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This is Where It All Began

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: May 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The year was 1998. I was twelve years old, in middle school, and the Pokemon games debuted in the United States for the very first time. A game so simple and yet at the very same time: So complex. Nothing was more addictive, nothing was more fun than playing Pokemon. If you remember the craze (the REAL craze, presently it isn't nearly as strong as it was back then), then you remember what it was like to go to school back in those days. Suddenly EVERYONE had a Gameboy. Suddenly even those who didn't normally play games or even know what the hell a Gameboy was, had it. And you'd go up to your friends and you'd trade Pokemon, you'd taunt each other about who was the better champion when you battled. You got in arguments over who the best starter was. Then you learned of those glitches to get all your Pokemon to level 100 by duplicating the Rare Candies. You caught Missingno and M-Block and caught Safari Zone Pokemon by exploiting what may very well be one of the most widely known glitches in video game history. And of course, you went to catch them all, and you probably had that ONE friend who you deemed your rival and you had to catch 'em all before he did. If you remember all this, you're a true Pokemon fan. This isn't a myth, this game debuted, sold gazillions of copies and started a craze that--while it isn't as strong--still exists today. This was one of the heights of gaming period.

The Red and Blue versions may have seen stateside release in 1998, but the game was actually made in 1995. Before the television show came around. When the TV series took off in America, the games came next and as I said, they sold more copies than the latest installment of Harry Potter. I'm not kidding.

Red and Blue began almost everything you currently see in the series today. The game begins with you naming your character (you couldn't choose between a boy or a girl in this one) and then your rival. Again, if you had Pokemon fever you probably named your main character Ash and your rival was named Gary (even the strategy guides referred to them as such). It began with Professor Oak letting you have a Pokemon of your choice (between 3 starters) and then ultimately he'd send you on a journey with a Pokedex and have you document the Pokemon you'd find. Along the way, you'd have to deal with Team Rocket, the bad guys who are always causing trouble and stealing everyone's Pokemon, as well as gather eight badges so you could challenge the Elite Four and become a Pokemon League Champion. The entire formula began here, and just about everything mentioned above has been done in each and every main series Pokemon game hereafter.

What was perhaps the strangest thing about Pokemon is that the game was surprisingly deep in terms of combat. It was your traditional turn-based combat. Simple, yet it was so complex. For one, the game has a Rock/Paper/Scissors method to it. Every Pokemon has a type, and every type has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Water is strong up against fire but it is weak vs. Grass. Grass is weak vs. fire etc. etc. No Pokemon is invincible. They all have a weakness to some type. Though in these versions the psychics definitely have an unfair advantage as the type they're weak against (bug) is almost non-existent and there are hardly any bug type attacks.

In the battle menu you're given a list of commands. Fight, Item, PKMN, or Run. You can switch Pokemon you've caught in and out of battle on the fly, but it'll usually cost you a turn. It's the strategic portion of Pokemon that makes battling fun and addictive. As you go through the game you'll be challenged by trainers and you never know what they'll throw at you! It's completely unpredictable and some of them are tough. It's also interesting because with 150 different Pokemon, the amount of teams you can make are endless, and it really makes you think about what types you want in your roster. Because most of the Pokemon types are weak vs. more than just one type. It's also important that you give them a variety of moves, as the moves are also typed. On paper it doesn't seem like much, but when you actually play the game, you'll find a clog in your drain you didn't even know you had because you thought your team was perfect... but then that one Pokemon comes along and exposes your fatal flaw.

Pokemon was no short game. It was full of all sorts of side quests. From the Safari Zone, to catching the Legendary Birds, to the Unknown Dungeon. There was plenty to do, and even after the game was over there was STILL more to accomplish. Of course, your main accomplishment was getting them all. Pokemon could easily keep you busy for well over 60 hours. In 1998 this is an amazing feat seeing as how most RPGs of TODAY don't keep you busy that long. The main quest itself only took a measly 15 hours or so, but all the extra content kept you on your toes.

Even more, Pokemon was one of the few Gameboy Games that made excellent use of the link cable. Since Red and Blue versions had different Pokemon, some only appeared in certain versions. You couldn't for example, catch a Magmar in the Red version, but you could in Blue. How then, were Red players supposed to catch all 150? By trading. Until Pokemon came around, my link cable was collecting dust. Trading was usually a slow grueling process, though. Traded Pokemon also got an experience boost so they were easier to train.

Even more exciting than trading, however, was what really made Pokemon a blast to play: Battling. You and your friends could get together and battle one another! Test out your Pokemon teams against your friends. They were, more often not, far better to battle against than the games trainers. It's always interesting to see who your opponents heavy hitter is. With your friends it was always interesting. Imagine how embarrassed you were to say a certain Pokemon sucked only to discover that the trainer actually did a good job training?

As far as the game looks and sounds, it didn't really look all that great when it was released in 1998 (it was after all, a game made in 1995). On the original gameboy it was pretty grainy (but very clear on the Gameboy Pocket) and of course it was black or white (unless you played it on a Super Gameboy or Gameboy Color). For a Gameboy game, though, it actually wasn't too bad. It was annoying to watch a Pokemon simply flinch to attack, and some of the animations weren't all that great, but it was to be expected due to the Gameboy's limitations. The music, however, was fantastic. The tunes were catchy--particularly the trainer battles and gym leader battles. The only really annoying thing was the sound effects. They weren't all that great, and its a shame that Nintendo actually continues to use those exact same sound effects in Pokemon games today. Still, for what it's worth, this was the game you wanted on the Gameboy.

