Happy Pokemon Day!
February 27, 2016 3:00 PM Subscribe
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first Pokemon games releasing in Japan. 20 years ago today, a set of unsuspecting video games would be released that would end up spawning so many sequels, a long running anime series, a collectible card game and numerous spin offs.
Inspired by Satoshi Tajiri's childhood hobby of bug collecting Pokemon has grown to become the second(or third) most popular video game franchise behind only (Super)Mario.
Part of the core plot of the game is collecting the beings (Pocket Monster, or Pokemon for short) that inhabit the fictional world and trading them with friends to "collect them all". You would catch any number of the 151 pokemon and train them by battling them against other pokemon. Typically in the core series you start with the goal of winning in battle against an elite group to win a title, though along the way you'd typically encounter a gang with aspirations of world domination.
The idea of using the original Game Boy's Link cable for trading these creatures was thought up by Tajiri himself. Prior to this implementation, the cable had been used mostly for competitions, though competing against an opponent would also be implemented.
Also innovating on a typical video game release, the original games were released as two separate games. While the story and layout was nearly identical between the two, certain pokemon could only be found on one type of game, while the other would have its own exclusive. This was done to require players to interact with someone who had the opposing version.
Core Series
The core of the games is the RPG style game of catching and training your pokemon. Currently 6 generations exist in the core series. With the 7th just announced and set to release this holiday season.
Generation I Red, Green, and Blue
Later the same year Red and Green debuted(1996), Blue version was released. Visually mostly unchanged save for a switch up of exclusives for the version, this version also brought behind the scenes stability to the game and was the version ultimatly released in the United States (along with a repackaged Red).
Pokemon Yellow would release 2 years later (1998) with minor enhancements to visuals. The plot was altered slightly to more closely match the anime. Added features included having Pikachu, the mascot of Yellow as well as the Pokemon Company, follow your character's sprite around.
Generation II Gold, Silver, and Crystal
The following year (1999) would see the second set of entries in the series with Pokemon Gold and Silver. Improved graphics and the addition of 100 total pokemon were at the forefront of these games. These games also introduced concepts that would become staples of the series or revisited later including: an in game clock that matched real world time, breeding, Shiny pokemon, and giving a pokemon an item to hold.
The following year(2000), Pokemon Crystal would be released, again with minor updates and story enhacements, but following the same general pattern plot.
While pokemon could be traded from Generation I to II or back, any pokemon with a move that didn't exist in Generation I could not be traded back.
Generation III Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald (and the first set of remakes)
With new hardware came new capabilities, and thus the Gameboy Advance generation was born. Two years after Crystal (2002) Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire would be released, greatly enhancing graphics and adding 135 pokemon and a new battle type(Double Battles). While the formula remained unchanged, the location shifted and some pokemon were unobtainable, even between the two versions. The games code base was also completely refactored. While Gold, Silver, Crystal were coded using updates to the Red and Blue base, Ruby and Sapphire were overhauled. This added many new features to the game, such as individual abilities, natures, and weather effects but at the cost of being able to communicate with previous generations.
Again, a third version would be released 2 years later (2004) with similar updates to the previous 2 third versions.
In addition, that same year (2004) remakes of the originals were made. Playing up on the original names, they would be called FireRed and LeafGreen. These remakes would allow for communication to Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, giving access to those pokemon previously unavailable due to backward compatibility restrictions. To this day, it is possible to transfer a pokemon from a Generation III game to the newest game in the series, though this communication is typically one way (forward) only.
Generation IV Diamond, Pearl, Platinum (and the second round of remakes)
In keeping with the flow of new technology, 2 years after Emerald (2006) would see the first set of DS games for the franchise. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl would release. Again set in a different region and adding 107 new pokemon (a total of 493), these games would see the return of the real world clock and a day-night cycle. They would also take advantage of the second screen on the DS(did you know that DS stands for Dual Screen?) using the Poketch, a multi function device reducing the need for as many inventory items.
2 years later (2008), Platinum would release as the third in that series. The following year(2009) the second round of remakes in HeartGold and SoulSilver would be released. These games would see a return of the pokemon sprite seen on the overworld map, following behind the player character. These games would also see the release of a special accessory called the Pokewalker, a pedometer that you could transfer a pokemon to and play minigames.
Generation V Black and White (and a few breaks from tradition)
One year later (2010) would see a new Generation and new region. This would be the first region based on an area outside of Japan. These games would introduce the most new pokemon in a single set of games adding 156 new pokemon(bringing the total up to 649).
2 years later(2012) a break from tradition occurs. Rather than getting a 3rd game in to the add to the set, a true sequel was released in the form of Black 2 and White 2. Rather than the same story but minor feature updates, this set had the player explore the aftermath of the Black and White and offered a brand new adventure in the same region. This marked the first generation since Generation I to not have a "3rd game" and to not have any remakes. This was only the first shake up to the release pattern...
