What the heck are these Pokemon games anyways? (I'm serious)

[Decker]

For a devoted gamer, I'm blissfully ignorant about Pokemon. Yes, I know there's a yellow one named Pikachu and all, but what are the games exactly? I see kids in my office ingrossed in these games like someone's life depended on it and yet I have absolutely no idea what they're doing. I've heard they're kind of RPG's, but I don't think they're typical RPG's with stories and such. Are they like a Diablo-like dungeon crawl? Are they really any fun? What's the deal with the different colors and all? Curiosity has finally gotten the best of me.

[darkside]

They play like a standard turned based Japanese RPG with the collecting element of the Pokemons added in. Its actually a pretty enjoyable RPG game and trying to find, capture and evolve the Pokemon is a great gaming element. I've enjoyed playing the game since the very first ones released in the US, but the cartoons, trading cards and other nonsense I can do without.

[groovrbaby]

I hate to say it, but Pokemon Red was the first RPG i ever played. Got it the day it came out. In my defense, I was only like 11 or twelve, but man did that game keep my attention. Now, I've moved on to FFXI for the PC, but Pokemon Red will always be my first.

What darkside said is spot on, turnbased-RPG with the developing Pokemon aspect. Also, the different colors denote the mojority of pokemon types in the game, i believe...or at least they used to. Red - Fire. Blue - Water. Now, I think it's just more of a naming scheme.

[milo bloom]

Originally posted by darkside
They play like a standard turned based Japanese RPG with the collecting element of the Pokemons added in. Its actually a pretty enjoyable RPG game and trying to find, capture and evolve the Pokemon is a great gaming element. I've enjoyed playing the game since the very first ones released in the US, but the cartoons, trading cards and other nonsense I can do without.

There is however a Trading Card Game cart for the Gameboy Color that is pretty fun. You basically travel around challenging people to duels with your deck of Pokemon instead of actual ones (so to speak). My wife likes the regular Poke-games, and I like this one.

There are also two Pokemon themed Pinball games which are very good and very fun.

[Decker]

So does that mean these games have like an actual story? And the "collecting" aspect is like adding new members to your party?

[PixyJunket]

Yes.

[goLUCKY]

Simplest definition:

1. Catch pokemon (251 available pocket monsters)
2. Train your monsters so they become stonger and get stronger attacks.
3. Go from town to town and beat the trainers to become Pokemon Master.

It's quite addicting. I just wish they'd implement new ideas instead of rehashing old titles. :(

[Goldberg74]

My fav Pokemon titles are Pokemon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire (GBA), Pokemon Snap (N64) and Pokemon Puzzle League (N64).

My son is getting Pokemon Colosseum (GC) for his birthday, so we'll have to see how that is. I played the demo, and it seems to be a great looking game.

[milo bloom]

Forgot Pokemon Puzzle League, that is a very fun puzzler.

[PixyJunket]

Originally posted by milo bloom
Forgot Pokemon Puzzle League, that is a very fun puzzler. Which is being relesed on Gamecube as part of the Puzzle Collection soon under it's original Japanese name and design. It was an SNES title called Panel de Pon and the characters were faeries. It was first re-titled to Tetris Attack and tainted with evil Yoshi's for the US SNES version.

[Goldberg74]

Originally posted by PixyJunket
Which is being relesed on Gamecube as part of the Puzzle Collection soon under it's original Japanese name and design.
Do you have any details on this game, like when and what?

[PixyJunket]

Originally posted by Goldberg74
Do you have any details on this game, like when and what? Puzzle Collection has been out in Japan for almost 2 years now. It's supposed to show up here, but I don't think any dates have been set. It has Dr. Mario, Panel de Pon and Yoshi's Cookie. Each game will have updated 2D graphics and animations, and various 2-4 player modes. Also, with the GBA/GC link cable you can transfer any of the 3 games to your GBA for a portable version.

[Goldberg74]

Thanks PJ... :up:

[TheMadMonk]

The purpose is to become a Royal Crown Chinpoko Master.