The Parents' (and Grandparents') Guide to Pokemon geoffhom@cal.berkeley.edu

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Quick link to the Pokemon Trading Card Game page.

Last update: August 10, 2003.

This guide is intended to help parents (and grandparents) understand a bit about the phenomenon that currently is Pokemon. With the knowledge contained in this page, parents et al. will hopefully gain in the following ways:

The Parents' (and Grandparents') Guide to Pokemon goes as follows:

Quick answers:

What is a Pokemon?
A Pokemon is a type of special species (or genus maybe). Just like there are many different kinds of cats (tabby, siamese, etc.) or people, there are many different kinds of Pokemon. There are water Pokemon that swim in the ocean, lightning Pokemon that have electricity running through them, forest Pokemon that wander on land, and so forth. What separates Pokemon from other creatures (what makes a Pokemon a Pokemon) is that, no matter how big it is, a Pokemon can be contained in little Pokeballs that fit into the palm of your hand.

From whence did this Pokemon phenomenon start?
As far as I know, Pokemon was originally a Game Boy video game (and like most video games was from Japan) in which you play a Pokemon trainer whose job has several elements: 1) catch all 150+ Pokemon, 2) train/evolve all your Pokemon, and 3) use your Pokemon to defeat other trainers' Pokemon. The Pokemon TV show started in Japan and was no doubt to help promote the game. A plethora of toys and merchandise, including the Pokemon trading card game, came out in Japan to capitalize on this whole thing. And now most (but not all) of this stuff is being brought over to the U.S. and many other countries!

What does "Pocket Monsters" have to do with anything?
In Japan, Pokemon is called "Pocket Monsters." (Although since the game came out first in Japan, I should say that Pocket Monsters is called "Pokemon" in America.)

Do girls get into Pokemon? What about adults?
Definitely! Many girls enjoy Pokemon, as do many adults. For whatever reason, however, Pokemon seems to draw a mainly boy-dominated audience, especially the card game. There is no real reason why girls and/or adults shouldn't be able to enjoy the show/toys/games like everyone else. Nintendo has recognized that girls enjoy Pokemon. In Pokemon Crystal (similar to Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver), you can choose to play as either a boy or a girl!

What should I expect at a Pokemon tournament?
There are at least two kinds of Pokemon tournaments: one in which kids link up their Game Boys, and the other in which they play the Pokemon trading card game. At both of these expect Cost: there may be an entry (e.g. $5) or it may even be free; Noise: should be expected anywhere many children gather; and Ignorance, Cheating, and/or Thievery. Before playing Pokemon with others, please read this part of the Parents' Guide to Pokemon.

Why was Pokemon banned from school?
Apparently some elementary schools have, to differing degrees, banned Pokemon from the playground. This is probably because there were many instances of theft, and many actual fights, at the school because of Pokemon. Some kids even try to surreptitiously play the Pokemon Game Boy game or trade Pokemon cards in class, which of course keeps their attention away from the teacher. I don't think Pokemon is evil or even inherently dangerous, but we're all entitled to our own opinion.

What can my kids learn from Pokemon?
There are lots of Pokemon-themed educational items, such as reading books, basic math and science CD-ROMs, etc.
The advantage of using Pokemon for learning is that kids may become more interested if it properly involves Pokemon. Also, if lessons actively use the Pokemon cards or video games, then there is reinforcement every time the child plays the card game or video game. I think Pokemon could be very useful for teaching math and foreign language skills, if done properly. Both the Pokemon video games and the Pokemon card game involve a lot of math. The former calculates battle damage behind the scenes, but the general formulas can be found on the web or determined empirically (the latter greatly improves math skills). Since Pokemon is available in several languages (Japanese, English, German, and probably others), a resourceful parent could use foreign Pokemon cards to teach children the basics of, for example, Japanese. Or, if English isn't your native language, you could use Pokemon to teach basic English!

