Pokemon: Red and Blue. A basic guide to the phenomenon! (Pokemon Blue and Red Versions (GB))

Member Name: garrymac

Product:	Pokemon Blue and Red Versions (GB)
Date:	12/09/00 (1914 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original. Extemely addictive. Long lifespan

Disadvantages: You really need to have a friend with a different version to enjoy the game to its full potential

Pokemon is a game for the Nintendo Game Boy system. It follows the story of a young boy (He is called Ash in the Cartoon version but in the game you can call him whatever you want) who ventures out into the world of Pokemon. At the start you are given your very first pokemon by the authority in the game, Professor Oak.
After Oak gives you your first Pokemon (you can select from 3 different types all of which affect how the rest of the game turns out) the remainder of the game depends on you. Your character can capture, train and battle other Pokemon throughout the game. You can capture new Pokemon by throwing pokeballs at them. When new pokemon are captured they are added to your team and you can use them to battle.
When you battle your pokemon they gain experience points and after they have gained a certain amount of experience points they grow to a higher level. Growing to a higher level boosts your pokemon's statistics (such as speed, attack, accuracy ect.) but it also may result in one of two things. Your pokemon may evolve into a stronger version of itself or it may learn a new move.
You can capture as many Pokemon as you want although you can only carry up to 6 with you at any one time. The rest of your captured Pokemon are stored in a computer and you can swap them around at any time. You use your captured Pokemon to battle wild monsters and other trainers in the game which results in you earning money and experience points and that concludes the basics of the game.
If you get bored with the actual Game Boy game then fear not. There are many things you can do after you have 'caught them all'. You can battle or trade any monsters you have captured with a friend using a link cable, in fact there are some pokemon who can only be collected through trading with a friend. For example the character 'Geodude' (a rock type pokemon) can evolve into 'Gravaller' by gaining experience points but it can only evolve into
'Golem' by trading it with a friend.
There are currently only 3 versions of the actual Pokemon RPG game available in English for the Game Boy although more are scheduled for release. The games covered in this review are Pokemon: Red and Pokemon: Blue although the special Pikachu edition, Pokemon: Yellow, is also available from stores now. These two versions of the game are almost entirely identical which is the only down side to the game.
There are 11 different monsters (including evolved forms) which are exclusive to the red version and the same goes for the blue version. In order to catch all 150 monsters (the 151st Pokemon 'Mew' is only available by downloading it from a special machine) you either have to trade with a friend who has a different version or buy 2 Game Boys and then purchase both versions.
Personally I feel like this is a bit of a scam employed by Nintendo to make more profit off of the game, however it does add lifespan and makes the game a bit more interesting.
After you have caught all 150 monsters you get a certificate in the game which states that you have completed the task. I personally feel that people in the UK and the US have been shortchanged once again by Nintendo as you get the elusive 151st Pokemon 'Mew' (who is featured in the movie 'Pokemon: The First Movie') for collecting the other 150 monsters in the Japanese version.
If you still feel like Pokemon: Red or Blue does not offer enough of a challenge then you can upload the Pokemon you have caught in your Game Boy version to a Nintendo 64 game called Pokemon: Stadium. 'Stadium' takes out the story element of Pokemon and concentrates on the battling element instead. You can also use 'Stadium' to trade or battle with friends as well as competing in the many tournaments with your uploaded Pokemon from the Game Boy games.
Both versions of the Pokemon game for the Game Boy, have an originality and add
ictiveness which will keep adults and teenagers hooked for months and a cuteness appeal which will captivate toddlers and children for life.

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