art gaming systems, iPods, Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product, and for seats in the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG National Championship Tournament in Columbus Ohio, to name a few.

In addition, the top three finishers will receive the exclusive "Doomcaliber Knight" card, which is only available at the Shonen Jump Championship Tournament. Three additional "Doomcaliber Knight" cards will be given away to three lucky winners at the event's side tournament.

WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13, 2008 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Neil Blaisdell Center, Ballroom 777 (Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii).

For more information on the tournament, please log onto www.sjchawaii.com.

EVENT & PRE-REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Prizes

1st - A laptop computer, championship trophy, the Shonen Jump Championship Prize Card "DoomCaliber Knight" and booster packs of the most current set

2nd - 16GB iPod Touch, Nintendo DS Lite, "DoomCaliber Knight" and booster packs of the most current set

3rd - Nintendo Wii Gaming Console, "DoomCaliber Knight" and booster packs of the most current set

4th - Nintendo Wii Gaming Console and booster packs of the most current set

5th - 8th Nintendo DS Lite and booster packs of the most current set

9th - 16th iPod Shuffle and booster packs of the most current set

The SJ Championship Tournament will be held the Neil Blaisdell Center Hawaii, Ballroom 777 (Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii).

On-Site Registration - July 12, 2008 from 9:00am To 9:45am

Start Time - 10:00am

Entry Fee - $20.00

How To Register - Go to Da-Planet at 2615 S. King St. #312 (Honolulu, Hawaii) or call (808) 791-2345 or go to www.sjchawaii.com

For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game or tournament locations, please visit www.ude.com/sjc or www.sjchawaii.com.

If you pre-register on the web at www.sjchawaii.com and pay with PayPal, or pre-register at Da-Planet by July 10, 2008 you will automatically be entered in a drawing to win a brand new Nintendo Wii!

Pre-Registration Advantages:

- Automatically entered to win a Nintendo Wii.

- No need to wait in the registration line.

- Automatically entered in the tournament player list.

Konami Opens Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Website
Posted Thursday, 6/5/2008 by PPNSteve

Register now for a shot at the main event.

Konami announced today that it has launched the official 2008 US Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Tournament website, giving fans the opportunity to compete for a chance to play in the World Championship event in Germany this August.

You'll find more details on the tournament in the press release below:

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - June 4, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced the launch of the official 2008 US Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Tournament website, where fans of the beloved series can register and compete for a chance to compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 in Germany, August 8th and 9th 2008.

To register, entrants must take a Yu-Gi-Oh! quiz, consisting of 25 questions related to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 game, the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, and the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series. The top 256 contestants who complete the quiz accurately will compete head-to-head using their Nintendo DS™ against other finalists for one of four spots in the US Tournament taking place in San Diego at ComiCon, July 24th through July 27th 2008. The top two winners from the US Tournament will then be flown to Germany to compete against finalists from around the world.

Throughout the tournaments, competitors will be using the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 video game for the Nintendo DS™. The game offers an incredibly faithful adaptation of the hit trading card game, with more than 1,600 cards, new modes and full online play with community support through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Players will also be able to compete with others in online head-to-head play and can use voice chat to communicate with their opponent as they prepare to battle.

For more information about the 2008 US Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Tournament and to enter the competition online, please visit: www.yugiohuschampionship.com

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2008 for the Nintendo DS™ carries a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated E for everyone. It is available at retailers nationwide or at www.konami.com

Konami Revenues, Profits Grow In Full Year Results
Posted Friday, 5/16/2008 by PPNSteve

May 16, 2008 - Following a major media event in San Francisco, in which a number of new titles were announced, officials from Konami have also revealed details of the company’s full year financial results – for the period ended March 31st, 2008.

Over the course of the year the company saw net revenues increase from ¥280.3 billion ($2.67bn) the previous year to ¥297.3 billion ($2.83bn). Profits also rose from ¥16.2 billion ($154.2m) to ¥18.3 billion ($174.2m).

In terms of specific divisions, the company’s digital entertainment segment saw a 8.4 percent increase in sales to ¥178.9 billion ($1.70bn) and a 17 percent in operating income to ¥35.4 billion ($337.1m).

Key releases for the year included the latest versions of World Soccer Winning Eleven/Pro Evolution Soccer, with sales exceeding the pace show by the previous year’s iterations. The Dance Dance Revolution and Yu-Gi-Oh! series were also described as achieving “favorable” results, particularly in North America for the former.

The company’s gaming and system division, which is predominately concerned with pachinko and other gambling machines, saw a 28 percent increase in operating profits, while the company’s health and fitness business saw a drop in profits of 29.6 percent.

In terms of unit sales, Japan still accounted for the majority of the company’s business with 9.62 million games sold (up from 9.39 million the previous year). However, the success of Pro Evolution Soccer saw Europe just behind at 8.97 million (up from 7.70 million) and North America well behind at 4.46 million (down from 5.11 million).

In terms of specific genres and franchises, the company’s soccer titles accounted for a record breaking 9.43 million units (up from 8.47 million) of its 23.33 million overall sales. Baseball titles totaled 1.66 million (up from 1.56 million), games licensed from animated TV shows were at 2.44 million (down from 2.64 million), music titles were at 2.30 million (up from 1.95 million) and the Metal Gear series accounted for 1.11 million unit sales (up from 1.10 million). Other miscellaneous titles sold 6.40 million units during the year.

In terms of breakdown by platform, the PlayStation 2 still saw the vast majority of unit sales at 34.1 percent (down from 47.2 percent the previous year). The Nintendo DS was next on 23.9 percent (up from 21.9 percent), then the PSP at 16.4 percent (up from 14.5 percent), the Wii at 8.8 percent (up from 1.8 percent), the PlayStation 3 at 8.3 percent (up from 0.3 percent), the Xbox 360 at 5.3 percent (down from 6.3 percent) and the PC at 2.4 percent (down from 3.0 percent).

Overall handheld consoles accounted for 40.6 percent of the company’s business in the 2008 financial year and home consoles 59.5 percent.

Yu-Gi-Oh has a Sell-out Performance
Posted Monday, 4/21/2008 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh launches of 2008 out perform expectations.

Upper Deck has sold out of the Light of Destruction booster and the Gold Series packs even before they reach retailer’s shelves in the United States and Europe.

The news comes on the back of a strong sales performance of the first release, Phantom Darkness, which was launched in February.

Light of Destruction, which was scheduled to launch on May 13th, is a 100-card set which features Light cards, allowing duelists to banish their opponents monsters. The set also includes the Arcana Force cards from Season 2 of the animated TV series; 10 world-premiere cards; and 10 cards previously only sold in Japan.

Leighton Kurashima, Yu Gi Oh brand manager, Upper Deck, said: “This is a great year for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, both in terms of set content and chase cards.”

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game has always relied on engaging set content and game play.

“The great sales performance so far this year demonstrates that Konami and Upper Deck continue to deliver for both established Duelists and players who are new to the game.”

Yumi Hoashi, VP of Card Business for Konami, added: “The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG continues to be a hugely popular game for boys. Konami and Upper Deck work closely together to develop superior set contents that keep Duelists interested in the game.”

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Toys at Subway This April
Posted Friday, 3/21/2008 by PPNSteve

Subway Fresh Fit Kids Meals will include Yu-Gi-Oh! GX toys and prizes all during the month of April, 4Kids and the Subway restaurant chain announced earlier this week.

Each Kids Meal will include either a Yu-Gi-Oh GX Monster Spinning Top or Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Monster Etching Plates. The promotion will run from March 24 through May 11, 2008 in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The promotion will run from April 7 through May 18, 2008 in the U.K. and Ireland.

One of two Yu-Gi-Oh! GX premiums, either a Monster Spinning Top or a Monster Etching Plate, will be included with each Subway Fresh Fit Kids Meal, which will come in a themed meal bag. The promotion will be supported with in-store signage and on the Subway Website.

4Kids Confirms Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's American Fall Premiere
Posted Wednesday, 3/19/2008 by PPNSteve

In a conference call with analysts this week, 4Kids Entertainment CEO Al Kahn revealed that the company plans to begin airing Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's in the U.S. this fall. This new Yu-Gi-Oh! series is premiering on Japanese television in April. The property is being launched in TCG form in Japan this month.

The plot of the new series revolves around the quest to collect five all-powerful dragon cards. The Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's name stands for Yu-Gi-Oh! Five Duel Scoop. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the latest television series in the manga, card game, and anime franchise which will premiere in Japan on April 2, 2008. Set several decades after the adventures of Yūgi Mutō (the protagonist of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! story), Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's will focus on a new protagonist named Yūsei Fudō. Yūsei is a duelist who operates a red motorcycle-like D-Wheel in a new stadium game called Riding Duel.

Kahn told analysts that he expects the new series to help keep the Yu-Gi-Oh! property fresh and provide new licensing opportunities.

Source: www.icv2.com

Duelpro 2008 Lifepoints Calculator Released
Posted Friday, 2/29/2008 by PPNSteve

New Download Added - Duelpro 2008 lifepoints calculator

February 29, 2008 - Two years have passed since the last Duelpro lifepoints calculator for the yugioh-tcg was released (V2006.2). Now the next version is avaialable for download today!



Duelpro 2008 features a completely new way of empowering your yugioh duels. It is completely rewritten and is now much lighter (752kb installer, 2500 to 4800kb memory usage), much faster (opens and executes actions directly), has a much better interface (new 24bits depth buttons and glossy icons), is compatible with screen readers, has keyboard shortcuts, has tooltits at the bottom and much more…

It is now also compatible with windows vista and features a dashboard with eg. the latest news on Yugioh, provided by none other then us, YuGiOg!-World!!

by phoenxsoftware

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Game Anime Sequel Confirmed
Posted Thursday, 2/21/2008 by PPNSteve

Newest Yu-Gi-Oh! series to start on April 2 in Japan

The Japanese website of Konami Digital Entertainment has confirmed on Thursday that Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the newest television series in the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, card game, and anime franchise, will premiere in Japan on April 2, 2008.

The story will takes place several decades after the adventures of Yūgi Mutō, the protagonist of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! story. It will center around Yūsei Fudō, a duelist who operates a red motorcycle-like D-Wheel in a new stadium game called Riding Duel. The players ride Duel Disks in this variation of the previous tournaments.

Joining Yūsei are his childhood friends, the twins Rua and Ruka. He faces his Riding Duel rival, Jack "King" Atlas, and Aki Izayoi, a mysterious girl who can invoke supernatural powers during duels.

Source: ANN, Konami Digital Entertainment

The Upper Deck Company Opens New Retail Store
Posted Wednesday, 2/20/2008 by PPNSteve

The Upper Deck Company Opens New Retail Store in Huntington Beach, California

CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 20, 2008 -- The Upper Deck Company, one of the largest manufacturers of league-licensed trading cards, entertainment-based cards and authentic sports memorabilia in the world, will be opening a retail store location at the Bella Terra Shopping Center in Huntington Beach, Calif. The Grand Opening celebration will be Feb. 22, 23 and 24. Superstar athletes like Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton and Los Angeles Dodgers legend Steve Garvey -- as well as World of Warcraft Trading Card Game artists -- will be on hand to commemorate this exciting event. Visit http://www.upperdeckretail.com/ for a complete schedule of events.

"This will be a terrific opportunity to showcase our best merchandise and partner with some local sports favorites to make our retail store debut a most memorable one," said Tim Muret, Upper Deck's vice president of Sports Cards and Memorabilia.

"Upper Deck is strongly committed to supporting hobby stores everywhere," said Greg Goldstein, Upper Deck's vice president of Gaming and Entertainment. "The Upper Deck Store is a perfect place for us to test out new products and to see first hand how customers respond to hobby promotions. The ultimate goal of everything we learn here is to help hobby stores increase sales and more effectively host in-store events."

"Our plan is to open a store where we can test new products, kid friendly marketing initiatives, and promotions and retail merchandising solutions. We also want to figure out ways in which we can work with local hobby stores to attract new collectors and create excitement," added Muret. "It is our intention to continuously test ideas and programs and share those results with the hobby community. There is no better way to learn than being at street level."

"This is my life," said Brian Farole, owner of nearby Baseball Cards Plus. "I have a store three blocks away so it just makes sense that we should be working together. This is something positive that we can be a part of and that will help to keep the industry going."

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny Now Released
Posted Thursday, 1/24/2008 by PPNSteve

Latest addition to card battling franchise features Tag Duel Tournament, connectivity with PSP

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny has shipped to retail, exclusively for PS2, at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny includes more than 2,400 cards allowing for new decks and dueling strategies. In addition to head-to-head combat, players can also connect online to duelists playing Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 to battle more characters and collect more cards.

The Beginning of Destiny also includes three exclusive and playable trading cards for players to collect. Here is the full news release:

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny Available Now

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - January 24, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that its latest offering in the popular Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny, is now available in retail stores nationwide. Based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX series,,The Beginning of Destiny is published exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

Continuing a long-standing tradition of events, the Duel Academy is holding a Tag Duel Tournament, and students are hastily searching for the right partner to guarantee victory. As a transfer student who has just joined the Academy, players will go head to head against the best duelists in Duel Academy, building up trust and friendship in order to find the right partner for the Tag Duel Tournament. In this tournament, compatibility with your partner and your dueling spirit determines whether or not you find true friendship and unity at Duel Academy!

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny includes more than 2,400 cards allowing for new decks and dueling strategies. In addition to head-to-head combat, players can also connect online to duelists playing Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system to battle more characters and collect more cards. The Beginning of Destiny also includes three exclusive and playable trading cards for players to collect.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB and sells at a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information, visit the website at www.konami.com.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, DanceDanceRevolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. KONAMI CORPORATION is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. KONAMI CORPORATION is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® game console the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console, the PlayStation 2 system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system
PSP system is the first truly integrated handheld entertainment system designed to handle multiple applications - music, video, photo, Internet, and wireless connectivity, with games as its key feature. PSP system features an unmatched library of portable entertainment content, totaling more than 270 games and more than 450 feature films, TV programs, and videos from major studios and record labels, as well as downloadable content from the Internet.

©1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI
©2004 NAS · TV TOKYO

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.
Developed by Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. Published by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

January 2008 Issue of Shonen Jump Magazine Now Available
Posted Saturday, 12/22/2007 by PPNSteve

Release includes an extra-powerful Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card, the exclusive “The Wicked Dreadroot” card

In celebration of Shonen Jump Magazine's fifth year anniversary, VIZ Media has released the January 2008 issue of the publication in retail outlets nationwide. According to the press release, the latest issue marks an important turn in the development of anime and manga's most popular ninja epic, Naruto.

Released in time for the holidays, the serialized Naruto returns to the magazine after a two-month hiatus with a fresh story arc.

Aside from the new Naruto stories, the new issue of Shonen Jump includes an extra-powerful Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card, the exclusive “The Wicked Dreadroot” card, and two pages of tips from experts. The issue also delivers an exclusive first look at the new One Piece: Unlimited Adventure video game for the Nintendo Wii from Namco Bandai Games America where Captain Monkey D. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates embark on new and wild adventures.

Moreover, Shone Jump expands on the pirate theme with a rundown of some of history's most notorious pirates and a special interview with the directors of the long-running One Piece animated series.

Europe to Host World Championships in 2008
Posted Thursday, 11/22/2007 by PPNSteve


Europe to Host 6th Annual Yu-Gi-Oh! Video and Trading Card Game World Championships in 2008

CARLSBAD, Calif. and EL SEGUNDO, Calif. USA -- Oct. 24, 2007 -- Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) and Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) today announced that the 6th Annual Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championships for both the trading card game and the video game will be held in Europe for the first time in 2008. The date and location for the tournaments will be announced at a later date.

Representing countries from around the globe, the world's best Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and video game players will meet face-to-face to battle for the coveted titles of "Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game World Champion" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game World Champion."

"Konami Digital Entertainment is excited about bringing the 6th Annual Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship to Europe," said Kazumi Kitaue, Chairman of Konami Digital Entertainment. This year's video game champion came from Germany and last year's trading card game champion came from Italy, which clearly indicates that Yu-Gi-Oh! is a global phenomenon."

"Since 2003, the World Championship Tournament event has been held in Japan or the U.S.," said Nico Blauw, President of Upper Deck Europe. "Due to a steady and broad increase of sales and popularity worldwide, we are very excited to offer the European players a chance to witness the world's best Yu- Gi-Oh! TCG and video game contenders duke it out to be named the #1 player in the world."

SHONEN JUMP Dec 2007 Issue Features Conclusion of YU-GI-OH!
Posted Saturday, 11/3/2007 by PPNSteve

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES BIGGEST ISSUE EVER OF SHONEN JUMP

Expansive December 2007 Issue Features Conclusion of YU-GI-OH! And Full Color Preview of Long Awaited SLAM DUNK Series And the True Origin of NARUTO!

San Francisco, CA, - Friday, 02 November 2007 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the most expansive issue to-date of its hit monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP™. The December 2007 issue will run a hefty 416 pages and is expected to hit retails shelves nationally on November 6.

Among other the notable content, the issue will offer the conclusion of the epic Yu-Gi-Oh! saga, which raised generations of Duelists and has dominated the trading card world. SHONEN JUMP also interviews YU-GI-OH! creator Kazuki Takahashi and gives a retrospective on the impact and history of the internationally loved manga. However, fans needn’t despair because YU-GI-OH! GX will continue its popular ongoing run in the magazine.

Also included will be a sneak preview of Takehiko Inoue’s influential and long-awaited basketball manga series, SLAM DUNK. The critically acclaimed series has sold over 100 million copies in Japan and is a winner of the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award. Catch all the on- and off-court action of the entire first chapter, which is featured in full color in this issue.

For NARUTO fans, SHONEN JUMP offers a manga short story that creator Masashi Kishimoto drew before he dreamed up the hyperactive and unpredictable ninja that millions of North American fans have come to know and love. They will be interested, and perhaps a bit surprised, to get a fascinating glimpse of a Naruto that might have been.

Rounding out the issue is an expanded Games We Love section — lengthened this month into a 10-page blowout covering the magazine’s picks for the best video games of 2007. The issue also includes some extras such as Nintendo DS cards for the latest NARUTO and BLEACH games that let readers unlock special features.

“This is a special issue for SHONEN JUMP as it’s not every day that a long-running series like YU-GI-OH! reaches its conclusion,” says Marc Weidenbaum, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, “But that’s exactly what happens in this issue, and creator Kazuki Takahashi closes things off in a very satisfying way that fans will definitely not want to miss. We’ve also got the early NARUTO short story that offers an intriguing look at Masashi Kishimoto’s initial idea for the beloved series, and we publish the first chapter of the highly anticipated basketball series SLAM DUNK, one of the most popular manga of all time, in color!”

UK/EU Player? Got a mobile? Get a DUELPASS!
Posted Wednesday, 9/26/2007 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH unveils all new SMS payment system for Yu-Gi-Oh!™ ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has introduced the DUELPASS SMS, a new Premium SMS based payment system that allows players of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION to buy DUELPASS Points with their mobile phone to compete in the hottest duels online.

UK, French, German and Spanish users can now text“DP” and will be sent a DUELPASS SMS message with their DUELPASS code by return. The code is entered into the game and adds 15 DUELPASS Points to a player’s account for 15 duels of online play. The system is extremely fast and convenient to use, and also very affordable: In the UK, price is£1.00 plus standard text fee. In Germany, a DUELPASS SMS costs 1.49 Euro plus standard text fee. In France and Spain, price is only 1.50 Euro and 1.38 Euro respectively (all prices including VAT, no subscription).

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION is an online version of the incredibly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game. It allows duelists from all over the world to play against each other and collect and trade thousands of virtual cards. The game can be downloaded for free from www.yugioh-online.net. More than 75 million duels have already been played worldwide since the release of the game in April 2005.

“The new DUELPASS SMS will make it easier than ever to experience Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION,” commented Christopher Heck, European Brand Manager, Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH.“Its 24/7 availability, simplicity and speed will make it an essential part of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION.”

“As Konami continues to expand its mobile division, the use of Premium SMS to play Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION is a logical extension of our business,” added Florian Stronk, Head of Mobile Division at Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH.“It showcases the versatility of the mobile phone platform and is another example of Konami’s commitment to this exciting medium.”

KONAMI'S YU-GI-OH! GX TAG FORCE 2 IS NOW AVAILABLE
Posted Tuesday, 9/25/2007 by PPNSteve

Sequel to top-rated Yu-Gi-Oh! GX is Now Available for the PSP system

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 for the PSP system is now available in retail outlets nationwide. This sequel to the best-selling title, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force and based on the Cartoon Network series, features ad-hoc multiplayer support for up to four players.

Taking place in a futuristic Yu-Gi-Oh! world, this card-based strategy game challenges players to explore the Duelist Academy and join forces with the best partners to build creative decks that can beat the opposition. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tax Force 2 introduces players to new characters, monsters cards while retaining the same incredible dueling action that made the original game so popular. In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2, players are back at the Duelist Academy to participate in the highly anticipated annual Tag Duel Tournament. Players can battle more characters and collect additional cards by connecting to the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX The Beginning of Destiny game for the PlayStation�2 computer entertainment system.

"Now players have even more cards to download and choose from," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "Fans and newcomers are encouraged to use the new cards and deck recipes to generate innovative strategies and spice up the competition."

4Kids Fall 2007 Schedule Announced
Posted Thursday, 9/6/2007 by PPNSteve

4Kids TV has announced their Fall 2007 schedule along with a new new name for it's programming block, called "The Game Station."

Get your game face on! 4Kids TV is rolling out an all new look and an all new attitude when it unveils The Game Station on Saturday, September 8th. This is the sixth year that 4Kids Entertainment is programming the 4-hour Saturday morning kids block on Fox, and to celebrate, it's unleashing the most action-packed slate of original shows to date. 4Kids will add three new series to its lineup of popular returning shows, which includes Chaotic, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward, Viva Piñata, Sonic X and Winx Club.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (premieres September 8, 2007 at 8:30am Eastern): The hit series based on the card game phenomenon makes its broadcast debut on 4Kids TV! Imagine going to the world's most prestigious dueling prep school: Duel Academy, where the Duel Monsters card game is the entire curriculum! Jaden and his friends are officially upperclassmen as they face new rivals, new monsters, and a whole new semester of non-stop adventure.

The new schedule starts this Saturday, September 8, 2007 and is as follows:

Winx Club - 8:00AM (September 8 to September 22, includes the series finale)
The Adrenaline Project - 8:00AM (New series, starting September 29)
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX - 8:30AM (4Kids TV premiere)
Chaotic - 9:00AM (New episodes)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward - 9:30AM (New episodes)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward - 10:00AM
Dinosaur King - 10:30AM (New series)
Viva Piñata - 11:00AM (New episodes)
Sonix X - 11:30AM

All times are ET. Check your local listings for availability.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Card Almanac DS Screens/Info
Posted Saturday, 8/25/2007 by PPNSteve

Have you ever wanted to look up a specific Yu-Gi-Oh game card from 1999 to 2006 but didn't want to dig through your collection stored in the attic?

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Card Almanac DS Details

Have you ever wanted to gaze upon the striking Gemini Summoner card and read about its spell-casting effects but didn't want to dig it out of its double mylar seal with acid-free backing board?

Well guess what? Konami has created the all new GX Card Almanac just for you! Thats right a complete reference of the cards released from 199 - 2006 that runs on your NDS. This should be a great addition to your card-playing tools.

More details as well as some screenshots in the GX Card Almanac Info Section. Release dates for JP and Australia have been announced (8/9/2007 Jap, 11/2007 AU), we have no US date yet.

Yu-Gi-Oh!™ ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION exceeds 14 million duels in Germany!
Posted Wednesday, 8/22/2007 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced that more than 14 million duels have taken place by German users within its ever-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION title for PC.

Konami Digital Entertainment's ever-popular online-dueller continues to enthral Yu-Gi-Oh! fans of all ages..

The figure represents an incredible take-up within Yu-Gi-Oh! fans since the game’s initial launch in April 2005. Within this period, Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION has established itself as one of the most successful online-games for kids and teenagers, with Germany leading the way in Europe in terms of registered users.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION is a perfect recreation of the official Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game and designed to allow keen duellists to take on like-minded friends online. Users can play against fans from all over the world, and the PC title contains all the cards and rules of the popular Trading Card Game. Through a simple yet effective point’n’click-interface players compete in duels against each other or swap cards, using traps and spells to attack and counter moves made by their opponent.

Support from German Yu-Gi-Oh! fans has been immense since launch, with visitors to www.yugioh-online.net and the game’s online duels proving to be best represented and most persistent duellists among the many hundred of thousands registered users across Europe. Courtesy of the game’s standardised rules, duels are also possible despite language borders, with matches hosted between participants from New Zealand, Belgium, Sweden and Korea amongst others. So popular has the online duelling become that over 75 million Yu-Gi-Oh! duels have played worldwide.

“The growing popularity of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION is incredible,“ said Martin Schneider, Sales and Marketing Director Germany of Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH.“Yu-Gi-Oh! fans can play and communicate with each other without having to overcome noteworthy frontiers, and these aspects reflect the fascinating social component of the Trading Card Game.”