Pokemon Video Games

Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and Pokemon Yellow.
Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue (both are for the Game Boy) were the first Pokemon games. Since neither version contains "all" 150 Pokemon, in order to capture all 150 Pokemon you must usually use the Game Boy Game Link to trade Pokemon with someone who has the opposite color version. (E.g. if you have the Red version you would probably want to trade Pokemon with someone who has the Blue version. You don't actually exchange game cartridges; you just trade data by connecting two Game Boys together.) Pokemon Yellow is similar to both games in certain ways, but you start out with Pikachu instead. Pokemon Yellow has a few other changes as well.

Pokemon Gold, Pokemon Silver, and Pokemon Crystal.
Pokemon Gold, Pokemon Silver, and Pokemon Crystal feature a whole new cast of Pokemon, in addition to the original 151! Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver have several features not found in Pokemon Blue et al. The time of day, including whether it's day or night, and the day of the week play an important role. There are male and female versions of several Pokemon, and you can now breed baby Pokemon. Your character has a new Pokegear, which is much more advanced than a Pokedex. Also, Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver were designed for the Game Boy Color and so look much better than Pokemon Blue et al. Pokemon Crystal is similar to Gold and Silver, but in addition your character can be either a male or a female trainer.

Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire.
Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire are the first Pokemon games for the Game Boy Advance. The graphics are appreciably better than in previous Pokemon Game Boy games, there are some new gameplay features, and naturally there are many new Pokemon.

Pokemon Stadium and Pokemon Stadium 2.
Pokemon Stadium and Pokemon Stadium 2 are like big fighting arenas for all the Pokemon. Pokemon Stadium covers the first 151 Pokemon and Pokemon Stadium 2 also includes Pokemon from Pokemon Silver and Pokemon Gold. (You plug your Game Boy cartridge into the N64 cartridge and load your Pokemon into it.) Both Stadium games offer other features besides battling your friend's Pokemon. You can enter tournaments against computer opponents, and there are some 4-player mini-games as well. The GB Tower lets you play your Pokemon Game Boy games on your N64 (bigger screen)! It seems that if you had neither Stadium game, you'd only want to buy Pokemon Stadium 2 and not both games.

Pokemon Coliseum
Pokemon Coliseum is the next evolution of Pokemon Stadium. Coliseum will be for the GameCube. Expect better graphics and some subtle new features.

Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Puzzle League, and Hey You, Pikachu!
Pokemon Snap, Pokemon Puzzle League, and Hey You, Pikachu! are Pokemon video games for the Nintendo 64, but they are of a different genre than Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, etc. In Pokemon Snap, you take snapshots of 64 different Pokemon "in the wild." Your pictures are then scored based on a metric analyzing the composition of your photo, such as the number of Pokemon in the picture, the size of the Pokemon, whether the main object is focused in the middle of the picture, etc. Pokemon Puzzle League (also for the GBC) is a remake of the Super Nintendo puzzle game Tetris Attack. Two-player Tetris Attack was a lot of fun… Hey You, Pikachu! is a unique game in which you communicate with a virtual Pikachu via an included microphone (voice recognition).

Pokemon Pinball and Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Pokemon Pinball is a Game Boy pinball game. It comes with a special Rumble Pak and even though it is a pinball game you can still catch, evolve, and trade the original 151 Pokemon! Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire is the analogous GBA version utilizing Pokemon from Ruby and Sapphire.

Basic info about the other Pokemon video games.
There is also Pokemon Trading Card Game for Game Boy. You can play the TCG against the computer or your friends on the Game Boy. (Only cards from early TCG sets are included.) Super Smash Brothers Melee for the GameCube is a fighting game (like Street Fighter) with a few Pokemon as playable characters. Pokemon Box and Pokemon Channel will be for the GameCube, but these won't be typical Pokemon games. For an overview of the Pokemon video games, you can check out Nintendo's Pokemon site or GameSpot.

Where can I find these games and how much will they cost?
You should be able to find current games at any video game retailer: Electronics Boutique, Toys 'R' Us, Target, etc. Game Boy Advance games retail for $20-$40; N64 games are now perhaps $5-$30 (US $), as the N64 is defunct; GameCube games usually retail for $50. You should be able to find older and used games at a used video game store like Funcoland, or on eBay. You can rent a lot of games from Blockbuster or some online rental services.