Generation VI X and Y and the return of the remakes
Generation VI would bring a new shakeup to the release structure by releasing X and Y at the same time world wide the next year (2013). These games added 72 pokemon bringing the total to 721 (though a later reveal would add 1 more pokemon). This number is still the current total number of pokemon. Ultimately it would set the (still standing) record for best selling games on the 3ds system. A new mechanic was introduced in the form of Mega Evolutions allowing a temporary change to the battling pokemon and giving it increased strenght and a new form. These games would be the first to use fully 3ds polygon models, allowing for better and more dynamic graphics. This game also saw the first new in game type to be created since Gold and Silver, nearly 14 years earlier.
The next year(2014) would see the most recent games in the core series and a return to form with the remakes of Generation III's Ruby and Sapphire, OmegaRuby and Alpha Sapphire. These games would see many of the features from Generation III return and take advantage of wireless communication for features previously requiring physical proximity. These games included the ability to select multiple different languages at the start.
Generation VII a new set revealed
Last Friday Nintendo officially announced the next games in the core series, set to release Holiday season 2016, just in time for the series 20th anniversary.
Inspired by Satoshi Tajiri's childhood hobby of bug collecting Pokemon has grown to become the second(or third) most popular video game franchise behind only (Super)Mario.
Part of the core plot of the game is collecting the beings (Pocket Monster, or Pokemon for short) that inhabit the fictional world and trading them with friends to "collect them all". You would catch any number of the 151 pokemon and train them by battling them against other pokemon. Typically in the core series you start with the goal of winning in battle against an elite group to win a title, though along the way you'd typically encounter a gang with aspirations of world domination.
The idea of using the original Game Boy's Link cable for trading these creatures was thought up by Tajiri himself. Prior to this implementation, the cable had been used mostly for competitions, though competing against an opponent would also be implemented.
Also innovating on a typical video game release, the original games were released as two separate games. While the story and layout was nearly identical between the two, certain pokemon could only be found on one type of game, while the other would have its own exclusive. This was done to require players to interact with someone who had the opposing version.
Core Series
The core of the games is the RPG style game of catching and training your pokemon. Currently 6 generations exist in the core series. With the 7th just announced and set to release this holiday season.
Generation I Red, Green, and Blue
Later the same year Red and Green debuted(1996), Blue version was released. Visually mostly unchanged save for a switch up of exclusives for the version, this version also brought behind the scenes stability to the game and was the version ultimatly released in the United States (along with a repackaged Red).
Pokemon Yellow would release 2 years later (1998) with minor enhancements to visuals. The plot was altered slightly to more closely match the anime. Added features included having Pikachu, the mascot of Yellow as well as the Pokemon Company, follow your character's sprite around.
Generation II Gold, Silver, and Crystal
The following year (1999) would see the second set of entries in the series with Pokemon Gold and Silver. Improved graphics and the addition of 100 total pokemon were at the forefront of these games. These games also introduced concepts that would become staples of the series or revisited later including: an in game clock that matched real world time, breeding, Shiny pokemon, and giving a pokemon an item to hold.
The following year(2000), Pokemon Crystal would be released, again with minor updates and story enhacements, but following the same general pattern plot.
While pokemon could be traded from Generation I to II or back, any pokemon with a move that didn't exist in Generation I could not be traded back.
Generation III Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald (and the first set of remakes)
With new hardware came new capabilities, and thus the Gameboy Advance generation was born. Two years after Crystal (2002) Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire would be released, greatly enhancing graphics and adding 135 pokemon and a new battle type(Double Battles). While the formula remained unchanged, the location shifted and some pokemon were unobtainable, even between the two versions. The games code base was also completely refactored. While Gold, Silver, Crystal were coded using updates to the Red and Blue base, Ruby and Sapphire were overhauled. This added many new features to the game, such as individual abilities, natures, and weather effects but at the cost of being able to communicate with previous generations.
Again, a third version would be released 2 years later (2004) with similar updates to the previous 2 third versions.
In addition, that same year (2004) remakes of the originals were made. Playing up on the original names, they would be called FireRed and LeafGreen. These remakes would allow for communication to Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, giving access to those pokemon previously unavailable due to backward compatibility restrictions. To this day, it is possible to transfer a pokemon from a Generation III game to the newest game in the series, though this communication is typically one way (forward) only.
Generation IV Diamond, Pearl, Platinum (and the second round of remakes)
In keeping with the flow of new technology, 2 years after Emerald (2006) would see the first set of DS games for the franchise. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl would release. Again set in a different region and adding 107 new pokemon (a total of 493), these games would see the return of the real world clock and a day-night cycle. They would also take advantage of the second screen on the DS(did you know that DS stands for Dual Screen?) using the Poketch, a multi function device reducing the need for as many inventory items.
2 years later (2008), Platinum would release as the third in that series. The following year(2009) the second round of remakes in HeartGold and SoulSilver would be released. These games would see a return of the pokemon sprite seen on the overworld map, following behind the player character. These games would also see the release of a special accessory called the Pokewalker, a pedometer that you could transfer a pokemon to and play minigames.
