Gamestop offers Poké-trio as launch downloads

Three pokémon - Shiny Raikou, Shiny Entei and Shiny Suicune - are to be offered as goodies through Gamestop stores in the US and Canada to celebrate the launch of Pokémon Black and White.

Starting today through February 6, Pokémon players can add the trio to their English language versions of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver.

Those who then transfer any one of the three into Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White will unlock the opportunity to encounter a "brand-new elusive Pokémon".

You'll have to take note of these timings if you're going to catch them all:

• Shiny Raikou-January 3 through January 9, 2011
• Shiny Entei-January 17 through January 23, 2011
• Shiny Suicune-January 31 through February 6, 2011

Celebi is also rumoured to be a download for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver from February 27-March 7. If you get access to a Celebi and transfer it to Black and White, which will give you access to one of the new Pokemon in the games, Zorua (via Joystiq).

Black and White launch in the US on March 6.