Where can I find hints/strategy for the Pokemon video games?
You can buy various strategy guides for the Pokemon games at most video game retailers (e.g., Electronics Boutique). Or you can check out various sites on the web, like Pojo. Or just search the entire Internet with Google.

What is a Game Boy Game Link?
The Game Boy Game Link allows you to connect two Game Boys together for multi-player games. For example, with a Game Link, two Game Boys, and two Tetris cartridges (one for each Game Boy), you and a friend can play Tetris against each other. Regarding Pokemon, you can use a Game Link to trade the Pokemon you've caught. There are different types of Game Links, in different colors (of course!), but you probably want one that can connect any two Game Boys, whether Pocket or an older bigger one, color or black-and-white. With the proper Game Boy Advance link(s), you can connect up to four Game Boy Advances.

What's a GameShark and where can I get one?
A GameShark is a device that can be thought of as a "cheating machine" for your video games. By attaching a GameShark to your game, inserting the GameShark in the Game Boy, Nintendo 64, etc., and entering the proper codes, you may gain infinite lives, skip levels, gain the ability to walk through walls, become invincible, etc. You need a specific GameShark for a specific game console, whether that be a PlayStation, a Nintendo 64, a Game Boy Color, or a Game Boy Advance. You can buy a GameShark at at most stores that sell video games.

Where can I find GameShark codes for Pokemon video games?
A GameShark is useless without the proper codes. You can create your own codes with a little trial-and-error (see the GameShark manual for details), but you can also just use codes that other people have found. The same sites that have video game strategy usually have GameShark codes. For Pokemon video games, you can try GameShark.com.

What's the Game Boy Advance?
The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is Nintendo's successor to the Game Boy Color (GBC). The GBA was released in June 2001 and some games look as good as SNES and Playstation games. The GBA retails for $69 and is heads and tails above the GBC, except that the GBA screen is a bit harder to see in dim light. There are even special Pokemon versions of the GBA, but they are only available at special "Pokemon Centers." These Pokemon GBAs have a different color but are functionally identical to other GBAs. Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire are the first Pokemon games for the GBA. Note that both Japanese and American GBA games can be played on a standard GBA. (Japanese games will still have Japanese text, however.)

What’s the Game Boy Advance SP?
The Game Boy Advance SP came out in March 2003 and is a cooler, more compact version of the Game Boy Advance. The games are the same for the GBA and the GBA SP. The SP has a new clamshell case with a flip-up screen. The screen is also significantly brighter due to front-lighting. The SP features a built-in rechargeable battery, too. As of 4/5/3, the SP retails for $99, versus $69 for the "normal" GBA.

What's the GameCube?
The GameCube (GC) is Nintendo's latest game console. Released in the U.S. in November 2001, the GC retails for $149. Unfortunately, the standard GC does not feature regular DVD playback like the PS2 and XBox do. The GC is not "backwards-compatible" with the Nintendo 64; N64 games cannot be played on a GC. For more info on the GameCube, try www.gamecube.com.

What's an e-Card Reader?
The e-Card Reader is an accessory for the Game Boy Advance. The Reader can read data from special Pokemon-e cards that encode images, sounds, and mini-games. The special cards (not just for Pokemon but also Animal Crossing and maybe other games) have a noticeable bar code along one or two sides.

What’s the GameCube GBA player?
The GameCube Game Boy Advance player is a device that allows you to play GBA games on your TV. The GBA game connects to the player, which goes on the bottom of the GameCube. GameCube controllers can be used to play the game. The player retails for about $50.

Pokemon TV show

What is this show's story about?
The Pokemon TV show follows the adventures of newbie Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum. Ash wants to become the greatest Pokemon trainer in the world. In the early episodes he catches Pikachu, a lightning Pokemon, who becomes perhaps his best friend. He also meets Misty and Brock, fellow Pokemon trainers. As this group travels along Ash catches more and more Pokemon and also learns more about himself and the rest of the world. Some of Ash's Pokemon also evolve into more powerful Pokemon. Along the way, Ash and his friends are constantly harrassed by Team Rocket, a brother-sister pair of "evil" Pokemon trainers who, with the help of the Pokemon Meowth, try to catch all rare and special Pokemon (including Ash's Pikachu).

