Never Too Old for an Adventure (part 2)

With 251 Pokemon around to entertain us, Nintendo thought we were getting tired of them and gave us a new Gameboy with two new Pokemon games that added more new monsters to the table making our Pokemon count up to 386!

 Although we didn't get Emerald version right away these three games re-sparked our love for Pokemon all over again. This time we had two Rivals instead of just one, and two villain teams that were game specific: Team Magma and Team Aqua. And this one had a whole lotta Legendary Pokemon, 10 to be exact! Now in between Ruby and Sapphire came two games that would ultimately change the world of Pokemon. These games also introduced the first mini game inside of the main game play, Pokemon Contests. With Pokemon contest, the attacks that a Pokemon learn gain an attribute: Beauty, Cool, Tough, Smart, or Cute. You could also make poffins from the various berries (introduced in Silver/Gold/Crystal) you collect/grow throughout the game.

FireRed and LeafGreen rocked our little Pokemon worlds by reviving our very first Pokemon Region, Indigo, in a brand new light! These two were the very first games to be a reboot of an older set (two more would follow). At last we could finally choose to be a female trainer traveling the Indigo League.

 Along with these came a new collection of big Nintendo console games, the Gamecube. One was completely unrelated to the main Pokemon games making a side game. While two were similar to the Stadium games of the N64 system, Colosseum and XD. These two had more of their own story line with the ability to link up to Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and FireRed/LeafGreen games via the Gameboy Advance connection cable to the Gamecube. Also the Gamecube had a nifty extra component that you could buy called the Gameboy Player, which allowed you to play your Gameboy games on your TV versus the little screen of the Gameboy.  

 



New Technology took over and the world of Pokemon gaming changed right along with it. The Gameboys soon evolved right out of the picture into the Nintendo DS and once again we received a evolved set of Pokemon games with it:

With Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokemon got an upgrade on graphic quality, more monsters and similar game play to Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald. At this point most of us who grew up with Pokemon back in the 90's were in High School and College, so the toys and cards didn't interest those of us who grew up, we didn't have the time to play anymore, but giving up a few hours here or there to play video games to escape from our stress yeah that we had. I spent many College lunches and free time playing Pearl since these were still on the go games.

In 2010, this little Pokemon fan's heart jumped for joy as Game Freak released its second set of reboot Pokemon games: HeartGold and SoulSilver. These two returned us to Johto and added the Pokemon from the 3rd and 4th generation games right into the game play. They added the Pokeathlon, which is a series of mini games you can play with your Pokemon in order to gain medals for your Pokemon. The Pokeathlon replaced Pokemon contests in these games. They also added the Pokewalker, a hybrid of a virtual pet and a pedometer.

 The next year, the 5th generation of Pokemon came out in the form of Black and White. While these games were trying to relive the excitement of the very first generation, it was not received well with older fans and those who started with the first DS Pokemon games. The Pokemon set of these two were harshly ridiculed since we gain monsters based off of a trash bag, ice cream cone, and a set of gears to say the least. Not only were these inanimate object Pokemon introduced, but we did not see any of the previous generation Pokemon (1-493) until the game was defeated. On the plus side, the Trainers became older and since this game's region is based off of New York the bicycles (common in all Pokemon games) gained its first upgrade to a moped.  Also Pokemon Contests were replaced with the Pokemon Theater where you dressed up your Pokemon to preform a show. And it was the first hand held pokemon game to include moving pokemon in battle more than just moving to attack.

  

Due to the negativity of  Black and White, they decided to give us a sequel to these games: Black and White 2. Set after the events of Black and White introducing two new trainers, all 649 Pokemon from the start, a new Legendary that can be combined with the original Black and White Legendaries, Zekrom and Reshiram, to make the White and Black version of itself. It also had returning characters from it's previous games. These two redeemed Game Freak, but many wouldn't be completely happy and wanting to play Pokemon again until the following year after the release of these two with the 6th generation of Pokemon.

 
Along with the Nintendo DS, came the big console that changed gaming with the introduction of motion play with the Wii. And likewise with the two previous consoles it had a small selection of Pokemon side games to play. Pokemon Battle Revolution was the Wii's Pokemon Stadium which allowed players to link up Pearl/Diamond/Platinum up to it via wi-fi.