Generation V Black and White (and a few breaks from tradition)
One year later (2010) would see a new Generation and new region. This would be the first region based on an area outside of Japan. These games would introduce the most new pokemon in a single set of games adding 156 new pokemon(bringing the total up to 649).
2 years later(2012) a break from tradition occurs. Rather than getting a 3rd game in to the add to the set, a true sequel was released in the form of Black 2 and White 2. Rather than the same story but minor feature updates, this set had the player explore the aftermath of the Black and White and offered a brand new adventure in the same region. This marked the first generation since Generation I to not have a "3rd game" and to not have any remakes. This was only the first shake up to the release pattern...
Generation VI X and Y and the return of the remakes
Generation VI would bring a new shakeup to the release structure by releasing X and Y at the same time world wide the next year (2013). These games added 72 pokemon bringing the total to 721 (though a later reveal would add 1 more pokemon). This number is still the current total number of pokemon. Ultimately it would set the (still standing) record for best selling games on the 3ds system. A new mechanic was introduced in the form of Mega Evolutions allowing a temporary change to the battling pokemon and giving it increased strenght and a new form. These games would be the first to use fully 3ds polygon models, allowing for better and more dynamic graphics. This game also saw the first new in game type to be created since Gold and Silver, nearly 14 years earlier.
The next year(2014) would see the most recent games in the core series and a return to form with the remakes of Generation III's Ruby and Sapphire, OmegaRuby and Alpha Sapphire. These games would see many of the features from Generation III return and take advantage of wireless communication for features previously requiring physical proximity. These games included the ability to select multiple different languages at the start.
Generation VII a new set revealed
Last Friday Nintendo officially announced the next games in the core series, set to release Holiday season 2016, just in time for the series 20th anniversary.
This post is highly effective.
posted by Fizz at 3:07 PM on February 27, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 3:07 PM on February 27, 2016 [10 favorites]
True Pokémon Day story:
Last weekend I was at MAGFest. It was awesome. There were lots of people wearing Pokémon knit caps and I let myself get swept up in the moment and got myself a Charizard cap in the dealer room.
It's chilly and windy in Boston today, so I'm wearing it out, only a little self-conscious. The clerk at the liquor store wished me a happy Pokémon Day.
I thought he was just complimenting my hat. I found out about the anniversary a couple hours later. And was totally chuffed.
I feel like Pokémon brings people together more than a lot of games because there's so much to relate too. Twitch Plays Pokémon was a fantastic demonstration of what I mean: there's just enough structure to be interesting, but enough space to make the rest of the story genuinely yours. There's still a lot other RPGs can learn from Pokémon.
posted by brett at 3:22 PM on February 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Last weekend I was at MAGFest. It was awesome. There were lots of people wearing Pokémon knit caps and I let myself get swept up in the moment and got myself a Charizard cap in the dealer room.
It's chilly and windy in Boston today, so I'm wearing it out, only a little self-conscious. The clerk at the liquor store wished me a happy Pokémon Day.
I thought he was just complimenting my hat. I found out about the anniversary a couple hours later. And was totally chuffed.
I feel like Pokémon brings people together more than a lot of games because there's so much to relate too. Twitch Plays Pokémon was a fantastic demonstration of what I mean: there's just enough structure to be interesting, but enough space to make the rest of the story genuinely yours. There's still a lot other RPGs can learn from Pokémon.
posted by brett at 3:22 PM on February 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Boy I can't wait for Pokémon Go.
posted by rifflesby at 3:28 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by rifflesby at 3:28 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
[huff wheeze winded noises] and make it double
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:30 PM on February 27, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:30 PM on February 27, 2016 [11 favorites]
give me some advance notice next time geez
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:31 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:31 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'll put this in small text coz I always feel weird about self-promoting here, but if the anniversary puts you in the mood to replay a Pokémon, you might find my alternate ruleset interesting.
posted by rifflesby at 3:33 PM on February 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by rifflesby at 3:33 PM on February 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Weird how small text makes it better coz it feels like whispering even though nothing is actually different.
posted by rifflesby at 3:34 PM on February 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by rifflesby at 3:34 PM on February 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
There's a marathon of Pokemon episodes starting at 6PM PST tonight on the Pokemon Company Twitch channel and some inoffensive wholesome hosts are currently playing Pokemon games on that stream.
posted by Talez at 3:38 PM on February 27, 2016
posted by Talez at 3:38 PM on February 27, 2016
Pokemon feels like one of those generational divide things. The games first came out the year I graduated college and thus were never on my scope cause I was an "adult" or something. Still can't get my head around the vastness of that world and how much people are in it.
posted by drewbage1847 at 3:45 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by drewbage1847 at 3:45 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
For me Pokemon was released in my territory when I was 15. I'm now 33 and I'm still slogging my way through Alpha Sapphire on my New 3DS XL.
