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Pocket Monster Advance Generation Game of Life, the first product from merged toymakers Takaratomy, will go on sale in late April.

A Pokemon version of "The Game of Life" board game will become the first product released following the merger of two of Japan's most powerful toymakers into Takaratomy Co., officials said.

Takaratomy, the company formed by the union between Takara and Tomy, will start selling "Pocket Monster Advance Generation Game of Life" from late April.

Takara started selling "The Game of Life" board game in 1968 and it has remained a consistent seller for the toymaker ever since.

Although Nintendo Co. created Pokemon, a contraction of Pocket Monsters, for game software, Tomy is licensed to produce Pokemon toys.

The new product coming out in April merges the companies' most symbolic products into one just as the two toy makers have fused together.

"Pocket Monster Advance Generation Game of Life" requires players to race toward a goal, collecting Pokemon, forcing them to fight competitors and striving to achieve qualifications such as a Pokemon doctor along the way.

Unlike the regular "The Game of Life," where players' pieces are model vehicles, the Pokemon version uses Monster Balls. "Pocket Monster Advance Generation Game of Life" will cost 3,780 yen. A pocket version is due to go on sale in June at a recommended retail price of 892 yen. (Mainichi)
Source: www.mainichi-msn.co.jp