Pokemon - Gotta Catch 'Em All! (Pokemon Yellow - Special Pikachu Edition (GB))

Member Name: King-Joe-XII

Product:	Pokemon Yellow - Special Pikachu Edition (GB)
Date:	26/11/08 (387 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun and quite addictive

Disadvantages: Poor graphics and music

Released in Europe on June 16th 2000, Pokémon Yellow is successful sequel to the Pokemon Blue and Red versions. However, unlike Pokemon Blue and Red which were the start of the Pokemon franchise and inspired the future series, Pokemon Yellow was inspired by the series. So anyone familiar with the original generation of the Pokemon series will understand what I mean. You will be able to pick up that many of the characters and Pokemon have changed there appearance to match the animation and most notably that you, like Ash Ketchum; start off with a Pikachu that follows you around.

Unlike the other Pokemon games you do not have the option of choosing your starter Pokemon. You will be required to keep a Pikachu Prof. Oak has just caught and keep him happy. Although sounding rather unfair initially, seen as though you may want a Squirtle for instance, it offers a couple advantages. You are able to collect the regular starter Pokemon rather early, once again following the series, but they do tend to be at a much lower level.

You then have to go out and catch your Pokemon and become a 'Pokemon Master.' Although that may sound tough it is actually very easy to pick up. Once you have bought your Pokeballs you are able to walk in long grass, fish, go in caves etc. and catch some Pokemon. You have to catch 150 Pokemon, although you can only carry around 6 at a time so choose your team wisely. The basic options are: Fight, Pokemon, Item and Run. With fight you are able to choose 1 of 4 moves your Pokemon has learnt and either attack your enemy or render them helpless or disadvantaged, e.g. putting them to sleep with 'sleep powder' or weaken his defences with 'leer.' The 'Pokemon' option just lets you change your Pokemon and 'Item' allows you to pick from any item in your bag to use. Whether it is potion to heal your Pokemon, Awakening to wake them up or a Pokeball to catch a wild Pokemon, the Items you buy or find are vital. And if you select run you will run away from a wild Pokemon.

Every city has a Pokemart and a Pokemon centre where you buy items and heal your Pokemon, but there are the only things that stay the same throughout the map. You have to go through electrical plants, forests, and caves etc. all while trying to defeat the 'evil team rocket, which now have the addition of Jesse and James from the series. The Yellow game also make you battles Prof. Oak's grandson and your enemy, Gary, throughout the game.

You will also be approached by other trainers in the game who, when they see you, battle you (you do not have a say in this so be prepared for them or try to avoid them). This allows you to train up your Pokemon and collect some money after beating them. Then once your Pokemon are strong enough you will be able to beat the Gym leaders to get badges. You need 8 badges in total to be able challenge to the Elite 4. Each Gym leader has their own unique style of Pokemon, i.e. fire, water, rock etc. It is up to you to realise which Pokemon are strong enough to beat the different elements, for instance electric Pokemon are powerful against water Pokemon. Then once you get to the Elite 4 I'm sure you would have the game cracked, so I needn't go on about the game mechanics any longer.

The graphics are poor compared to today's standard, but for a Pokemon Colour game in 2000 they were pretty good, but if you want a game with better graphics you need to look at the newer Pokemon games which all have newer Pokemon. The music is annoying and repetitive and the Pokemon just make strange noises as they appear on screen, but don't let that put you off the game.

For it's time it offered great freedom in play, although you have to follow the map around from city to city you are able to go back on yourself a lot, train Pokemon whenever you wish, stay in a certain area or just battle your way through. There's a hundred ways to beat the game, and even more Pokemon to catch.

It is an easy game to grasp but can be hard to find your way around, so I recommend buying a guide to help you make your way through the map with ease. You also need a friend with another Pokemon game, preferably Red/Blue in order to catch all 150, because not all of the Pokemon appear on Pokemon Yellow and you have to trade with them to get them in your collection. Overall it is quite addictive and will now be very cheap. But for all those people who would like the 'best' version I would say you need to look at the newer games on the DS, but I still prefer the original 3.

Summary: The 3rd Pokemon Game in the series