Where/when can I see this show on TV?
Check your local listings. Pokemon is usually shown on weekdays and Saturday on UPN, I think. Pokemon's part of the Kids' WB lineup.

How many episodes are there?
Apparently there are 268+ episodes in syndication in the U.S. A synopsis of each U.S. episode can be found at Pojo.

I've heard about a Pokemon movie. What's that?
There have been at least five Pokemon movies released in Japan. Pokemon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back was released in U.S. theatres on November 12, 1999, by Warner Brothers. The second Pokemon movie (Revelation Lugia) featured the three legendary birds, and the third Pokemon movie (Lord of the Unknown Tower) was released Spring 2001. A second Mewtwo movie, "Mewtwo Returns," was released direct-to-video in December 2001 and can be ordered at Amazon.com. The fourth Pokemon movie (Pokemon 4Ever) was released on October 11, 2002. (The Japanese title for the fourth movie translates to “Celebi: A Timeless Encounter.”) The fifth Pokemon movie (Guardian Spirits of the Water Capital: Latias and Latios) was released in Japan on July 13, 2002. Retitled “Pokemon Heroes,” the fifth movie is set for limited U.S. release on May 16, 2003.

What about that episode of Pokemon that caused seizures?
In Japan, one particular Pokemon episode, "Computer Warrior Porygon," featured a particular pattern of flashes that caused many children to have seizures, nausea, and headaches. Many children had to go to the hospital. That episode has since been banned and was never shown again in Japan. I'm not sure if the episode was aired on U.S. television, but if it was you can be sure that the powers-that-be edited the part that caused the seizures.

Pokemon Trading Card Game
(This part of the guide is so big that it has its own page.)

Other Pokemon merchandise

Ok, what kind of "normal" merchandise is out there?
You can buy Pokemon trading cards, the Pokemon TV show on tape, Pokemon posters, Pokemon caps, Pokemon pins, Pokemon keychains, small plastic Pokemon figures, plastic Pokeballs to hold the figures--pretty much anything you can think of. There are even plastic figurines of virtually all known Pokemon. There are many different Pokemon t-shirts and many different Pokemon posters. Pokemon has been so popular for so long, one should really ask, “What kind of Pokemon merchandise isn’t out there?”

What kind of cool/exotic merchandise should I look for?
They’ve probably made anything you’ve thought of. Pokemon pillow covers, for example. Or Pokemon Halloween costumes. Pokemon origami. A Pikachu iMac. Pokemon-themed N64s, GBCs, and GBAs. I've also seen a Pokemon music box, Pokemon floormats, and little scenes of different Pokemon at the beach or cooking. There are "Pokemon Centers" (at least two in Japan and one in New York City) that sell some specialized Pokemon merchandise.

Where can I find Pokemon merchandise?
Keep in mind that Pokemon originated in Japan. So many Japanese goods stores (Sanrio, Hello Kitty, etc.) will carry imported Pokemon merchandise. Many comics/cards stores also carry domestic and imported Pokemon stuff, but they tend to charge an arm and a leg above the already high costs of importing stuff from Japan. As Pokemon has continued in its popularity, more and more Pokemon stuff has been translated or made domestically. I'm guessing Japanese marketplaces (like Japantown in Los Angeles or San Francisco) will have plenty of imported Pokemon stuff; the domestic stuff can be found in just about any toy/card/comic/video game/video store. Online, you can try traditional stores like Amazon.com. And you never know what gold (or pyrite) you might find on eBay.

MY QUESTION WASN'T ANSWERED IN THIS GUIDE! HELP!
You can surf the links below to find the answer, or you can e-mail me your question! I will try to find the answer and reply within a day or two, and almost definitely within a week. And if I really like the question, I'll add it to this guide so other parents can benefit!

Links to other websites

Pokemon travellers since May 26, 2003. (Counter courtesy of digits.com.)

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