The way I look at it? Fuck the haters.
posted by Talez at 3:52 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
The way I look at it? Fuck the haters.
posted by Talez at 3:52 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I thought I was too old for Pokemon myself when it first came out in the US (20...), but my decade-younger cousin was very into it and she wanted someone to trade Pokemon with. So I bought the game, and traded Pokemon with her. Then she got her mom into playing the video game. And then we bought the CCG and played against each other.
The entire extended family loved playing Pokemon Snap. My grandmother loved hitting various Pokemon with the balls.
Almost twenty years later, her daughter plays both the video games and the CCG, and watches the still-running cartoon, and wants me to play the new games with her.
Pokemon is for everybody.
posted by Electric Elf at 4:12 PM on February 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
The entire extended family loved playing Pokemon Snap. My grandmother loved hitting various Pokemon with the balls.
Almost twenty years later, her daughter plays both the video games and the CCG, and watches the still-running cartoon, and wants me to play the new games with her.
Pokemon is for everybody.
posted by Electric Elf at 4:12 PM on February 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
My five year old is currently obsessed with Pokemon. He discovered the TV show on Netflix and it has been a struggle to get him to watch anything else. We made some homemade pokeballs out of ping-pong balls, but they could not open and the paint chipped because he was throwing them at everything. So now he has some "official" pokeballs and a few figures. I found a bunch of knock-off figures on Amazon for 12 bucks and use them to bribe him when needed (new foods tried: broccoli, cauliflower, mushroom on pizza, grits, brie). He lines his figures up and has battles with them every night. I located a copy of the Pokemon Jr Adventure Game which has been described as "how geek dads get their kids into rpgs" and we play it when he's good. Some big kids on the bus gave him and one of his 5 year old buddies some Pokemon CCG cards (he got a Raticate and was SUPER EXCITED). He has me look up Pokemon on the internet so I can tell them their attacks, then we gang up on Mom for not knowing them.
I knew today was Pokemon Day and wanted to get him something for it because I'm spoiling him rotten. I went out looking for a Pokemon T-Shirt sized for 5/6 year olds. I tried at least five different places. No dice. I eventually found a small youth Pikachu shirt at a Sears that was on sale, so went with that out of necessity. At that Sears, instead of Pokemon shirts on the 5/6 year olds table they had Sonic the Hedgehog shirts.
Because 5 year olds know who the fuck Sonic is.
Seriously.
Fuck you, Sears.
now where can I get one of those pokemon knit hats and swear to god don't say sears
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:40 PM on February 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
I knew today was Pokemon Day and wanted to get him something for it because I'm spoiling him rotten. I went out looking for a Pokemon T-Shirt sized for 5/6 year olds. I tried at least five different places. No dice. I eventually found a small youth Pikachu shirt at a Sears that was on sale, so went with that out of necessity. At that Sears, instead of Pokemon shirts on the 5/6 year olds table they had Sonic the Hedgehog shirts.
Because 5 year olds know who the fuck Sonic is.
Seriously.
Fuck you, Sears.
now where can I get one of those pokemon knit hats and swear to god don't say sears
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:40 PM on February 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
I am like the Oriental Orthodox of Pokemon 'cause I only recognize the 151 Pokemon of the first three games.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:45 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 4:45 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I am like the Oriental Orthodox of Pokemon 'cause I only recognize the 151 Pokemon of the first three games.
No that would make you PokeJéwish. Being Eastern Orthodox would mean that you always consider critical strike chance to be derived from speed and your pokemon will never unfreeze naturally.
posted by Talez at 4:47 PM on February 27, 2016 [13 favorites]
No that would make you PokeJéwish. Being Eastern Orthodox would mean that you always consider critical strike chance to be derived from speed and your pokemon will never unfreeze naturally.
posted by Talez at 4:47 PM on February 27, 2016 [13 favorites]
Yeah, Sonic is actually on a resurgence too, your five year old will be coloring pictures of sonic and trading them with each other soon enough. Also, sonic is currently on netflix. It is about as horrible a cartoon as you remember it.
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:50 PM on February 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:50 PM on February 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Goddamnit. No son of mine.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:51 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:51 PM on February 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
drezdn has used harden.
posted by drezdn at 5:00 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by drezdn at 5:00 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
My exposure to Pokemon came in 1998, months before its release in the states, in the form of a strange VHS tape that appeared in the mail randomly over the summer. It was a fifteen-minute long sneak peak/teaster about the series, complete with anime footage, weird live action bits, an early Pokerap, the works. I'm still not sure what mailing list I was on that I got it, but to eight-year-old me it was fucking catnip. I watched the video a zillion times, I bought Red the day it came out. I was sold, hook line and sinker. Now almost two decades later I haven't played a Pokemon game since Soul Silver, but I've still got some great memories. Maybe I'll pick myself up Sun/Moon.