Upper Deck Entertainment Brings Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game on Tour to Fans Across the U.S.
Posted Monday, 8/13/2007 by PPNSteve

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Aug. 13, 2007 -- /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) will be bringing Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) on a "Time 2 Duel" Tour this summer to give Yu-Gi-Oh! fans a chance to Duel one-on-one with their peers in a social competitive setting. Yu-Gi-Oh! is the #1 TCG with millions of fans playing the trading card game all over the globe. More than 15.8 BILLION Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards have been sold worldwide, making the trading card game the best-selling trading card game of all time.

The "Time 2 Duel" Tour is traveling to 10 U.S. cities for 10 weeks bringing the engaging card game to kids and families. The tour will host events in Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, and Indianapolis, to name a few. In addition to one-on-one Dueling, activities include Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG demos, "Time 2 Duel" Bingo, and question and answer sessions.

In addition, the "Time 2 Duel" Tour is hosting sports equipment drives in which all items are donated to local Boys and Girls Clubs. Bring a donation of new or gently used sports equipment to the "Time 2 Duel" Tour.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is manufactured by Konami, and is distributed worldwide (with the exception of Asia) by the Upper Deck Company.

For more information about the tour or the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, please go to http://www.time2dueltour.com/.

About Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM)

The Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) franchise is based on the Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) comic series from artist Kazuki Takahashi that first appeared in Japan in 1996. It is currently being serialized in SHONEN JUMP, the monthly manga magazine published by VIZ Media. The comic spawned a hit cartoon TV show, a top-selling trading card game, popular video games and other licensed merchandise. Yu-Gi- Oh!(TM) follows the adventures of Yugi, a young boy who possesses the "Millennium Puzzle" that allows him to transform into the "Duelist King" whenever he is challenged.

The object of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is to win a match (which consists of three Duels) by reducing an opponent's "life points" from 8,000 to zero. This is accomplished through a series of turns using a deck with a minimum of 40 cards and a combination of strategy, skill and luck. Three main types of cards are used in Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Monster Cards, Spell Cards and Trap Cards, with each category being further divided into sub-categories. For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit http://www.yugioh-card.com/ or http://www.ude.com/.

Konami has shipped more than 4 million units of Yu-Gi-Oh!(tm) video games in North America since the series' debut in March 2002, including such popular games as Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelist of the Roses, and more. The games are recognized for the deeply strategic and challenging gameplay based on the mega-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! universe.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid(R), Silent Hill(R), Dance Dance Revolution(R) and Castlevania(R), among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at http://www.konami.com/. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at http://www.konami.com/.

About Upper Deck

For years, Upper Deck has been hailed as an industry leader in quality sports cards and collectibles, and the same level of excellence can now be seen in the full line of Upper Deck Entertainment products. For additional information about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.ude.com/ or http://www.upperdeckstore.com/. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is distributed by Upper Deck Entertainment, a division of The Upper Deck Company, a worldwide sports and entertainment company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Can you Beat the Yu-gi-oh Champ?
Posted Thursday, 8/9/2007 by PPNSteve

BUENA PARK - With his sheepish grin, wide-eyed innocence and spiky hair, Adam Corn may not appear to be an intimidating warrior. But as he makes his way toward the arena, signs emerge that this is no ordinary 16-year-old.

Fans stop him on his way to battle to ask for an autograph. As he walks, his gaze is focused. He replays the plan of attack in his head.

The bag slung over his shoulder holds what his opponents dread. Inside: dozens of potentially lethal monsters, spells and traps.

And Adam Corn knows how to use them.

The junior at Buena Park High School is the United States champion for 2007. His game: Yu-Gi-Oh.

That’s right. Look closer at those trading cards with the Japanese anime images that kids buy in bulk at Target and Wal-Mart.

For some, they are more than collector’s items. The skilled have spent years collecting and studying the cards, learning their intended strengths and vulnerabilities.

Players square off in best-of-three matches, pitting their 40-card decks against one another in a game that is part poker, part chess. A little bit of luck. And a lot of strategy.

Each player starts with 8,000 “life points,” and over the course of a game – which lasts from 5 to 40 minutes – those points are eaten away by attacking monsters. The winner is the player who keeps his life points from reaching zero.

Earlier this summer, Corn plowed through a field of 700 national competitors at a tournament sanctioned by card manufacturer Upper Deck to become the U.S. champ.

Now he’s on a bigger stage, the grandest of all Yu-Gi-Oh arenas. Corn has come to the San Diego Convention Center to test his skills against the world’s best – 22 other players from Europe, Latin America and the country where it all started, Japan.

“I’ve definitely got some nerves,” Corn says, heading into battle. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I want to represent my country well. I don’t want to be embarrassed.”

Yu-Gi-Oh! (NDS) World Champions 2007 Crowned
Posted Tuesday, 7/31/2007 by PPNSteve

Hundreds of fans gathered in the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29, 2007 to witness the world’s best Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card and video game players battle for the coveted titles of “2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Champions.”

Monday, July 30, 2007 @ 21:01:56 PDT - After two days of fierce competition, 24-year-old finalist Andres Toro from Chile beat more than 20 players from over 20 competing countries, and earned the title of 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game World Champion while 19-year-old Michel Grüner from Germany beat 13 players from 7 competing countries and earned the title of 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game World Champion.

Toro and Grüner were awarded Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship trophies, as well as autographed drawings by Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi and “Chaimera, Master of Beasts” Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards. Runners-up for the TCG championship included (in order) 16-year-old Mattia Sarpa (Italy), 16-year-old Adam Corn (Buena Park, Calif. - USA), and 15-year-old Dexter Dalit (Canada). Each were awarded a Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship trophy, autographed drawings and an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card.

Runners-up for the video game championship included (in order) 24-year-old Descamps Yohann (France), 21-year-old Manuel Lopez (San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - USA), and 23-year-old Masahiro Eguchi (Japan). Each were also awarded a Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship trophy, autographed drawings and an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card.

As a part of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament series, Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG finalists were determined through Regional and National tournaments held throughout the world. Winners of Regional tournaments were awarded entry to National tournaments, in which the top selected players were then awarded entry into the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship tournament.

On the video game side, Konami hosted tournaments in the United States, Japan and Europe, using the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2007 video game for Nintendo DS™, to find the best Yu-Gi-Oh! video game players in the world. Finalists were determined through Regional and National tournaments, with top players from the Nationals awarded entry into the Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game World Championship tournament.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2007 video game offers an incredibly faithful adaptation of the hit trading card game, with more than 1600 cards to use, new modes and full online play with community support via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, including full voice chat capabilities. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 carries a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is available at retailers nationwide and at http://www.konami.com/.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournaments for the TCG and video game products were held as a part of the 38th Annual Comic-Con International show in San Diego. In addition to the World Championship Tournament, side tournaments and activities for both the TCG and video game products were available throughout the weekend, giving fans the ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! experience.

Konami Hosts U.S. Championship of the 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Tournament at San Diego Comic-Con on July 28, 2007
Posted Monday, 7/2/2007 by PPNSteve

Four Winners from U.S. Championship Will Move on to Compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship also at San Diego Comic Con - Comic-Con International 2007

Konami Hosts U.S. Championship of the 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Tournament at San Diego Comic-Con on July 28, 2007

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced details of the United States Championship of the official 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament. Eight players selected from a nationwide online contest will compete at the Comic-Con International Consumer Expo in San Diego, Calif. on July 28th for the U.S. title. The top four duelists from the U.S. tournament will advance to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship, also at San Diego Comic Con on July 29th, for a chance to compete against the best players from around the globe and a shot at being crowned World Champion.

The U.S. Championship of the 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament will be conducted at meeting rooms 16 A/B on the Mezzanine Level at the San Diego Convention Center on July 28th, during the hours of 11 AM and 7 PM. Competitors will be using the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 video game for the Nintendo DS™.

The game contains more than 1,600 cards to collect and new modes of play that let duelists hone their skills to perfection. Taking advantage of the wireless capabilities of the Nintendo DS, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 features extensive support for online play through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Players who are in your friend list will be able to compete with others in online head-to-head play and can use voice chat to communicate with their opponent as they prepare to battle. Players will also be able to connect to the online service to download new cards as they become available for even more strategic deck building opportunities. The game will also boast extensive worldwide and local time online leader boards that will let the players download the virtual duelists to compete against.

“Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of Konami’s most recognized properties, and we are giving back to the game’s dedicated community with a tournament that lets players test their skills and meet other duelists from around the country,” said Wyman Jung, Associate Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “The Comic-Con Expo in San Diego is the perfect venue for us to crown our U.S. and World finalists, letting them compete and take part in the Yu-Gi-Oh! festivities with duelists from all around the world.”

Upper Deck Entertainment Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME National Championship Tournament
Posted Thursday, 6/21/2007 by PPNSteve

Hundreds Battle for Chance to Compete in Upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Event in San Diego, Calif. on July 28 and 29

Upper Deck Entertainment Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME National Championship Tournament in Columbus, Ohio

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- June 20, 2007 -- The nation's best Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelists will duke it out for the chance to represent the United States in the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Tournament as Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) hosts the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG National Championship Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The National Championship will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24.

Upper Deck Entertainment Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME National Championship Tournament in Columbus, Ohio

The top four finalists will not only earn one of four spots to represent the United States, but will also battle twenty-five competing countries from around the world for the coveted title as "Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Champion." These countries include Japan, Philippines, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, and Canada to name a few. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29 at the San Diego Convention Center and will be held in conjunction with the 38th Annual Comic-Con International.

In addition to a trip to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship event in San Diego, the top finisher of the National Championship tournament will also receive a 42" Plasma television complete with a state-of-the-art home theater system, a high-end laptop computer, a championship trophy and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product. The second place finisher will receive a 32" Flat Panel HDTV, a laptop computer, a digital camera, a trophy and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product; third through fourth place finishers will receive a 32" Flat Panel HDTV, Nintendo Wii, and 80GB iPod Video, trophy and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product.

Over 1,300 Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fans earned a spot in the National Championship event by competing and winning previous tournaments in their various regions around the country. Players who are not already qualified can play to win a slot in the Last Chance tournaments on Friday, June 22.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is manufactured by Konami, and is distributed worldwide (with the exception of Asia) by the Upper Deck Company.

Information on dates and locations for Regional Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament events can be found at http://www.wannaduel.com/.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid(R), Silent Hill(R), Dance Dance Revolution(R) and Castlevania(R), among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at http://www.konami.com/. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at http://www.konami.com/.

About Upper Deck

For years, Upper Deck has been hailed as an industry leader in quality sports cards and collectibles, and the same level of excellence can now be seen in the full line of Upper Deck Entertainment products. For additional information about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.ude.com/ or http://www.upperdeckstore.com/. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is distributed by Upper Deck Entertainment, a division of The Upper Deck Company, a worldwide sports and entertainment company based in Carlsbad, California.
Website: http://www.upperdeck.com/
Website: http://www.konami.com/
Website: http://www.wannaduel.com/

New Release Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUELPASS THE LOST GUARDIAN
Posted Sunday, 6/17/2007 by PPNSteve

Don't miss out on this!
You cant beat the value with Konami's new Duelpass 'DECKS'!
It gives you the usual 30 duel points but instead of 1 duelpass virtual card you receive a full theme deck of cards!!!

** The Lost Guardian Deck Duelpass ** coming July 21st 2007.
PREORDER NOW!
The Lost Guardian Deck Duelpass from www.yugioh-duelpass.net

• BOKOICHI THE FREIGHTENING CAR
• MECHANICALCHASER
• ANCIENT GEAR
• ANCIENT GEAR
• ANCIENT GEAR CANNON
• ANCIENT GEAR GOLEM
• ANCIENT GEAR SOLDIER
• ANCIENT GEAR SOLDIER
• ANCIENT GEAR BEAST
• GEAR GOLEM THE MOVING FORTRESS
• CANNON SOLDIER
• HEAVY MECH SUPPORT PLATFORM
• JINZO
• BLAST SPHERE
• PERFECT MACHINE KING
• DEKOICHI THE BATTLECHANTED LOCOMOTIVE
• REFLECT BOUNDER
• ROULETTE BARREL
• ANCIENT GEAR CASTLE
• ANCIENT GEAR DRILL
• ANCIENT GEAR FACTORY
• WEAPON CHANGE
• HEAVY STORM
• GAIA POWER
• MACHINE DUPLICATION
• MACHINE DUPLICATION
• SMASHING GROUND
• AUTONOMOUS ACTION UNIT
• FISSURE
• POT OF AVARICE
• NOBLEMAN OF CROSSOUT
• LIMITER REMOVAL
• MY BODY AS A SHIELD
• COVERING FIRE
• STATUE OF THE WICKED
• TORRENTIAL TRIBUTE
• ROLL OUT!
• DIVINE WRATH
• SAKURETSU ARMOR
• RARE METALMORPH

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG New Booster Set Released
Posted Thursday, 5/17/2007 by PPNSteve

New booster set featuring original card types now available from Konami online store

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has announced that Force of the Breaker, a new booster set for its Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG), Force of the Breaker, is now available for purchase at the official Konami online store - each box contains 24 individually sealed nine card packs, and carries a price of $94.99.

Force of the Breaker introduces several new gameplay elements and card classes. New Volcanic cards wield the ability to both destroy cards and inflict burn damage on opposing duelists, while Crystal Beasts are automatically placed in a duelist’s Spell or Trap zones as continuous spells after they are destroyed. Full Press Release is below:

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Makes Debut on Official Konami Online Store With Force of the Breaker

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – May 16, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that a new booster set for its world-famous Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG), Force of the Breaker, is now available for purchase at the official Konami online store (www.konami.com). The first Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product to be available through Konami’s official online store, Force of the Breaker introduces several exciting new gameplay refinements as seen in the hit Yu-Gi-Oh! GX television series.

Introducing 20 new cards used by Axel Brodie and Jesse Anderson in the third season of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX animated series, Force of the Breaker expands the strategic possibilities of the TCG by introducing several new gameplay elements and card classes. New Volcanic cards wield the ability to both destroy cards and inflict burn damage on opposing duelists, while Crystal Beasts are automatically placed in a duelist’s Spell or Trap zones as continuous spells after they are destroyed. Featuring 14 rare, seven super-rare and four ultra-rare cards, Force of the Breaker allows duelists everywhere to expand their powers in the hit TCG with a wide array of new beast, trap and spell cards.

Full boxes of the Force of the Breaker booster set are now available at the official Konami online store (www.konami.com). Each box contains 24 individually sealed nine card packs, and carries a price of $94.99.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com .


“KONAMI” is a registered trademark of Konami Corporation.
© 1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI
© 2004 NAS · TV TOKYO

NDS Goodness: Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 Review
Posted Sunday, 5/13/2007 by PPNSteve

OK we just received an all new Review on the latest YuGiOh for the NDS, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007. This is a hands-on review by one of our great affiliates and sister sites, http://duelpassonline.wordpress.com/ and one of the suppliers for our online duel passes. Below is a excerpt of the review with the full review available here.

From the start, even the most casual Yu-Gi-Oh! fans may notice that this game is totally about the new wave of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards - the GX Series! While this is very much true, the beauty of this game is that, with over 1600 cards to collect, it is the most complete Yu-Gi-Oh! game to date, hence why it is the platform of choice for the World Championship coming up in June 2007! Duelists of all types can find something that appeals to them in this installment. I admit that there have been some lousy, lackluster installments in the series but this game returns to the grass roots of the game: a focus on dueling, strategizing, and deck building. No worrying about exploring areas, going through drawn-out cinematics, and having many “gimme” battles - Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 is a challenge from start to finish, packed with lots of dueling action!

Now, before I proceed, I will let you in on a little secret: I am a very picky gamer. As a game designer and writer, I tend to analyze games and judge them on a different scale. For me, a great game has to have high replay value, fluid gameplay, variety, and, wherever possible, a strong human element (even good AI gets boring and predictable after a while). Both the latest Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! games for the Nintendo DS meet this criteria.

Konami Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournaments
Posted Saturday, 4/21/2007 by PPNSteve

Konami Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Video Game World Championship Tournaments at Comic-Con International in San Diego, CA

World Championship Tournaments for Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Will Be Held July 28 and 29, 2007

LOS ANGELES -- April 20, 2007 -- PRNewswire -- The world's number one trading card game (TCG) and top-selling video game Duel their way to San Diego, California this summer with the largest tournament event of its kind -- the 2007 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament. Representing countries from around the globe, the world's best Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG and video game players will meet face-to-face on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29 at the San Diego Convention Center to battle for the coveted titles of "Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Champion" and "Yu-Gi-Oh! Videogame World Champion."

The Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournaments for the TCG and video game products will be held as a part of the 38th Annual Comic-Con International show in San Diego. In addition to the World Championship Tournament, side tournaments and activities for both the TCG and video game products will also be available throughout the weekend, giving fans the ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! experience.

Regional tournaments for the TCG are currently being held around the
world. Additionally, online video game tournaments will be held in late April to find the best Yu-Gi-Oh! players. Top Duelists from Regional and online tournaments will be awarded invitations to the TCG and video game National Championship events held in their own country. Winners from these National Championship tournaments will then be awarded a seat to represent their own country at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship event at Comic-Con in July.

The U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG National Championship Tournament will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, 2007 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! video game National Championship Tournament will be held at Comic-Con in San Diego on Friday, July 27, prior to the World Championship event.

Information on dates and locations for Regional Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament events can be found at http://www.wannaduel.com. Information on dates and locations for the online Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament events can be found at http://www.YuGiOhUSChampionships.com.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from Structure Decks and Booster Packs. Two players engage in a duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is manufactured by Konami, and is distributed worldwide (with the exception of Asia) by the Upper Deck Company.

The official video game used in the upcoming tournaments will be Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2007 for the Nintendo DS. The game offers an incredibly faithful adaptation of the hit trading card game, with more than 1600 cards to use, new modes and full online play with community support via Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection including full voice chat capabilities. Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 carries a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is available at retailers nationwide or at http://www.konami.com.

About Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM)

The Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) franchise is based on the Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) comic series from artist Kazuki Takahashi that first appeared in Japan in 1996. It is currently being serialized in SHONEN JUMP, the monthly manga magazine published by VIZ Media. The comic spawned a hit cartoon TV show, a top-selling trading card game, popular video games and other licensed merchandise. Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) follows the adventures of Yugi, a young boy who possesses the "Millennium Puzzle" that allows him to transform into the "Duelist King" whenever he is challenged.

The object of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is to win a match (which consists of three Duels) by reducing an opponent's "life points" from 8,000 to zero. This is accomplished through a series of turns using a deck with a minimum of 40 cards and a combination of strategy, skill and luck. Three main types of cards are used in Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Monster Cards, Spell Cards and Trap Cards, with each category being further divided into sub-categories. For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit http://www.yugioh-card.com or http://www.ude.com.

Konami has shipped more than 4 million units of Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) video games in North America since the series' debut in March 2002, including such popular games as Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelist of the Roses, and more. The games are recognized for the deeply strategic and challenging gameplay based on the mega-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! universe.

4 Kids Entertainment Inc. manages the merchandising and television rights to Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) in the United States. The animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) GX, produced by 4Kids Productions, airs weekly on Cartoon Network.

About 4Kids Entertainment

Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; product development; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web site at http://www.4KidsEntertainment.com.

About Konami

Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid(R), Silent Hill(R), Dance Dance Revolution(R) and Castlevania(R), among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at http://www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at http://www.konami.com.

About Upper Deck

For years, Upper Deck has been hailed as an industry leader in quality sports cards and collectibles, and the same level of excellence can now be seen in the full line of Upper Deck Entertainment products. For additional information about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.ude.com or http://www.upperdeckstore.com. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is distributed by Upper Deck Entertainment, a division of The Upper Deck Company, a worldwide sports and entertainment company based in Carlsbad, California.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 Ships for DS
Posted Wednesday, 3/21/2007 by PPNSteve

Today, Tue. 20 March 2007, Konami announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 has shipped for the Nintendo DS. For those of you that don’t know, Yu-Gi-Oh! is a card battling game, where users take turns attacking their opponents and defending themselves with a variety of monster-themed cards until all their hit points are gone. In World Championship 2007, players will be able to construct decks from over 1600 cards - as well as transferring decks from Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller (NDS) - and then pit them against other players through fully enabled Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support, including voice chat. More information about this latest addition to the tried-and-true Yu-Gi-Oh! series can be found below in the full press release:

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 20, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced it has shipped Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 exclusively for the Nintendo DS™ to retail stores nationwide. The official game of the annual Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament, the DS title offers an incredibly faithful adaptation of the hit trading card game, with more than 1600 cards to use, new modes of play and full online play with community support via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection with full voice chat capabilities.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 lets fans of the trading card game construct their own deck from more than 1600 cards and use it to duel against computer-controlled opponents across a variety of gameplay modes. The game features a Limited Duel mode in which only certain types of cards can be used as well as Survival Duel Mode in which the player must survive for as long as possible against a seemingly endless array of adversaries. Players that own the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller game for Nintendo DS will be able to exchange cards and decks between the two games.

Taking advantage of the wireless capabilities of the Nintendo DS, Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 features extensive support for online play and community building through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Players will be able to compete with others in online head-to-head play and can use voice chat to communicate with their opponent as they trade cards or prepare to battle. Players will also be able to connect to the online service to download new cards as they become available for even more strategic deck building opportunities. The game will also boast extensive worldwide and local online leaderboards that will let virtual duelists see how they stack up against the competition.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 brings the action and strategy of the Yu-Gi-Oh! games to Nintendo DS. It also makes worldwide wireless dueling possible, through the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. The game will include 1,600 of the latest cards and more cards will be available for download. Create your best deck and prepare for the World Tournament!

Features

• Head to head worldwide dueling via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
• Includes over 1,600 of the latest cards and more available via download
• Voice chat available before you start dueling
• Create and edit the look of your character
• Each game includes three exclusive trading cards - Spell Striker, Exploder Dragon, Destiny Hero - Disk Commander

Yu-Gi-Goes Online
Posted Wednesday, 2/28/2007 by PPNSteve

World Championship 2007 to feature Wi-Fi card trading and battling.

UK, February 28, 2007 - Konami has revealed that Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 on Nintendo DS is set to feature a worldwide online card trading and battling arena in - a first for the series.

As the official game of the World Championship Tournament, this latest Yu-Gi-Oh! entry offers a faithful recreation of the popular card trading past-time, including 1,600 different cards. However, by far the most exciting new feature is the opportunity to take your carefully-constructed deck online, challenge players across the globe or swap entire decks. What's more, World Championship is one of the few DS games to offer voice chat, meaning you make someone cry with a verbal lashing if their level 20 Dragon Slayer gets killed or something.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007 launches in April 2007 and comes with three limited-edition cards for use in the real-life game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelpass 5 on Sale Now
Posted Thursday, 2/15/2007 by PPNSteve

Following the successful launch of its 'Yu-Gi-Oh! Online Duel Evolution' title for PC, Konami Digital Entertainment announced details of the new Duelpass for the game, which goes on sale from February 15, 2007.

The new Duelpass E-Hero Evolution Deck will enable players to compete with rival 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' fans online, and bolster their decks with new traps, monsters and spells.

One Duelpass entitles the user to 30 Duelpoints - in effect 30 online games. The Duelpass has a unique code which is entered within the game, and submitting an E-Hero Evolution Deck password for the first time will reward the players with a whole deck of 46 cards featuring characters and spells from the latest 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' E-Hero Evolution Deck. Subsequent use of a Duelpass will provide players with new individual bonus cards.

'Yu-Gi-Oh! Online Duel Revolution' went live in January, and replaces the previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Online service. Key additions include the ability for players to use their own avatar when dueling and interacting with other users; a new Deck Editor; and over 650 new cards.

Winners of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Design Your Destiny to be Announced
Posted Friday, 2/9/2007 by PPNSteve

Tomorrow on 4Kids Entertainment Saturday Morning lineup the winners of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Design Your Destiny card contest will be announced. This was a national contest launched in October in which kids were invited to submit their fantasy drawing for a Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card for the chance to have it published as an actual Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card. Three winners have been chosen, from three different age groups, and will be announced on-air tomorrow morning.

The press release / media alert is below:

4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT AND KONAMI UNVEIL WINNERS OF THE YU-GI-OH! “DESIGN YOUR DESTINY CARD CONTEST” THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH ON 4KIDS TV

FROM THOUSANDS OF ENTRIES, THREE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE MADE INTO AN OFFICIAL YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD ON SHELVES IN NOVEMBER

New York, N.Y. - February 9, 2007 – This Saturday, February 10th, leading children’s entertainment powerhouse 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) and Yu-Gi-Oh! designers Konami, will unveil three brand new Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card designs created by three talented kids on 4Kids TV. The Yu-Gi-Oh! “Design your Destiny Card Contest” which launched in October, gave fans the chance of a lifetime to submit their very own original drawing and name for a new Yu-Gi-Oh! monster in hopes of getting their dream design made into an official trading card. The contest drew an impressive tens of thousands of entries, making it one of the most successful mail-in contests ever for 4Kids TV. The three winning designs and card names chosen will be incorporated into an official Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card to be released in a November 2007 Booster Pack.