Big changes in technology happened again and the DS evolved into the 3DS with 3D capabilities. And once again we go a new generation of Pokemon with it:

 Pokemon X and Y paved the way for Pokemon never to be seen in the liking of 2D animation ever again. now everything was like those 3D games of the big consoles. Our monster count was increased to 720 Pokemon. Pokemon Contests and Theater were replaced with two new interactive mini games: Super Training and Poke Amie, both of which contain a series of mini games within itself.

 

Super Training allows you to train up your Pokemon stats without having to have particular items or level grinding them.

While Poke Amie is the console version of a virtual pet similar to the Nintendo Dogs games. In Poke Amie you can pet your Pokemon, feed them Poke Puffs, and Play with them in them in three mini games: Berry Picker, Head It, & Tile Puzzle.

Charizard Playing Head It

Not only do you have the introduction of these two mini games, we got a new way of trading Pokemon: Wonder Trade. With a Wonder Trade you are randomly paired up with another Trainer from anywhere in the world in order to trade Pokemon with them and you have no idea what you are getting in return for the Pokemon you gave up. Not only was this a great way to trade without looking about the Globe Trade Station (GTS), but it's fun never knowing when someone will throw a Shiny or Legendary Pokemon up in a Wonder Trade.

Also with the improvements to the internet and connection abilities, the wi-fi features, such as Wonder Trade, are much easier to use including the GTS. Also we from the start had access to a large number of previous generation Pokemon within the game play, which was well received by fans who didn't like having to get a sequel in order to have this in the 5th generation games.

Lastly we got to pick our Trainers look from the start a little customization at the very beginning from three different set looks Not only that but there's boutiques throughout the region full of clothing you can buy. Plus in the largest city is a salon where you can change your hair color and style along with a set of colored contacts we have full customization with what is available in the game. I personally love this feature now for once my in game trainer can look like me and I can cosplay as her easier than having to buy a wig or dye my hair on top of finding the outfit.

 Along with Super Training, Poke Amie, and Trainer Customization X and Y gave us some unique transportation. Along with a bicycle we got snap on roller blades that use the circle pad to move! Much faster than having to hit a button for running shoes (G/S/C/HG/SS, R/S/E. & P/D/P). We also have the more advance version of riding our Pokemon, which was first seen by using Technical Moves (TMs) Surf and Fly. Now we can ride larger Pokemon like Ryhorn, Mamoswine, Skiddo, and Gogoat. Also Lapras is visible while surfing. Also the Safari Zone, a section with wild Pokemon that do not require battling in order to catch., is replaced with the Friend Safari. The Friend Safari creates an area for three Pokemon of a particular type for each friend code on your DS, and some Pokemon are only available this way (outside of the Pokemon Bank and Trading). And the Battle Maison is X and Y's Battle Tower and Subway equivalent. Another place to battle in X and Y is the Battle Chateau, which is a great place to train/level grind Pokemon.

Now the best part about this game is the new evolution: Mega. Mega Pokemon are a form beyond a full evolution via a stone made just for that particular Pokemon. 30 Mega Pokemon were introduced with Charizard and Mewtwo having game specific mega stone. And two more game specific mega stones that you had to trade for or wait for the next game to come out.

I want to end this one with the current Pokemon game: 

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. These two are another set of reboots. These games left somethings to be desired that were in X and Y like Trainer Customization for Pokemon Contests. Riding Pokemon was left to surfing, flying, and diving along with Flying in the sky on top of Latios and Latias to find bird Pokemon and Floating Islands that have rare Pokemon and Portals with Legendary Pokemon. We were given two types of bikes, and a Pikachu that can wear costumes in Pokemon Contest. You can also rematch the entire Pokemon League again after you have spotted all of the Gym Leaders and Elite Four throughout the region. Also 18 new Mega Pokemon were added as well as a Primal evolution for the two mascot Legendary Pokemon, all of which are not tradeable with X and Y.

Basing Omega Ruby off of X, I found the remake of Ruby to be a bit of a disappointment. And have made fill up my Pokedex on X more important than finishing off all of the post game stuff in Omega Ruby, which is why I gave it up to my husband.

-FoxCat ya later.