View source for Nintendo UK to host Pokémon X & Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014

{{Article|
type=news |
picture=UK Battle Tournament 2014.png |
caption=UK Battle Tournament 2014 logo |
weekday=Friday |
day=21 |
month=2 |
year=2014 |
time=13:02:00 |
discusstype=none |
discusslink= |
sourcetype=othersite |
sourcename=Nintendo UK |
sourcelink=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/pokemontournament |
user=SnorlaxMonster |
userlink=User:SnorlaxMonster |
tagline=Starting March 1, grand final April 26 |
blurb=Nintendo UK has recently announced ''Pokémon X & Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014'', which will be starting from Mar. 1. }}
{{CategorizeIn|Games|2|14}}
[[File:UK Battle Tournament 2014.png|thumb|300px|UK Battle Tournament 2014 logo]]
Nintendo UK will host the ''Pokémon X & Pokémon Y Battle Tournament 2014''. It will run from March 1 to April 5, 2014, with the grand final on April 26, 2014. The tournament will visit 16 locations through Great Britain, held at shopping centers and {{wp|Game (retailer)|GAME}} store, starting on March 1 at the {{wp|Bull Ring, Birmingham|Birmingham Bullring}} and GAME {{wp|Brighton}}. There will be 16 available slots for each division at each location. While no events are being held in {{wp|Northern Ireland}}, all United Kingdom residents may participate.

==Divisions==
There are four divisions: Ultimate Pokémon Expert, Junior Expert, Ultimate Team, and Pokémon Apprentice. Players can only enter one division, but can participate in up to two different locations. Nintendo UK recommends that players book in advance, using [https://microsite.nintendo-europe.com/pokemontournament the Nintendo UK website]. For all divisions, players can bring their own Nintendo 3DS and copy of Pokémon X or Y; however, players in the Ultimate Team and Pokémon Apprentice divisions can request to borrow both of these together from Nintendo UK, in which case they must use a preset team.

The Ultimate Pokémon Expert title is for players aged 13 and older. It is held as a {{bp|Double Battle}} with {{bp|Flat Battle|Flat Rules}} (Pokémon above level 50 will temporarily become level 50, Pokémon below level 50 will remain unaltered). The winner will receive a week-long trip for two to Japan; Nintendo UK will cover the cost of return flights to Tokyo, Japan (including any transfers), a visit to the {{bp|Pokémon Center (store)|Pokémon Center}}, and hotel accommodation (at least one of these people must be ages 18 or older). The first and second place competitors will receive fast track entry to the second round of the UK national qualifier for the Pokémon World Championships 2014.

The Junior Expert title is for players ages 12 and younger. It is held as a Double Battle with Flat Rules (Pokémon above level 50 will temporarily become level 50, Pokémon below level 50 will remain unaltered). The winner will receive a 3-night trip for a family of four to the {{wp|Alton Towers Resort|Alton Towers}} hotel and theme park; Nintendo UK will cover the cost of 3 nights accommodation at The Alton Towers Splash Landings Hotel and 2-day access to the Alton Towers theme park and {{wp|Alton Towers Waterpark|Splash Landings water park}}, for a family in which there are two adults aged 18 or older and two children ages 13 or younger. The first and second place competitors will receive fast track entry to the second round of the UK national qualifier for the Pokémon World Championships 2014.

The Ultimate Team title is for a team of two family members, one aged 16 or older and one aged 12 or younger. The younger player can only enter Pokémon originally level 50 or lower, whereas the older player can enter Pokémon of any level; neither player's Pokémon may hold items. The two members must either be related by blood (including extended family), or one must be the legal guardian of the other. It is held as a {{bp|Multi Battle}} with Normal Rules (all entered Pokémon will become level 50 temporarily). Players borrowing a Nintendo 3DS system and game will be given the preset team, with older players getting {{p|Pidgey}}, {{p|Machop}} and {{p|Pikachu}}, and younger players getting {{p|Froakie}}, {{p|Charmander}} and {{p|Gogoat}}. The winning team will receive a £250 [http://store.nintendo.co.uk/ Nintendo UK online store] voucher and a trip for four to {{wp|Eurogamer#EGX|EGX}} London 2014; Nintendo UK will provide train travel and entry tickets for four people.

The Pokémon Apprentice title is for players new to Pokémon X and Y. It is held as a Double Battle with Normal Rules (all entered Pokémon will become level 50 temporarily). Pokémon entered cannot be originally over level 50 and no Pokémon may hold items. Players borrowing a Nintendo 3DS system and game will be given the preset team of {{p|Pidgey}}, {{p|Froakie}}, {{p|Charmander}}, and {{p|Gogoat}}. The winner will receive a bundle of Nintendo 3DS games and {{bp|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} packs valued up to £300.

