What could be more exciting than playing a few rounds of ‘Pokemon’ video game on the Nintendo DS? Going to the 2011 Pokémon Video Game National Championships, of course. The first round of the world gaming tournament was held in Washington, D.C., where a total of 12 players will be moving on. After all of the regional tournaments have been concluded, the winners will be meeting in San Diego, where a grand champion from each age category will be named.

Pokemon was first popularized as an animated TV series that went along with a card game. Soon after Pokemon trading card tournaments began to pop up in the US, a new trend emerged. Nintendo released the first ‘Pokemon’ video game for the Gameboy, which was a huge success. Players still love Pikachu, Charmander and Ash, but they are constantly on the lookout for new characters.

There is a new ‘Pokemon’ video game being developed for the Nintendo 3DS, but it will be another few months before it is out in stores. Since 1996, Pokemon has been a hugely popular franchise. Originating in Japan, the TV series is still being syndicated in Europe, Asia and the US. In early August, regional Pokemon Video Game Championship winners will be showing off their best moves to see who reigns victorious. The yearly event has taken place in cities from Philadelphia to Dallas, and organizers in California expect there to be a big turnout this summer. Children as young as 8 years of age are allowed to participate in the event.