I haven't thought about that video in years. Turns out it's on YouTube!
(Also Bulbapedia has an entry).
posted by Itaxpica at 5:06 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
I haven't thought about that video in years. Turns out it's on YouTube!
(Also Bulbapedia has an entry).
posted by Itaxpica at 5:06 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
(Also also according to Ebay that video is worth anywhere from 20-100 bucks nowadays. Wonder if my parents still have that old copy lying around...)
posted by Itaxpica at 5:08 PM on February 27, 2016
posted by Itaxpica at 5:08 PM on February 27, 2016
I was in my 30's by the time Pokemon first appeared, so wasn't interested; managed to not be impressed by it 10 yrs later because my stepdaughter's phase was very short, but my son....oh boy...I guess it started with the anime, and then collecting the cards, and then his fascination with buying old game systems at yard sales, taking them apart and with the help of youtube videos and and my soldering iron, getting them working again, and the next thing you know we're seeing the Seattle symphony's tribute to Pokemon music (with stepdaughter) and I'm dedicating at least an hour or two a week to tweaking my decks to compete with him in the card game.
He was worried about the transition from elementary school to middle school this year, but quickly formed a Pokemon club at school where the members refer to each other by their spirit Pokemon, trade cards, and wear their Pikachu or Charizard onesies on PJ day.
I can honestly say that I am hoping that Pokemon Go is as cool as it has the potential to be, and find that I am neither surprised nor nonplussed that I was aware that today is Pokemon Day!
So Happy Pokemon Day everybody!
posted by OHenryPacey at 5:30 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
He was worried about the transition from elementary school to middle school this year, but quickly formed a Pokemon club at school where the members refer to each other by their spirit Pokemon, trade cards, and wear their Pikachu or Charizard onesies on PJ day.
I can honestly say that I am hoping that Pokemon Go is as cool as it has the potential to be, and find that I am neither surprised nor nonplussed that I was aware that today is Pokemon Day!
So Happy Pokemon Day everybody!
posted by OHenryPacey at 5:30 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
could there have been "suspecting" video games?
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:39 PM on February 27, 2016
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:39 PM on February 27, 2016
Pokemon was the only source of trauma in my children's idyllic childhood. Once when we were on vacation, some neighborhood kids broke in to our house. The only thing taken? My son's Wailord EX! After that my son always tried to bring all his Pokemon on vacation with us.
posted by Biblio at 5:41 PM on February 27, 2016
posted by Biblio at 5:41 PM on February 27, 2016
Man, 20 years. Blue is the only pokemon game I've ever played, but it's crazy how strong it is in my memory compared to anything else that happened that year. We went on a trip to Disney World, and one of the things I remember most is getting the VHS tape of the first movie from a shop at a strip mall with a shiny Mewtwo card inside! I was king shit for at least a week with that thing.
I made a bit of pocket money at school selling laminated cards with scaled up versions of the badges for a pound each. I think I still have mine on a shelf somewhere. Pokemon is the first game that ever made me cry, when I lost Articuno by accident. I can remember exactly where I was sitting, and my poor, confused mother trying to comfort me. Just hearing the music is weirdly satisfying, like I can feel an echo of how important it all felt the first time.
I should get one of the new ones.
posted by lucidium at 5:51 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
I made a bit of pocket money at school selling laminated cards with scaled up versions of the badges for a pound each. I think I still have mine on a shelf somewhere. Pokemon is the first game that ever made me cry, when I lost Articuno by accident. I can remember exactly where I was sitting, and my poor, confused mother trying to comfort me. Just hearing the music is weirdly satisfying, like I can feel an echo of how important it all felt the first time.
I should get one of the new ones.
posted by lucidium at 5:51 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
So... Hypothetically, if someone has never played this (because I'm like a year or two away from being really exposed to it, and I don't know a single person who plays it or who has) - is it still an enjoyable thing to play on my own? I feel like I've dismissed the series unfairly, and I will be looking to my next 3DS fix once I completely demolish FE: Fates.
It really does feel like a generational divide I just barely missed out on. One of the weirdest social experiences I have had as an adult was sitting at a bar with a bunch of younger friends who suddenly started talking pokemon, with a billion references - I was clearly the old guy. They weren't THAT much younger than me.
posted by MysticMCJ at 5:58 PM on February 27, 2016
It really does feel like a generational divide I just barely missed out on. One of the weirdest social experiences I have had as an adult was sitting at a bar with a bunch of younger friends who suddenly started talking pokemon, with a billion references - I was clearly the old guy. They weren't THAT much younger than me.
posted by MysticMCJ at 5:58 PM on February 27, 2016
I have never played Pokemon, but I am still lusting after the nearly full-size snorlax.
posted by ckape at 6:20 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by ckape at 6:20 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
MysticMCJ: "So... Hypothetically, if someone has never played this (because I'm like a year or two away from being really exposed to it, and I don't know a single person who plays it or who has) - is it still an enjoyable thing to play on my own?"