Contest winners were selected from three age categories, ranging from ages 3 to 17 by a panel of 4Kids judges. Along with getting their card published in a Yu-Gi-Oh! booster pack, winners will receive a Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force Video Game, by Konami. Additionally, kids can go online to www.4kids.tv to see the winning designs and check out the Yu-Gi-Oh! Design Your Destiny Card Contest On-line Viewers Gallery where fans can rank their favorite card entries. Fans can also enter for a chance to win a Yu-Gi-Oh! Upper Deck prize pack. Visit www.4kids.tv for details.

The magic of Yu-Gi-Oh! has been captivating kids of all ages since the late 1990s when it debuted as a comic strip in Japan. Ten years later, Yu-Gi-Oh! has grown into an international sensation, complete with an anime TV series, the biggest trading card game in the world, video games and an endless line of merchandise.

• Date: Saturday, February 10, 2007
• Air time: 10-11am ET
• Channel: 4Kids TV (4Kids Entertainment’s four-hour programming block on Saturday mornings on Fox affiliates nationwide, check your local listings for details.)

New DVDs coming for YuGiOh! Final Season and GX Season 2
Posted Tuesday, 1/30/2007 by PPNSteve

4KIDS HOME VIDEO ANNOUNCES THE DVD DEBUT OF THE FINAL SEASON OF YU-GI-OH! AND VOLUME 2 OF YU-GI-OH! GX IN STORES JANUARY 30, 2007

Yu-Gi-Oh! Season 5 Grand Champion Includes 14 Episodes on Two DVDs Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Volume 1.2 Features Seven Episodes

NEW YORK (January 29, 2007) – 4Kids Entertainment Home Video, the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) in association with FUNimation Entertainment, will release on January 30, 2007 the first 14 episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh!’s fifth and final season and Volume 1.2 of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

These special DVD sets will be available at retail and at the www.4kids.tv web store.

YU-GI-OH!: Season 5 Grand Championship (14 Episodes on 2 discs)
Dartz is now defeated and Yugi and his friends are ready to head home… but how?

Kaiba offers to fly them home, but there’s a catch. In order to cash in on the free flight, Yugi and Joey are forced to take part in Kaiba’s latest tournament — the KC Grand Championship! Kaiba has invited sixteen of the world’s greatest duelists to battle for a chance to challenge Yugi as the King of Games and ultimately be crowned the winner of the Grand Championship.

YU-GI-OH! GX: Tag Team Trial Volume 1.2 (7 Episodes)
After trespassing into the abandoned dorm, Jaden and Syrus are punished and sentenced to a tag team duel! Facing expulsion if they are defeated, the duo prepare for the match by dueling each other. Just as the bout deciding their fate is about to begin, it is revealed that they will not be battling just any tag team. They’re up against the legendary, and intimidating, Paradox Brothers!

Based on a popular Japanese comic series, YU-GI-OH! follows the tales of a boy infused with incredible mystical powers, who, along with his three best friends, sets out on the adventure of lifetime, filled with wild, magical duels. For more information on YU-GI-OH!, please visit www.4kids.tv.

YU-GI-OH!
TITLE: Season 5 Grand Championship
RUNNING TIME: 308 minutes
RATING: TV-Y7
FORMAT: DVD
SRP DVD: $16.98
STREET DATE: January 30, 2007

YU-GI-OH! GX
TITLE: Tag Team Trial Volume 1.2
RUNNING TIME: 154 minutes
RATING: TV-Y
FORMAT: DVD
SRP DVD: $14.98
STREET DATE: January 30, 2007

Huge Storewide Sale and Free Shipping, 25% off YuGiOh, 25% off Single Cards
Posted Thursday, 1/25/2007 by PPNSteve

One of our major suppliers and affilates, PokeOrder.com is having this massive sale. We wanted to let you know so that you can take advantage of it.. the prices are insanely nice for this sale, so check em out.

Huge Storewide Sale at PokeOrder.com!

25% off ALL YuGiOh!!

25% off ALL Single Cards!!

Free Shipping!
We are shipping all orders over $25 for free!
(inside the United States)

Click Here to Start Shopping!

For a limited time only and while supplies last.

GX Enemy of Justice, GX Shadow of Infinity, GX Jaden Yuki, GX Chazz Princeton, GX Forbidden Legacy, GX Elemental Energy, GX Cybernetic Revolution, Dark Beginning 2, GX Lost Millenium, Dark Revelation 1, Flaming Eternity, Dark Beginning 1, Rise of Destiny, Soul of the Duelist, Ancient Sanctuary, Invasion of Chaos, Dark Crisis, Magician's Force, Pharaonic Guardian, Legacy of Darkness, Labyrinth of Nightmare, Pharaoh's Servant, Magic Ruler, Metal Raiders, Blue Eyes White Dragon, Tournament Cards and Promo Cards

GX Returns to Cartoon Network
Posted Friday, 1/12/2007 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX is back in daily action! Beginning Tuesday, January 16th
season two episodes will air weekdays at 4:30pm during the popular Miguzi programming block on the Cartoon Network. Now Yu-Gi-Oh! newcomers and hardcore fans alike have a chance to catch up with the Dual Academy gang and all the action packed storylines of the latest GX season.

The series takes place a generation in the future, on an island far away from the rest of the world, at the premiere dueling high school, Duel Academy. This special institution trains promising young duelists so that they can achieve their full potential. However, little do people realize that one of the greatest duelists of all time has arrived in the incoming class. Class conflicts have stood for many years with the higher-ranked dorms teasing the lower dorms, but the status quo is about to turn on its head with Jaden Yuki's arrival!

Be sure to check it out on Cartoon Network weekdays at 4:30pm (eastern) during the popular Miguzi programming block.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller Ships in the USA
Posted Tuesday, 1/9/2007 by PPNSteve

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 9, 2007 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller for the Nintendo DS™ has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. The first handheld Yu-Gi-Oh! game to feature full online head-to-head play, Spirit Caller also includes new character customization features and an updated card library consisting of more than 1,400 classic and new cards. Each copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller includes the limited edition Brain Crusher, Hunter Owl and Masked Chopper trading cards.

Based on the hit Yu-Gi-Oh! GX television series from Cartoon Network, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller immerses players in the Duel Academy, an elite school for gifted young duelists, as they start a new school year with the low ranking Slifer Red dormitory. Once classes are underway, strange things start to happen around campus and many duelists fear that the school itself has become haunted. With the help of top duelist Jaden, players learn that the school has come in contact with Duel Spirits, helpful apparitions that impart wisdom and help them to solve the mysteries behind the Duel Academy once and for all.

Introducing new gameplay elements to the series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller lets players duel with the aid of a Duel Spirit, which will provide guidance to help players reach the top of the Duel Academy. Players can now create their own custom avatars to use in the single player and multiplayer games, selecting from a number of body, face and clothing types to create an original personalized look.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller features a new library of over 1,400 cards consisting of new cards and older hard to find classics, allowing for new strategic possibilities. Building upon the legendary head-to-head pedigree of the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Spirit Caller features full online play for two gamers via the Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection service.

Hey We Have Forum Here too You Know!
Posted Friday, 1/5/2007 by PPNSteve

I just want to take a few minutes and remind all of you that YuGiOh! World has a nice, friendly forum for you to hang out in.



We are looking for you fans to help us grow these forums now, so if you could take a few minutes and sign up and post, then perhaps tell a friend or 2 about them it'd really help us out.

We would also like to hear your comments and feedback on both YW the site and our forums, so pop into the Requests & Feedback topic and say whats on your mind.

Look for a membership drive contest in the next few months as well.. You don't want to miss that, do you?

McDonald's to Ring in New Year With Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and More
Posted Wednesday, 12/20/2006 by PPNSteve

From Furry to Futuristic, LITTLEST PET SHOP(TM) and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Come to Mcdonald's(R) Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals

OAK BROOK, Ill., Dec. 20, 2006 -- McDonald's Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals are ringing in the New Year with Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Hasbro, Inc.'s (NYSE: HAS - News) LITTLEST PET SHOP brand. Beginning December 22, 2006 through January 18, 2007, eight playful pets from the LITTLEST PET SHOP will find a good home in McDonald's Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals. The mysterious world of Yu-Gi-Oh! is also coming back to McDonald's with a high-action Happy Meal® collection featuring 20 exclusive trading cards and eight popular characters from Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

Making their McDonald's Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal® debut, the quirky critters of LITTLEST PET SHOP feature bobbling heads, oversized eyes and detailed accessories for purr-fect playtime fun. The McDonald's Happy Meal LITTLEST PET SHOP collection features eight palm-sized pets, including four cute critters available exclusively at McDonald's. From a cute Kitten to a playful Puppy, this adorable collection features something for every animal lover. A good-natured Monkey, colorful Macaw and sweet Salamander are perfect companions, and a friendly Hedgehog, mischievous Mouse and little Lamb are sure to leave their paw-prints on America's heart. Each McDonald's Happy Meal LITTLEST PET SHOP friend comes in two different colors and features an interchangeable, removable carrier for busy kids on the go. LITTLEST PET SHOP is under license from HPG, the licensing arm of Hasbro.

The highly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! GX trading card game features the next generation of Yu-Gi-Oh! heroes. McDonald's Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal Yu-Gi-Oh! GX line-up features 20 exclusive trading cards and eight popular characters. The Jaden Yuki, Zane Truesdale and Aster Phoenix wrist accessories feature exciting trading card launchers. Winged Kuriboh® LV10, Cyber End Dragon and Destiny Hero Doom Lord bring action and adventure to this futuristic collection -- pull back the toys to lock them into position, and insert the trading card to watch the characters roll forward. Young guests can amaze their friends with the Yami Yugi magic trick toy as trading cards 'disappear' into a hidden drawer. Rounding out this innovative line-up is Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman -- this handy Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card holder dispenses cards one at a time and holds up to 40 cards for convenient storage. To maximize the fun, each McDonald's Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal Yu-Gi-Oh! GX toy includes three exclusive trading cards available only at McDonald's. Yu-Gi-Oh! and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX are licensed by 4Kids Entertainment.

McDonald's LITTLEST PET SHOP and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal collection will be available at participating restaurants nationwide with the purchase of a Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal, while supplies last.

McDonald's guests now have the opportunity to enjoy additional food choices with their Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals including Apple Dippers (fresh, peeled apple slices) served with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, and beverage choices including 100% pure Minute Maid apple juice and low-fat white and chocolate Milk Jugs, served in easy to handle containers.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit http://www.mcdonalds.com.

About HPG

HPG, the licensing arm of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS - News), translates one of the industry's richest portfolios of brands into a world of fun and excitement for children and adults globally. Through a host of publishing, digital media, lifestyle and entertainment platforms, HPG is able to surround consumers of all ages worldwide with consumer products that expand Hasbro's core brands, such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, G.I. JOE, TONKA and PLAYSKOOL.

About 4Kids Entertainment

Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE - News) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web sites at http://www.4KidsEntertainment.com and http://www.4Kids.TV .

Yu-Gi-Oh!TM ONLINE Evolves in Europe
Posted Friday, 12/15/2006 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH unveils open beta phase for massively enhanced online dueling system

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released details of an all-new version of its popular PC title Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE, taking the online dueling elements of the series to a whole new level.

Entitled Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION and due to go live on December 15th, the beta version of the game will be available as a free download and will replace the existing Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE service. The new game has been designed to offer a more personal and comprehensive recreation of the Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Trading Card Game, with an all-new graphical makeover, utilising elements of both the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series and the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX™ TV series.

Players can now create their own Avatar for use when dueling and interacting with other users in an all-new graphical environment, which resembles either Domino City from the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series or the Duel Academy setting from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX TV series. Similarly, every part of the game has been refined and improved. The new Duel Screen has been redesigned to offer a much more intense dueling experience, and with the new Deck Editor it is easier than ever to construct powerful decks. More than 650 new cards have been added, making the most comprehensive library of cards in a Yu-Gi-Oh! game ever.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION will be compatible with the existing DUELPASS system. After entering the code from the DUELPASS in the game, players will get 30 DUELPASS Points to play up to 30 duels, and also get bonus cards to strengthen their decks. The DUELPASS is available at selected retailers. A special electronic version of the DUELPASS with 150 DUELPASS Points is also available and can be bought via credit card on the game’s website.

Open Beta testing will start on the 15th December. The Beta software will be available as a free download, and during the test period all duels will be free. All user and player data from Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE will be ported across to the new game, including cards, records, miles, etc when the final version goes live in January,

The final version of Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION will be a free download from the game’s official website (www.yugioh-online.net).

“Anyone who is serious about Yu-Gi-Oh! is going to love this,” commented Christopher Heck, European Brand Manager for Konami Digital Entertainment, GmbH. “With Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE DUEL EVOLUTION, we are really taking Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE to a new level. This will be a fantastic experience not only for the existing Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE community. It will make a whole new generation of players discover the excitement of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game.”

• Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP
• Intel® Pentium® III 600 MHz or equivalent (Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent recommended)
• 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM recommended)
• 2 GB free hard disk space
• Microsoft DirectX® 9.0c compatible graphic card with 64 MB VRAM (128 MB VRAM recommended)
• Microsoft DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
• Broadband Internet connection

Yu-Gi-Oh! Online USB DUELPASS Key(TM) Gets Fans Dueling Online in a Snap!
Posted Friday, 12/8/2006 by PPNSteve

USB technology makes dueling online simple and fun..

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Yu-Gi-Oh! Online has already attracted thousands of fans, and The Yu-Gi-Oh! Online USB DUELPASS Key(TM) from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. transports enthusiasts straight into the world of online Yu-Gi-Oh! dueling. By simply plugging the DUELPASS Key into a computer's USB port, users are immediately immersed in the Yu-Gi-Oh! world and ready to duel.

Each DUELPASS Key comes pre-loaded with 90 Duelpoints, and includes three virtual cards which can be added to the player's online deck. There is a total of six exclusive virtual cards available. Each DUELPASS Key includes one of the randomly assorted exclusive cards. Once online, players can participate in online tournaments, as well as chat with other players in online chat rooms, meeting areas, and also during the duel itself. With the built-in translation feature, players can even chat with duelists who speak other languages!

Compatible with most Windows-based PCs, the DUELPASS Key offers an interactive entertainment experience without the need for video game consoles, making it the perfect holiday gift.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Online USB DUELPASS Key is available now at retail stores throughout North America for a suggested price of $9.99, and is recommended for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans ages 8 and up.

About Konami

Konami (NYSE: KNM - News) is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami's titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill®, Dance Dance Revolution® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh!TM GX Opens its Door to DS
Posted Thursday, 12/7/2006 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH reveals first Yu-Gi-Oh! GX title for Nintendo DS

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH will bring the exciting world of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX to the Nintendo DS in February 2007, with the advent of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller.

Marking the first appearance of the new TV show’s characters and academy setting on this format, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller sees the player allocated a room in the Duel Academy’s Obelisk Dormitory, where the beginner duelists are sent. While there, the player meets spectral forms which are revealed to be the ‘Spirits of the Cards’ who befriend the player and accompany them at all times. Thus, in the company of the spirit, the player must take on the Academy’s best duelists…

Following on from the best-selling Nightmare Troubadour title for Nintendo DS, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller is a significant leap forward for the series. The pace of the dueling system has been improved making for a fast game, with the format’s stylus and touch screen perfectly suited for setting the various trap and monster cards the game contains. The player’s spirit guide will also be on hand to offer advice for school life and is also used to update the game’s unfolding plot.

The social aspect of the Trading Card Game is also emphasised thanks to the new game’s stunning wireless capabilities. Players can dual against each other in one-on-one bouts, courtesy of the Wi-Fi connection and can play against players anywhere in the world via a dedicated server.

In addition to presenting a fast and incredibly authentic recreation of the Trading Card Game, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Spirit Caller also lets the player effectively put themselves in the game. An all-new character editor menu will allow users to create an onscreen likeness for use in the game and to be seen by their networked rivals, adding a personal element to the duels.

© 1996 KAZUKI TAKAHASHI
© 2004 NAS ・TV TOKYO

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force for PSP Sees February Release in Europe
Posted Thursday, 12/7/2006 by PPNSteve

Konami has confirmed that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force for the PSP will be released in Europe during February 2007.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force is the first Yu-Gi-Oh! GX title for the PSP and will be making its way to Europe early in 2007. The game will feature key characters from the all-new Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series and will offer a faithful recreation of the Trading Card game.

As well as being the first game in the series for the PSP, the game also introduces the new Team Duel mode, in which two players can go up against each other or team up against the CPU.

Mimicking the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX animated series, the game follows the adventures of entrants to a Duel Academy and focuses on the pupils of the Slifer Red dormitory as they take on other students from the Ra Yellow and Obelisk Blue dorms.

Thanks to an original tag team battle system, teams of two players can duel each other, with each player holding their own unique deck of cards. Tag Force also features more cards than any previous Yu-Gi-Oh video game.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force on the PSP is scheduled for release in Europe in February 2007. Look for more details on this and other YuGiOh! games coming soon on YW.

Cyberdark Impact and more
Posted Thursday, 12/7/2006 by Dark_Marik06

It's been a while since I last updated due to many distractions, but now I'll make a post about several events that occured while i was gone.

As I've previously mentioned, for about $30.00 you can get the special edition Dinosaur's Rage deck which includes the following:

1 Dinosaur's Rage Structure Deck
1 Ultra rare "Five-Headed Dragon"
1 Pack of Power of the Duelist.

Next we have the new pack, Cyberdark Impact to which I will post the entire card list later on. Of course by now everyone knows about the six new collectible tins out in stores:

Elemental Hero Neos
Cyber Dragon
E-Hero Shining Flare Wingman
Raviel, Lord of Phantasms
Uria, Lord of Searing Flames
Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder

And finally, two new Yu-gi-oh GX games: Tag Force for PSP, and Spirit Summoner which will be for the Nintendo DS. I'll have more information on Spirit Summoner as it becomes available.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force Ships
Posted Wednesday, 11/29/2006 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force for the PSP system has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. The first entry in the acclaimed Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise for the PSP system, the game engages players in a new Duel Academy storyline and features an original tag team dueling mechanic that lets gamers team up with allies for an intense and strategic card-based experience.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force immerses players in the Duel Academy, an elite school for young duelists, as they join the Slifer Red dormitory and go head to head with other students from the opposing Ra Yellow and Obelisk Blue student associations. The school is holding a new type of dueling contest this year, letting students team up in groups of two and compete together.

Breaking new ground in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force features an original tag team battle system in which players can team up with a computer controlled teammate and take on two other duelists. Each teammate utilizes a different deck, allowing for countless new strategic opportunities as players bring each character into the dueling fray. The game also features a larger selection of cards than any previous Yu-Gi-Oh! video game, providing players with more choices in building their decks and new custom animations for each card as they are brought into play.

Building upon the competitive foundations of the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force features ad-hoc wireless multiplayer functionality for two duelists. Players can select two unique characters and decks to use in each battle, setting the stage for intense head to head standoffs.

Dinosaur's Rage Structure Deck
Posted Thursday, 11/2/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Having recently hit the stores, Dinosaur's Rage Structure Deck has an impressive collection of Dinosaur monsters, spells, and traps. Included in the Structure Deck Special Set is a booster pack of "Power of the Duelist" and the unstoppable Five-Headed Dragon which boosts an impressive 5000 ATK and DEF by fusing any 5 Dragon monsters.

Magician's Valkria and Toon Dark Magician Girl
Posted Sunday, 10/1/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The Magician's Valkyria card, who's effect stops your oppponent from attacking other spellcaster type monsters on the field, has been released in the latest issue of Shonen Jump(If you're a reader like myself, the issue is the November issue, #11) Anyway, Toon Dark Magician girl will also be released in the December issue of Shonen Jump next months so don't miss these 2 chances to get your hands on these DMG's to complete your Dark Magician Girl Collection. The magazines are only $5 so it's a small price to pay.

NEW BANNED LIST: EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST
Posted Thursday, 8/24/2006 by Dark_Marik06

I. Forbidden Cards

You cannot use these cards in your Deck or Side Deck:

BLACK LUSTER SOLDIER - ENVOY OF THE BEGINNING
BUTTERFLY DAGGER - ELMA
CHANGE OF HEART
CHAOS EMPEROR DRAGON - ENVOY OF THE END
CHAOS SORCERER
CYBER JAR
DARK HOLE
DELINQUENT DUO
EXCHANGE OF THE SPIRIT
FIBER JAR
HARPIE'S FEATHER DUSTER
IMPERIAL ORDER
LAST TURN
MAGICAL SCIENTIST
MAKYURA THE DESTRUCTOR
MIRAGE OF NIGHTMARE
MONSTER REBORN
PAINFUL CHOICE
POT OF GREED
RAIGEKI
SINISTER SERPENT
SNATCH STEAL
THE FORCEFUL SENTRY
THOUSAND-EYES RESTRICT
TIME SEAL
TRIBE-INFECTING VIRUS
TSUKUYOMI
WITCH OF THE BLACK FOREST
YATA-GARASU

NEW! - Chaos Sorcerer, Snatch Steal, Thousand-Eyes Restrict, Tsukuyomi

II. Limited Cards

You can ONLY use one of the following cards in the Deck & Side Deck combined:

BOOK OF MOON
BREAKER THE MAGICAL WARRIOR
CALL OF THE HAUNTED
CARD DESTRUCTION
CEASEFIRE
CONFISCATION
D. D. ASSAILANT
D. D. WARRIOR LADY
DARK MAGICIAN OF CHAOS
EXODIA THE FORBIDDEN ONE
FUTURE FUSION
GRACEFUL CHARITY
GRAVITY BIND
HEAVY STORM
INJECTION FAIRY LILY
JINZO
LAST WILL
LEFT ARM OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
LEFT LEG OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
LEVEL LIMIT - AREA B
LIMITER REMOVAL
MAGE POWER
MAGIC CYLINDER
MAGICIAN OF FAITH
MASK OF DARKNESS
METAMORPHOSIS
MIRROR FORCE
MORPHING JAR
MYSTICAL SPACE TYPHOON
NIGHT ASSAILANT
NOBLEMAN OF CROSSOUT
POT OF AVARICE
PREMATURE BURIAL
PROTECTOR OF THE SANCTUARY
RIGHT ARM OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
RIGHT LEG OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
RING OF DESTRUCTION
SACRED PHOENIX OF NEPHTHYS
SANGAN
SCAPEGOAT
SPIRIT REAPER
SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT
TORRENTIAL TRIBUTE
TREEBORN FROG
TWIN-HEADED BEHEMOTH
ULTIMATE OFFERING
UNITED WE STAND

NEW! - Future Fusion, Gravity Bind, Magician of Faith, Nobleman of Crossout, Ring of Destruction, Spirit Reaper, Ultimate Offering

III. Semi-Limited Cards

You can ONLY use two of the following cards in the Deck & Side Deck combined:

APPRENTICE MAGICIAN
CREATURE SWAP
DECK DEVASTATION VIRUS
EXILED FORCE
GIANT TRUNADE
GOOD GOBLIN HOUSEKEEPING
MANTICORE OF DARKNESS
RECKLESS GREED
REINFORCEMENT OF THE ARMY
UPSTART GOBLIN
WALL OF REVEALING LIGHT

NEW! - Exiled Force, Giant Trunade, Reckless Greed, Wall of Revealing Light
NEW! - The following cards are no longer Limited: Drop Off, Emergency Provisions, Lightning Vortex, Reflect Bounder

No More Shonen Jump Magazine Promos?
Posted Saturday, 8/5/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The very successful manga magazine, Shonen Jump has stopped giving out copies of promo cards such as Toon Dark Magician Girl, which were featured in various tournaments or sneek previews. The reason for the change is becuase these cards were not a Jump promo in Japan, therefore, they will not be featured in America either. This means the only way to get tournament promo cards is to attend the tournament, or get them from online websites such as Ebay, Toywiz, etc. The change might not be so bad, and besides, it only reffers to cards not featured in Shonen Jump in Japan. Hopefuly we'll see more cards distributed by Shonen Jump soon. For now, it seems that we have to wait as Shonen Jump is distributing Naruto Trading Cards in their magazine for the time being.

Power of the Duelist August 5-6
Posted Saturday, 8/5/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Once again, with a new pack comes a new sneek preview. This time its for The Power Of The Duelist. This pack contains some very powerful cards as well as cards that help summon high level monsters such as Ancient Gear Golem for only 1000 life points and cards for Destiny Heroes such as Dark City which is pretty much a Skyscraper for Destiny Heroes. I'm not sure of the locations as I have been very busy this summer so I haven't had much time to really learn more about the tournament. I have however, been able to get a few packs and two copies of the new promos Hidden Soldiers, which allows you to special summon a level 4 or lower mosnter from your hand when your opponent normal or flip summons a monster. The Power Of The Duelist has quite a lot of Reptile and Dinosaur monsters(something the previous packs have been lacking) so we can expect to see more Reptile/Dinosaur decks being played. The pack still contains a decent amount of Warrior and Machine monsters, including a super rare monster called Destiny Hero Dogma, who by tributing three monsters(one of them must have Destiny Hero in its name) you can halve your opponents life points during their next standby phase. I'll have more free time now so I'll keep you all updated as often as I can.

