Updates

July 14

Pokémon Trainers Battle in Los Angeles

Hundreds of Pokémon Trainers from all over the West Coast gathered to compete at the first Pokémon Video Game Showdown Qualifier Tournament.

Pokémon Trainers of all ages gathered last Saturday at the California Science Center to kick off the regional Qualifier Tournament for the first-ever Pokémon Video Game Showdown. The event featured an entire day of head-to-head competition, as the best regional players battled it out for the chance to be named the ultimate champion at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown on August 16th in Orlando, Florida.

Prizes were awarded to the top eight finishers in each age division, including a paid trip for two to Orlando to compete against the top 32 Trainers from Japan. With Pikachu overlooking the competition, Trainers from ages 8 to 30 battled using the 2-on-2 format in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

In the Senior Division, the overall winner was Christopher Halordin-Tsai (22 years old) from Stanford, California. Christopher battled his way through the masses to take the Qualifier Tournament title, but all eight of the top finishers earned invitations and paid travel expenses to compete at the ultimate Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, Florida.

Go-Pokemon.com had the opportunity to chat with Christopher shortly after the event.

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
Espeon. It is resilient, intelligent, arduous, and it represents the mental aspect of the game.

What is your favorite Pokémon video game?
Pokémon Snap, because of the artistic aspect. Also, you can print out the Pokémon as stickers.

Why did you enter the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
I entered because tournaments like this happen so infrequently. I couldn’t give up an opportunity like this. I needed to experience it at least once in my life.

What Pokémon did you have in your party?
Vaporeon, Ludicolo, Kingdra, Lapras

What was your strategy?
I tried to predict dominant strategies. I trained Pokémon that could deal with strategies and be fun. I used Rain Dance because it can do well against popular strategies. My team worked well—they were flexible and had an element of creativity.

How did the final match go down?
I set everything up to use certain moves like Surf and Thunder. It was a great battle, but I was never assured the victory until the last K.O. I also think that luck had something to do with it.

After an intense battle in the Junior Division, Alex Castanares (11) from Salem, Oregon earned a first-place victory over Whitney Bryan. (8) from Las Vegas, Nevada. After the championship battle, Alex took the time to answer a few questions about his victory.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
I have three favorites: Gallade, Mewtwo, and Hippowdon.

What is your favorite Pokémon video game?
Pokémon Emerald.

Why did you enter the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
I entered the tournament because I wanted to get another Wii.

What Pokémon did you have in your party?
Gardevoir, Lucario, Sharpedo, and Electabuzz

What was your strategy?
I go with offense over defense—always.

How did the final match go down?
I used a giant Explosion followed by a Mega Punch!

A complete list of the top 16 finishers is listed below. Each of these Pokémon Trainers will compete in Orlando on August 16th for a chance to be crowned the winner of the 2008 Pokémon Video Game Showdown.

Senior Division Champion
Christopher Halordin-Tsai

Senior Division Top Trainers
Christopher Halordin-Tsai
Michael Rivera
Thomas Mifflin
Brian Davila
Michael Macias
Taylor Owen
Berton Bailey
Paul Hornak

Junior Division Champion
Alex Castanares

Junior Division Top Trainers
Alex Castanares
Wesley Bryan
Luis Gonzalez
Alexander Cainglet
Whitney Bryan
Samuel Hill
Joshua Winfield
Victor Ngo

Click here for information about the July 19th Pokémon Video Game Showdown Qualifier Tournament in New York City.