Pokemon is a classic. It'll always be a classic. No matter who you are, if you played Pokemon ten years ago, the craze was completely undeniable. If you got addicted like I did, chances are you're still playing today. Because in its core, the game was far deeper than you thought it was, and the series continues to use that same basic formula even today.

GET THIS GAME BACK IN STORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 08, 2002
Author: Amazon User

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF: I AM JACK AND ENTERED UNDER MY FATHER'S NAME. IF YOU READ THIS MESSAGE PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU FIND THIS GAME TO BE APPEALING TO YOU. FIRST OFF, THE BASICS OF THE GAME ARE VERY SIMPLE. BASICALLY, YOU START OUT WITH ONE POKEMON--CHARMANDER, SQUIRTLE, OR BULBASAUR. IT'S QUITE LIKE ANY OF THE OTHER POKEMON GAMES YOU'VE PLAYED OR SEEN ON TV: FIRST, THE POINT IS TO CATCH ALL THE POKEMON THAT IS IN YOUR VERSION. FOR INSTANCE, BLUE VERSION HAS MEOWTH BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE MANKEY. YOU WILL BATTLE TRAINERS AND DEFEAT GYM LEADERS AND THE ELITE FOUR. ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THIS, YOU MUST FACE MEWTWO. YOU SHOULD TRY CAPTURING IT IN THE MASTERBALL OR ELSE IT WILL BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY
DIFFICULT. SO THAT IS MY STORY, AND I STILL THINK (AND I HOPE YOU DO TOO) THAT THIS SHOULD BE BACK IN STORES. IF YOU THINK SO AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME ABOUT IT, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT CHRISTOPHERSCHERER@YAHOO.COM

Mew!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 22, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This is a cool game. I like it because it has adventure and you can go to new cities and caves like Rock Tunnel. It takes a long time to get all 151 Pokemon. It takes about 15 days to beat the game, and it's fun.

Play this game before you diss it!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: January 22, 2000
Author: Amazon User

In October 1998, my grandmother bought me a little known game called Pokemon. My Japanese friend told me of it, and it was one of the few RPGs for Game Boy that I didn't have and beat. Soon, I was addicted. Fight, catch, fight, catch, and fight and catch some more. So simple! But therein lies the game's appeal. I put 60+ hours into this little thing! I have now caught all 150 Pokemon, and my tops are Raichu, Charizard, Dugtrio, Nidoking, Fearow, and Raticate. Soon after this occurred, the TV show started, and the franchise was being milked like a cow on hormones. The game I thought was so cool was now being dished upon because of marketing to younger audiences. Older gamers, give this game a chance, and you may be surprised!

Great!Great! Great!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: November 25, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game is great! You'll love it. The "ESRB" rating is "E" so everyone could play it. It's not violent. It's a toy which tells your kindness and love. So click the "ADD TO SHOPPING CART" button and it will make your life better.

Pokemon Red-My Indroduction to the Pokemon Phenomenon

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: January 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Awright. Pokemon Red RULES! I am not able to put it down. I started with Charmander (aka flamey) And he is now level 100 (and no, and didn't use any stupid trick or code!) All my other Pokemon are the same level, no cheat codes. My team:Charizard, Pidgeot, Raichu, Clefable, Vaporeon, Rhydon. If you're going to buy red, buy it soon, and start with Charmander!

Nonstop -Redhot Fun!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: December 23, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This red hot version of the Pokemon Game Boy game is sure to be a top-seller. If youre looking for a game where you can battle tough and have fun at the same time, then this is the game for you. The storyline goes something like this....... You are a trainer from Pallet Town. In the beggining, you are given a choice of three basic pokemon. Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. All have their weaknesses and resistances. Charmander is good because he will beat grass type pokemon easiest but, Bulbasaur will be bad against these pokemon. However- Bulbasaur will be your best bet if you want to beat the rock type pokemon of Brocks. All round- Squirtle is your best bet.On your journey, youll catch new pokemon, fight new trainers and face up against real tough gym leaders! As the game progresses, your pokemon will evolve:eg- Sqirtle into Wartortle. However you can cancel this at any time by pushing the B button. Search around in grassy areas - you could find a common Pidgey- but you might find a really rare pokemon.There are many different areas and cities. In each city- youll battle a gym leader and if you win, youll win a badge. Once youve travelled all around the pokemon world and collected all 8 badges, you will go to Indigo Plateau and Enter the Pokemon league. If you win- your job is done and to be a pokemon master is your destiny. HAVE FUN...............

Its good, but Blue is better

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: September 28, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game is a awesome game. You play Ash Ketchum, a young PKMN trainer who always trys to beat his opponent. This is fun till you catch all 150 PKMN. Also, if you dont have either, get blue instead.

A VIDEOGAME MASTERPEICE!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: October 09, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the best games i have payed in a very long time! I also have a playstation and quite a few games but when i got pokemon red, i couldent (and still cant) put it down! Thats the longest break my playstations ever had! This game has unlimited replay value, because once you beat the game, you can keep playing, collecting pokemon, and raising there levels. If you have any intrest in pokemon at all, get this game and i promise you wont be dissapointed!!!!

Pokemon Red Review

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Pokemon red is a fun game for anyone. The point of the game is to become a pokemon master, capture all the pokemon, beat the elite four, and have fun. Like pokemon blue, there are different sorts of pokemon in certian places, and some, you can only capture in the other version of the game. Pokemon Red is a fun game for boy or girl. I reccomend it BIG TIME! (and belive me, I do not usualy reccomend things)

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