Winners of the Yu-Gi-Oh US Tournament Announced
Posted Tuesday, 7/25/2006 by PPNSteve

KONAMI ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE YU-GI-OH! U.S. FINALS VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT

Four Talented Duelists Advance to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2006 Tournament in Tokyo, Japan

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – July 24, 2006 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced the winners of the Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals Video Game Tournament. Sixteen of the nation’s best Yu-Gi-Oh! duelists went head to head in the competition. The top four winners from the tournament won valuable prizes as well as a trip to Japan to compete against the best duelists in the world at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2006 Tournament in Tokyo, Japan August 5th - 6th. After hours of fierce competition, 21-year old Jason Lee from Oakland, California triumphed over the 15 other competitors as the first place winner. He was awarded a copy of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Collection Volume 2, a limited edition booster pack and Comic-Con exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! cards from Upper Deck�, Yu-Gi-Oh! branded merchandise, a spot to duel in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2006 Tournament in Tokyo and bragging rights as the Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals Video Game Champion.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals second, third, and fourth place winners are (in order): 17-year old Patrick Lewis (Norwalk, California), 24-year old Michael Haught (Finleyville, Pennsylvania), and 13-year old Brandon Sherman (Randolph, New Jersey). Each were awarded a limited edition booster pack and Comic-Con exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! cards from Upper Deck, Yu-Gi-Oh! branded merchandise, and a spot to duel in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2006 Tournament in Tokyo.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals Video Game Tournament took place on July 23 from 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Konami booth at the Comic-Con International Expo in San Diego, Calif. The sixteen finalists competed in a bracketed tournament using the Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters World Championship Tournament 2006 video game for the Game Boy® Advance.

News Date: 07/24/2006 17:29:07
Source: Press Release, Link: http://www.2006tournament.com/

4 YuGiOh Releases!
Posted Thursday, 7/20/2006 by Zorz

Upper Deck has announced four Q4 Yu-Gi-Oh! releases including a Dinosaur's Rage Structure Deck, a second series of Collectible Tins, a Cyberdark Impact Expansion. More details when I find out more but personally that Dark Cyber Expansion sound cool.Also a Champions Pack will be available too.

Konami Ships Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ultimate Beginner’s Pack for Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Posted Thursday, 7/20/2006 by PPNSteve

Become a World-Class Duelist with this Comprehensive Gaming Set Featuring Video Game, Instructional DVD and Exclusive Trading Cards

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ultimate Beginner’s Pack for the Game Boy® Advance handheld video game system is now available exclusively at the Konami online store, www.konamistyle.com. A comprehensive package including everything players need to become master duelists, the game comes with the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy video game, an in-depth tutorial DVD, and a starter deck of trading cards.

Players can first view the instructional DVD included in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ultimate Beginner’s Pack for a step by step tutorial about the world, characters and rules of Yu-Gi-Oh! gameplay. The included trading cards lets players enjoy the game in its original form, before progressing to the ubiquitous video game adaptation. Players will also receive several limited edition trading cards from the coveted Exodia series to build their new collection of cards.

The perfect video game to introduce players to the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy contains more than 2,000 cards to collect and new modes of play that let duelists hone their skills to perfection. New modes such as Theme Duel, Duel Puzzle and Limited Duel builds the player’s dueling abilities, expanding their skills and preparing them for more advanced play. One-on-one duels are also supported through the Game Boy Advance Link Cable.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ultimate Beginner’s Pack is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $49.99.

Lost Star Celebrates Yu-Gi-Oh! Anniversary With Competitive Duel
Posted Wednesday, 7/19/2006 by PPNSteve

Lost Star Celebrates Yu-Gi-Oh! Anniversary With Competitive Duel at San Diego's 2006 Comic-Con International

Malcolm David Kelley, Who Portrays 'Walt' on the Hit ABC Show, Will Take on Reigning National Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Champion Austin Kulman at Comic-Con on July 22, 2006.

4Kids Entertainment, Konami and Upper Deck Entertainment Celebrate Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Success as the Number One Trading Card Game in the World With Nomination into the Guinness Book of World Records

NEW YORK, July 19, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yu-Gi-Oh TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) -- the world's number one trading card game -- celebrates its 5th year anniversary at the 2006 Comic-Con International with a competitive "Duel" between Lost star Malcolm David Kelley ("Walt") and reigning National TCG champion, 11-year-old Austin Kulman of Bellvue, Wa. The action will take place in the main exhibit hall on Saturday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at the Upper Deck booth (#2829) and will be followed by a meet-and-greet session with Yu-Gi-Oh! fans.

"I've been collecting Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and have been playing the game for the past couple of years," Kelley said. "I would be really surprised if I were able to beat Austin during this match!"

Konami Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Finals
Posted Tuesday, 7/18/2006 by PPNSteve

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – July 17, 2006 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced details of the United States Finals of the official 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament. Sixteen players selected from a nationwide online contest will compete at the Comic-Con International Consumer Expo in San Diego Calif. on July 23rd for the U.S. title. The top four duelists from the U.S. tournament will win valuable prizes and advance to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Finals in Tokyo, Japan August 5th - 6th for a chance to compete against the best players from around the globe and a shot at being crowned World Champion.

The U.S. Finals of the 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! video game tournament will be conducted at the Konami booth (#4335) at Comic-Con on July 23rd, during the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM. Competitors will be using the Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters World Championship Tournament 2006 video game for the Game Boy® Advance. The game contains more than 2,000 cards to collect and new modes of play that let duelists hone their skills to perfection. New modes such as Theme Duel, Duel Puzzle and Limited Duel puts players into special situations they might encounter in head to head action, expanding their abilities and preparing them for tournament play. One on one duels are supported through the Game Boy® Advance Game Link® cable.

“Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of Konami’s most recognized properties, and we are giving back to the game’s dedicated community with a tournament that lets players test their skills and meet other duelists from around the country,” said Wyman Jung, Associate Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “The Comic-Con Expo in San Diego is the perfect venue for us to crown our U.S. finalists, letting them compete and take part in the Yu-Gi-Oh! festivities before sending them to Japan to compete in the World Finals.”

. For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters World Championship Tournament 2006 and the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, please visit www.konami.com/gs .

Tournament Pack 8 Checklist
Posted Monday, 6/26/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Here is a list of all 20 cards from the Tournament Pack 8. Most of these cards will be released for the first time in the U.S, while others will be older cards with different artwork(such as Harpie's Feather Duster)

1.Magic Arm Shield
2.Harpie's Feather Duster(Variant Artwork)
3.Slate Warrior
4.Dunames Dark Witch
5.Garma Sword
6.Zaborg the Thunder Monarch
7.Granmarg the Rock Monarch
8.Mobius the Frost Monarch
9.Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch
10.Garma Sword Oath
11.Berserk Gorilla
12.Ultimate Offering
13.Gatekeeper
14.Behegon
15.Violent Rain
16.Temple of Skulls
17.Blocker
18.Wretched Ghost of the Attic
19.Sectarian of Secrets
20.Necrolancer the Timelord

Along with these cards, we can expect Shrink to make its debut at the Shonen Jump Championships which will only be available to the winners...until its released in the Shonen Jump magazine of course.

2 New Structure Decks
Posted Tuesday, 6/20/2006 by Dark_Marik06

There have been rumors of 2 new structured decks, A dinosaur structure deck(With 8 new cards) and a Machine Rebellion deck. I'll have more news as it becomes available.

Card Effects
Posted Wednesday, 6/14/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The three promo cards pictures: Unity, Yu-Jo Friendship, and Judgment of the Pharaoh can bee seen at toywiz.com. I will now summarize their effects.

Unity allows you to increase one of your face up mosnters DEF equal to the sum of the DEF of all your face up mosnters. Unity is also a quick play so it can be used during either player's turn.

Yu-Jo Friendship is a normal spell that makes you request a handshake with your opponent. If your opponent accepts the handshake, then your and your opponents life points are averaged out so that they are equal. If your opponent refuses the handshake,and if you have Unity in your hand, you may show it to your opponent ahd he/she must accept the handshake.

Judgment of the Pharaoh is a normal Trap card that allows you to negate all of your opponents monsters' effects along with stopping your opponent from summoning or setting any mosters for one turn if you have Unity in your graveyard. If you have Yu-Jo friendship in your graveyard, your opponent cannot activate any trap and spell cards for one turn. In addition, all other spell and trap cards on your opponents side of the field are negated.

4Kids Deals Out More YU-GI-OH! GX
Posted Tuesday, 6/6/2006 by PPNSteve

Today at the LA Screenings, execs from 4Kids Ent. announced a raft of international sales for the second season of its hit anime series YU-GI-OH! GX. The 52 new episodes have been picked up by Nickelodeon in the U.K., Latin America and Spain; Media Set in Italy; RTE in Ireland; Canal J in France; and YTV in Canada. The company is expected to announce other major markets, including Germany, in the coming weeks.

YU-GI-OH! GX season two offers more fast-paced adventures revolving around the Duel Academy, the most prestigious duelist training school in the world. As Jaden and the gang begin their sophomore year, top-ranked professional duelist Aster Phoenix enrolls in the Academy, sparking a series of mysterious events that lead up to a major revelation.

A top-rated show on Cartoon Network’s Miguzi programming block in the U.S., the first season of the series also airs on major broadcast outlets around the world and will premiere on Cartoon Network Scandinavia in September.

Final Yugioh Episode
Posted Sunday, 6/4/2006 by Dark_Marik06

We were there when it started, now we'll be here when it ends. Next Saturday, Kids WB will air the final Yugioh episode which is now available on youtube.com. Even though the show is over, that doesn't mean that the tcg has to end. The new banned list will take effect sometime around October, and we can be looking forward to a new booster pack around that time as well.

Enemy of Justice is out!!!
Posted Saturday, 5/27/2006 by Poor-Guy

It's finally out in stores. You can buy them wherever Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards are sold.

Here's a link to all the cards found in this new set! Enjoy!

gx enemy of justice english cards

Yugioh Character Cards
Posted Thursday, 5/25/2006 by Dark_Marik06

After avoiding Yugioh for a while due to exams, I am back and I have some good news. This fall, Konami will release 3 new promo cards:Unity, Yu-Jo Friendship, and Judgment of the Pharaoh. Unity will be released in the Shonen Jump Magazine, Yu-Jo Friendship will be released in the Duelist Promo Manga, and Judgmentof the Pharaoh will be released in the Yugioh Millenium World Manga. The cards will be released sometime around August or September. I will have more information as it becomes available.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game U.S. National Championship Tournament Coming to San Francisco, California
Posted Friday, 5/19/2006 by PPNSteve

Upper Deck Entertainment Brings Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game U.S. National Championship Tournament to San Francisco, California

Over Seven Hundred Duelists Battle for Chance to Compete in Upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Event in Japan!

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 19, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's best Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelists will duke it out for the chance to represent the United States in the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship tournament as Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) hosts the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG U.S. National Championship tournament in San Francisco, Ca. The National Championship event will be held at the Fort Mason Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 & 4, beginning at 9 a.m.

The top four finalists will not only earn a spot to represent the
United States, but will also battle over twenty-five competing countries from around the world for the coveted title as "Yu-Gi-Oh! King of Games." These countries include Japan, Philippines, Australia, Mexico and Canada to name a few. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship event will be held this Summer in Tokyo, Japan.

Upper Deck's Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game tournaments attracts thousands of competitors from all around the U.S. throughout the year.

Several hundred Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fans earned a spot in the U.S. National Championship tournament by competing and winning previous tournaments in their various regions. Players who are not already qualified can play to win a slot in one of three Last Chance tournaments on Friday, June 2. The top four finishers of the tournament will receive paid travel and accommodations to Tokyo to compete in the Yu-GI-Oh! TCG World Championships. Prizes for the top players include laptop computers with built in DVD players, Apple iPods(TM), Sony PSP's(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable), and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG product.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a game of strategy, where players create
individual decks of cards collected from starter sets and booster packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells, and surprising Traps. Duelists with
well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy, and good
fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.

For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit http://www.yugioh-card.com; for products or to access the online store, please log onto http://www.ude.com or http://www.yugiohchamps.com.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a product of the KONAMI CORPORATION, and is distributed worldwide (with the exception of Asia) by the Upper Deck Company.

About Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM)
The Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) franchise is based on the Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) comic series from artist Kazuki Takahashi that first appeared in Japan in 1996. It is currently being serialized in SHONEN JUMP, the monthly manga magazine published by VIZ, LLC. The comic spawned a hit cartoon TV show, a top-selling collectible card game, several videogames and other licensed merchandise. Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM) follows the adventures of Yugi, a young boy who possesses the "Millennium Puzzle" that allows him to transform into the "Game King" whenever he is challenged.

About The Upper Deck Company
For years, Upper Deck has been hailed as the industry leader in quality sports cards and collectibles, and the same level of excellence can now be seen in the full line of Upper Deck Entertainment products. For additional information about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.ude.com or http://www.upperdeckstore.com. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is distributed by Upper Deck Entertainment, a division of The Upper Deck Company, a worldwide sports and entertainment company based in Carlsbad, California.

About KONAMI CORPORATION
Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castlevania, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at http://www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami of America, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products distributed by Konami of America, Inc. can be found at http://www.konami.com/usa.

Yu-Gi-Oh GX Impressions
Posted Thursday, 5/11/2006 by PPNSteve

Duel with Konami's card battle game for the Sony Play Station Portable

Our reporters stopped by the Konami booth at this years E3 and got their hands on Yu-Gi-Oh GX, the latest PSP card battler that is based on the GX cartoon. We found out that many of the voice actors that lend their talents to the cartoon will also provide their voices to their characters in the game, so there's a nice crossover between the forms of media. We also discovered that Yu-Gi-Oh GX will take place at Duel Academy, and will cast the player as a young dueler that will go up against Jaden Yuki, Alexis Rhodes and other characters from the series.

An interesting game feature that Yu-Gi-Oh will feature is a tag element, where four players will have the option to swap out characters if their deck is getting defeated. There's also been an expansion of the animated sequences for cards on the battlefield, and characters will draw and activate cards in action shots. You'll also see the incarnations of cards come to life thanks to anime presentations of the beasts themselves.

We'll have more on Yu-Gi-Oh GX when info becomes available.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters Live Stream at Yugioh.com
Posted Thursday, 5/11/2006 by PPNSteve

4KIDS HOME VIDEO PRESENTS A ONE-TIME-ONLY PREVIEW OF THE NEW DVD YU-GI-OH! ™ CAPSULE MONSTERS™ LIVE AT YUGIOH.COM MONDAY, MAY 22, 2006 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

This Exclusive Streaming Event Celebrates YU-GI-OH! ™ CAPSULE MONSTERS™ Release On May 23, 2006

Look for the Direct-To-DVD Release On Tuesday, May 23, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW YORK (May 10, 2006) – 4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), will offer Yu-Gi-Oh! fans an exclusive online advance viewing of Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters, the new direct-to-DVD release. www.yugioh.com, the official Yu-Gi-Oh! Web site, will stream the entire 90-minute DVD on Monday, May 22, 2006 beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT. This premiere event comes on the eve of the highly anticipated DVD release of Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters on May 23, 2006.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters pits Yugi, Tea, Tristen and Joey against a new crop of ancient monsters who are out to destroy them. To defeat the monsters, the kids must now work together as a team and abandon their trusty Duel Disks for different technology — Capsule Shooters.

"Because so many Yu-Gi-Oh! fans rely on Yugioh.com for the latest inside information on the legendary series, we wanted to reward the fans by giving them a sneak peek at our latest home video release," said Joe Lyons, Director of Home Entertainment at 4Kids. "We expect that having the North American premiere of Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters online - an unprecedented event for 4Kids - will help generate a lot of buzz around this release."

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters

Saving the world from destruction week after week is no easy task. So, when Joey wins an exotic trip for four, Yugi and his friends decide to take a much-needed vacation … or so they think! Before reaching their destination, their plane crash-lands in a deserted forest where the gang meets the mysterious Dr. Alex Brisbane, an archeologist who has made an astonishing discovery. Here in a remote area thousands of miles from Egypt lies a great pyramid that contains an incredible secret — a portal to another dimension — the world of the Capsule Monsters!

When Yugi and his friends enter this pyramid, they are magically transported to a dangerous realm inhabited by ancient creatures. Lost in a mystical labyrinth, they must complete a series of trials in order to find the passage back home. It’s a battle for survival as Yugi trades in his Duel Disk for a Capsule Shooter in life-threatening challenges that are so much more than just a game!

DVD Details:
DVD Extras: Deleted Scenes

TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 95 minutes
RATING: TV-Y
FORMAT: DVD
SRP: $14.98
PREBOOK DATE: 4/18/2006
STREET DATE: 5/23/2006

4Kids Offers Up Second Season of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Posted Tuesday, 5/2/2006 by PPNSteve

NEW YORK, May 2, 2006: 4Kids Entertainment is offering broadcasters 52 new episodes of the action-adventure animated series Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, bringing the number of episodes available to 104.

4Kids Entertainment has released a second season of 52 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX episodes

The series has been delivering top ratings for Cartoon Network’s Miguzi in the U.S., and international broadcast partners include Nickelodeon (U.K., Latin America, Spain and Australia), RTL2 (Germany), Mediaset (Italy), GMTV (U.K.), Antena 3 (Spain), RTE (Ireland), Canal J (France), YTV (Canada), TVNZ (New Zealand), SIC (Portugal), RTL-TVI (Belgium), Star Channel (Greece), SABC2 (South Africa) and Children's Channel (Israel) among many others.
There will be no YuGiOh! episodes returning to the US market on KidsWB this fall.

Enemy Of Justice
Posted Thursday, 4/20/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The time has come yet again. The time for another Sneak Peek tournament that will allow yugioh fans to collect new packs before they even hit stores. The Enemy of Justice Sneak Peek tournaments will be held on May 13 and 14. The Promo this time will be Toon Dark Magician Girl. Please contact me if you need any more information such as which state will hold the tournament and which city.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters to Come on DVD
Posted Thursday, 4/20/2006 by PPNSteve

Anounced on 2006-04-19 17:18 - NEW YORK (April 19, 2006) – 4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), in association with FUNimation Entertainment, has set a May 23, 2006 street date for Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters, the first of two all-new, direct-to-DVD Capsule Monster films to be released this year.

In the follow up to the hit theatrical film and DVD release, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, the new film, Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters, pits Yugi, Tea, Tristen and Joey against a new crop of ancient monsters who are out to destroy them. To defeat the monsters, the kids must now work together as a team and abandon their trusty Duel Disks for different technology — Capsule Shooters.

“These new Yu-Gi-Oh! DVDs are a direct result of the overwhelming response to the first Yu-Gi-Oh! film, which thrilled fans at the box office and sold over one million DVDs,” said Joe Lyons, Director of Home Entertainment at 4Kids. “With an intriguing new storyline and an exciting new way to battle, it is certain to please the multitude of Yugi fans and attract an even wider audience.”

The DVD release follows on the heels of Mattel’s recent release of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters Collectible Figure Game. With game play and rules drawn from the Capsule Monsters film, Mattel’s new game is a competition of strategy and surprise. Players must plan moves carefully before unleashing their Monsters to attack. Defeat the enemy King and win the game! The starter set includes everything needed for a two-player game. Collectible booster packs, which include different and more powerful Monsters than those found in the starter set, are also available.

To support the retail debut of the DVD, 4Kids is planning a multi-platformed advertising campaign, and exclusive online sneak peaks on the Yu-Gi-Oh! (www.yugioh.com) and 4Kids TV (www.4Kids.TV) Web sites, as well as other top game and movie sites.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters
Saving the world from destruction week after week is no easy task. So, when Joey wins an exotic trip for four, Yugi and his friends decide to take a much-needed vacation … or so they think! Before reaching their destination, their plane crash-lands in a deserted forest where the gang meets the mysterious Dr. Alex Brisbane, an archeologist who has made an astonishing discovery. Here in a remote area thousands of miles from Egypt lies a great pyramid that contains an incredible secret — a portal to another dimension — the world of the Capsule Monsters!

When Yugi and his friends enter this pyramid, they are magically transported to a dangerous realm inhabited by ancient creatures. Lost in a mystical labyrinth, they must complete a series of trials in order to find the passage back home. It’s a battle for survival as Yugi trades in his Duel Disk for a Capsule Shooter in life-threatening challenges that are so much more than just a game!

DVD Extras: Deleted Scenes

TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 95 minutes
RATING: TV-Y
FORMAT: DVD
SRP: $14.98
PREBOOK DATE: 4/18/2006
STREET DATE: 5/23/2006

2 days left
Posted Friday, 4/14/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The regionals begin in just two days. Saturday, April 15 will be the day that the regionals begin. If you would like more information go to www.yugioh-card.com.

2 days left
Posted Friday, 4/14/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The regionals begin in just two days. Saturday, April 15 will be the day that the regionals begin. If you would like more information go to www.yugioh-card.com.

Konami Europe is No More
Posted Friday, 3/31/2006 by PPNSteve

But don’t worry, Konami Digital Entertainment, GmbH has taken its place as the Japanese publisher reveals a re-branding and re-structuring of its European arm.

The company’s console, PC, arcade, mobile and new business operations will now be united under the umbrella brand of Konami Digital Entertainment with immediate effect, and comes ahead of big new 2006 releases such as Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 and Yu-Gi-Oh.

“These are exciting times for Konami,” said Konami Digital Entertainment president Kunio Neo. “We have a hard-earned reputation for producing cutting edge titles and stand on the cusp of a new era of video games as new formats are launched. As such, this is terrific time to grow our unified business under the new company name.”

Be sure to check back at YW for the latest nows about everything YuGiOh!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters The Movie
Posted Saturday, 3/25/2006 by PPNSteve

As you know, there has been a ton of buzz recently about the Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters television story arc in Ireland and when it will be shown in the US.

Well, I’ve got some news that you might want to check out:

YU-GI-OH! CAPSULE MONSTERS THE MOVIE YUGI DISCOVERS A WHOLE NEW WAY TO DUEL IN ALL-NEW DIRECT-TO-DVD RELEASE

It's a Battle for Survival as Yugi Trades his Duel Disk for a Capsule Shooter First of Two New Capsule Monster Movies Coming Soon

Saving the world from destruction week after week is no easy task. So, when Joey wins an exotic trip for four, Yugi and his friends decide to take a much-needed vacation … or so they think! Before reaching their destination, their plane crash-lands in a deserted forest where the gang meets the mysterious Dr. Alex Brisbane, an archeologist who has made an astonishing discovery. Here in a remote area thousands of miles from Egypt lies a great pyramid that contains an incredible secret - a portal to another dimension - the world of the Capsule Monsters!

When Yugi and his friends enter this pyramid, they are magically transported to a dangerous realm inhabited by ancient creatures. Lost in a mystical labyrinth, they must complete a series of trials in order to find the passage back home. It's a battle for survival as Yugi trades in his Duel Disk for a Capsule Shooter in life-threatening challenges that are so much more than just a game!

Stay tuned to YW for exclusive online sneak peaks..

Konami Ships Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006
Posted Wednesday, 3/15/2006 by PPNSteve

New Ways to Play and Expanded Card Library Highlight Official Game of the 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 for the Game Boy® Advance has shipped to retail stores nationwide. The official video game of the 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament, Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 features a host of new cards as well as all new game modes in which to enjoy the game’s fast-paced tactical card action.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 expands the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe with more than 2000 cards for players to collect and use, including many of the latest Structure decks from the TRADING CARD GAME as well as cards from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX television series. The new cards allow for increased variety and strategy in offensive and defensive tactics while maintaining the series’ core elements of traps, monsters and spells. Each copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 will also come with three limited edition official trading cards from the new GX universe, Golden Homunculus, Helios – The Primordial Sun and Helios Duo Megistus.

Players will now have more ways to play and test their Yu-Gi-Oh! skills with the addition of several original gameplay modes in Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006. The new Theme Duel mode challenges players to achieve victory while meeting a series of conditions, such as inflicting a certain amount of damage on their enemies or using a certain number of traps. Players looking for instant action can turn to Duel Puzzle mode, in which they must complete a series of objectives in one turn. Limited Duel mode establishes restrictions on the deck and actions available to the player, while Survival Duel mode challenges the player to advance as far as possible against a horde of enemies while managing a limited number of life points. Head to head competition is supported in Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006, as players can compete against their friends using the Game Boy Advance Link® Cable.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 is available exclusively for the Game Boy Advance for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB. For more information on Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 and the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, please visit: www.konami.com/gs.

