New York, NY (8/25/98) - Nintendo of America Inc. is starting the invasion with a 10-city tour originating in Topeka, Kansas (renamed To-Pikachu for the day). On August 27th ten Poke-Patrol Volkswagen Beetles customized to look like the Pokemon Pikachu character embark on individual journeys from Topeka to different regions of the country, spreading the word about the adventures of Pokemon to kids across America. One of the Poke-Patrol first stops will be Brighton Beach, New York to join their 22nd annual jubilee on Sunday August 30th, 1998.

From the adorable and self-contained Poke-Patrol car, kids will play the soon-to-be-released Game Boy game and watch the new Pokemon cartoon that will debut on WPIX on September 7th. The action-packed cartoon series captivates both boys and girls with the adventures of a 10-year-old Pokemon trainer, Ash Ketchum, and his precocious pet Pokemon, Pikachu as they discover the amazing and mysterious world of Pokemon. Kids will also dance to the beat of the Pokemon theme and rap songs while they win Pokemon prizes and learn what it takes to become a Pokemon trainer.