==Locations==
{| style="background: #285078; {{roundy|0.5em}}; border: 3.5px solid #901820;"
|- style="color:#fff"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}}" | Location
! Date
! style="{{roundytr|5px}}" | Country
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 1
| {{wp|Bull Ring, Birmingham}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 1
| GAME {{wp|Churchill Square (Brighton and Hove)|Churchill Square}}, {{wp|Brighton}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 2
| GAME Murraygate, {{wp|Dundee}}
| Scotland
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 8
| {{wp|Eldon Square Shopping Centre|Intu Eldon Square}}, {{wp|Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 8
| GAME Hamleys, {{wp|London}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 8
| GAME {{wp|St. David's (Cardiff)|St. David's Centre}}, {{wp|Cardiff}}
| Wales
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 15
| {{wp|WestQuay}}, {{wp|Southampton}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 15
| GAME {{wp|Meadowhall Centre|Meadowhall}}, {{wp|Sheffield}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 15
| GAME Castle Street, {{wp|Banbury}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 22
| {{wp|Bluewater (shopping centre)|Bluewater}}, {{wp|Kent}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 22
| GAME Back Of The Inns, {{wp|Norwich}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 22
| GAME {{wp|Victoria Centre}}, {{wp|Nottingham}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 29
| Intu {{wp|Trafford Centre}}, {{wp|Manchester}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| March 29
| GAME {{wp|Westfield Stratford City}}, {{wp|London}}
| England
|- style="background: #fff"
| April 5
| Intu {{wp|Braehead}}, {{wp|Glasgow}}
| Scotland
|- style="background: #fff"
| April 5
| GAME {{wp|Cribbs Causeway}}, {{wp|Bristol}}
| England
|}

==Press release==
{{quote|Calling all Pokémon players! The search for the best Pokémon X and Pokémon Y videogame experts in the country is on – as the Nintendo Pokémon XPokémon Yis announced. As well as a quest to find some of the best Pokémon Trainers, Nintendo is also on the hunt for any new Pokémon players who want to test their skills as the ultimate Pokémon teams.
The qualifying events kicking off on March 1st at selected GAME stores and shopping centres across Great Britain, will then lead to a Grand Final taking place in London in April. The two top placing Trainers from the ‘Ultimate Pokémon Expert’ and ‘Junior Expert’ age categories at the Grand Final will then be offered fast track entry to the Pokémon UK Video Game Championships event this coming Spring, meaning they skip straight to the second round.

Qualifying regional events will start at the Birmingham Bullring and at GAME Brighton on March 1st. Pokémon fans of all experience levels can battle, enjoy StreetPass with other attendees and prove their prowess on Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, available now on the [http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-3DS/Nintendo-3DS-94560.html Nintendo 3DS family] of systems.

'''The four titles up for grabs include:'''

* '''Ultimate Pokémon Expert''' - The winner of the prestigious “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title – a category open to those aged thirteen years or older - will earn themselves a week-long trip for two to Japan, the birthplace of Pokémon. They’ll be able to immerse themselves in the Pokémon world by visiting the Pokémon Center and also explore all of the sights of Tokyo. Recommended for seasoned Pokémon players the “Ultimate Pokémon Expert” title will test your Pokémon skills to the limit. The first and second place winners in the Ultimate Pokémon Expert category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the official Play! Pokémon UK VGC event this Spring.

* '''Junior Expert''' - Younger Pokémon Trainers (12 or under) itching to compete can enter the “Junior Expert” category. In this competition, a weekend trip for the whole family to Alton Towers hotel and theme park is up for grabs, for whoever comes out victorious. The first and second place winners in the Junior Expert age category will receive fast track entry to the second round of the UK Pokémon Video Game Championships event this Spring.

* '''Ultimate Team''' - The “Ultimate Team” competition is exclusively for two family members (one aged 16+ and one 12 or under) who want to team up and take on other families in a four-player Double Battle. Successful teams will have the chance to win a £250 [http://store.nintendo.co.uk/ Nintendo UK Online Store] voucher and a group trip for four to one of the world’s best gaming shows: EGX London 2014. This event takes place in Earls Court London, from September 25th – 28th and offers visitors the chance to play the biggest games before they are released.

* '''Pokémon Apprentice''' - New enthusiasts can enter the “Pokémon Apprentice” title; where complete newcomers to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y can battle it out to receive a mega bundle of Nintendo 3DS games up to the value of £300.

The winners of each category will be crowned at the Grand Final in London on 26th April.

To see terms & conditions, a full list of Pokémon Battle Tournament locations or to apply to take part, head to the [http://www.nintendo.co.uk/pokemontournament official registration page] now. Do you have what it takes?}}

==Video==
{{Youtubevid|uMNgDr2Yoto|Nintendo3DSuk}}

==Information==
* [https://microsite.nintendo-europe.com/pokemontournament/faq FAQ]
* [https://microsite.nintendo-europe.com/pokemontournament/terms Terms & Conditions]
* [http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/nintendo_uk_announces_pokemon_x_and_pokemon_y_battle_tournament_2014 Nintendo Life]