So... what? no preorder bonus for XD?

[Stonewall]

After all the guessing and assumptions about what pokemon they're giving away with preordering Pokemon XD, I phone EBgames today and they don't even seem to be aware of any bonus giveaway at all, so is it true? There's not only no pokemon giveaway with XD, but there's no giveaway bonus whatsoever? What's that about? And also, I first heard XD was coming out on October 3rd, but after I phoned EBGames, they said it was the 15th. Can anyone clarify?

And also, do you get anything in this game that you couldn't get in the others? Like, in Colosseum you got the Johto area pokemon that weren't in Ruby/Saphire or Fire REd/Leaf Green, but do you get anything in this game that you can't get in the other games currently? (Other than Lugia, I mean)

[Linkachu]

15th...? *Looks at her newly bought copy of the game* Err, I think they're a bit confused, personally ;)

At some places Pokemon XD is already out to buy. Maybe not on the shelves, but since the game came in yesterday they've been calling up pre-orderers (like me). No set street date, meaning no legal complications for selling it early - at least in Canada ^^

As for special bonus'... In the US, not counting the exclusive Pokemon Center online bonus, you received a special XD GCN skin with the game. I thought this was only for pre-orders, but it seems some stores are just giving them away to their first few customers too. Canada on the other hand has nothing (no bonus), or at least Prince Edward Island sure doesn't... Surprised? We didn't get anything for Emerald either. Ever since FR/LG they've been ignoring us =/

As for exclusive XD Pokemon, the only ones I know of so far (besides Lugia) are Chikorita with Frenzy Plant, Cyndaquil with Blast Burn, and Totodile with Hydro Cannon. As you can see the Pokemon themselves aren't exclusive but they normally can't learn those attacks. Serebii.net has a full explanation for how to get them.

And I think that's everything ^^

[RLRL]

Theres no preorder bonus in the UK either, as far as the magazines and websites have stated at least... Its kinda sucky, but then again, in the UK we had to buy an extra game for Jirachi instead of having that fancy little Jirachi bonus disk, with the free t-shirt you ppl got too...

[Pikachu]

The pokemon center has a preorder deal for those wishing to buy XD.

If you pre-order the game off their website you'll receive:
* A FREE Eevee Cinch sack
* A FREE Pokémon XD™ custom skin
* A FREE Pokédoll Shadow Lugia for the first 1,500 pre-order customers

- Info courtesy of Katiechu over at www.pokecharms.com (http://www.pokecharms.com) -

[RLRL]

Wow... damn you lucky people... I want a shadow Lugia doll!

[Blaziking]

Yeah... Shadow Lugia doll... *drools*
Nothing in Europe, it would seem. The game isn't even out yet here.
Linkachu, tell us now, what is the game like!?!?! Is it good?!?! What Eevee evolution have you got?!?! I NEED TO KNOW!!!!

[Linkachu]

I'm really enjoying it so far, and all the new additions are greatly appreciated: the save anywhere function, the Purification Chamber, the P*DA signalling you when one of your Shadow Pokemon is ready to have their heart opened, the new human models, new attack animation, new music that's actually pretty good and revamped music for some older locations (ie. Battle Mt), and last, but not least... that fact that the main character actually semi-has a BACKGROUND! My god, the fact that we didn't know why the hero of Colosseum suddenly turned on Team Snag'Em or why that girl could see the Shadow aura makes me want to slap the writers :P

Compared to Colosseum, the variety of catchable Pokemon seemss much better thus far. Some of them are repeats but at least the levels you catch 'em at are different (ie. Houndour at level 17 instead of Houndoom). Being able to easily evolve Eevee into which ever of its evos you want is a plus, too (I got Flareon because I've trained all the others this Gen ^^).

Yeah... How's that for you?

[Salamence-trainer221]

I just got XD an hour ago...AND I'M LOVIN IT! I simply am in love with the music. Colloseum had great music, but XD is simply AWESOME. I love the Krabby Club's jazzy music. So cool..

I haven't gotten far, but I can already tell I like it a TON more than Colloseum.

[Blaziking]

Oh man... I CAN'T BLOODY WAIT!!! Yeah, I was sure the game would be interesting and fun enough, coz, I mean, it's Pokemon, innit!? :O
Anyway, what I'm most scared about is the longevity of it. There have been some such cool games that I've wanted to purchase in the past, but didn't because they were to short(Batallion Wars for one), so I'm praying to God for a long XD.

[Linkachu]

Not sure if it means anything, but I've been playing for about 8 hours and still haven't caught that many Shadow Pokemon (14 maybe?). I'm pretty sure the game has about 5 or six times that amount, not to mention the levels of my opponents are only around 17-20. So yeah... I'd say we're looking at a 30+ hour adventure - 40+ if you play like me - but don't quote me on that.