With the upcoming United States release of Nintendo’s newest edition of the role-playing Pokemon franchise, Heart Gold and Soul Silver, I recently decided to transport myself back into the 90’s and relive the world wide and multi-generational phenomena that is Pokemon.
Originally released in Japan in 1996 as a duel compatible Game Boy role-playing video game (Pokemon Red & Green), Pokemon has become the second most successful video game franchise in history. There have been 18 different versions of the Pokemon role-playing game designed for the various Game Boy platforms, about 28 spin-off games designed for various gaming systems, an anime series running for over a decade, 13 movies, 10 CD’s, a trading card game, a Pokemon store in Rockefeller Center, NYC, and millions of dollars made through other merchandise.
I recently purchased for myself a Teal Game Boy Color, and my own personal favorite, a copy of the original Pokemon Silver game to refamiliarize myself with the map, and most of all, the Pokemon (Looking thoroughly online, was available for a total of about $30). This second generation of Pokemon games added an additional 100 Pokemon, though most of the original 151 were available throughout the game. Although I love the original red and blue versions, there were some new components added to Pokemon Silver that created a whole new level of game play. There is an internal clock that kept track of the current date and time; Pokemon appearances and other events in the game can only occur at certain times. Pokemon can now hold items, including berries, which can automatically heal hit points (HP) or other status ailments on the Pokemon holding it, without wasting a turn. New Pokeballs were added making Pokemon easier to catch, and Pokegear, like cellphones, were introduced to enhance game play.
Included among the 100 new Pokemon added to the second generation, the three legendary dogs, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune were introduced. These Pokemon flee often, unless a move like scary face was used to prevent fleeing. They also moved very frequently, making them much harder to track. Steel type and Dark type were added to the game, as well as the possibility of running into the rare and elusive “Shiny” Pokemon. Shiny Pokemon are very difficult to find, and are a different color than other Pokemon of that species (many of us are familiar with the Red Gyarados which is on the news program at the beginning of some Pokemon games). Finally, breeding through the daycare center was introduced in the second generation of the Pokemon games, enabling players to breed stronger Pokemon.
Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver have already sold over 2 million copies in Japan, and have promising sales outlook in the United States. I am personally very excited for the release of these games, and I am planning on purchasing Soul Silver, due to my love of Lugia. In these versions, the Pokemon that is first in your party will follow you around, outside of its Pokeball. Players can talk to their Pokemon and it will occasionally pick up secret items. There is a new mini-game called “Pokethalon” which utilizes the Nintendo DS, DS Lite, and DSI’s touch screen. There is another feather called the “Pokewalker”, although I am not quite sure about this feature. To make it work, you would have to buy a Pokeball shaped pedometer, and through infrared signals, can “hold” a Pokemon to increase experience, closeness, and increase money. Overall, I can’t wait for the United States release on March 14th! I hope to see everyone on WiFi very soon!
Watch the English trailer to Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver!
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ah!~ memories!~~~~ >3<
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