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Pokkén Tournament's Video Reveals March 18 Date, Wii U Bundle

Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming an introduction video for its Pokkén Tournament fighting game for Wii U on Tuesday. The video shows the game's playable Pokémon and mechanics, and reveals the game's March 18 release date.

The video also reveals that those who pre-order the game starting on December 26 will receive a Dark Mewtwo amiibo card. Bandai Namco Entertainment will sell a bundle containing the game and a Wii U on the day's release, and it will cost 36,800 yen (about US$304). The game by itself will cost 7,200 yen (US$60) at retail or 6,800 yen (US$56) via download.

The game debuted in Japanese arcades in July. The eight playable Pokémon available at launch were Charizard, Weavile, Lucario, Machamp, Gardevoir, Suicune, Gengar, and Pikachu. Blazikin and Masked Pikachu were added later. Support Pokémon, which can be called to assist in battle with the "L" button, include Emolga, Lapras, Snivy, Frogadier, Eevee, Fennekin, and others.

Battles have two phases. During regular play, a Pokémon fills its gauge to activate "resonance burst," where the Pokémon is powered-up for a limited time and can perform a special attack.

The game includes tutorial and single-player modes, as well as an online mode that connects players to other arcade systems across Japan.