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A Pokemon Education!

The Learning Company Announces Software for Pokemon Fans Who Gotta Catch 'Em All; Pokemon Enthusiasts Gear up for Holiday Fun With Exciting Educational CD-ROMS!

The Learning Company and Nintendo of America, Inc. today announced that they have reached an agreement for The Learning Company to develop and publish educational software worldwide based on Nintendo's amazing video game phenomenon called Pokemon. Pokemon is licensed by Leisure Concepts, Inc., a 4Kids Entertainment company. As part of the announcement, The Learning Company will bring Nintendo's coveted Pokemon to market on its first CD-ROM appearance with two titles to be introduced this fall.

The popularity of Pokemon is based on the concept of collecting, developing and trading over 150 separate creatures. Since its introduction to the United States in September, Pokemon has become an overnight booming phenomenon. It's a top selling video game property, #1 rated kid's television show in U.S. syndication, as well as a #1 show on the Warner Bros. Television Network. Other Pokemon products include toys, trading cards and home videos, for a total of 90 licensed franchises, many of which are breaking all sales records.

"We are thrilled to introduce Pokemon to an entirely new audience of fans by combining its global popularity with innovative software technology," says Greg Bestick, president of The Learning Company. "Kids love the fun that Pokemon provides, and parents and teachers will appreciate the software's educational content."

"It makes perfect sense to align with The Learning Company," says Gail Tilden, vice president of product acquisition and development of Nintendo. "Pokemon is adored by millions of children around the world, and we hope this new educational software will help them get excited about learning though the computer."

America Loves Pokemon!

Chart-Blasting Sales of New Pokemon Pinball Title, Record Attendance at National Tour Kick-Off Event Intensify America's Love for Pokemon Franchise!

Nintendo of America Inc. today released sales figures for Pokemon Pinball, the latest Pokemon game for Nintendo's Game Boy Color, making it history's fastest selling title for the world's most successful game platform.

With more than 262,000 units sold in only 20 days, Pokemon Pinball topples any previous record-breaking sales for Game Boy games, even the chart-topping Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. Pokemon Pinball, launched June 28, is the latest example of America's fascination with 150 cute creatures called Pokemon. Overall, the Pokemon franchise has generated more than $5 billion to date in worldwide revenues, almost as much as the total U.S. video game industry in 1998.

The Pokemon craze has swept the nation and shows no signs of slowing down. Today, hundreds of California Pokemon fans will get "into the game" and see their favorite characters in 3-D as Nintendo launches Pokemon Snap, Pokemon's debut N64 game, at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Pokemon Snap hits retail shelves on July 26.

Nintendo also recently launched its 19-city Pokemon League Summer Training Tour at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More than 44,000 people attended the event, making it the largest attendance in history at any Mall of America indoor event. The Pokemon tournament teaches players how to train their Pokemon and compete against other Pokemon enthusiasts in an effort to become a Pokemon Master Trainer. The tour continues through September 12.

"American children have embraced Pokemon because of the social interactivity the characters induce -- it's something they can relate to, discuss, and most importantly, share, with their friends," says Joe Spiegel, principal, Spinner Asset Management. "With the colorful characters, `family-friendly situations' as well as surprisingly deep strategy and game play involved to catch all 150 characters, Pokemon has all the right elements that make it a cultural icon in a way no video game has in years."

Pokemon, a Japanese concept first introduced in the U.S. in September 1998, has more than 90 licensed companies that make products including trading cards, a best-selling toy line and a new series of children's books. In addition, three All Nippon Airways planes currently feature Pokemon characters. "The Official Pokemon Handbook" is listed in the Top 20 of USA Today's Best-Selling Books, while the Pokemon cartoon, currently airing nationally on the WB network and in syndication, is rated number one for both. It's the first show to hold those spots in a decade (Source: 1999 Nielsen Rating Report). The show's soundtrack album, "2.B.A. Master," has risen to number three on the Children's chart and has shipped 250,000 units in a few weeks. A Pokemon animated feature film, "Pokemon The Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back," is set to debut in North America on November 12.

The new Pokemon Snap game allows players to collect snapshots of Pokemon in the wild. Pokemon Snap also is supported by a nationwide promotion with Blockbuster(R) video stores where players will be able to visit their local Blockbuster retailer to print out stickers of their favorite Pokemon snapshots on Snap Stations for $3.00. The exclusive promotion runs through Thanksgiving 1999 at participating Blockbuster video stores.

"The magnitude of popularity Pokemon has attained to this point is unbelievable," says Gail Tilden, Nintendo's vice president, product development and acquisition. "It's amazing when you consider the brand hasn't even reached its full potential. We're constantly examining how to build the franchise and keep Pokemon fans excited."