Structure Decks of 2006 Spoilers
Posted Monday, 2/27/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Alright, heres the link to the site where you can see the card lists for the Earth structure deck which schould be available in late April-early May, and the Harpie Lady deck which will be available sometime in August.

http://www.theriversidegym.com/

Armed Dragon Lv.10
Posted Saturday, 2/25/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The Shadow of Infinity booster packs will soon be out, and I'm sure many of you are ready to get those three Shadow Gods. for those of you who really want to get the Shadow Gods, bad idea. If you're not, then you'll be happy. The new packs supports Insect decks, Cyber Dragon decks, and of course the Ancient Gear Golem decks. I would give the pack a rating of 5/10 for being good, but not good enough considering that you only get 1 ultra rare card per box so you'd have to buy at least 3 booster boxes to have a chance of getting at least 2 Shadow Gods and a Cyber Laser Dragon. At the Sneak Peek, only about two Cyber Laser Dragon's were pulled, out of almost 16 booster boxes, so if you get a Laser Dragon, do not give it up so easily. Anyway, the entire set has only about 64 cards.
The Chazz deck contains an ultra rare Armed Dragon Lv.10 which has the power to discard one card from your hand to destroy all face up monsters on your opponents side of the field. Could he replace lightning Vortex? No, but he is a cool looking card as well as a good trade card until everyone else gets him.

KONAMI SHIPS YU-GI-OH! DOUBLE PACK
Posted Thursday, 2/23/2006 by PPNSteve

Combining Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards and Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction Onto One GBA Game Pak For The Ultimate Card Battling Experience

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – February 22, 2006 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today it has shipped Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack for the Nintendo Game Boy® Advance handheld video game system to retail stores nationwide. The classic titles Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards and Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction are combined onto one GBA cartridge, letting Yu-Gi-Oh! players duel in the ultimate card dueling tournaments. Based on the popular animated TV series and TRADING CARD GAME, both chapters are among the most highly acclaimed games in the long running Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and will provide hours of portable gaming fun. Additionally, the game comes packaged with two exclusive trading cards: Dark Magician Knight and Knight’s Tale.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards, players strive to become the strongest duelist in the world by collecting the three God cards. The game takes place in Battle City, which features more than 100 characters and 900 cards. Players must duel to gain valuable experience to increase their level and the ability to use more powerful cards.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction, the sequel to Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards, pits players against Reshef - “The Dark Being" – who, if left unchecked, will shroud the world in a mire of darkness. Players must build their decks and gain experience, even as new twists and turns threaten to derail efforts to stop evil. As players explore the world, they will have to buy and sell, even wager, their cards to create an unbeatable deck to stop Reshef and restore order.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack is rated “E" for Everyone by the ESRB and has an SRP of $29.99. For more information on Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack and the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, please visit: www.konami.com/gs.

New Banned List in Japan
Posted Wednesday, 2/22/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The new banned list in Japan goes up on March 1st, which means that by June or April we too will have this new banned list. The list is pretty much the same, but Mirror Force and Graceful Charity will once again be playable. I'll post a link where you can go and see all the new cards being banned, limited, and semi-limited so that I don't have to type them all.

http://www.yugioh-card.com/japan/tou/seigen01.html

Sneak Preview of JAden's and Chazz's Packs
Posted Saturday, 2/18/2006 by Poor-Guy

Here it is. I'm not sure if its the full list of cards, but I'll write down all of the ones I know and give details on some of the very anticipated ones like Armed Dragon LV10 or Elemental Hero Steam Healer. After that, I'll post a link to the site where I found these and you can check out each card individually.

Chazz Princeton Pack:
-V-Tiger Jet
-Ojama Green
-Ojama Yellow
-Ojama Black
-X-Head Cannon
-Y-Dragon Head
-Z-Metal Tank
-W-Wing Catapult
-Infernal Incinerator*
-Armed Dragon LV3
-Armed Dragon LV5
-Armed Dragon LV7**
-Armed Dragon LV10***
-XYZ-Dragon Cannon*
-Ojama King
-VW-Tiger Catapult*
-VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon*
-Ojama Delta Hurricane!!
-Level Modulation*
-Ojamagic*
-Ojamuscle*
-Chthonian Alliance
-Armed Changer
-Magical Mallet**
-Inferno Reckless Summon**
-Ring of Defense***
-Ojama Trio
-Chthonian Blast
-Chthonian Polymer
-The Grave of Enkindling**

* Rare Card
** Super Rare Card
*** Ultra Rare Card

Armed Dragon LV10
WIND [Dragon/Effect]
10 STARS
ATK/3000
DEF/2000
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Tributing 1 "Armed Dragon LV7" on your side of the field. By sending 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard, destroy a;; face-up monsters on your opponent's side of the field.

Jaden Yuki Pack
-Elemental Hero Avian
-Elemental Hero Burstinatrix
-Elemental Hero Clayman
-Elemental Hero Sparkman
-Winged Kuriboh*
-Winged Kuriboh LV10*
-Wroughtweiler
-Dark Catapulter
-Elemental Hero Bubbleman
-Elemental Hero Flame Wingman*
-Elemental Hero Thunder Giant*
-Elemental Hero Rampart Blaster*
-Elemental Hero Steam Healer***
-Polymerization
-Fusion Sage
-The Warrior Returning Alive
-Feather Shot
-Transcendent Wings
-Bubble Shuffle
-Spark Blaster
-Sckyscraper*
-Burst Return**
-Bubble Blaster**
-Bubble Illusion***
-A Hero Emerges
-Draining Shield
-Negate Attack*
-Hero Signal
-Feather Wind*
-Clay Charge**

* Rare Card
** Super Rare Card
*** Ultra Rare Card

Elemental Hero Steam Healer
WATER [Warrior/Fusion/Effect]
5 STARS
ATK/1800
DEF/1000
Fusion-Material Monster:
"Elemental Hero Burstinatrix" + "Elemtnal Hero Bubbleman"
Effect: This monster cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. When this card destroy a monster as a result of battle and sends it to the Graveyard, increase your Life Points by the ATK of the destroyed monster.

There you go. There are a lot of cards that mant people look for that will be easy to get now since they are in Rare or Common form, like the E-Hero Fusion, Winged Kuribohs, Armed Dragons, V, W, X, Y, and Z, and tehir fusions, etc.

Here's the link to the site: http://www.stop2shop.com
Click on the picture of the packs and it'll take you to the list. Each card has a picture that u can click and hten click again to enlarge and read its effect. You can see every single card lsited above.

Enjoy this preview and enjoy the packs!

The Promo is...Ancient Lamp?!!!
Posted Saturday, 2/18/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Thats right. Though the Sneak Preview is tomorrow I thought I'd give everyone a heads up on the new promo which is Ancient Lamp.It pretty much has the effect of Magic Arm Shield which is when your opponent attacks the face down Ancient Lamp, you chose one of your opponent's monsters and your opponent attacks his own monster. Although it is Level 3, a Spellcaster/wind monster, and has an attack of 900 and a defense of 1400, it is a pretty useful card, and if the card is face up on the field, you can summon a "La Jinn The Mystical Genie of the Lamp" from your hand.

Another Structure Deck with an Exodia?
Posted Friday, 2/17/2006 by Dark_Marik06

I have recieved news that the next structure deck is scheduled for release in June. The deck is called the Tomb of the Divine Guardian which is an Earth and Rock monster deck based upon ancient Egypt. There are also speculations that the holofoil card is an Exodia look-alike card called the Sphinx Exordo which has a defense of 4000. Also, the Shadow of Infinity Sneak Peek is in juts two days.

Konami Announces New GBA Title
Posted Wednesday, 2/15/2006 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters: World Championship Tournament 2006

Console -- Game Boy Advance
Genre -- Action
Publisher -- Konami Global Entertainment Company
Developer -- Konami Global Entertainment Company
# of Players -- 1
Release Date -- March 2006
ESRB Rating -- Not Rated
Website -- www.Konami.com

Konami has announced the production of Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters – World Championship Tournament 2006 for the Game Boy Advance.
Konami has announced today that production is currently underway for the Game Boy Advance title, Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters - World Championship Tournament 2006. As the official video game for the 2006 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament, the GBA title is set to introduce a number of new features to the series.

The forthcoming title form Konami is set to include over two-thousand individual cards from the widely popular trading card game. The additions to the allotment of cards present within the title is said to greatly increase the level of strategy associated with both offensive and defensive tactics within the game. As an added bonus, Konami is also including three three limited edition trading cards from the new set, GX Universe with every game sold.

The company will also include a number of new gameplay features to spice up the level of action. New modes such as Dual Puzzle, where players must complete a series of objectives, the likes of which must be finished in a single turn within the game. A Limited Duel mode places drastic restrictions in regards to the overall structure of player's decks, and also inhibits the moves available to each user.

Additional modes such as a Theme Duel and Survival Duel are also set to appear in the upcoming GBA title. In Theme Duel, players are given a set of specific in game conditions that must be reached in order for one to be declared victorious. Survival mode on the other hand, places users in the tough position of battling several opponents with a limited number of life points at their disposal.

Konami will also include support for the Game Boy Advance link cable to allow friends to easily test out their skills against one another. Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters is currently well underway in terms of production and is slated to release this coming March.

YuGiOh! World will have more regarding this newly announced title as soon as further details are revealed. Stay tuned..

Shadow of Infinity Sneak Preview
Posted Tuesday, 2/14/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Good news to all those who live in Baton Rouge such as myself. This year, Baton Rouge was fortunate enough to have a sneak peek of Shadow of Infinity,but of course the prices are still the same, and both tournaments will be held on saturday February 18.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Rise of the Sacred Beasts Official Website Section
Posted Tuesday, 2/14/2006 by PPNSteve

Starting TODAY (Monday, 2/13), in support of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: Rise of the Sacred Beasts story arc, the official website ( www.yugioh.com ) will launch an all-new section devoted to the Sacred Beasts, which will feature DAILY CARD TIPS. These will be in addition to the existing, standard card tips that will continue to be updated each week.



As I'm sure you know, the Rise of the Sacred Beasts story arc for Yu-Gi-Oh! GX started on January 30th and will run through March on Cartoon Network. Yu-Gi-Oh! continues to be the #1 Trading Card Game around and GX is one of the top-rated shows on Cartoon Network's MIGUZI programming block.

Stay tuned for some more information about this story arc from us in the coming weeks...

Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack Announced
Posted Friday, 2/3/2006 by PPNSteve

Fans get a double dose of the Blue Eyes White Dragon!

February 3, 2006 - An announcement was made today by Konami of Europe, stating that the Yu-Gi-Oh license will be seeing a double pack release for Game Boy Advance. The double pack includes Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction. Though the double pack is a classic "double dip" for the GBA, it does include three limited official trading cards, making it a must-buy for collectors and card-battlers alike.

Konami states that the double pack comes due to a tremendous following that has been generated on the GBA. The games are a mix of RPG and card-battle elements, following the characters from the TV series as they attempt to climb the ranks of a dueling competition hosted by the Kaiba Corporation. Reshef of Destruction follows Yugi on his quest to defeat a powerful Dark Being, who plans to take over the world. In order to do so, Yugi must defeat over 100 duelists to complete an unbeatable deck of cards.

Christopher Heck, Konami's European brand manager, had the following to say about the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise, and its success on the GBA platform:

"The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise is one of Konami's most successful and popular, and this great value Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack is the ideal way for duelists to start the year. It will be followed by a number of key new and innovative Yu-Gi-Oh! titles in the New Year, marking yet another strong year for the series."

Further Konami Double Pack products will be launched in 2006 and announced shortly.

New English Series? Yu-Gi-Oh!: Capsule Monsters
Posted Friday, 2/3/2006 by PPNSteve

Just when everyone were getting used to the idea of the popular series ending, there's news of a new season showing in Ireland. No one knows much about it - just that no one has heard of it before and it was not one of Japan's original seasons.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: Capsule Monsters is a series of episodes never aired in Japan that will release in the US on DVD and on TV tentatively in the fall. Before you can see them on TV you will be able to pick up Part 1 of this never before seen movie on DVD this spring/summer.

Suspected to be made by the same people as the American Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie, the characters play the game with little cannons attached to their arms like Duel Disks. Atem/Atemu is still here, along with the Millennium Items, and everyone seems to have new outfits. It also seems to be linked to Mattel, who are selling the Capsule Monsters game and these episodes are said to be a 12 episode story arc.

Screen Shots:

We'll have more info and an episode guide as it becomes available.

Yu-Gi-Oh Goes USB
Posted Thursday, 1/26/2006 by PPNSteve

Play online cards with Konami's new dongle.

At Konami's Gamer's Day in San Francisco today, the company revealed its next Yu-Gi-Oh product: the Yu-Gi-Oh USB Duelpass Key, a cheap, easy, and collectible way of playing the card game online.

The USB Duelpass Key is a dongle that pops into any PC's USB port. Once connected, players are immediately sent to the Yu-Gi-Oh Online site for login. Each Duelpass Key costs 9.99, and will enable players to play 90 card duels over the Yu-Gi-Oh Online software downloaded to the PC. Each Duelpass Key also includes three virtual cards that can be added to the player's online deck attached to his username.

The Yu-Gi-Oh USB Duelpass Key will be hitting stores as early as this spring and sold in game stores and toy sections.

New Hobby League Parallel Rares
Posted Thursday, 1/26/2006 by Dark_Marik06

There are 5 new parallel cards expected to hit hobby leagues all around the U.S very soon. The first is Cyber Jar which should come out in late January-early February, followed by:
February: Sangan
March: Heavy Storm
April: Marauding Captain
May: Fissure
I will report if there have been any changes made on the next four, however, Cyber Jar is sure to be one of the 5.

In other news, once released, the Yugioh GX duelist Jaden and Chazz will have 30 packs per booster box, 6 cards per pack, which will total to 180 cards. Hopefully, that one box will give you all the cards needed to replicate Jaden's and Chazz's decks.Also, sometime in early April, we can expect to see Yugioh GX starter decks.

Spellcaster's Judgement
Posted Thursday, 1/26/2006 by Poor-Guy

Dark_Marik has posted something about it this already, but I'd like to expand on it. I just bought the deck, and it's not so bad. I has some pretty sweet cards in their common version, like Breaker, Magic Cylinder, Lightning Vortex, Dark Magic Attack, Skilled Dark Magician, Diffusion-Wave Motion, Mage Power and a new type of Dark Magician (the one with a stone tablet behind him).

The point of hte deck is to burn your opponent's Life Points away using a combination of Spell Cards and Monster effects like that of the Rapid-Fire Magician's. But, many cards can be used together to recycle your Spells and use them again to deal even more damage. Here is the list including some card's effects that you might be unfamiliar with:

Monster Cards:
-Dark Eradicator Warlock
DARK, [Spellcaster/Effect] 7 Stars
ATK/2500 DEF/2100
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Tributing 1 "Dark Magician" on your side of the field. While this card is face-up, inflict 1000 points of damage to your opponent's Life Points when EITHER player activates a Normal Spell Card.

-Mythical Beast Cerberus
Effect: For every spell card activated, this monster gets a counter. Increase the attack of this monster's attack by 500 for each Spell Counter. When it attacks, remove all counters at the End Phase of the turn in which it attacked.

-Dark Magician
-Gemini Elf
-Magician of Faith x2
-Skilled Dark Magician x2
-Apprentice Magician x2
-Chaos Command Magician
-Breaker the Magical Warrior
-Royal Magical Library
-Tsukuyomi
-Chaos Sorcerer

-White Magician Pikeru
Effect: During your Standby Phase, increase your Life Points by 400 for each monster on your side of the field.

-Blast Magician

-Ebon Magician Curran
Effect: During you Standby Phase, inflict 300 points of damage to your opponent's life points for each monster on HIS/HER side of the field.

-Rapid Fire Magician

Spell Cards:
-Magical Blast
Effect:Can only be activated if you have a Spellcaster on your field. Inflict 200 points of damage to your opp's life points for each face-up SPellcasters on your field. This card can be returned to your hand instead of a normal drawing during your Draw Phase

-Magical Dimension
Effect: Can only be activated if there's a face up Spellcaster on your field. Tribute 1 monster on your field to Special Suummon 1 Spellcaster from your hand. Then you can destroy 1 monster on the field.

-Mystic Box
Effect: Select 1 monster on you field and 1 on your opp's. Destroy you opponent's monster and shift control of your selected monster to your opponent.

Nightmare's Steelcage
Effect: This card remains face up for 2 of your opp's turns. No monsters can attack. Destroy this card during your opp's 2nd End Phase.

-Mystical SPace Typhoon
-Nobleman of Crossout
-Premature Burial
-Swords of Revealing Light
-Mage Power
-Heavy Storm
-Diffusion-Wave Motion
-Reload
-Dark Magic Attack
-Spell Absorption
-Lightning Vortex
-Magical Dimension x2
-Mystic Box
-Nightmare's Steelcage

Trap Cards:
Call fo the Haunted
-Spell Shield Type-8
-Pitch-Black Power Stone
-Divine Wrath
-Magical Cylinder

Sorry if it looks confusing. Hope you enjoyed it! Now go buy those nice new decks!

Judgement of Spellcasters
Posted Wednesday, 1/25/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The Judgement of Spellcasters the 6th structure deck is out. I bought one last night so if anyone wants to know all the cards in the deck along with their effects feel free to email me anytime with any questions you may have.

Posted Saturday, 1/21/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The select cities will be holding the Shadow of Infinity sneak peek:

Atlanta, GA Hartford, CT Nashville, TN
Baltimore, MD Honolulu, HI New York, NY
Boise, ID Houston, TX Newark, NJ
Boston, MA Huntsville, AL Oklahoma City, OK
Chicago, IL Indianapolis, IN Orlando, FL
Columbus, OH Kansas City, KS Ottawa, Ontario
Dallas, TX Las Vegas, NV Philadelphia, PA
Denver, CO Los Angeles, CA Pittsburgh, PA
Des Moines, IA Miami, FL Portland, OR
Detroit, MI Minneapolis, MN Raleigh, NC
Edmonton, Alberta Montreal, Quebec Reno, NV

Rochester, NY
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
St. Louis, MO
Toronto, Ontario
Vancouver, British
Columbia

I’m not sure about the prices, but I do know that in Texas, they will be $20 for the first day, and $25 for the second day. In other news, the new Yugioh GX game is out which feature three new cards. They are Elemental Hero Necroshade, Winged Kuriboh, and Hero Ring.



Elemental Hero Necroshade:
Dark(Level 5)
Atk/1600 Def/1800
[Warrior/effect]
While this card is in your graveyard, you can normal summon 1 monster from
Your hand that includes “Elemental Hero” in its card name without tributing.
You can only use this effect once while this card is in the graveyard.

Winged Kuriboh
Effect is the same as the original just different picture.

Hero Ring
Trap card
After activation, this card is treated as an equip card and can only be equipped to a warrior-type monster with 1500 or less attack. The monster equipped with this card cannot be the target of an attack by your opponent’s monster with an attack of 1900 points or more.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Ready to Duel Again on GBA
Posted Sunday, 1/8/2006 by PPNSteve

Duel Academy, a new GBA game based on Duel Monsters GX anime hits your fav Gaming Stores on the 10th of this month.

Based on the new animated series, YuGiOh! GX, the story takes place a few years later in the same world as Yu-Gi-Oh! Includes over 1200 of the latest and greatest cards and has a neat Tutorial and exams mode to teach you how to become a master duelist.

More info here.

Yu-Gi-Oh GX Chazz and Jaden packs
Posted Sunday, 1/8/2006 by Dark_Marik06

Well, what better way to kick off 2006 than with the new Chazz and Jaden booster packs. Booster packs?!Thats right. This February we will be seeing in stores these two packs, each pack has 6 cards per pack and a total of 30 to collect. As the name suggests, you will be able to get all the cards from Jaden's and Chazz's decks. I will have more information on them soon.

Shadow of Infinity Sneak Peek
Posted Monday, 1/2/2006 by Dark_Marik06

The Shadow of Infinity Sneak Peek is February 18-19. To the contestants, an ultra rare card will be given away, along with possibly a Shonen Jump magazine, a t-shirt, and other goods. I for one, will participate in both two day tournaments and hopefully I will have all the cards I want by the time the tournament is over.

Shadow of Infinity
Posted Wednesday, 12/28/2005 by Dark_Marik06

Well, as we soon enter 2006, many goods shall arrive from our good friends at Konami, including new Yu-Gi-Oh video games, booster packs, and structure decks, as well as promo cards. Happy New Year everyone!

Dark Revelation 2
Posted Wednesday, 12/14/2005 by Dark_Marik06

Dark Revelation 2 is now in stores. I myself have bought 2 and I pulled out an ultra rare Dark Magic Attack and a super rare Guardian Angel Joan. Anyway, this pack is verh hard to come by. Included is a 75 page preview of Shonen Jump and an ultra rare Blue Eyes Ultimate dragon. The price of this little package is about $18. This pack features cards from Invasion of Chaos and Ancient Sanctuary so get yours today.

Fili Luna Wins Shonen Jump San Fran
Posted Monday, 12/12/2005 by BobDole

A basicly unknown duelist has managed a SJC victory. Part of Team Outphase, Fili Luna blazed through the finals with a 2-0 record, wielding a Toolbox Warrior deck that left the audience simply stunned. He took the game to Comic Odyssey's new member Matt Laurents, and continued on to knock out Michael Bueno for the prize. This being the last Shonen Jump of the year, it was quite a treat to have someone so unrecognized by the YGO community smash his opposition. Congratulations to Fili Luna, and Team Outphase with leader Jason Holloway. It was certainly a victory well earned.

In other news, SJC has taken to Canada. SJC Hamilton will be Canada's first SJC ever. This is sure to attract tons of duelists from not just Canada, but a good part of the States as well. This will likely be my own first SJC, and I hope to see you all there.

Harpie Lady Structure Deck
Posted Sunday, 12/11/2005 by Dark_Marik06

I have heard that there is expected to be a Harpie Lady Structure Deck being released later next year. I will look into it and see if this is true. If it is we can expect to see three new cards in this structure deck. We can only guess what the cards are for the time being.

Elemental Energy Limited Edition Boxes!
Posted Saturday, 12/3/2005 by Poor-Guy

Elemental Energy has eben out for some time now and booster packs can be found almost anywhere by now, so it's time to buy the Special Edition boxes!
That's right, you can get those nice deck box-like good that contains 3 booster packs and a nice Ultra Rare card, only this time, it's Secret Rare! There are 4 cards you can get, and here they are:

EEN - ENSE1 - Horus The Black Flame Dragon LV8 Limited Edition Secret Rare Holofoil Card
EEN - ENSE2 - The Creator Limited Edition Secret Rare Holofoil Card
EEN - ENSE3 - Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys Limited Edition Secret Rare Holofoil Card
EEN - ENSE4 - Silent Swordsman LV5 Limited Edition Secret Rare Holofoil Card

Hope this helped, enjoy your new booster packs!

- Poor-Guy

SJC in San Francisco, California
Posted Friday, 12/2/2005 by BobDole

UDE Press Release:

On December 10, Upper Deck Entertainment and Cascade Games will welcome duelists from around the world to compete in a Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Championship. The winner of the tournament will receive a decked-out gaming laptop and a Des Volstgalph promo card. Other top finishers will win prizes including Sony PSPs, Nintendo DSs, and a 60 GB iPod Photo. A second Des Volstgalph will be given out to a player in side events based on participation

4Kids Launches Online Shop
Posted Friday, 12/2/2005 by PPNSteve

4Kids Entertainment, Inc. has launched a new feature -- the 4Kids TV Shop -- on its 4Kids TV website (www.4Kids.TV).

The new 4Kids TV Shop features over 600 products such as toys, cards, books, video games, DVDs and apparel from 4Kids properties and 4Kids TV programs such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Winx Club, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cabbage Patch Kids, One Piece, American Kennel Club, Artlist Collection: The Dog / The Cat, Monster Jam, Bratz, Sonic X and G.I. Joe Sigma 6.

In addition, the 4Kids TV website has launched a Mega Games section, featuring over 100 downloadable games such as Monopoly, Shrek 2 Ogre Bowl and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2. These games, created in partnership with Boonty Games, are playable online or via a free download. There are a set of levels and features available in the free version, with the option to purchase a full-featured version for less than $20.00. Kids can also download the technology for the 4Kids MegaGames HQ Box, which allows them to collect and play games on their computers, regardless of whether they are online or offline.

Source: 4Kids Entertainment

Demon God Cards and Shadow of Infinity Packs
Posted Wednesday, 11/30/2005 by Poor-Guy

ToyWiz.com has revealed the new English Expansion Packs: Shadow of Infinity, and with it comes the 3 Demon Gods, which are alter-egos of the Egyptian God Cards. Of course, these cards CAN be played.

Here are the official names and their effects:

Ultra Rare
Divine Flame Emperor Uria (Slifer's counterpart)
[Pyro/Effect](Fire)
ATK/0 DEF/0
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by offering 3 face-up Continous Trap Cards from your side of the field to the Graveyard as a Tribute. This card's ATK is increased by 1000 points for each Continuous Trap Cards in your Graveyard. Once per turn, you may destroy a set Spell/Trap card on your opponent's side of the field. The effect of that Spell/Trap Card cannot be activated.

Ultra Rare
Decending Thunder Emperor Hamon (Ra's counterpart)
[Thunder/Effect](Light)
ATK/4000 DEF/4000
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by offering 3 face-up Continuous Spell Cards from your side of the field to the Graveyard as Tributes. When this card destroys an opponent's monster and sends it to the Graveyard, deal 1000 points of damage to your opponent's Life Points. When this card is in face-up Defense Position on your side of the field, this card cannot be declared as an attack target.

