New Pokemon Zorua Won't Be an Easy Catch

Details on Pokemon Black/White, Nintendo's latest entry into the venerable game franchise, have begun emerging from Japan in the past couple weeks and there's genuinely a lot for fans to be excited about. A pair of new protagonists, three original starting Pokemon to chose from and the introduction of the Isshu Region, a densely populated urban jungle surrounded by a forest teeming with exotic creatures, all combine to make Black/White the most hotly anticipated Pokemon title in years.

 
And no creature is more exotic in this world than the fox-like Zorua, an innocuous enough looking Pokemon who, along with its evolved form, Zoroark, possesses the ability to throw up a mask of illusion in order to mimic any Pokemon. That's right, you read that correctly. Any Pokemon. This makes Zorua/Zoroark  potentially one of the most fearsome opponents one can face in a multiplayer duel. But Nintendo isn't making the capture of one a simple matter, oh no, and the path to calling one your own is well beyond the means of many stateside fans. The process is this: between now and July 9 pre-order a ticket for the new Pokemon movie coming out in Japan, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl: Zoroark Ruler of Illusions. Use the code included with the ticket to receive a special colored version of a previous event Pokemon, either Raikou, Suicune or Entei. Then, import this character into Black/White upon its release and a special confrontation with Zoroark will be activated that players can use to capture the stout beast (if you win, of course). 
 
I suppose we could look at this as either a total bummer or an excuse to hop a tramp steamer to Japan this summer. If you're stuck in the former category, though, don't take it too harshly because Zorua/Zoroark will eventually come to our shores, just try and exercise a bit of patience and remember there's going to be a lot to do in Black/White when it releases this fall.