Pokemon, Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition

Pokemon Yellow follows the TV cartoon series more closely than the other versions. Your first Pokemon in Yellow is Pikachu, and he travels alongside you as opposed to inside a Pokeball (like most Pokemon). Pikachu's mood can be displayed virtual pet style: keeping him happy is important, as his mood affects certain events in the game. In addition to the inclusion of other TV show elements like Team Rocket, new battle modes between players are available as well as a secret game called Pikachu's Beach.

If you haven't played any of the Pokemon games before, Pokemon Yellow is the best place to start. But while Pokemaniacs will go gaga over Yellow's new features, less enthusiastic veterans of Red and Blue may not find the extras to be quite so special. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Best version yet of the highly addictive Pokemon game
• Pikachu's moods raise the game's cuteness bar to an all-new level
• Features new battle modes between players
• Includes Pikachu's Beach secret game

• Pokemon battles can be repetitive at times
• New features may not be enough for some Pokemon veterans

The foremost of these is the fact that Pikachu just won't stay in his Pokeball! He follows you around in the game, and you have to keep him happy or you lose points and various opportunities. I also like the addition of Jesse and James (characters from the cartoon), and the additional battles they provide. If I had to pick just one of the three, this is the one I'd pick.

I like the way the Pokemon game challenges kids. I suggest also buying one of the books which shows the various routes and places. This allows kids to work at the tasks without getting frustrated.

The idea is to start at Prof. Oak's house, get your first Pokemon from him, and then journey all around the land of Pokemon, collecting various wild pokemon (which you catch by battling them until they faint), and doing battle with other trainers along the way.

In the process, kids learn to manuever through mazes of increasing complexity (which is why the manuals are a help), to gather and use items, and to develop strategies for fighting various types of Pokemon. My five year-old even started to read while using her Gameboy, from needing to know which items she had with her (in her Item List)!

All in all these are great games which can be played over and over (although only one game at a time can be saved), and which will provide your kids with hundreds of hours of fun.


Better than red & blue?   April 23, 2000
21 out of 26 found this review helpful

First of all, I would like to point out that I'm way over the 5-12 age average for pokemon, but I just can't refuse a good game when I see one. The pokemon rage has dominated the games market by using the same urge to collect technique that powered other rages like Magic cards and Pogs. Unlike the previous two, pokemon has managed to sustain its popularity through toys, cards, a feature-length movie and a top-rated cartoon. It's this specific cartoon that pokemon yellow is based on.

If you're already familiar with the red & blue versions, the first thing you will have noticed in yellow is that you begin with Pikachu as your starting pokemon, just like in the cartoon, and he follows you around everywhere. The best thing about this is that you can check his attitude from time to time and he ACTUALLY SAYS HIS NAME! Even though there's a bit of static, the fact that you can create sound like this on a gameboy is a remarkable achievement! Even more surprising is that there are at least twenty different ways Pikachu can say his name whether he's happy, sad, scared, confused, poisoned, etc. etc.

Another difference to this version is that all the pokemon have been re-drawn to look exactly like they did in the cartoon and the pokedex data has been changed. Jessie and James also make a guest appearence a few times (too few in fact) and recite their horribly corny motto as they attack you with Ekans/Arbok, Koffing/Weezing, and Meowth. Other nice touches are that Brock and Misty have also been re-drawn too look like the cartoon and the other gym leaders have different pokemon. Also, the yellow version sports an excellent "Surfing Pikachu" mini-game which can only be reached if you own Pokemon Stadium (or a Gameshark). The unknown dungeon has been redesigned and the pokemon present in this version are different from red & blue. You can even get Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle all at once!

Now the downside to this version is that the replay value has been diminished a little because you ALWAYS start off with Pikachu instead of having the choice between three pokemon. Gary is also stuck with Eevee (which evolves into Jolteon) for the entire game, so there's a little less variety in gameplay. Plus, the infamous Missingno. pokemon has sadly been removed preventing you from duplicating rare candies a hundred fold. But if you don't mind playing pokemon the honest way, then this isn't much of a problem.

Now the question is, do you really want this game if you already own the red and/or blue versions? If you do, the minor changes to this version probably aren't enough to justify the purchase as it's basically the same game. Instead, you should really save your money for the gold/silver versions this Fall. If you don't already own red or blue, then this game is a must-have as it's the best of the three! Besides, where else can you get Oddish and Bellsprout in the same game?


Thoroughly enjoyable video game!   February 7, 2000
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

I am a middle-aged mother who bought this game for my 5 year old son for Christmas. However, upon plugging it in, I found that unless a child is a pretty good reader already, this game would be difficult for them to play. I was going to put it aside for him, but thought I'd give it a whirl myself first. It hooked me completely! I love it. It's given me a great education into the Pokemon phenomenum, which is good since my son likes Pokemon. It's non-violent. And, although challenging, not too difficult or frustrating - a plus for both kids and adults alike. This is the first video game that I have played to the end. I highly recommend it for anyone with children who are already competent readers. For those with younger children, buy it but wait until they can read to let them play it. I'll be waiting impatiently for Nintendo to release the Gold and Silver gameboy cartridges here in the states.


It was Great   March 6, 2000
15 out of 20 found this review helpful

When I first started playing this game I thought it sucked. Imean how was I suppose to defeat Brock? Well if you want to do it thehard way you catch a caterpie or a metapod and evolve it into a Buterfry. Or you can do it the easy way and capture a Nidoran in Pewter city.(there is some grass as soon as you walk in to it) Then when you get the Nidoran fight Pokemon in Pewter city or in Viridian Forest. Soon you will learn horn attack. If you want to try that against brock the go ahead it won't do much good. I suggest keep on fighting pokemon until you learn double kick. It still may be hard to defeat BROCK but stock up on Potions. Then you will be sure to defeat him. O by the way you cant leave Pewter city to go on to MT.Moon because a person is blocking the way. But when you defeat Brock the person is gone.when you go on to Mt. Moon a guy will try to sell a Magikarp for 500$. Don't buy it. You can fish for one in Vermilion city. You should buy Poke Balls in Pewter City before you leave. Be sure to get your Pokemon "fighting fit" in the Pokecenter. Then when you go into Mt.Moon you can find a Tm (Technical Machine)the TM contains Bubblebeam. Teach this to your Nidoran. Then he can take on all the Geododes in the place. Be sure to capture a Geodude. They are really good against Raichu in Vermillion City. And the Pikachu you got during the begining of the game will help you against Misty (water Pokemon).Also when you reach the end of Mt.Moon there is a guy. Battle him and he will give you a choice between 2 Rare Fossils. And one more thing try to capture a Zubat. There Supersonic is a Very powerful move.Usually one blast from Pikachu can parlyize it.And also search the long grass outside of MT.MOON to find a Jigglypuff. You want to get awakening potions before you try to take him on. His sing can make you fall asleep. Have fun!


Yellow almost same as Red/Blue/Green   February 20, 2000
14 out of 17 found this review helpful

Pokemon Yellow is almost exactly the same as Red/Blue/Green. The only differences are that you start out w/ Pikachu, your rival starts out with Eevee, all of the cheats from Red/Blue are gone, the Gym Leaders have different pokemon, and the pokemon's pictures are different. If you already have Red/Blue/Green, I wouldn't really suggest buying it, but if you don't have a Pokemon game yet and want to buy one, this is an ideal first game for Pokemon lovers.