Ultra Rare
Phantom Emperor Ravel (Obelisk's counterpart)
[Fiend/Effect](Dark)
ATK/4000 DEF/4000
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summon. This card cannot be Special Summon other than by sacrifice 3 Demon sub-type monsters on your field. Whenever your opponent summons a monster, Special Summon a "Phantom Token" (Dark/Demon/1 Star/ ATK/1000 DEF/1000) to your field. The token cannot declare attack. Once during your turn, you may sacrifice a monster on your field, this card's attack strength would be increased by the original attack of that monster until the End Phase of the turn.

There you go. Also, this new set contains Ancient Gear cards, a new Elemtnal Hero, Machine King Prototype, and much more.
You can check the cards out and some pictures at:
http://store.yahoo.com/dragonballzcentral/yucagabcoofi.html

Thanks to predatorsith for the information.
Source: ToyWiz.com

Hope you enjoy it. From your new reporter

-Poor-Guy

Obelisk and Blue Eyes Ultimate
Posted Tuesday, 11/29/2005 by Dark_Marik06

In less than a week we can expect to see many Yugioh fans with the strongest fusion monster in the entire game, the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, and an Egyptian God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor. Though they might not see much play, they are still valuable limited edition collectors cards.

Jiminy Jillickers, New Writers?
Posted Tuesday, 11/29/2005 by BobDole

New Writers you say?


Howdy all. Seems YGOW is having a slight staff change. A grand total of six people have been chosen thus far to be writers. Three of which will do just the news. Thanks to all those who applied, and though you weren't picked, there certainly wasn't anyone who was flat out rejected. Hopefully in the near future, we'll have a few articles up. The future is bright for YGOW.com, and we mean to keep it that way. So congrats to all those who were picked, and thanks once again to all those who replied to the call for writers!

- David "BobDole" Hoffman out.

Tournament Pack 7 to be released
Posted Friday, 11/25/2005 by Dark_Marik06

After all the wait, Yugioh Tournament Pack 7 is going to be released next Year. This pack features 20 cards(11 common, 4 rares, 4 super rares, and 1 ultra rare) I will post the card's effects later.

The cards inlcuded are:

Ultra Rare:
Different Dimension Warrior

Super Rare:
Warrior Elimination
Fortress Whale
Luminous Soldier
Breaker The Magical Warrior

Rare:
Goblin Attack Force
Amazoness Swords Woman
Chaos Command Magician
Scapegoat

Commons:
Soul Exchange
Fortress Whale's Oath
Skilled Dark Magician
Skilled White Magician
Wall of Illusion
Last Will
Haniwa
Prisman
Millenium Golem
Dig Beak
Nekogal #2

Yu-Gi-Oh!™ ONLINE enters Phase 2
Posted Friday, 11/25/2005 by PPNSteve

Konami of Europe has announced the second phase of its phenomenally successful Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE campaign, with a new DUELPASS system set to offer users more cards for online play.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE Phase 2 will be launched for PC in November 2005.

With hundreds of thousands of registered users in Europe enjoying Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE's competitive and social aspects, the new elements go live in November. Phase 2 of the game has been designed to add further variety to the online action, with the new cards adding more traps, monsters and spells for the player to implement in their Yu-Gi-Oh! strategies.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ONLINE has been designed to faithfully reproduce the official Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game in an online form, and allows users from all over the world to play against like-minded fans. The game features all the cards and rules of the popular trading card game, and allows players to compete and trade cards via a simple point'n'click interface.

Players can buy a DUELPASS from stores and they allow them to compete within a set number of duels. The result is a world-wide competition wherein fans can play against each other, swap cards and enter chat rooms to swap tips, perfectly capturing the social side of the Trading Card Game and making it possible to play and interact with players around the world with minimum effort. Additional events and tournaments are organised throughout the year on the website www.yugioh-online.net.

Happy Thanksgiving from YuGiOh! World
Posted Thursday, 11/24/2005 by PPNSteve

Thanksgiving Day is an annual holiday of thanks observed in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In Canada, where the harvest generally ends earlier in the year, the holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

All of us at YuGiOh! World wish you and yours the best on this day of thanks.


Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with a large dinner shared among friends and family. In both Canada and the United States, it is an important family gathering, and people often travel long distances to be with relations for the celebration. The Thanksgiving holiday is often a "four-day weekend" in the United States, in which Americans are given the relevant Thursday and Friday off. Thanksgiving is usually celebrated almost entirely at home, unlike the Fourth of July or Christmas, which are associated with a variety of shared public experiences (fireworks, caroling, etc.). In Canada, it is a three-day weekend, as Thanksgiving is observed on the second Monday of October every year.

Please be safe in your travels to your family's homes and have a happy, turkey filled Thanksgiving Day!

blue eyes ultimate dragon
Posted Tuesday, 11/22/2005 by rage2007

http://stop2shop.com/yugioh-blue-eyes-ultimate-dragon-tin-set.html

yes the blue eyes ultimate dragon is coming out in december of 2005..this card is used by seto kaiba in the series.the blue eyes ultimate dragon will help out any starter or dragon deck.

Judgement of Spellcasters/Master Collection 2
Posted Saturday, 11/19/2005 by Dark_Marik06

Master Collection 2 has been out for some time and it costs $34.95 and included are Breaker the Magical Warrior, Exodia Necross, Guardian Sphinx, Black Luster Soldier Envoy of the Beginning, Theinen the Great Sphinx, and Blowback Dragon. Of course, the six pacs included are Magician's Force, Invasion of Chaos, Pharaonic Guardian,Dark Crisis, Ancient Sanctuary, and a movie pack. Hopefully in the Master Collection 3 we can expect to see The Creator, Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV.8, Ancient Gear Golem, and Sacred Phoenix of Nepthys.

After the January release of the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Obelisk, you can bet that more new powerful cards will be coming our way. In January a new structure deck will be released, Judgement of Spellcasters. This deck includes three new cards( Dark Executioner, Mystic Box, and Magical Beast Cerberus) and along with these new cards we can expect to find such cards as Lightning Vortex, Breaker the Magical Warrior, Chaos Command Magician, and many other powerful cards. I will post the effects of these three new cards as soon as I can find them.

Shadow of Infinity now out in Japan
Posted Saturday, 11/19/2005 by Dark_Marik06

Shadow of Infinity is the latest pack to hit the stores in Japan. This pack features many powerful insect and machine monsters and also includes three Demon God monsters that will be seen on Yugioh GX later next year. These monsters look almost exactly like the three Egypian God cards. Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon will be inside ever January issue of Shonen Jump, but I have also recieved news that Obelisk the Tormentor will be included because Shonen Jump had an overstock of the might Egyptian God. Here are the effects for the three Demon God's and to see their pictures, use the link below.

http://www.ideal808.com/product.asp?ID=14569

Slipher Look-Alike

SOI-JP001 Yugioh GX Legendary Demon God Flame Emperor Uria
Stats: Pyro/Effect Level 10 Atk/0 Def/0
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summon. This card can only be special summon by sending 3 face-up Trap cards from your field to Graveyard. This card's attack strength would be increase by 1000 for each Continuous Trap cards in your Graveyard. Once per turn, you may destroy a Magic/Trap card that is set on opponent's field. The effect of that Magic/Trap card cannot be activate.

Obelisk Look-Alike

SOI-JP002 Yugioh GX Legendary Demon God Descending Thunder Emperor Hamon
Stats: Thunder/Effect LV10 ATK/4000 ATK/4000
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summon. This card can only be special summon by sending 3 face-up Continuous Magic cards from your field to Graveyard. When this card destroy an opponent's monster and it's send to Graveyard, do 1000 damages to opponent's lifepoints. When this card is on your field in face-up defense mode, this card cannot be target of attack of opponent's monster

Winged Dragon of Ra Look-Alike

SOI-JP003 Yugioh GX Legendary Demon God Phantom Demon Emperor Ravel
Stats: Demon/Effect Level 10 Atk/4000 Def/4000
Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summon. Sacrifice 3 Demon sub-type monsters on your field to special summon this card. Whenever opponent summon a monster, special summon a "Phantom Token" (Dark/Demon/1/1000/1000) to your field. The tokens cannot declare attack. Once during your turn, you may sacrifice a monster on your field, this card's attack strength would be increase by the original attack of that monster until the End Phase of the turn

4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS WITH SUBWAY® RESTAURANTS
Posted Saturday, 11/12/2005 by PPNSteve

Seven-Week Yu-Gi-Oh! KIDS’ PAK
Promotion Kicks Off on November 14, 2005 At More Than 20,000 SUBWAY Restaurants

New York, N.Y. (November 10, 2005) – 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. a global provider of children’s entertainment and merchandise licensing, has partnered with the SUBWAY® restaurant chain to launch a national promotion featuring the popular Yu-Gi-Oh!™ entertainment franchise.

The seven-week Yu-Gi-Oh! Kids’ Pak promotion starts November 14, 2005 at more than 20,000 SUBWAY restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. The promotion features an exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! action toy premium with each purchase of a Kids’ Pak meal, while supplies last. The Yu-Gi-Oh! premium toys made available through this promotion include:

• Dueler’s Prop Disc
• Yugi Battle Ball
• Yugi Copter
• Mai Glider

“Yu-Gi-Oh! continues its reign as one of the most successful franchises among kids,” said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. “We’re pleased to team with SUBWAY® restaurants and bring this popular brand to their patrons. Our partnership with SUBWAY® restaurants brings together fun entertainment for kids while incorporating the importance of nutrition and eating healthy."

This newest Kids’ Pak promotion continues SUBWAY restaurant’s commitment to healthy living by offering dietary information on the backside of all paperboard pieces used in the campaign. Each package will feature information for kids detailing proper nutrition and exercise according to the new food guide pyramid. Recommended daily servings from each food group and the proper amount of daily exercise are presented in an easy to read format for children.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Kids’ Pak promotion will be supported through extensive online, inrestaurant and packaging components. Both 4Kids Entertainment and SUBWAY restaurants will cross promote through their respective www.Yugioh.com and www.subwaykids.com websites. In-restaurant signage will include a toy merchandise unit display and sandwich unit static cling. In-pack inserts will promote the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX™ television series and Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, with an online game demo.

The action-packed Yu-Gi-Oh! Kids’ Pak promotion comes on the heels of 4Kids Entertainment’s recent launch of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the next chapter of the successful Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. The October debut of GX on Cartoon Network’s popular Miguzi block registered among the top rankings for boys 6-14. This success bolsters the franchise and the power of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series, which is now in its fifth season on Kids’WB! and consistently ranks as one of the most watched animated shows on television.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Kids’ Pak promotion ends January 1, 2006.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Coming to the PSP
Posted Tuesday, 11/8/2005 by PPNSteve

Konami announced today that it will be bringing the popular card-battling franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! to the PSP. Though still early in development, a few screenshots have been released for the game, which show little more than what you might come to expect from a title in this series (card battling, anime characters, crazy-ass monsters, etc.)

The company claims that the game will be entirely in 3D, and take advantage of the PSP's glorious LCD screen. A few new cards are expected to appear, but other than that little information is known at this time.

Yu-Gi-Oh! King Play (working title) for the PSP is currently without an official release date, and any possibility of a North American version has not yet been outlined.

4Kids Puts it's Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards on theTable
Posted Wednesday, 11/2/2005 by PPNSteve

4Kids Entertainment has signed a number of international broadcast deals for its new animated series Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the next generation of the hit animated duelling saga Yu-Gi-Oh!

Fifty-two episodes of the new series are set to launch on RTL2 (Germany), MediaSet (Italy), RTE (Ireland), TVNZ (New Zealand), SIC (Portugal), RTL-TV1 (Belgium) and Canal J (France) following deals at Mipcom.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX also recently launched on Cartoon Network's Miguzi programming block in the US and on YTV in Canada.
Source: c21Media

Upper Deck Offers a Full Stocking of This Year's Hottest Trading Card Game
Posted Thursday, 10/6/2005 by PPNSteve

Toy Wishes Holiday Preview 2005

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --Oct. 6, 2005 -- Upper Deck:

• Upper Deck Entertainment Kicks off Holiday Season with Holiday Favorites Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins and Master Collection, Volume 2

Upper Deck brings joy to the upcoming holiday season with this year's top-selling trading card games, and action-packed sports collectible card sets. The holiday line-up includes: the highly-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME; the Winx Club Magical Fairy Game; DC Comics TCG; Marvel TCG; and exciting new MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA collectible sets. In addition, Upper Deck will also offer the most spectacular art piece on the market -- "The Avengers," created by renowned comic artist Alex Ross.

Upper Deck offers an exciting array of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME products to kick off this holiday season with the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins (September) and Master Collection, Volume 2 (October). Anticipated to be the hottest-selling toys of the season, the new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins and Master Collection gives the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG collectors a chance to collect previously released boosters, brand new cards and powerful variant cards. Additionally, Upper Deck will release the newest Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG expansion set Elemental Energy (November), complete with new Fusion Monsters from the new Yu-Gi-Oh! GX animated series, and Warrior's Triumph (November) -- the newest Structure Deck of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG collection.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins

Duelists can now stack their Decks with a collection of booster packs designed to increase complexity and power during monster Dueling matches. Each unique Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collectible Tins offers an assortment of the game's top-selling booster packs, which include Dark Beginning 1, Dark Revelation 1, Soul of the Duelist, The Lost Millennium, and Flaming Eternity. In addition, each tin will include one of six new cards, and feature the likes of "Gilford the Lightning," "Panther Warrior," "Exarion Universe," "Rocket Warrior," "Dark Magician Girl," and "Vorse Raider" on the tin. SRP: $19.99.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Master Collection, Volume 2

The new Master Collection gives Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG collectors a chance to collect previously released boosters and new variant cards. This highly collectible set includes six exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG boosters in a stylish, rainbow-colored, Egyptian-themed storage portfolio. Each folder will include Pharaonic Guardian, Magician's Force, Dark Crisis, Invasion of Chaos, Ancient Sanctuary booster packs, Exclusive Pack 1, and six variant cards -- one from each set. SRP: $34.99.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Elemental Energy Expansion Packs and Special Edition Boxes

Duelists can fuel their Decks with infinite power this holiday season with the new Elemental Energy expansion pack. The power of the Elemental Heroes gets stronger with two new recruits, and four incredible Fusion Monsters, which gives existing Decks the ultimate boost. Monsters from the Dark World won't be easily dismissed by opponents as they await command. Elemental Energy will be available to participating retail and hobby stores nationwide in November. SRP: $3.49 each pack; $9.99 each box (SE).

Yu-Gi-Oh!TRADING CARD GAME Warrior's Triumph Structure Deck

Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) takes the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Structure Deck to the next level with the new Warrior's Triumph Structure Deck. The new Structure Decks are a competitive themed decks modeled after popular decks in Japan. Warrior's Triumph is the fifth Structure Deck series and is anticipated to be one of the most popular. Tournament-ready right out of the box, each deck includes staple cards for experts and beginners alike to use in their quest to become "The King of Games." Each structure deck contains 40 cards, one Rulebook, and one Game Mat. Each Deck will contain one Ultra Rare card and a Dueling Guide to help beginning and expert Duelists improve their current Decks. SRP: $9.99.

For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME please visit www.yugioh-card.com
For more information on Upper Deck and its products, Internet users can log onto www.upperdeck.com, or www.upperdeckstore.com.

4Kids Home Video Debuts Yu-Gi-Oh! Volume 3.5: The Final Face-Off on DVD
Posted Thursday, 10/6/2005 by PPNSteve

WHO WILL EMERGE AS BATTLE CITY CHAMPION?

YUGI AND MARIK’S DRAMATIC DUEL CONCLUDES ON 4KIDS HOME VIDEO’S LATEST YU-GI-OH! RELEASE - THE FINAL FACE-OFF

Yu-Gi-Oh! Volume 3.5: The Final Face-Off
Streets: October 18, 2005
anounced on 2005-10-05 14:33
NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 5, 2005) – 4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), in association with FUNimation Entertainment, will release Yu-Gi-Oh! Volume 3.5: The Final Face-Off on DVD on October 18, 2005. This latest release brings to a close the thrilling Battle City Championship from Yu-Gi-Oh!’s third broadcast season on Kids’ WB!

The DVD features five episodes including:

The Final Face-Off (Parts III, IV & V) – Yugi is trapped in the most treacherous Shadow Game he’s ever played … and his time is almost up! Yugi’s two Egyptian god cards—SLIFER and OBELISK—have been destroyed by Marik’s WINGED DRAGON OF RA! If Yugi doesn’t turn things around soon, Marik will gain the power necessary to destroy the world!

One for the Road – KaibaCorp Island is set to explode in mere minutes and the gang is stranded! To make matters worse, Kaiba and Mokuba are nowhere to be found! Can Yugi and his friends escape in time, or will they sink to the bottom of the sea!?

Looking Back and Moving Ahead – As Tea and Serenity tour around the Town of Domino and reminisce about their friends’ battles during Battle City, they learn how much they’ve grown and how far they’ve come … and how far they have left to go!

TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Final Face-Off
• Episode 240: The Final Face-Off – Part III
• Episode 241: The Final Face-Off – Part IV
• Episode 242: The Final Face-Off – Part V
• Episode 243: One for the Road
• Episode 244: Looking Back and Moving Ahead

RUNNING TIME: Approximately 110 Minutes
RATING: TV-Y
FORMAT: DVD
SRP: $14.98
STREET DATE: 10/18/2005

EARLY EXCLUSIVE U.S. PREMIERE OF YU-GI-OH! GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP,
Posted Friday, 8/26/2005 by PPNSteve

Kids’ WB!, the #1 broadcast network for kids, is gearing up for the new 2005-2006 season with a special early treat for its viewers. The network will debut the exclusive U.S. premiere of Yu-Gi-Oh! Grand Championship, the much-anticipated fifth season of the white-hot animé-hit series, beginning Saturday, August 27, airing at 8 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT) and 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).

IT’S TIME TO DUEL:
On Saturday, August 27, Kids’ WB! will reveal an entirely new adventure as the season begins with the ultimate defeat of the villainous Dartz, who led an ancient civilization of the lost Island of Atlantis 10,000 years ago. As order is now being restored in the world, Yugi and the gang are ready to go home and move on with their normal lives. Unfortunately, they have traveled halfway around the globe and have no way of getting home.

Never half a step behind, Kaiba offers to fly them home in his private jet, but on one condition – Yugi and Joey must participate in his latest game tournament… the KC Grand Championship. Kaiba has invited the 16 greatest duelists of the world to compete in this elite, all-star event. The winner of this game, will have the privilege to face-off with Yugi for his Duel Monsters Championship crown. Don’t miss it as the game of Duel Monsters will change forever!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Continues its European Travels
Posted Wednesday, 8/17/2005 by PPNSteve

Konami of Europe's Yu-Gi-Oh! series returns to Game Boy Advance with a unique spin on the board game genre.

Konami of Europe has announced the latest addition to its successful series of Yu-Gi-Oh! titles for the Game Boy Advance. Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler mixes the series' traditional card dueling elements with fun board game elements and will be released in September.

Utilising a very different graphical look for the characters, Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler invites the player to control series hero, Yugi, or one of his friends. In a clever take on the board game genre, players are challenged with summoning monsters and battling against up to three rivals across maps based on the areas such as Domino Park and outer space.

Players have access to over 750 game cards, while 12 available characters also enjoy specific powers that be used to bolster their dueling skills. Similarly, the duels enjoy a simple yet effective control system to ease newcomers into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, while up to four players can also compete against each other via a unique link-up mode.

With its fresh look and a number of unique gameplay advances - including all-new special moves such as the Soul Shuffle during duels - Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler is a welcome addition to Konami of Europe's series of Yu-Gi-Oh! titles for the Game Boy Advance. The game will also include three exclusive trading cards on launch.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare TroubadourTM European Release This November
Posted Wednesday, 8/17/2005 by PPNSteve

Konami of Europe brings card dueling to Nintendo format in the shape of Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour

Konami of Europe has announced it is to bring the phenomenally successful Yu-Gi-Oh! series to the Nintendo DS handheld, with Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour specifically designed to make use of the system's dual screen and touch screen abilities.

Due for release in November, Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour marks the first appearing of the famed dueling game on Nintendo DS. Recreating the many intricacies of the trading card game, where players use monster, trap and spell cards to defeat their opponents in a series of duels, Nightmare Troubadour also makes full use of the Nintendo format's capabilities.

The dual-screen and stylus-based touch-screen elements provide a perfect basis for the dueling action, with players organising their decks using the stylus, with the monsters brought to vivid life in real-time reaction to the cards that are drawn. To this end, the bottom screen presents an uncluttered 2D view of the cards, with Nightmare Troubadour including recreations of over 1000 of the latest and greatest cards. As players organise their decks to block and counter attacks, so these battles are shown on the top screen in 3D sequences.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour also makes extensive use of the hardware's wireless connectivity. With Yu-Gi-Oh! very much a social phenomenon, this is reflected in the Nintendo DS game which allows players to embark on two-player duels against likeminded friends. The wireless system facilitates full games against each other, but can also be used to trade cards.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour is perfectly suited to Nintendo DS and represents another massive advance for the franchise. The Nintendo DS game will also include three exclusive trading cards on release.

4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE YU-GI-OH! SEASON 4 IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Posted Monday, 8/15/2005 by PPNSteve

Episodes Now Airing on Kids’ WB! Available Beginning December 6, 2005 on DVD

4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc., in association with FUNimation Productions LTD, will release Yu-Gi-Oh! Volume 4.1: A New Evil featuring seven action-packed episodes from the current Kids’ WB! broadcast season on DVD on December 6, 2005, it was announced by Joe Lyons, Director of Home Entertainment.

At the close of Season 3, Yugi has won the Battle City Finals, defeated Marik and obtained all three Egyptian god cards. All that’s left for him to do is use these three powerful cards to unlock the ancient Power of the Pharaoh that lies dormant within him. Yugi realizes the way to do this is to hold the three cards against the five thousand-year-old tablet that resides in Domino Museum.

As Yugi is performing the ritual to regain his lost powers, another ritual is taking place simultaneously at an unknown location. Just then something strange occurs. Real monsters begin to appear around the world!

The gang discovers that a gateway has opened up between our world and a world in which ancient monsters exist. The collision of these two worlds is caused by a new villain named Dartz, and his three minions: Raphael, Alister and Valon. It is later revealed that Dartz was the leader of an ancient civilization on the lost Island of Atlantis, 10,000 years ago. His goal is to capture enough human and monster souls to awaken his ultimate creature, Leviathan! Dartz will then destroy the world and rebuild a civilization that will live by his rules. Now Yugi and his friends must stop this villain and separate the two worlds before the planet falls into a state of chaos!

YU-GI-OH! Volume 4.1: A New Evil
• Episode 401 A New Evil – Part I
• Episode 402 A New Evil – Part II
• Episode 403 Legend of the Dragons
• Episode 404 The Creator Returns
• Episode 405 Deja Duel! – Part I
• Episode 406 Deja Duel! – Part II
• Episode 407 An Unexpected Enemy

RUNNING TIME: Approx. 80 minutes
RATING: TV PG
SRP: $14.98
STREET DATE: 12/06/05

From the YW Mailbag..
Posted Friday, 8/12/2005 by PPNSteve

We just recieved this interesting note from ruben sosa [lishenlong61@sbcglobal.net] in our email and thought we'de pass it along..

A friend and I recently discovered that 4Kids Entertainment is going to dub the characters with, eh, names we find 'disagreeable' in the new GX anime. Here's a hint: Manjyome Jun's name is now Chazz Princeton. You will find more at yugioh.com. We have made a petition to keep the names as is, and were hoping you could help us publicize it.

It's here: http://www.petitiononline.com/Manjyome/petition.html

Please if you could get many others to sign, and we would much appreciate it if you could also sign. 4Kids won't be able to change them with the upcoming premiere in a couple of short months, so we need all the signatures we can get now!

Thanks Sincerely!
P.S.Anyone who signs MUST use a real name!

So take a minute and go sign the petition if you want to help.

2005 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament Championship
Posted Thursday, 8/11/2005 by PPNSteve

First there were fourteen, and then eight, and finally only one remained. Players from all around the world, including the US, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, UK, and Sweden participated in the 2005 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament Championship this past weekend in Tokyo, Japan.

The video game tournament began on August 6th and all fourteen duelists used the Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory World Championship Tournament game for the competition. The duelists were pitted against one another to determine the eight that would move onto the following day's competition. The top two players at the end of day two of the competition dueled on a stage in front of 800 fans until only one remained.

Then the top four players were given their awards, presented by Kazuki Takahashi, creator of Yu-Gi-Oh! Team U.S.A. was represented by five duelists, of which Patrick Dicks (winner of the Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Championship Finals Video Game Tournament) took an astounding fourth place at the World tournament. We would like to offer our congratulations to team U.S.A. and to all the winners of the 2005 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Tournament Championship.

