Pokemon Battle Challenge

Article tags: 2009, Japan, Tournament

Pokemon Battle Challenge was an event held from October 17 – December 27, 2009. The event encompassed both the video games and TCG, and was held in 11 shopping malls across Japan.

Side events were also available at all venues, and included things like quiz rallies and other games.

The event is the source of 3 L-P promo cards, including a Victory Medal.

Hoothoot (025/L-P Japanese Promo)

Noctowl (026/L-P Japanese Promo)

Victory Medal (027/L-P Japanese Promo)

Pokemon Battle Challenge was held at the following prefectures and venues:

Hokkaido event: Sapporo Station East Exit Concourse from October 24 – 25, 2009
Miyagi event: Mitsukoshi Sendai store from December 26 – 27, 2009
Tokyo event: Tamagawa Takashimaya from December 12 – 13, 2009
Nagano event: Nagano Tokyu Department Store from October 17 – 18, 2009
Shizuoka event: Shizuoka Isetan from December 26 – 27, 2009
Aichi event: Meitetsu Department Store Main Store from November 28 – 29, 2009
Kyoto event: Kyoto Takashimaya from October 31 – November 1, 2009
Okayama event: Tenmaya Okayama store from November 7 – 8 , 2009
Hiroshima event: Fukuya Hiroshima Station Store from October 17 – 18, 2009
Ehime event: Iyotetsu Takashimaya from November 14 – 15, 2009
Fukuoka event: Hawks Town Mall from November 14 – 15, 2009.

Knockout Battle

The Knockout Battle was the main Pokemon TCG event at each venue. Participants were divided into 2 groups based on their age: elementary students and younger, and junior high students and above.

Games were played with wither 30-card half decks or full 60-card decks, and there were two leagues available for players to choose which format to play. As alluded to in the name of the event, games were played in a single elimination format. Losing would “knock out” the player from the tournament.

All players who entered the Knockout Battle would receive a cosmos holofoil Hoot hoot promo card.

Hoothoot (025/L-P Japanese Promo)

They would also receive a paper playmat featuring the evolved forms of all 3 Gen 2 starter Pokemon.

Those who lasted past the first round by winning once received a cosmos holofoil Noctowl.

Noctowl (026/L-P Japanese Promo)

Lastly, those who managed to win 2 consecutive times received an exclusive gold Victory medal promo, featuring Typhlosion.

Victory Medal (027/L-P Japanese Promo)

Triple Beat

The video game tournament at the Pokemon Battle Challenge was known as “Triple Beat”. Players had to bring a copy of Pokemon HeartGold or Pokemon SoulSilver to compete. Similar to the TCG tournament, participants were divided into 2 groups based on their age: elementary students and younger, and junior high students and above.

They would then be able to freely battle against other players at the venue. All participants received a cardboard stand for their Pokewalker accessory. This was a PokeBall-shaped pedometer that had shipped with the Pokemon HeartGold and Pokemon SoulSilver games.

If they won 3 games in a row, they would receive a commemorative photo and a frame for it.

Side events

Each of the Pokemon Battle Challenge locations featured various side events and activities.

Special Pokewalker Course

With the PokéWalker accessory, player send Pokémon over to device in order to raise them. However, when selecting the Pokémon to send over, the player also has to select a course. There are wild Pokemon on each of the courses.

Pokemon Battle Challenge events were the only source of the “Winner’s Path” or チャンプのみちcourse. This course featured some competitively-viable Pokemon, such as Bronzor with Trick Room.