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PokΘMon Yellow Report

By Slimu

Well, it's all over the net now: PokΘMon Yellow's (originally called PokΘMon Pikachu) releasing in the U.S. People are so happy, lah dee dah...but has any one of you played it before? I have ^_^. I tell ya, it's downright GROOVY!

The first thing you'll notice is the intro. Rather than a PokΘMon battle scene, you see a Silouette of Pikachu running toward you. While he runs towards you, you see three animation sequences, such as Pikachu surfing, doing a karate kick, and floating by the support of balloons. Then, when he finally approaches you, he does a Pikashock, then the title screen appears, with Pikachu right there in front of you, and he says "Pikachu!"

THEN, when you start, everything SEEMS the same. But, when you step onto the grass field, Prof. Oak DOES show up, then you go into a battle scene, and Prof. Oak catches a Pikachu! However, that's not the shocking part. The real surprise is: Pikachu's artwork changed! Yes, in fact all the PokΘMon's artwork changed, and what's more is they learn different attacks at different levels.

Anyway, you go back to Prof. Oak's headquarters, and you see one PokΘBall on the table. Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are gone! Fear not! Just keep reading. The PokΘBall contains Eevee, which YOU were supposed to get, but Gary butted in and got Eevee before you could lay your hands on it. Prof. Oak instead gives you the Pikachu he just caught. Naturally, Gary fights you, everything goes like how it always does, lah dee dah...

THEN, Pikachu follows you. Yes, he follows you on screen. You can turn around to talk to him, and a portrait of his mood appears on the screen, along with a "Pikachu." If he's happy, naturally it'd show him have a happy face, and if he's sad, shows a sad face. As you use him to fight more and more, he becomes happier and happier.

Now, about Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle...they ARE in the game! In fact, as your adventure progresses, people in the game GIVE them to you! No trading, no nothing. Just answer Yes or No, and they give it to you! Also, the game refers to you as it's original trainer! Therefore, you can name them whatever you want. However, the experience boost from that happens after a trade for a PokΘMon isn't evident here, but now you don't have to worry about getting badges for disobeying bratty PokΘMon ^_^.

Anyhow, you may have heard that this is like the "TV" PokΘMon. In a way, it's much like the TV version. Pikachu follows you, as I mentioned before. You get all three "beginning" PokΘMon, also mentioned before. Also, TEAM ROCKET IS IN THE GAME!!! HAA HAA HAA HAA!!! They even have Ekans, Koffing and Meowth! Yes, even the Top Cat Meowth fights in battles!

Aside from Team Rocket, other characters from the show also make appearences. This would include Nurse Joy, and Chansey inside PokΘMon Centers, Officer Jennys, and many others. Gym Leaders also have been more based on their TV counterparts, such as the fact that Brock and Misty now wears what they wore on the TV show.

Graphically, the game has also been improved. Somewhat. The overworld hasn't changed much. There's a few new textures, and the signs has also been changed, but it's all basically the same. Some PokΘMon trainers are located at different locations, some items are too, and of course different PokΘMon shows up at different places now.

SO, in the end, you wonder: Is this a good buy? WELL, if you're a PokΘMon freak, I'd say BUY IT! If you're not, then... buy it anyways! Even if you do own the Red or Blue versions, PokΘMon Yellow is an interesting division of PokΘMon. If you haven't played PokΘMon ever, and I probably wouldn't have much respect for you if you haven't, you really SHOULD get this version if you ever plan on jumping into the PokΘMon Invasion.