Pocket Monsters Attack

Nintendo Co. (Kyoto, Japan) has announced it will open more than 10 Pokemon stores around the world, beginning early next year.

The new “pocket monster” outlets, the first of which will appear in New York and London, will sell existing Pokemon goods — like trading cards and watches — as well as original products available only through individual shops.

Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's 72-year-old president, intends for the Pokemon stores and products to lend the company long-term financial security. Yamauchi, the great-grandson of Nintendo's founder, has indicated he may retire by next year.