Oh, absolutely. If I were you I'd start with Pokemon Red/Blue — they should be getting a 3DS re-release, though I've always preferred to play them in an emulator so I can speed up the slow dialogue parts. You won't be able to “catch ’em all” without friends to trade with, but I've never really given a damn about that.
posted by savetheclocktower at 6:31 PM on February 27, 2016
Oh, absolutely. If I were you I'd start with Pokemon Red/Blue — they should be getting a 3DS re-release, though I've always preferred to play them in an emulator so I can speed up the slow dialogue parts. You won't be able to “catch ’em all” without friends to trade with, but I've never really given a damn about that.
posted by savetheclocktower at 6:31 PM on February 27, 2016
So... Hypothetically, if someone has never played this (because I'm like a year or two away from being really exposed to it, and I don't know a single person who plays it or who has) - is it still an enjoyable thing to play on my own?
X/Y and ORAS are really good games.
posted by Talez at 6:38 PM on February 27, 2016
X/Y and ORAS are really good games.
posted by Talez at 6:38 PM on February 27, 2016
So... Hypothetically, if someone has never played this (because I'm like a year or two away from being really exposed to it, and I don't know a single person who plays it or who has) - is it still an enjoyable thing to play on my own?
X/Y would be a great place to start. It was great for new players and brought a lot of players back in.
While it isn't required to "catch them all" to enjoy the games they have made it much easier than in the past.
Even if you never meet another player face to face, a feature they introduced in Gen IV was the GTS. It basically let you go in and offer any of your pokes for trade or look for pokes that people put up for trade.
posted by Twain Device at 6:48 PM on February 27, 2016
X/Y would be a great place to start. It was great for new players and brought a lot of players back in.
While it isn't required to "catch them all" to enjoy the games they have made it much easier than in the past.
Even if you never meet another player face to face, a feature they introduced in Gen IV was the GTS. It basically let you go in and offer any of your pokes for trade or look for pokes that people put up for trade.
posted by Twain Device at 6:48 PM on February 27, 2016
Firstly I'd say it depends on how you feel about JRPG menu-driven combat. That's the main mechanic of the game, so if the thought of playing say an early Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior bores you to death, Pokémon's general charm probably won't make up for it. Otherwise you're golden.
As for which one to play, I'd say pick according to which generation of Nintendo handheld you have the most nostalgia for. Red or Blue for GB, Crystal for GBC; for GBA either Emerald, or FireRed/LeafGreen if you'd prefer to play the remake of the original. Etc.
A caveat if you decide to go with the new X/Y/OR/AS: they kind of suffer from feature/minigame bloat, and the amount of stuff going on might be a lot for a newcomer to parse. However, it is all pretty ignorable and you aren't at all obligated to play the soccer training minigame if you aren't into it, for example. Or the Pokécontests, or the friendship minigames, or any of the side stuff. Your team's stats won't suffer for it.
posted by rifflesby at 7:10 PM on February 27, 2016
As for which one to play, I'd say pick according to which generation of Nintendo handheld you have the most nostalgia for. Red or Blue for GB, Crystal for GBC; for GBA either Emerald, or FireRed/LeafGreen if you'd prefer to play the remake of the original. Etc.
A caveat if you decide to go with the new X/Y/OR/AS: they kind of suffer from feature/minigame bloat, and the amount of stuff going on might be a lot for a newcomer to parse. However, it is all pretty ignorable and you aren't at all obligated to play the soccer training minigame if you aren't into it, for example. Or the Pokécontests, or the friendship minigames, or any of the side stuff. Your team's stats won't suffer for it.
posted by rifflesby at 7:10 PM on February 27, 2016
So the first Pokemon movie is just finishing up on Twitch. It's a surreal experience watching with thousands of Twitch chatters.
posted by Talez at 7:14 PM on February 27, 2016
posted by Talez at 7:14 PM on February 27, 2016
Even though my partner and I both had 3DS systems, I've never played Pokemon. Mainly because they've done something smart/devious to keep people from sharing cartridges. Pokemon carts only have save slots for one person. Every other game we have we can share and not overwrite each other's data. But not Pokemon. She got Pokemon X, and I kept telling myself when it gets cheaper I'd get Pokemon Y. But the damn thing stays full price.
posted by thecjm at 7:19 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by thecjm at 7:19 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
But the damn thing stays full price.
Yeah, Nintendo is (in)famous for almost never discounting anything.
now where can I get one of those pokemon knit hats
They're officially licensed merchandise (at least, it has an official-looking tag with the logo and no obvious knock-off qualities), so they're easy enough to find online, although sadly that won't help you today. This is what I got. It seems like the search terms you want are "pokemon laplander" or "pokemon beanie".
