Pokémon (Red and Blue versions) Game by Nintendo Reviewed by Adrock gbcam@hotmail.com Size: 8 megabits (1 Megabyte) Save: Battery 1 slot Released: 1998 Works with: Any version of Gameboy **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Well, you see, there once was an electric mouse named Pikachu. Pikachu and 150 others are creatures called Pokémon. Pokémon, a word short for "pocket monsters", is the word that is in every kid's mind recently. It's in everyone's Game Boy at school, on the TV with your brothers and sisters watching anxiously before they leave for school, and displayed relentlessly at the electronics store. This is the game that saved Game Boy. Not only did it make Game Boy the most popular system in Japan, it beat FF7 and MGS on PSX in sales. One of the reasons that the Game Boy stayed so dominant the past 3 years is because of this game. Remember, if it's not popular in Japan, it probably won't make it here, either. So companies don't bother to sell it in the USA. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: It has been Americanized, and it's ready for the general public. The object is to get your hero, default name "Ash", to collect all 151 Pokémon. There are many different kinds of Pokémon, kinds that are made of rock, kinds that have fire power, kinds that can start a thunderstorm. You will feel like you are actually in a world of your own, since the experience of collecting is so surreal. This is what it means to be in "Virtual Reality", I think, because instead of surrounding you with objects and stuff, it surrounds you with real problems, real goals, and just having fun. Isn't that what reality is all about, anyways? Why are there two versions of the game? There are two versions because some games have Pokémon that the others don't. Because of this, you are going to have to TRADE. TRADING is a key element of Pokémon. By trading you can get the Pokémon you want and the other guy can get the Pokémon he wants from you. Plus, if you want all 151 Pokémon, you are going to have to trade. There's no way around it. And to add to that, some will be extra hard, or rare, to get in your version of the game. There is also Mew. Mew spawned Mewtwo, but cannot be found in the game. The only true way to unlock Mew is to cheat using an enhancer. Mew can use any machine, and has powerful attacks once it's levels are built up. This can only broaden the gap of trading, and it will nag you that you'll have to go out and buy an enhancer to get all 151. It's like having to pay real money for a Pokémon. I love it! Using the trading/collecting theme, Pokémon has become a fad in itself, like the Rubik's Cube, and Pogs/Slammers (remember those?). It has just taken the Game Boy along for the ride. And that's cool. Because Game Boy needed a little pick-me-up. And when people see other people bringing Game Boy to school, they decide that it might be cool to bring thier Game Boy, too. When someone who doesn't have a Game Boy sees all these people playing, they want to be a part, too, and go out and get a Game Boy. Not like console games, that stay home, and can only be found out about by talking amongst your friends. So it enhances sales a lot. There are 8 badges to collect from eight trainers. You will need to train harder to beat them, and progress farther in the game. Your Pokémon have a limit of four attacks. You can teach them these attacks with a machine, or by earning them as they gain more experience. And at the end of the game, you will face your ultimate rival, default name"Gary". At the beginning of the game, you recieve a tool called the "Pokédex". As you collect Pokémon, you will get the Pokémon's information. This includes an informative paragraph about your Pokémon, and some data about it's attacks nd it's status. You can contact Professor Oak and get it rated on any computer in the Pokémon world. "Is that the game where all you do is talk?" says your friend. Well, what else is there to say? Yeah, they do talk a hec of a lot. And it gets really annoying. People may be turned off if the character is doing a whole lot of talking. Most of it is unnecessary, too. But don't let it turn you off from the game. Liked: Awesome new concept, will it ever get boring? Hated: Characters talk way too much. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Imagine Earthbound on Game Boy. The Super Game Boy frames are excellent, there is a different one for the red and the blue version. The SGB color choice is fabulous... Each time you enter a new surrounding, the palette will change. The game looks good on any version of Game Boy. Liked: Great Graphics! Pictures of all 151 Pokémon! Great SGB Effects! Hated: Nothing. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: The music and sound FX weren't really what I expected. But they still did a good job with the music and stuff. It's a lot better than some games. Some of the Pokémon Sound FX sound cool, but some might hurt your ears. Liked: Good music, original, cool. Lost of different songs and no real repetitive songs. Hated: No real nags... **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: A game with a menu interface may be hard for someone to pick up that has never played an RPG in their whole entire life, but, good for you, this game is easy to pick up after a couple plays. And I mean for anyone. Your eight year old cousin. Your seventy-seven year old Grandpa (if you can get him away from the Fishing game on Zelda 64.) It's simple, you just got to get the hang of it, so don't be scared off. Liked: They keep it simple, you won't get lost in the menus like in other games. Hated: Ash walks real slow, but this will be aided when he gets the bike. **************************************************************************** Improve: More Pokémon to catch! Color. RIYL: RPG's, collecting, trading, Game Boy, and the American Dream. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Nintendo has created a monster. A pocket monster. They caused everyone to pick up their Game Boy again. They have made an awesome US show out of the Japanese TV show. You can't really ask for more. Oh wait, yes you can... The new yellow version is due out real soon... And so are the Gold and Silver Editions of Pokémon 2. The best Game Boy game ever. Best Game Ever? Disputable... but very likely. As I write this review, I don't own the game, but I borrowed it from somebody. Don't worry, Philip's going to hook me u with one... He's a tru playa. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: ***** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 25 out of 25 Final Score: %100 **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Mew To get Mew use a Game Shark. The code is 0115D8CF. (it may mess up your saved game!) Editor's Note: This code seems to be safe. I have used it on my game pak and have not experienced so much as a slightly messed up "Elite Four" record on the PC. Of course, that could be because of dirt. Anyways, the ones that will corrupt your save data are cheating codes like Infinite Rare Candy. Raise your Pokémon the RIGHT way.