The year was 1999. Something was stirring. Something was happening. It was more than just a fad, this thing. More than just a craze. For kids all over the globe, life would never be the same again. Soon, we would all be living in the beating heart of a bonafide phenomenon. It would mean more to us than Pogs and yo-yos ever had. I speak, of course, about Pokémon. Looking back, the popularity of Pokémon seemed to be an almost overnight thing. It was like a pop culture meteor landed one day and the whole thing just exploded. One day there was no such thing as Pokémon, the next it had become the centre of my Universe.
My Brain: Stop with the yodelling. Why must you always yodel? I heard you the first time. What? What’s wrong?
Me: You know the drill by now. I need another idea for an article.
My Brain: Alright. Well, how about one of the Pokémon games? I mean, who didn’t love playing Pokémon, eh? It defined a generation. Plus, your Game Boy is in fine working order so you won’t even need to ask Memory about it.
Me: Nice one. Yeah. I’ll do Pokémon. I’m still gonna ask Memory though. I don’t have time to do things, Brain. It’s just easier that way. Besides, we’ve established a formula here.
My Brain: Fine. I was just trying to think logically about things.
Me: Hey, Memory! Memoooorrrry! Yodelayee-yodelayee-yodelayee-ooo!
My Memory: Nice yodelling, man. What’s up?
Me: Just wondering if you could conjure up some stuff on Pokémon for another article?
My Memory: Oh, that’s an easy one. I’m insulted you even asked.
Me: Then, without further ado, let’s do this!
I remember that Pokémon cards eventually got banned from our school. Carrying them was like smuggling illegal contraband into the classrooms. But that didn’t deter us. Still our pockets were stuffed with them. This was something we willing to get told off for.
The first Pokémon game I ever played was Pokémon Yellow. In fact, I think it came free with my Game Boy Colour. If I thought the cards and the television show had captured my imagination, nothing could have prepared me for how invested I would become in the franchise upon playing the video games.
In Pokémon Yellow, the basic objectives, gameplay, and story of the game remained the same as in Red and Blue but with a few modifications along the way. The most prominent of these modifications was the inclusion of Pikachu as the only available starter Pokémon, replacing Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. This closely mirrored the TV show, especially since it marked the first time in the series that a Pokémon was able to roam freely alongside the player, just like Ash’s Pikachu. Another addition was the exclusive mini-game, Pikachu’s Beach, which could be played once a surfing Pikachu had been acquired and taken to the Surfin’ Dude on Route 19. The only ways to obtain a surfing Pikachu, however, were by attending a special Pokémon event or by crossing over with Pokémon Stadium and winning a tournament with your Pikachu from Yellow. The mini-game was quite simple and revolved around trying to get as many ‘rad points’ as possible by performing tricks with Pikachu as he surfed his way to the shore.
Another thing I have to mention is the music. The soundtrack to the early Pokémon games is indelibly etched on the walls of my mind. From the main title music (Dern-Dern-Deeeeer! Deeern-der-der-der!), to that urgent beat when your Pokémon was evolving, to the haunting, creeping notes of the Lavender Town theme, the music of these games was a vital part of the playing experience. For this, the composer, Junichi Masuda, deserves a massive shout out. So here it is: JUNICHI MASUDA!
Upon its release, Pokemon Yellow was met with similar critical acclaim to its predecessors and the Pokémon boom just kept on growing. The second generation of games, Pokémon Gold and Silver, would follow just a year later and further improve on the formula set by the original games.
The Pokémon games are probably the most rewarding RPGs I’ve ever played. They took the idea of levelling up to a new Indigo Plateau. There was real strategy involved in creating a well-balanced party worthy of rising to any challenge that came your way. Plus, they were just plain fun. In truth, I could probably write a whole book about the Pokémon franchise, but for the purposes of this article, I have to draw the line somewhere and that somewhere is right abooout…here.
My Memory: How was that?
Me: You didn’t even have to try there, did you?
My Memory: Nope.
Me: Hey, do you wanna do the thing?
My Memory: What? You mean…? Do we have to?
Me: Aw, c’mon! Do you remember how it goes?
My Memory: Of course I do! I just…alright fine. Prepare for trouble!
Me: And make it double!
My Memory: To protect the world from devastation!
Me: To unite all peoples within our nation!
My Memory: To denounce the evils of truth and love!
Me: To extend our reach to the stars above!
My Memory: Jesse!
Me: Jaaaames!
My Memory: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!
Me: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
My Memory: Meowth! That’s right! Happy now?
Me: Incredibly.
Ahhh memories...
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