If anyone has them in stock in town, Newbury Comics will. It is exactly the kitschy nostalgic slightly-overeager-fan doodad they specialize in.
posted by brett at 7:35 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, Nintendo is (in)famous for almost never discounting anything.
now where can I get one of those pokemon knit hats
They're officially licensed merchandise (at least, it has an official-looking tag with the logo and no obvious knock-off qualities), so they're easy enough to find online, although sadly that won't help you today. This is what I got. It seems like the search terms you want are "pokemon laplander" or "pokemon beanie".
If anyone has them in stock in town, Newbury Comics will. It is exactly the kitschy nostalgic slightly-overeager-fan doodad they specialize in.
posted by brett at 7:35 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
So... Hypothetically, if someone has never played this (because I'm like a year or two away from being really exposed to it, and I don't know a single person who plays it or who has) - is it still an enjoyable thing to play on my own?
It is! I was in this boat a few years ago; Pokemon X (the 3DS one) was my first. I definitely enjoyed it, although it didn't get its hooks into me enough to warrant catching 'em all. I merely caught some, and deemed that sufficient.
rifflesby is right that there is a ton of weird—and largely ignorable—minigame stuff going on, which may strike your fancy or may not. (If they stick with it, maybe the "My Castle" stuff in FE Fates will be there in another few iterations.) Even if you ignore that part of it, though, it's a solid JRPG-ass JRPG.
posted by danb at 7:47 PM on February 27, 2016
It is! I was in this boat a few years ago; Pokemon X (the 3DS one) was my first. I definitely enjoyed it, although it didn't get its hooks into me enough to warrant catching 'em all. I merely caught some, and deemed that sufficient.
rifflesby is right that there is a ton of weird—and largely ignorable—minigame stuff going on, which may strike your fancy or may not. (If they stick with it, maybe the "My Castle" stuff in FE Fates will be there in another few iterations.) Even if you ignore that part of it, though, it's a solid JRPG-ass JRPG.
posted by danb at 7:47 PM on February 27, 2016
I adore Pokemon, but remove the cutesy style and you have the story of a child wandering the wilderness, capturing wild animals and training them to fight.
Maybe I like Pokemon a little too much actually. The temptation to grind levels is too great for my personality.
posted by adept256 at 8:14 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Maybe I like Pokemon a little too much actually. The temptation to grind levels is too great for my personality.
posted by adept256 at 8:14 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
robocop is bleeding: now where can I get one of those pokemon knit hats
I may know a guy who knows!
Another dad in my son's Boy Scout troop is an Assistant Scoutmaster. I can't quite remember it, but he has a very convincing story why it's legit for him to have a palm-size Picachu patch sewn on his uniform. (Oh, the story of earning the Jelly Belly patch I do remember, and it's also legit, having happened at a big jamboree.) He has many pair of Novelty Socks, and also a white-because-of-his-kids gopher-butt beard.
Hand to heart, that guy is in my pantheon of heroes.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:15 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I may know a guy who knows!
Another dad in my son's Boy Scout troop is an Assistant Scoutmaster. I can't quite remember it, but he has a very convincing story why it's legit for him to have a palm-size Picachu patch sewn on his uniform. (Oh, the story of earning the Jelly Belly patch I do remember, and it's also legit, having happened at a big jamboree.) He has many pair of Novelty Socks, and also a white-because-of-his-kids gopher-butt beard.
Hand to heart, that guy is in my pantheon of heroes.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:15 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
The quest for Mew under a truck never ends
Thanks for the post!
posted by JoeXIII007 at 11:07 PM on February 27, 2016
Thanks for the post!
posted by JoeXIII007 at 11:07 PM on February 27, 2016
I found the card thing I made! Tell me you wouldn't pay a quid for that, that's quality work. I think I might have sold the "pikablu" and togepi stickers as bonus add ons when information about Gold and Silver started to come out.
posted by lucidium at 4:38 AM on February 28, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by lucidium at 4:38 AM on February 28, 2016 [4 favorites]
Also I see from that card that apparently it was Zapdos I missed, so maybe my memory's not as good as I thought it was.
posted by lucidium at 4:41 AM on February 28, 2016
posted by lucidium at 4:41 AM on February 28, 2016
I didn't like Pokemon growing up, but I've always been a fan of handheld gaming (Gameboy, PSP, 3DS, Vita). When Pokemon Black came out, there was a lot of hype and excitement. I was told that it was a very enjoyable game. I decided to bite the bullet and give it a chance. I was instantly hooked. I've since purchased Pokemon X and while I skipped the Ruby/Sapphire iteration, I'm looking forward to Sun/Moon. For anyone like myself who has OCD tendencies, these games are great at satisfying those urges to collect and quantify every little thing. Gotta catch 'em all!
posted by Fizz at 6:06 AM on February 28, 2016
posted by Fizz at 6:06 AM on February 28, 2016
My brother got me a Game Boy Pocket when I was 28, including a Pokémon cartridge. I was in a slackerish phase of my life, and spent like whole afternoons lying on my bed playing it, when I should have been out getting a job, a girlfriend, etc.