The top four duelists at the video game tournament were:

• 1st place: Ryuzo Ikuta (Japan)
• 2nd place: Junichi Natsume (Japan)
• 3rd place: Marco Krist (Germany)
• 4th place: Patrick Dicks (Warren, Ohio, USA)

Cartoon Network to Launch New Yu-Gi-Oh!
Posted Wednesday, 8/10/2005 by PPNSteve

This October, Cartoon Network will premiere the next chapter in 4Kids Entertainment’s successful dubbing of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

The new series is set a generation in the future and appeals to a younger audience than Yu-Gi-Oh!, chronicling the lives of students at the Duel Academy. 4Kids Entertainment’s chairman and CEO Al Kahn noted, "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX will bring a new, brighter look that should resonate with the younger viewers. It's a great extension for the franchise and we're confident that fans of the original series will fall in love with GX as much as first time viewers will."

Terry Kalagian, the VP of acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network, referred to Yu-Gi-Oh! GX as “an awesome new series," adding, "Yu-Gi-Oh! has been a top-rated series on our network and we are excited to have GX premiere on Cartoon Network."

Much More YuGiOh on the Way..
Posted Wednesday, 7/6/2005 by PPNSteve

There’s more Yu-Gi-Oh! on the horizon this year. The top grossing series will be marked by an additional new series, toy line, video games and trading cards to expand the popular brand.

This fall, 4Kids Entertainment launches the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, a Yu-Gi-Oh! series, which will take place one generation in the future. The series will air simultaneously with the new fifth season of Yu-Gi-Oh! and add to the merchandising of the brand throughout the year with Mattel, Konami, and Upper Deck supporting both series.

And Yu-Gi-Oh! doesn’t stop there. More than 40 licenses, from apparel to accessories to food are also included in the new product line. A new Duel Disk for card dueling, collectible figures, role-playing toys are what Mattel, El Segundo, Calif. has to offer this year. A new line for the GX series will also be available in time for the holiday season.

Konaml, Las Vegas, returns with a new Yu-Gi-Oh! online game, which allows players to duel opponents worldwide. Additional games, Nightmare Troubadour in August and a new GX title by Spring 2006 will be ready to stock for non-online players.

And last but not least: the trading cards.
All-new boosters for trading card game (TCG) will be released for millions of card duelists. The world’s best trading card players will also compete in tournaments around the globe—retail tournaments are also scheduled this year. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX monsters will also be added to the Trading Card Game (TCG) this summer.
Source: www.playthings.com

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Sneak Preview
Posted Thursday, 6/30/2005 by PPNSteve

Hack into the future of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and discover the power of Cybernetic Revolution. On August 6th & 7th, join your fellow dedicated Duelists to play, trade, and collect the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG release, Cybernetic Revolution.See it at the Sneak Preview First!

Unleash the fury of the "Cyber Dragon" hordes, lead the "Elemental Heroes" in the fight against villainy, and command many other monsters from the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! GX animated series! Journey back to the Different Dimension, and master the "Spiritual Arts" of Cybernetic Revolution, the most powerful booster since Invasion of Chaos!

Every player will receive packs of the all new Cybernetic Revolution. Players can build brand new decks with these cards, try combos never before seen! Cybernetic Revolution Sneak Preview event has tournaments that take place in an environment with light and fun competition.
Full details avail at Upper Deck Entertainment

Third Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Final in August
Posted Sunday, 6/26/2005 by PPNSteve

TCG players in the UK and other European Countries get their chance to join the winners from the USA and Japan..

Konami has been hosting regional heats of the Yu-Gi-Oh! world champs as players fight for a place in the 2005 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament final! Game Boy Advance-owning Yu-Gi-Oh! duelists from all over the globe will converge in Tokyo in August, as Konami's hunt for the greatest Yu-Gi-Oh! player heats up.

For the third year running, Konami of Europe has invited fans of its Yu-Gi-Oh! Day of the Duelist – World Championship Tournament 2005 title for Game Boy Advance to a series of local competitions designed to pit the best duelists from each country against each other. Local competitions are being held in all major European countries during June and July, including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Holland.

Entrants will compete against each other in a knock-out tournament which will ultimately reveal each country's greatest duelist. The winners will then be flown to Japan for the annual World Final in Tokyo. Taking place from August 6th-7th, the European winners will be pitted against the best players from the US and Japan for another tournament – this time to determine the world's best Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2005 player.

"That we are now about to hold the third world tournament shows the continued interest in Yu-Gi-Oh!," said Christopher Heck, European Brand Manager for Konami of Europe. "Yu-Gi-Oh! remains an important franchise for Konami and with these tournaments and the grand final we create a genuine buzz amongst its fans and appeal to the competitive elements that form the basis of the Game Boy game. The tournament allows players to show off their skills, meet like-minded fans and, of course, determine who is the ultimate champion."

Konami Announces US King of Games
Posted Saturday, 6/25/2005 by PPNSteve

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - AMERICA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE YU-GI-OH! U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT
Konami of America yesterday wrapped up its US Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament at its Redwood City, California office, where it crowned the top five people to move onto the world finals in Tokyo, Japan this August.


16 Top Yu-Gi-Oh Gamers arrived at Konami's headquarters yesterday morning to compete against one another in card-based competition. Using Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory: World Championship released earlier this year on the Game Boy Advance, players put their best decks forward and battled via linked-up GBA systems. By 3:00PM, the competition weeded out the best of the best: members who will go on to the world championship on August 6th and 7th in Japan.

14 of the 16 contestants earned the right to compete in an online contest where they had to answer Yu-Gi-Oh trivia questions. Two winners from last year's tournament filled out the rest of the roster.

After hours of fierce competition, 15-year old Patrick Dicks from Warren, Ohio triumphed over the 15 other competitors as the first place winner. Patrick Dicks was awarded a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! Online (PC), Master Collection set and a limited edition booster pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards from Upper Deck(tm), Yu-Gi-Oh! branded merchandise, a spot to duel in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2005 Tournament in Tokyo , Japan and bragging rights as the Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Championship Finals Video Game Champion.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals second, third, fourth and fifth place winners are (in order): 13-year old Raymond Lantz III (Miami, Florida), 14-year old Matthew Mancuso (Enfield, Connecticut), 20-year old Jason Lee (Oakland, California), and 32-year old Brian Dunlap (Morrison, Colorado). Each were awarded a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! Online (PC), a limited edition booster pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards from Upper Deck(tm), Yu-Gi-Oh! branded merchandise, and a spot to duel in the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2005 Tournament in Tokyo , Japan

The other combatants had a chance to score some other Yu-Gi-Oh prizes through a trivia competition.

Good luck to the winners as they attempt to take it all in Tokyo this August.

Digital Card Game Looks for US Champion
Posted Friday, 6/24/2005 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Finals 2005

The online digital card game Yu-Gi-Oh! is looking to crown a US champion. 16 of the nation's best duelists will be pit against each other to decide which five players will travel to Japan to compete against the top players in the world.

"Through this tournament, we are supporting the Yu-Gi-Oh! community by giving the best duelists around the country the opportunity to show off their skills, share in their experiences and prove who will be the ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! video game champion," said Geoff Mulligan, chief operating officer of Konami Digital Entertainment America.

The US players will compete June 24 via Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory World Championship Tournament 2005, currently available for Game Boy Advance. Look here on YW for the winners as this info becomes available.

---

For 16 lucky Yu-Gi-Oh enthusiasts, it is indeed time to duel.

On Friday June 24, at their American offices in Redwood City, California, Konami Digital Entertainment America will host the U.S. finals of the 2005 Yu-Gi-Oh World Tournament.

Playing the Yu-Gi-Oh 7 Trials To Glory on the Game Boy Advance, 14 contestants who successfully competed in an online trivia contest and two of the top participants from last year’s competition will battle in a bracketed tournament for five spots on the U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh Championship Team. However, only the finalist will take home the title of U.S. Champion.

The winners will not only score a trip to Tokyo, Japan, to show off their duellist skills in the finals of the World Championship but also claim a copy of Yu-Gi-Oh! Online (PC), Master Collection set and a limited edition booster pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards from Upper Deck and Yu-Gi-Oh! branded merchandise.

"The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise is an important property in Konami's outstanding and diverse video game library," said Geoff Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer of Konami Digital Entertainment - America. "Through this tournament, we are supporting the Yu-Gi-Oh! community by giving the best duellists around the country the opportunity to show off their skills, share in their experiences and prove who will be the ultimate Yu-Gi-Oh! video game champion."

The finals of the 2005 Yu-Gi-Oh World Championships will take place in Tokyo, Japan, in August.
Offcial details: www.2005tournament.com
Source: 1up.com, PPN News services

Upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship
Posted Friday, 6/17/2005 by PPNSteve

Upper Deck Entertainment Hosts Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game U.S. National Championship Tournament in Columbus, Ohio USA.

Hundreds Battle for Chance to Compete in Upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Event in Japan..
The nation's best Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Duelists will duke it out for the chance to represent the United States in the upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship tournament as Upper Deck Entertainment hosts the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG U.S. National Championship tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The National Championship event will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center during the Origins International Gaming Expo on Saturday, July 2.

The top four finalists will not only earn a spot to represent the United States, but will also battle over twenty-five competing countries from around the world for the coveted title as "Yu-Gi-Oh! King of Games." These countries include Japan, Philippines, Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, and Canada to name a few. The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship event will be held August 6-7 in Tokyo, Japan.

Several hundred Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fans earned a spot in the U.S. National Championship tournament by competing and winning previous tournaments in their various regions. Players who are not already qualified can play to win a slot in one of three Last Chance tournaments on Friday, July 1. The top four finishers of the tournament will receive paid travel and accommodations to Tokyo to compete in the Yu-GI-Oh! TCG World Championships. Prizes for the top players include laptop computers with built in DVD players, Apple iPods™

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG is a game of strategy, where players create individual decks of cards collected from starter sets and booster packs. Two players engage in a Duel while using cards that represent powerful Monsters, magical Spells, and surprising Traps. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, dominating monsters, solid strategy, and good fortune are the victors in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.

Prima's Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Catalog Announced
Posted Thursday, 5/19/2005 by PPNSteve

Prima Announces it's Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Catalog: Official Strategy Guide

Publisher: Prima Games (July 2003)
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 0761539425

The book is a good reference for 'viewing' all cards available. If you want to simply view all cards and not go any further, this book is for you. This product seriously lacks the passion of the game. i.e Heart of the Cards.

If you're looking for a book to give a enlightened view into the current card playing landscape and how each card may affect the landscape or a particular deck class (beatdown, card control, exodia, ect.) this book will make you un-happy..

There are nine cards per page with each card having these:

• card type
• monster type
• attribute
• level
• ATK
• DEF
• rarity
• editorial comments

Add a brief set of rules, table of contents and index and that is about all there is.

YuGiOh! Comes to the Nintendo DS
Posted Wednesday, 5/18/2005 by PPNSteve

This Fall DS owners will be seeing a new Yu-Gi-Oh! game, Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour.

Konami today announced new details on this game from the popular trading card and TV show. Coming out this September, Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour takes full advantage of the Nintendo DS' touch screen and wireless technologies. Players use the touch screen to navigate a city map to find duel opponents. Once a duel is initiated, the touch screen becomes a 2D card playing field and the battle begins. The top screen becomes a 3D arena that shows monsters rising from their cards to battle for Yu-Gi-Oh! supremacy.

The wireless gameplay makes Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour even more enticing. Players will be able to duel one other wirelessly and trade over 1000 Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. In the single player mode, a "Friendship" feature triggers special in-game events when players register friends as duel colleagues.

Another unique game mechanic found in Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour is "Game Time," where time within the game advances as you move and take turns in duels. The time of day can affect duelist appearance rates and special events. Less challenging duelists appear during morning to afternoon "Game Times" while more difficult opponents appear during the evening times.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour will be playable at the E3 Expo and will release this September on the DS.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Goes Online (PC)
Posted Wednesday, 4/13/2005 by PPNSteve

The popular card battle series enters the online world with the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Online.

Konami announced that it has started its online service for its latest title Yu-Gi-Oh! Online in Japan, the U.S. and Europe simultaneously on April 11, 2005 at 9:00 am Pacific Standard Time.

Reproducing Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! card game on the web, Konami will allow a wide range of audiences to engage in online battles. The online version of Yu-Gi-Oh! expands upon the current video games and trading card games and makes it possible to challenge players around the world.

The online service introduces a new pay system dubbed "DuelPass," which will be sold world wide and was developed by Konami exclusively for Yu-Gi-Oh! Online. Check it out here.
Source: PPN News Services

Yugioh! GX!
Posted Thursday, 4/7/2005 by Amoblaz

Hi, I am amoblaz, some of you might know me from pokemonpalace.net, well I decided to help PPN with the news on this site!

The Official Yu-Gi-Oh Site has updated the site with a Yu-gi-oh GX Overview.
Here I Copyed the text for you!

Years in the future, in a land inaccessible to the rest of the world, is the premiere dueling high school Duel Academia! This special boarding school educates promising young duelists to achieve their full potential. However, little do people realize that one of the greatest duelists of all time is about to arrive in the incoming class...

The students, based on a combination of duelist rankings and exams, are separated into three dorms. The most advanced students reside in Obelisk Blue. The second tier lives in Ra Yellow. The duelists with the lowest grades are in Slifer Red. Class conflicts have stood for many years with the higher-ranked dorms teasing the lower dorms, but the status quo is about to turn on its head with the newest arrival!

There also was a video clip with the US Opening of the show on the site!

Click here to see it
http://www.yugioh.com/gx.php?type=video

click here for the full page
http://www.yugioh.com/gx.php

Well thats all for now, bye amoblaz

Fake "Yu-Gi-Oh!" Trading Cards Seized
Posted Tuesday, 3/8/2005 by PPNSteve

Heads Up YuGiOH TCG Fans.. Your cards could be fake.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) agents on Wednesday executed a search warrant at a Los Angeles area warehouse and seized what industry representatives say is the largest cache of counterfeit Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards ever recovered.

Officials at the Carlsbad, CA regional office of Upper Deck say the cards seized during the operation would retail for almost $3 million if they were genuine.

USICE agents believe the bogus cards were manufactured in China. While no arrests have been made as of yet, the investigation is ongoing.
Check back here at YW for the latest on this and more..

Upper Deck Announces New Products for 2005 Season
Posted Wednesday, 2/23/2005 by PPNSteve

The Highly Successful Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Enters it's Fourth Season With New Collectible Cards and Sets

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG continues to dominate the trading card game scene as it thunders into its fourth season with new sets and brand new cards. UDE kicked of the year with the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG's new Dragon's Roar and Zombie Madness Structure Decks (February). Balanced, straight-forward and easy-to-learn with, these structure decks are great for new players and for those ready to jump into the tournament scene.

Additional releases include highly collectible sets such as Flaming Eternity (March), Dark Revelation 1 (March), The Lost Millennium (June), Dark Beginning 2 (July), and Dark Revelation 2 (October) to name a few. In addition, UDE will also release the Master Collection Volume 2 (October), featuring six of the most recent released booster packs, and variant cards, and the holiday favorite, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collector's Tin (September) -- packed with five booster packs and one unique card.

Check back here at YW for the latest updates.

Source: Upper Deck Entertainment

New US Strucrured Decks Released.
Posted Sunday, 2/20/2005 by PPNSteve

FINALLY! BRAND NEW AMERICAN YUGIOH STRUCTURE DECKS!




LEVEL: Experienced.

Unleash your Zombie's power and dominate the Duel!

DECK LIST
MONSTER CARDS

* Vampire Genesis
* Master Kyonshee
* Vampire Lord
* Dark Dust Spirit
* Pyramid Turtle
* Pyramid Turtle
* Pyramid Turtle
* Spirit Reaper
* Despair from the Dark
* Despair from the Dark
* Ryu Kokki
* Ryu Kokki
* Soul-Absorbing Bone Tower
* Vampire Lady
* Double Coston
* Regenerating Mummy
* Regenerating Mummy

SPELL CARDS


* Snatch Steal
* Mystical Space Typhoon
* Giant Trunade
* Nobleman of Crossout
* Pot of Greed
* Card of Safe Return
* Heavy Storm
* Creature Swap
* Creature Swap
* Book of Life
* Book of Life
* Call of the Mummy
* Call of the Mummy
* Call of the Mummy
* Reload
* Reload

TRAP CARDS

* Dust Tornado
* Torrential Tribute
* Magic Jammer
* Reckless Greed
* Compulsory Evacuation Device
* Compulsory Evacuation Device
* Compulsory Evacuation Device

2 DECKS TO COLLECT - Dragon's Roar and Zombie Madness

Structure Deck - Zombie Madness - contains:
39 Common cards, 1 Foil card, 1 Rulebook and 1 Game Mat

Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory Released
Posted Tuesday, 2/15/2005 by PPNSteve

Essentially the 2005 version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory gives hard-core card gamers the options they want while incorporating some very basic RPG elements found in previous Yu-Gi-Oh! offerings.

Travel to different areas in Battle City and challenge dozens of characters to duels and participate in tournaments. The more you play, the more cards you collect. Create and edit up to 20 decks for different tournaments and playing styles. An additional 200 all-new cards makes this the most extensive Game Boy Advance Yu-Gi-Oh! game ever, perfect for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans of all levels. More details here.

Yu-Gi-Oh! and Shaman King Unedited Releases
Posted Friday, 2/11/2005 by PPNSteve

4Kids Entertainment Home Video To Release New Volumes Of Collector’s Editions Of YU-GI-OH! And SHAMAN KING On February 22, 2005

4Kids Entertainment Home Video, Inc., the home video unit of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), in association with FUNimation, will release the third volume of the special DVD collector’s editions of YU-GI-OH! and SHAMAN KING on February 22, 2005. Never before available in the U.S. and Canada, the discs will contain the original, unedited Japanese animation and Japanese dialogue with English subtitles, as well as optional English language tracks.

“Our uncut versions have demonstrated a strong appeal with the loyal anime enthusiasts and have been proven sellers at specialty retailers around the country,” said Joe Lyons, Director of Home Entertainment, 4Kids Entertainment.

The collector’s uncut editions restore many features of the original Japanese versions, changed due to the necessities of American broadcast standards. Also restored is footage cut in order to meet on-air time requirements for commercials. The releases will also feature newly recorded English language tracks with the entire original cast, as well as the original Japanese tracks and English subtitles.

YU-GI-OH! Volume 3: Stolen: Blue-Eyes White Dragon

Episode 7 The Sea-God Leviathon
Episode 8 Theft of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon
Episode 9 Back From the Dead: The Magical Silk Hat
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 90 minutes
RATING: TV PG
SRP: $19.98
PRE-BOOK: 12/18/04
STREET DATE: 2/22/05

SHAMAN KING Volume 3: Pai-Long Attacks!

Episode 7 Pai-Long Attacks!
Episode 8 Shaman Live
Episode 9 The Boy From the North
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 90 minutes
RATING: TV PG
SRP: $19.98
PRE-BOOK: 12/18/04
STREET DATE: 2/22/05

Based on a popular Japanese comic series, YU-GI-OH! follows the tales of a boy infused with incredible mystical powers, who, along with his three best friends, sets out on the adventure of lifetime, filled with wild, magical duels.

With its roots also in Japanese comics, SHAMAN KING chronicles the adventures of a 13-year-old shaman and his quest to be the next Shaman King. Traveling the world along with the spirit of a samurai warrior, the two fight evil spirits and other adversaries along the way. Shaman King currently airs on 4Kids TV. For more information on YU-GI-OH! and SHAMAN KING, please visit www.4kids.tv.

New UK Game in February 2005
Posted Friday, 1/14/2005 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! Day of the Duelist – World Championship Tournament 2005

Konami of Europe has announced that their next game based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game, Yu-Gi-Oh! Day of the Duelist - World Championship Tournament 2005, will hit GBAs in February 2005.

The game is said to be the most comprehensive simulation of the trading game ever made, featuring over 1000 cards. Anyone who collects the trading cards will be pleased to here that the game includes more than 400 cards from the latest booster packs: Duelist Legacy Vol 1-5, The New Ruler and Pharao's Inheritance. Codes can also be input to unlock various other cards and use them in the game.

World Championship Tournament 2005 will include the new rules from the most recent update and an all new RPG style mode, allowing users to take on players all over the game world. Collectors will also be wanting this game to get hold of the three limited official trading cards that come with the game.
Source: ProG UK

VIZ Releases Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie Ani-Manga
Posted Monday, 12/20/2004 by PPNSteve

New full color volume captures all the action from the feature film based on wildly popular kid’s series.
VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced the upcoming release of YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE™ ANI-MANGA. The single 288-page full color graphic novel provides a blow-by-blow summary of the animated theatrical film. Included in the first 100,000 copies will be one of the three Yu-Gi-Oh! Egyptian God Cards, previously unavailable in the U.S.

The official Ani-Manga of YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE brings the film to life with full-color art and sound effects! Based on the manga, trading card and television series phenomenon, YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE is the story of Yugi, a boy captivated by a card game sweeping the nation. But there’s more to the game than meets the eye, for it contains ancient mystical energies that can change the course of history! Deep below the sands of Egypt, an old evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi’s mysterious alter ego – the Pharaoh – has returned for revenge to destroy Yugi and take over the world! Can Yugi and his friends conquer their most powerful foe yet before the planet is buried in the sands of time?

The new Ani-Manga is rated “A” for All Ages and will be on sale nationwide on November 23 retailing for $13.99.

Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.shonenjump.com, and its corporate site, www.viz.com.

VIZ Releases Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie Ani-Manga
Posted Thursday, 11/18/2004 by PPNSteve

New full color volume captures all the action from the feature film based on wildly popular kid’s series.
VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime for North American audiences, has announced the upcoming release of YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE™ ANI-MANGA. The single 288-page full color graphic novel provides a blow-by-blow summary of the animated theatrical film. Included in the first 100,000 copies will be one of the three Yu-Gi-Oh! Egyptian God Cards, previously unavailable in the U.S.

The official Ani-Manga of YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE brings the film to life with full-color art and sound effects! Based on the manga, trading card and television series phenomenon, YU-GI-OH! THE MOVIE is the story of Yugi, a boy captivated by a card game sweeping the nation. But there’s more to the game than meets the eye, for it contains ancient mystical energies that can change the course of history! Deep below the sands of Egypt, an old evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi’s mysterious alter ego – the Pharaoh – has returned for revenge to destroy Yugi and take over the world! Can Yugi and his friends conquer their most powerful foe yet before the planet is buried in the sands of time?

The new Ani-Manga is rated “A” for All Ages and will be on sale nationwide on November 23 retailing for $13.99.

Contact VIZ, LLC at: 655 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1612; Phone: (415) 546-7073; Fax: (415) 546-7086; Web site: www.shonenjump.com, and its corporate site, www.viz.com.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Online for the PC
Posted Tuesday, 11/16/2004 by PPNSteve

Konami is planning to take its card-battling Yu-Gi-Oh! series online worldwide next spring, the publisher revealed this week, giving fans of the firm's multimedia property the chance to take one another on and swap cards over the Internet.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Online for the PC aims to recreate the one-on-one card battling on the net, featuring single play, match, auto duel and even spectating options, with online chat and card trading facilities also part of the plan.

The game will launch simultaneously in Europe, the US and Japan in spring 2005. The process of testing it will begin this December 18th, when Konami starts distributing test versions via magazine inserts.

Sadly, if you're in the UK you may have to wait until spring rolls around. Konami is planning to launch the first test discs with the December 18th issue of V Jump in Japan, before bringing it to the US and Germany in January through Shonen Jump and Banzai magazines respectively, with a release on the cover of Swedish Shonen Jump set for February, but there's no word on a UK source just yet.

Konami Ships Two New Yu-Gi-Oh! Titles
Posted Tuesday, 10/26/2004 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment America today announced the release of two more titles in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monster Coliseum for the PlayStation 2 and Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler for the Game Boy Advance, both based on the popular manga series that runs in the magazine Shonen Jump, have shipped to retail stores nationwide.

Capsule Monster Coliseum for the PS2 is a strategic board game featuring single- and multiplayer modes. Players can face off in turn-based battles against a horde of demons, or against each other. On the GBA, Destiny Board Traveler is a fusion of the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading-card game and a video board game that sees players duel with cards and dice on a variety of different maps. It supports four-player simultaneous link play.

Both games are rated "E" for Everyone. Capsule Monster Coliseum carries an SRP of $39.99, while Destiny Board Traveler will cost $29.99.

'Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie' Arrives on DVD and VHS November 16
Posted Tuesday, 10/12/2004 by PPNSteve


Prepare for battle as "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" arrives on DVD and VHS from Warner Home Video (WHV) November 16. This animated film is based on the Japanese comic book, number one television series, video game franchise and trading card game that began as the brainchild of manga artist/writer Kazuki Takahashi. "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" features the voice talents of Dan Green ("Pokemon the Movie") and Wayne Grayson ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") and debuts on DVD with bonus features including a Yu-Gi-Oh! Monster memory challenge and two music videos from the "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" soundtrack. In addition, a free Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card plus a mail-in offer for three more cards will be enclosed with each DVD and VHS as part of an exciting consumer promotion!

"Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" will be available on full frame DVD format for $27.95 SRP and on VHS for $19.96 SRP.

Includes DVD features that will transport fans to a new dimension:

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Monster Challenge: Tests your memory.
• Two music videos from the "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" soundtrack.

Just in Time for Christmas!
Posted Wednesday, 10/6/2004 by PPNSteve

Get ready, Santa. The Second Annual Toy Industry Association and Toy Wishes Holiday Preview kicked off in New York, showcasing more than 500 new toys from over 60 different manufacturers. What could your stocking have in store for you this year?

How about the YU-GI-OH! Trading Card Game!
Upper Deck Entertainment brings joy to this year’s holiday season with highly collectible and wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game with all new cards. This year's set includes the first six Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG boosters ever released in a stylish gold Egyptian-themed storage portfolio. Each folder will include a Legend of Blue Eyes, Metal Raiders, Spell Ruler, Pharaoh's Servant, Labyrinth of Nightmare, and Legacy of Darkness booster packs, and six variant cards, including the highly sought after "Exodia the Forbidden One" card.

Look for them at your favorite retailer soon, and don't forget to tell Santa!

New Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Game Accessories
Posted Tuesday, 9/21/2004 by PPNSteve

Video game and handheld accessories manufacturer NubyTech announced today the launch of its exciting new line of video game accessories for multi-media phenomenon Yu-Gi-Oh!(TM).

These products will combine outstanding Yu-Gi-Oh! graphics with the latest technology in video game controllers.

Yu-Gi-Oh!, from 4Kids Entertainment, Inc., is a leading animated series, video game franchise, trading card game and toy line.

"We're very excited to introduce a complete line of video game accessories for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans of all ages," said Paul Chen, NubyTech's President and COO. "Now fans will be able to enjoy the full Yu-Gi-Oh! experience at home and on the road with our cool new products. They'll be a 'must-have' for Yu-Gi-Oh! gamers."

The new product line will launch October 26, 2004 and include:

- The Yu-Gi-Oh! Controller for PlayStation 2(R)
- The Yu-Gi-Oh! Starter Kit for Game Boy Advance(R) SP

To enhance the Yu-Gi-Oh! gaming experience, NubyTech also will introduce removable console decals with Yu-Gi-Oh! graphics for the different gaming systems.

Additional Yu-Gi-Oh! video game accessories, including the Yu-Gi-Oh!
controller for Xbox(R) and specially designed Yu-Gi-Oh! carrying cases for Nintendo's new Dual Screen (DS) and Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld video game systems, are scheduled to be released later this year.

For more information, contact Birute Tursa at 310-302-9118,
birute@nubytech.com or visit us at http://www.nubytech.com or
http://www.hotgamestuff.com.

Forever Farewell - Yu-Gi-Oh:
Posted Monday, 9/13/2004 by PPNSteve

Just announced a few days ago on TVTokyo, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters anime series will finally end. With only 2 more episodes to air, the story finally has come to close. The story of Yugioh Duel Monsters end in Episode 224 (which will air soon on TVTokyo). However, the artist Mr. Takahashi, isn't gonna let this series go! There is a new saga of Yugioh on the way! However, this new saga has nothing to do with it's past series - DUEL MONSTERS.

According to Janime's review, the title of the series is Yugioh NEXT GENERATION. Unlike some animes who focus on the same original characters in every other sagas, the new Yugioh saga will be totally different, and totally new, new, new! The story tells about a new young boy who learns about the legendary Duel Monsters Game King - Yugi Mutou, along with the past of Battle City Tournaments, and so on. It seems kinda like a plot from the movie or other seasons based on the original Yugioh Duel Monsters. A new opening theme will be featured within this future series - to which will air on TVTokyo in October.

We'll have more details as they become available..

Timeless Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collection
Posted Thursday, 9/9/2004 by PPNSteve

Upper Deck Entertainment Releases Timeless Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Collection for 2004 Holiday Season

Upper Deck Entertainment brings joy to this year's holiday season with highly collectible Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME collectible sets - the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tin and the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Master Collection. Anticipated to be the hottest-selling toys of the season, the new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tins and Master Collection gives the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG collectors a chance to collect previously released boosters, brand new cards, and powerful variant cards, including the much-sought after "Exodia the Forbidden One" card.

Available in September, the Collectible Tins allow Duelists to make their Decks much more powerful, with a collection of booster packs designed to increase the complexity and power during matches. These tins offer an assortment of the game's top-selling booster packs, which include Pharoanic Guardian, Magician's Force, Dark Crisis, Invasion of Chaos, and Ancient Sanctuary. In addition, each of the six unique tins will include one of six brand new cards.

Upper Deck's Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible TinLast year, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins were featured as an "All Star" in Toy Wishes Magazine, and in recent years, earned top spots on the hottest Christmas wish lists at KB Toys, and was listed as one of the most highly sought-after toys in Toy Wishes Magazine, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

In December, UDE is also pleased to release the new, and first-ever Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Master Collection. This highly collectible set will include the first six Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG boosters ever released in a stylish, gold, Egyptian-themed storage portfolio. Each folder will include a Legend of Blue Eyes, Metal Raiders, Spell Ruler, Pharaoh's Servant, Labyrinth of Nightmare, and Legacy of Darkness booster packs, and six variant cards, including the highly sought after "Exodia the Forbidden One" card.

Among Duelists, the demand for booster sets has continued to increase as more Duelists join the game and compete in the Duelist King Tournament, held in neighborhood hobby stores across North America. Currently, more than 600,000 duelists are registered in more than 6,000 stores across North America.

During the game, players Duel each other by summoning monsters and activating Spell and Trap cards. Using a Starter Deck and/or booster sets, Duelists collect cards to play their hands against other Duelists. Duelists with well-constructed Decks, powerful monsters, solid strategy and a little good fortune are the winners in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME.

For more information on tournaments, the latest in Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME news and product introductions, visit www.yugioh-card.com, or www.upperdeck.com.

About Yu-Gi-Oh!™ The object of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME is to win a Match (which consists of three duels) by reducing an opponent's "life points" from 8,000 to zero. This is accomplished through a series of turns using a deck with a minimum of 40 cards and a combination of strategy, skill and luck. Three main types of cards are used in Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Monster Cards, Spell Cards and Trap Cards, with each category being further divided into sub-categories. For more information on the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME or Upper Deck Entertainment, please visit www.yugioh-card.com or www.ude.com.

Konami has shipped over 4 million units of Yu-Gi-Oh!™ videogames in North America since the series' debut in March 2002 including: Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Forbidden Memories for Sony PlayStation®, Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Forbidden Memories Premium Edition for Sony PlayStation®, Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Dark Duel Stories for Nintendo Game Boy® Color™, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul for Nintendo Game Boy® Advance™, Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Dungeon Dice Monsters for Nintendo Game Boy® Advance™, Yu-Gi-Oh!™ The Duelists of the Roses for Sony PlayStation® 2, and the recently released Yu-Gi-Oh!™ Worldwide Edition Stairway to the Destined Duel for Nintendo Game Boy® Advance™. The games are recognized for the deeply strategic and challenging gameplay based on the mega-popular Yu-Gi-Oh! universe.

The Yu-Gi-Oh!™ franchise is based on the Yu-Gi-Oh!™ comic series from artist Kazuki Takahashi that first appeared in Japan in 1996. It is currently being serialized in SHONEN JUMP, the monthly manga magazine published by VIZ, LLC. The comic spawned a hit cartoon TV show, a top-selling collectible card game, several videogames and other licensed merchandise. Yu-Gi-Oh!™ follows the adventures of Yugi, a young boy who possesses the "Millennium Puzzle" that allows him to transform into the "Game King" whenever he is challenged.

4Kids Entertainment Inc. manages the merchandising and television rights to Yu-Gi-Oh!™ in the United States. The animated series, Yu-Gi-Oh!™ King of Games is broadcast 11-times per week on Kids WB. Read Full Press Release.
Source: PPN News Services, marketwire.com

Fake Trading Card Scam Nets Millions
Posted Saturday, 8/28/2004 by PPNSteve

Just a heads up for our Australian visitors.. Watch out for the cards you are buying, they could be fakes:

Chinese counterfeiters are making millions of dollars selling fake Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards to families and young children in Australia.

Last week, Customs in Sydney seized almost a million phony Yu-Gi-Oh cards with a retail value of about $500,000.

Customs' acting regional director, Gayle Brown, said her officers had detected 135 boxes containing more than 52,000 packs in a shipping container from China.

According to the authorised distributor, Ikon Collectables, it was the third major seizure in the past six weeks.

The managing director of Ikon, John Howard, said 22 pallets of cards had been found in Melbourne while another load had been intercepted in Brisbane.

He says the fake cards are being sold to unsuspecting kids in markets around the country.

Some were poor quality but all seemed to come from China where originals were scanned shortly after their official release and then copied. He said the cards were particularly popular with boys aged from 6-9 who liked to collect them for the pictures and to swap.

Source: PPN News Services, news.com.au Read the full story

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny (Xbox) Comes to the UK
Posted Saturday, 8/21/2004 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny (Xbox)

Publisher: Konami
Developer: KCEJ
Genre: Puzzle
Release Date: 2004-03-23 (US) - 2004-11-01 (UK)

Konami of Europe unveils the most intricate realisation of the popular trading card game to the Xbox video game system from Microsoft
Konami of Europe has announced it is bringing its phenomenally successful Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise to the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Entitled Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny, the game will be released in November and is a detailed recreation of the intricacies of the Yu-Gi-Oh! universe.

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny is a faithful recreation of the trading card game to date and features all the traps, monsters and duelling of the card series and transfers it to a 3D play area. Every rule has been incorporated in the Xbox game, while over 1,000 of the latest trading cards have been transferred to The Dawn of Destiny, while the many spells and creatures are effortlessly brought to life via breath-taking combat sequences.

Consistent with the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, The Dawn of Destiny sees the player using all their skill to use their hand of cards to best advantage. The basic aim of the game is to seize all of the opponent's cards and this is effected by laying traps, casting spells and sending armies of creatures into battle. Each card is allocated specific strengths and weaknesses, and players must put these to good use to overthrow opposing adversaries.

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny, however, also ups the ante massively and allows Xbox duellists to construct three different decks of cards, allowing the use of multiple attack and defensive combinations thus creating incredibly visual and complex battle scenarios. Similarly, the game also features all-new duel modes, facilitated by the Xbox's System Link cable. This allows players to link to a number of consoles together for two or three-player tournaments, with the player who defeats all three opponents in a row to add new cards to their collection declared the winner.

YuGiOh Movie Reviews
Posted Thursday, 8/12/2004 by PPNSteve

Hey we all know that the YuGiOh! Movie is here.. YW will have a couple of reviews (both mainstream and fan based) posted up either later today or tomorrow, as well as a complete summary.

So far it's seeming to be a fairly good movie with us fans loving it and everyone else basicly left without a clue.

Well thats it for now, so stay tuned!

YuGiOh Movie Update!
Posted Wednesday, 7/28/2004 by PPNSteve

The previously unreleased Black Eyed Peas track "For the People" will anchor the soundtrack to the animated film "Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie," due Aug. 10 via RCA.
Also featured on the set is "It's Over," the debut from five-piece student group Fatty Koo, signed to Columbia following a recording session on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest's Educational Bus tour in Columbus, Ohio.

More updates as they become available.
Source: billboard.com

Yu-Gi-Oh! Fans Flock to Finals
Posted Monday, 7/26/2004 by PPNSteve

Her's the first reports on the recent Finals held in Anaheim, CA USA. This report comes to us by way of the Orange County Register, a local newspaper from the area.

Monstrous trading-card game phenomenon attracts thousands of enthusiasts to the YuGiOh! World Finals in Anaheim.

Anaheim – Sang Bui, 17, often thinks about his monsters. He wonders if there is a perfect spell to enhance the strength of his Dark Wizard. Or whether his monsters are powerful enough to beat a rival's. Or if a trap could have helped him win.

EXPERTS: Felipe Luque, 15, of Chile, an expert player, faces Jessie Orozco, 14, of La Puente, right, at the “Challenge The Expert” area at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship in Anaheim. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Story By: TAMARA CHUANG The Orange County Register

Bui's penchant for strategizing helped him reach the worldwide finals for the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game, which took place Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center in front of a crowd of about 10,000 people. The Fountain Valley resident was among 32 trading-card finalists from all over the world - including four from the United States - who had the chance to pit a horned Mad Sword Beast against a one-eyed Opticlops, or whatever monster lurked in their personal deck of cards. Another 16 contestants battled to become the champ of the Yu-Gi-Oh! video game.

"Sometimes I daydream about strategies," said Bui, who often plays the card game on average 16 hours a week. "It doesn't really hurt your brain. It's really fun. It's not like a hard math problem."

Fans of the Japanese cartoon character flocked to Anaheim to buy special cards, watch on giant video screens as the finalists duked it out, and challenge experts to a duel. The Yu-Gi-Oh! phenomenon has inspired a global video-game and trading-card industry, TV series, a movie out next month and even a breakfast cereal.

The cartoon hit the after-school cartoon circuit about three years ago in the United States, just as aging Pokemon addicts hunted for their next challenge. The Yu-Gi-Oh! characters are older. The monsters are more gruesome. The game strategies are more complicated.

Yugi, the main character, is a gamemeister himself, having solved an ancient Egyptian puzzle that gives him special fighting powers. With a punked-out hairdo and enormous anime eyes, Yugi uses a collection of monsters and spells to fight rivals who, like himself, hope to become the king of duelists. His motto: Trust in the heart of the cards.

Today, Yu-Gi-Oh! merchandise ranks as one of the top-selling brands in card games, toys and video games. Konami Digital Entertainment, which has released a dozen Yu-Gi-Oh! video games in two years, has sold 7.1 million games just in the United States. Most video games in the industry don't even break the 100,000 mark.

"We had major success in Japan with Yu-Gi-Oh!, however, at the same time, we weren't sure we'd have the same success in the United States," Kazumi Kitaue, Konami's chief executive, said through a translator. "It's a better-than-expected reception."

The launch of trading cards two years ago by Upper Deck Co. in Carlsbad revived an industry that was looking for the next Pokemon, said Jason Winters, games editor for Comics & Games Retailer magazine. Of the 25 trading-card games tracked, Yu-Gi-Oh! ranks No. 2, garnering about one-third of the $200 million market.

At Sunday's tournament, fans lined up for a chance to buy limited-edition trading cards, which can make or break a player's deck. Others brought their own card packs hoping to duel an expert. For the final tournament game, Ryon Peyton from Virginia beat out Pere Torrellas Salietti from Spain in a video game projected on large video screens for the audience to ooh and ahh at the strategic moves. Masatoshi Togawa from Japan was crowned king of the card games.

"If you get started, you're going to get hooked," warned Junior Fiane, a 31-year-old Long Beach resident. He dueled a finalist and "lost badly," he said.

"The game itself is pretty fun. It's complicated. You've got to build a good deck," said Fiane, who estimated that he and girlfriend An Faletogo combine to play about 40 hours a week.

"He'll play his brother over the phone," piped in Faletogo, 35, who hired a sitter for the day so they could attend the tournament and test their skills against a group of Yu-Gi-Oh! experts. Faletogo won her challenge.

Kris Park, 16, and his family traveled from Hayward for the tournament. But only his dad stuck around while the rest of the family went to Disneyland.

"I've been to Disneyland many times," said the former Pokemon fan. "Besides, this is what I really wanted to do."

"He's been wanting to do this for months," said his father, Eric.

Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championships in Anaheim, CA Sunday, July 25, 2004
Posted Thursday, 7/22/2004 by PPNSteve

WHAT: This Sunday the world's best compete for the honor of being crowned the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Video Game Champion and the 2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Champion. Twelve finalists from around the world (USA, Japan, France, Germany, UK, Italy, Holland and Spain) will compete for the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Video Game Championship while the best duelists engage in a fierce competition as they battle for the title of 2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Champion.

WHEN: Sunday, July 25, 2004
From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

WHERE: Anaheim (California, USA) Convention Center (Halls A & B)

For further information on the tournament, please contact:

Konami Digital Entertainment: Marc Franklin/Peter Nguyen, 650-654-5600
Upper Deck Entertainment: Claudine Ricanor, 760-929-6500
Great Dane Consultants: Tracey Thompson, 323-953-1993

Source: PPN News Services

Special Screening of ``Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie''
Posted Wednesday, 7/21/2004 by PPNSteve

Based on the trading card and television series phenomenon, "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" is the story of Yugi, a boy captivated by the card game sweeping the nation: Duel Monsters!
But there's more to the game than meets the eye, for it contains ancient mystical energies that can change the course of history! Deep below the sands of Egypt, an old evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi's mysterious alter ego -- the Pharaoh -- has returned for revenge to destroy Yugi and take over the world! Can Yugi and friends conquer their most powerful foe yet before the planet is buried in the sands of time?

WHEN: Saturday, August 7, 2004
Screening: 11:00 AM

WHERE: Grauman's Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
USA

-- Your coverage of this event is invited --
Press Credentials will be issued at the event

"Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" has been rated PG by the MPAA for
"Scary combat and monster images."

www.yugioh.com / AOL Keyword: Yugioh

"Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie" will be released domestically on Friday, August 13, 2004 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Yu-Gi-Oh U.S. Division Finals This Month!
Posted Thursday, 7/8/2004 by PPNSteve

KONAMI HOSTS YU-GI-OH! U.S. FINALS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2004 TOURNAMENTS

Thousands of Fans From Around The World To Participate in the Largest Yu-Gi-Oh! Events in History

U.S. Finals Take Place in San Diego, Calif. July 22 and 23; With the World Championship 2004 Tournament Event taking place in Anaheim, Calif. on .

Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced details of the two concluding tournaments that will ultimately result in the crowning of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2004 Tournament champions. For the past few months, Konami and Upper Deck Entertainment have hosted numerous tournaments around the world using their respective video game and trading card game products in order to find the best Yu-Gi-Oh! players. The two final tournaments are the Yu-Gi-Oh! U.S. Finals at the Comic-Con International Consumer Expo in San Diego, Calif. on July 22 and 23, and the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2004 Tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. on July 25.

Konami has hosted tournaments in the United States, Japan and Europe using its Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 video game for Nintendo’s Game Boy® Advance, to determine the best Yu-Gi-Oh! video game players in the world. Those who qualified in their respective regional tournaments advanced to the finals in their own country for a chance to move on to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2004 Tournament in Anaheim and compete for the title of 2004 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Video Game Champion.

To learn more about the Wildcard Tournament, the U.S. Finals and the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Tournament 2004 video game, please visit: http://www.konami.com/yugiohtournament2004/.

Yu-Gi-Oh it up on the GBA and PC!!
Posted Wednesday, 6/30/2004 by PPNSteve

Konami Digital Entertainment - America, announced today that it has shipped Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Joey The Passion for PC CD-ROM.
In Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction, players have access to 800 unique cards, including all three of the powerful Egyptian god cards, as they embark on an all-new role playing game adventure.
For PC gamers, Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Joey the Passion delivers the ultimate PC trading card game battle featuring two-player LAN play for the first time in the series.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction, the sequel to the hit video game, Yu-Gi-Oh!(tm) The Sacred Cards(tm), players will face Reshef the Destroyer, who is out to blanket the world in darkness. Players must team up with Yugi and his friends to save the world from eminent destruction. Gamers will battle with more than 100 duelists to create the ultimate deck and go face-to-face with the ominous, Reshef. Buy, sell, and even wager cards with other characters throughout the game to build an undefeatable deck. Gamers can also battle head-to-head with their friends via the Game Boy(r) Advance Game Link(r) Cable to increase their skill level, determine the top duelist or trade cards to create stronger decks.

In Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Joey the Passion, the exciting gameplay and rules of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME are implemented as well as an all-new interface, enhanced strategies and two-player LAN play to redefine PC dueling. Gamers can access hundreds of new cards as well as import acquired cards from Yu-Gi-Oh! Power Chaos: Yugi the Destiny and Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Kaiba the Revenge to create the ultimate deck to duel against friends.

As an added bonus for fans of the popular franchise, the games come packed with three exclusive limited edition Yu-Gi-Oh! game cards. Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction includes Dark Magician Knight, Knight's Title and Sage's Stone. Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Joey the Passion includes Red-Eyes B. Dragon, Sebek's Blessing and Sword of Dragon's Soul.

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The Yu-Gi-Oh! US Finals Video Game Tournament occurs July 22nd-23rd at the Comic-Con consumer expo in San Diego, California. Be there!
Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Video Game Tournament takes place on July 25th in Southern California at the Anaheim Convention Center.

An a reminder, the first feature-length Yu-Gi-Oh! film debuts in theaters nationwide in August, look for it in your local theaters.

Source: www.ign.com, PPN News Services.

VIZ Teams With RIF to Promote Literacy
Posted Wednesday, 6/2/2004 by PPNSteve

Company will provide anime and manga products to RIF to prepare and motivate school children to read.

VIZ, LLC, one of the leading publishers and distributors of manga and anime content for North American audiences, has announced a partnership with Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF®), the nation’s oldest and largest children’s and family literacy non-profit organization, to help promote literacy among children nationwide.

Founded in 1966, Reading Is Fundamental prepares and motivates children to read by providing free books and literacy resources to students and families who otherwise would not have adequate access to these materials. RIF operates through 450,000 volunteers at 25,000 sites nationwide. Beginning this summer, RIF will make popular VIZ graphic novels like those in the SHONEN JUMP graphic novel line, YU-GI-OH! and DRAGON BALL Z, available through the organization’s national network of schools, libraries and year-round reading programs to help children develop an enthusiasm for reading. This is a first-of-its kind partnership between RIF and a leading graphic novel publisher/distributor.

The popularity of manga continues to grow significantly in North America, especially among grade school-aged readers. Earlier this year, VIZ’s RUROUNI KENSHIN title secured the number one spot on BookScan’s list of best selling graphic novels and also broke into the Overall Adult Fiction Top 100 list. However, literacy rates continue to falter among children whose first language is not English or who live in poverty-stricken or decaying neighborhoods. As the nation strives to help all children achieve full literacy, partnerships like the one between RIF and VIZ will help these goals reach fruition by educating as well as entertaining this nation’s children and young adults.

“RIF's partnership with VIZ will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to get even more children excited about reading,” said Carol H. Rasco, RIF president and CEO. “One of the best ways to inspire children to read is to allow them to select their own reading material. Considering the manga genre in particular appeals to many young people, we believe that adding graphic novels as a choice for RIF programs will help us motivate even more children to develop a lifelong love of reading." Read More... .

Source: PPN News Services, Silver Bullet Comicbooks

YuGiOH! The New Movie
Posted Wednesday, 6/2/2004 by PPNSteve

Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie (US)


Release Date: August 13, 2004
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Not available
Screenwriter: Not available
Starring: Not available
US YuGiOH! Movie Trailer .mov (quicktime player required)

Plot Summary: Based on the trading card and television series phenomenon, "Yu-Gi-Oh!" is the story of Yugi, a boy captivated by the card game sweeping the nation: Duel Monsters! But there’s more to the game than meets the eye, for it contains ancient mystical energies that can change the course of history! Deep below the sands of Egypt, an old evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi’s mysterious alter ego – the Pharaoh – has returned for revenge to destroy Yugi and take over the world! Can Yugi and friends conquer their most powerful foe yet before the planet is buried in the sands of time?

YuGiOh The Movie Special Edition Booster Pack
(Pre-Order Ships August)

A new, limited edition booster pack will be given out with each movie ticket sold. Each pack of this special edition YuGiOh movie pack contains the same eight awesome YuGiOh game cards... and those cards will be tournament legal upon release! The eight card set will contain three ultra rares and 5 common cards.

(The Three Ultra Rares are: Ancient Sphinx, the strongest YuGiOh card in the history of the game. Peten the Dark Clown, this card's effect is only fully achieved if you have 3 copies of this card in your deck. And Inferno Tempest, an unbelievable new spell card that removes ALL Monsters in Both players' Decks and Graveyards, an ability that has NEVER been Seen Before! Another of the cards in this set is a card called Card Of Sanctity, both players draw cards until their respective hands reach a total of six cards. Review, Summary, and Trailer: Coming Soon!

Source: www.comingsoon.net

Yu-Gi-Oh DS - E3 2004 Impressions
Posted Wednesday, 5/26/2004 by PPNSteve

There's a kazillion Yu-Gi-Oh games on the Game Boy Advance, and Konami's wasting no time getting the first Yu-Gi-Oh game for the Nintendo DS.

The company had Yu-Gi-Oh: Nightmare Troubadour on display in Nintendo's DS demo area, and the game is essentially another Yu-Gi-Oh card game on a console. It definitely fits the platform, especially with the system's touch screen control since it's easy to slot cards up on the playfield by dragging them from your hand into battle. The secondary screen handles all the 3D graphics and displays the game from the perspective of the player, and when the two opponents battle the game pulls up polygonal versions of the creatures in the Yu-Gi-Oh universe to represent the attack.

The wireless capabilities will also come in handy for one