Pokémon Pinball
The Pokémon craze continues! Although some might think this a cheap way for Nintendo to grab more cash, this game can stand on its own! A great GameBoy Color title that is destined to be a classic!
Features
All 150 Pokémon still here
Rumble feature
IR utilized for high score trading
High Points
Reply factor very high as catching the Pokémon not all that easy
Music the same as the show
It is Pokémon with a new twist!
Low Points
A little too hard to "catch em all"
Review
The Pokémon craze continues. With two more games slated for the N64 and Pokémon Yellow slated for the GameBoy later this year, it does look like it is about to slow down either.
Some might look at the Pinball game and think "Oh boy... Nintendo is just trying to grab more money..." These people are going to miss out on what is sure to become a classic GameBoy title!
The object of the game is the same. You must try to capture all 150 Pokémon. You are presented with two colored "machines" to play. Naturally, these are the red and blue tables. Each table has a different selection of "levels" you can play. Each level is made up of a location from the original Pokémon game. So one level, for example, is Viridian City. The Pokémon that you can catch in these levels is restricted to the types that can normally be found there (with one or two exceptions.)
Some of the levels/locations are more difficult to reach and require you to perform certain tasks. For example, to reach a "2nd stage" world, you must first walk your way through 4 first level worlds. Moving between levels usually means striking a Pokémon character 3 times in order to open up a warp pathway. You must then loop around the path and then enter the cave in order to move. It sound easier than it is!
Catching a Pokémon is not that easy either. Before a Pokémon appears on the screen for you to catch, you must loop the outer right loop on the screen at least twice (three times if you want rare Pokémon). Then you must trigger the Pokémon's appearance by entering a special area (a Cloyster or BellSprout). Once this is done, the Pokémon will appear and you will have to hit it 4 times with the Pokéball.
Oh, did I mention the pinball is a Pokéball? Oh yes! It starts as a regular Pokéball and if you manage to light all three lights at the top of the screen, it will advance in strength (Master ball etc...). The ball's actually aren't any stronger and don't help you at all in catching Pokémon, but instead increase the values of the in game spinners and bumpers.
When you catch a Pokémon a Pokéball will show on the center of the screen. Three captured Pokémon will entitle you to a bonus screen. Evolved the Pokémon is also tricky. The only Pokémon you can capture on the screen are basic Pokémon. You must go through a lengthy procedure to "evolve" them. You must loop the outer left loop on the table 3 times, and then enter a special area to trigger the evolution mode. Once triggered, you'll have to hit certain areas on the table to uncover hidden powerup symbols (the evolution stones/experience/game link cable). Collecting three of these symbols will allow to evolve your Pokémon IF you can sink the ball into the cave. You have 2 minutes to evolve your Pokémon and for about half of that time you will have a "ball saver" in effect (so you can't lose your ball). If you lose your ball after that 1 minute, then your chance at evolving the Pokémon is lost, and you must start all over again.
Note that you can only evolve Pokémon you CURRENTLY have with you. If you caught a Meowth last game, you won't be able to evolve him in a new game. You'll have to capture him again!
With many of the Pokémon requiring two evolution steps, you can see that it will not be easy to "Catch 'em All!"
Pokémon pinball will provide HOURS, nay, WEEKS of enjoyment. The reply value is very high. I've spent far too many hours playing the game already, and I still play it almost every day. The challenge at adding to my Pokédex is always there. I MUST have all 150! The nice thing about the game is that unlike the original Pokémon, ANY AGE PLAYER can play Pokémon Pinball. My niece and nephew (aged 3 and 4) absolutely love the game, and have caught and evolved Pokémon.
If you enjoy Pokémon, then this is a must have title.
Pokemon Red/Blue
Pokemon
As the Pokeman craze sweeps across the nation, we are left to wonder... is the game really worth it? Yes... it is.
High Points
Easy to learn
Battles are fun as you try to determine strengths
storyline fairly simple
collection the cute little beasts are fun!
Low Points
Random battles sometimes tedious
very linear in nature.
Review
Pokemon is here, and in more way than one. You can not only pick up the Pokemon video game, but you can watch it on TV and find Pokemon merchandise popping up everywhere.
But can the game live up to the hype?
Yes, it can. When I first began to play Pokemon I was a little put off by it as it seemed a little tedious. It followed the usual RPG "random encounter" format, and the task given to you was fairly bland (study to be a better trainer than your opponent. Ya-hoo...). But as I played, something strange began to happen. I began to look forward to the random encounters. Why? Because THAT is when you catch your Pokemon.
After about 3 hours I was hooked. I was looking everywhere for Pokemon, and was picking fights with EVERYONE in order to train my Pokemon.
Basically, there are 150 different Pokemon in the world, and it is your job to classify and capture them all. Sounds easy, but it isn't.
First of all, there are ONLY 146 Pokemon in each version of the game (there is a RED version, and a BLUE version). If you want the full 150 then you'll have to trade Pokemon with somone who has the opposing game to yours.
Trade Pokemon? Yes, you can! You can use the gamelink to link to another gameboy and you can trade Pokemon with your friends. Not only can you trade for the missing 4 Pokemon, but all Pokemon that you receive from a trade will grow faster than a Pokemon you capture.
A double edged sword. Why? Because as a Pokemon gains levels, they become more difficult to control. That is, unless you keep training yourself as well.
As you progress through the game, you'll meet certain bosses that upon defeat will give you a certain badge. Some of these badges proclaim your prowess as a trainer and will allow you to control higher level Pokemon.
Watch the levels of your Pokemon otherwise. It is easy to have your favorite Pokemon suddenly grow beyond your control!
Be warned, though, the game is not a short one. Finding the Pokemon is difficult enough, and capturing them even more difficult. Also, the game allows you to save at any time. DO SO REGULARLY. During a game, there is ONE Pokemon that will marked as being RARE. You will only have ONE chance to capture that Pokemon. Miss it, and you'll NEVER be able to complete your collection unless you start again, OR re-load from a past save, SO SAVE OFTEN.
So how does Pokemon rate? It is difficult to classify it as it is unlike most games I've played. It is a little bit RPG, a little bit "Tamagatchi," and a little bit collectable card game. In the end, though, it is pure enjoyment, and well worth the investment.
Pokemon is a refreshingly happy time-consuming game.