Good times.
posted by signal at 7:28 AM on February 28, 2016 [3 favorites]
Good times.
posted by signal at 7:28 AM on February 28, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'm 35 and I've had detailed and extensive conversations with other co-workers who are all in their mid 20's and 30's about Pokemon. There is no shame when it comes to Pokemon. Embrace the battle.
posted by Fizz at 7:34 AM on February 28, 2016
posted by Fizz at 7:34 AM on February 28, 2016
And now I'm at work reading about Pokemon and wanting to go home so I can play Pokemon. Damn you MetaFilter!!
posted by Fizz at 9:24 AM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 9:24 AM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned the Nuzlocke challenge yet.
*Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead, and must be released or put in the Pokémon Storage System permanently.
*The player may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area, and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances.
*While not exactly a definite rule, the general consensus is that players must also nickname all of their Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.
I lost interest after gold and silver, but played emerald years later in a version that allowed fast-forwarding after I heard about nuzlocke. I made it to the elite four before I lost interest again.
I've also played a little bit of pokemon Zeta, a fanmade version with built-in nuzlocke options and other features like that. I got six badges but losing the last member of my first team of six was too despiriting and I gave up. I'll never forget you you stupid weak butterfly.
posted by sandswipe at 2:40 PM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
*Any Pokémon that faints is considered dead, and must be released or put in the Pokémon Storage System permanently.
*The player may only catch the first Pokémon encountered in each area, and none else. If the first Pokémon encountered faints or flees, there are no second chances.
*While not exactly a definite rule, the general consensus is that players must also nickname all of their Pokémon, for the sake of forming stronger emotional bonds.
I lost interest after gold and silver, but played emerald years later in a version that allowed fast-forwarding after I heard about nuzlocke. I made it to the elite four before I lost interest again.
I've also played a little bit of pokemon Zeta, a fanmade version with built-in nuzlocke options and other features like that. I got six badges but losing the last member of my first team of six was too despiriting and I gave up. I'll never forget you you stupid weak butterfly.
posted by sandswipe at 2:40 PM on February 28, 2016 [2 favorites]
So Nintendo re-released Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow yesterday on the 3DS eShop, and it seems like a good enough opportunity to dive in. Which one should I choose?
posted by naju at 5:14 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by naju at 5:14 PM on February 28, 2016 [1 favorite]
Neutral, I guess? He (it?) comes to mind when I think of the series.
posted by naju at 6:51 PM on February 28, 2016
posted by naju at 6:51 PM on February 28, 2016
Naju,
Kotaku has you covered: Pokémon Red vs Blue vs Yellow: Which To Buy
Kotaku has you covered: Pokémon Red vs Blue vs Yellow: Which To Buy
The original Pokémon games are out on the 3DS eShop tonight for $9.99, and while they largely offer the same experience, there are some differences between them, too. Each version has exclusive Pokémon which you can only capture within that game. The whole idea is to get players trading monsters with each other, which should be easier this time around, given that you can use wifi to connect with other people. Bye, cable links!posted by Fizz at 6:48 AM on February 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
Which designs do you like better? Pokémon Yellow is a bit different. Instead of choosing an initial starter, you get Pikachu to join you on your adventure, just like in the anime show. Personally, I think Pokémon Red has the better selection of version-exclusive Pokémon, but I also recognize that neither Red or Blue feels quite as special as Pokémon Yellow. If you’re looking for a closer connection with Pikachu specifically, or if you can’t decide between the three starters, Yellow might be the way to go. Anecdotally, I’ve found Red to be more popular than either of the other versions, so if you want to be a contrarian, Blue is a good pick.
Based on evidence from the recent Pokemon Splatfest, Red seems to be more popular world wide, but on the other hand Blue owners are clearly superior gamers, smarter and more attractive, and just generally better people all round. (YEAH! Marie finally gets to win a Splatfest, and it was a wipe.)
posted by lucidium at 7:14 AM on February 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by lucidium at 7:14 AM on February 29, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yellow you eventually get all the starters so it's going to be much easier to complete your Pokedex.
posted by Talez at 12:05 PM on February 29, 2016
posted by Talez at 12:05 PM on February 29, 2016
I've heard Yellow is more difficult, but that may have only been in a speedrunning context.
posted by rifflesby at 12:31 PM on February 29, 2016
posted by rifflesby at 12:31 PM on February 29, 2016
Speaking of which, here's the Pokémon Glitch Exhibition from AGDQ 2016.
posted by rifflesby at 12:35 PM on February 29, 2016
posted by rifflesby at 12:35 PM on February 29, 2016
Yellow the first gym is kind of brutal because you have no easy access to water or grass moves. You basically have to catch and level Nidoran to 12 to get Double Kick before you can take on Brock.
posted by Talez at 12:53 PM on February 29, 2016
posted by Talez at 12:53 PM on February 29, 2016
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posted by fallingbadgers at 3:03 PM on February 27, 2016 [3 favorites]