Pikachu Central (Pokemon Yellow - Special Pikachu Edition (GB))

Member Name: Grave-Joy

Product:	Pokemon Yellow - Special Pikachu Edition (GB)
Date:	16/07/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good pokemon game, especially for fans of the show

Disadvantages: The same as Blue and Red apart from the TV references

Pokémon yellow never did interest me much. Mainly because it was a revamp of the original Pokémon blue and red with a slightly different mix of Pokémon and had many references to the TV programme.

The plot and gameplay of Pokémon yellow is pretty much identical to Pokémon red and blue. In the game you take the role of a trainer very similar to that of Ash Ketchum, out of the Pokémon TV series. He has just left home and is given a trusty Pikachu as his first Pokémon his aim: become the world's greatest Pokémon master. To do this he must beat all of the eight gym leaders in the land and earn the badges to earn passage to the legendary elite four, the greatest Pokémon trainers in the world. In his way stand all the other Pokémon trainers in the land as well as the criminal Team Rocket, featuring the trio from the TV series, Jessie, James and Meowth. Unlike the other games you can also catch all three original starting Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.

The main drive of the game is to search and catch different Pokémon with the trusty Poke balls. After they are caught the can become part of your party of six and be used to fight other trainers and Pokémon. In doing this your Pokémon level up like your standard RPG character would. As they grow, the Pokémon gain abilities and moves with some even evolving into stronger, more efficient Pokémon. Unlike other Pokémon in the game, Pikachu, you're starting Pokémon walks behind the player character. He makes a lot of noise and displays emotion every now and then, when he enters certain buildings or rooms. Also the player can check Pikachu's mood by facing him and clicking on him. A box will appear showing Pikachu's face and he will express a mood of, anger, curiosity or happiness.

The strategy of all the Pokémon games is found in the moves and type of each Pokémon. All Pokémon are assigned a type or two. There are fifteen types of Pokémon in the game and each Pokémon is assigned one or two types, which each possess strengths and weaknesses to other types of Pokémon. For example, water Pokémon are very strong against rock and fire type Pokémon but weak electric types. This adds a rock, paper, scissors element to combat as well as the standard RPG, meaning the most successful Pokémon teams will be a balanced mix of Pokémon.

What makes all of the Pokémon games stand tall in the RPG gaming world is the large customisation levels in terms of your party. The party you can create has a huge amount of possibilities. The game boasts an amazing 151 Pokémon all of which have fifteen types. The Pokémon also learn a ton of moves but can only have four at one time, meaning that no two games will ever be identical even if you tried to make it the same.

Despite basically being an upgraded version of the standard Pokémon Red and Blue it was extremely popular and was at the time, the fastest selling handheld game ever. If you were a huge fan of the TV series or happen to adore the little yellow mouse Pikachu, then I would recommend Pokémon yellow. If not grab a different one as this game has very little different to offer.

Summary: The same as pokemon red and blue with some TV series references thrown in for fans.