Nintendo just released a new Pokemon game for Wii, which marks several firsts for the franchise and the system.

Pokemon Battle Revolution is the first Pokemon game for Wii, the first online Wii game in the Americas, the first Wii game to wirelessly link to Nintendo DS, and the first Wii game to let players use their Nintendo DS as a controller. Pokemon Battle Revolution is rate E for Everyone (6+) (Mild Fantasy Violence) and costs US$49.99, C$59.99.

Using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo's wireless gaming service, players use their Wii Remote to compete with friends after exchanging friend codes, or against players of comparable skill. The game automatically searches for other players who are online.

The game contains a number of battle modes for different kinds of play. In Colosseum Battle Mode, players have 10 different Colosseums in which to stage their challenges. In Nintendo DS Battle Mode, players battle Pokemon that they have raised in their Nintendo DS Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl games. Up to four players can use their Nintendo DS systems as a wireless controller, which uses the same battle interface found in the DS games.

"Already more than 2 million copies of Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl have sold in the United States alone," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "The arrival of Pokemon Battle Revolution brings those players a whole new set of challenges and, for the first time on Wii, online battles."

Reportedly, online setup is extremely easy, even for novices; a few clicks and players are instantly connected, whether they're using a Wii Remote or a Nintendo DS as a controller.