POKEMON
Pokemon is the latest Japanese fad to sweep our fair nation. If you have not yet heard of it, I don't know where you've been all this time. I must admit that I am an avid fan (well, not TOO avid) of this role playing game for Game Boy. As you probably know, there are three (four in Japan) versions of this game and they go by the colours red, blue and yellow. There is very little difference between these games but I will tell you what they are:
Pokemon RED- The Pokemon Growlithe, Oddish, Electabuzz, Ekans and Mankey are exclusive to this version.
Pokemon BLUE- The Pokemon Vulpix, Bellsprout, Magmar, Meowth and Sandshrew are exclusive to this version
Pokemon YELLOW- The star of this version is Pikachu and it follows you as you go through the game. Jessie and James of Team Rocket make an appearance.
Now yoU're probably saying: "Oddish? Ekans? Bellsprout? Who the heck thinks up this stuff?" Therefore, I will explain in the following paragraph what a pokemon is.
A Pokemon is one of 151 creatures that live in the world that you explore as a pokemon trainer. Every Pokemon is of one of fifteen types: Normal (Rattata), Grass (Bulbasaur), Fire(Charmander), Water (Squirtle), Ghost (Gengar), Electric (Pikachu), Psychic (Mr.Mime), Ice (Jynx), Rock (Graveler), Ground (Cubone), Dragon (Dratini), Fighthing (Hitmonchan), Bug (Weedle), Flying (Pidgey) and Poison (Koffing). Depending on a certain Pokemons' type, it will have certain strengths and weaknesses. For instance, a fire pokemon, such as Charizard or Rapidash, would probably fail against a water pokemon such as Blastoise or Squirtle since water puts out fire. Its common sense, really. Also, many pokemon will change or evolve throughout the game as they advance through levels. For example, a weak Pokemon such as Magikarp can evolve into the powerful Gyrados.
Perhaps the most popular of the Pokemon is Pikachu. The fuzzy little electric mouse has been featured in all the Pokemon games. It is also the featured star of the games : Pokemon yellow and Pikachu Genki Dechu (In Japan). But there are 3 pokemon that I feel don't get the attention they truly deserve. One is Jigglypuff. True, the Puffster has been featured in Smash Brothers (an N64 game) and on the show with Pikachu but being such a wonderful Pokemon, it is grossly underrated. Jigglypuff is a balloon Pokemon with the biggest blue eyes and a round, pink body. But that's not all! Jigglypuff sings a tune that (despite putting things to sleep) sounds adorable and sweet (Aaw!). Overlooked Pokemon number two is Oddish. Oddish is just the cutest little plant Pokemon the world has ever seen! Oddish is a little navy blue-grey ball with a happy smile, two black eyes and leaves growing on the top of it's cute little head. I love it. And last, but certainly not least, comes Kangaskhan. How could anyone not love this kangaroo-like Pokemon? It carries itıs little baby in its pouch and will do anything to protect it. Despite being extremely maternal, itıs a pretty tough Pokemon.
In conclusion, Pokemon is a video game of adorable (and sometimes odd) little creatures and its a truly fantastic game. Really. It is. Believe me, I know. From your Pokemon home town of Pallet to the ultimate battle at Indigo Plateau, you will learn how to raise pokemon, battle pokemon and hopefully, one day love (Aaw!) pokemon: our misunderstood friends.
By: Kim Belair