Pokémon appeals to many ages and types of fan, which is a big part of why it's so popular. Players enjoy the role-playing, collecting and trading aspects of the game, which make Pokémon so unique.
The primary goal in Pokémon is to find, capture and train various monsters, all in an effort to become the world's greatest Pokémon trainer. You'll choose one of three tamed "starter" monsters at the beginning of the game to help you capture other monsters.
There are 150 monsters in 15 different categories. Each category will be based on a specific characteristic or element, such as water, fire, flora, etc. There's a catch, though: there will be two versions of the game, a Red version and a Blue version, and not all of the monsters will be on any one Game Pak. To collect all 150 monsters, you'll have to trade. In Japan, this monster-collecting feature has made America's trading card frenzy seem tame by comparison. Collecting the monsters is simply addictive -- but that's just the half of it!
You'll be able to customize your Pokémon by training them differently as they grow and evolve. For example, two fire-breathing Charmanders may end up with very different skills and abilities by the time they evolve into their most powerful forms.
In addition to the launch of Pokémon for the Game Boy last fall, Americans were also treated to the Pokémon animated series on TV. Fans of Japanese anime especially love this series, which is also a prime-time hit in Japan. The series is loosely based on the game's plot, following the exploits of a young Pokémon trainer and his tamed Pokémon, Pikachu. The show has already been picked up for broadcast in 86% of U.S. television markets, which means you probably won't have any problem finding it on your local television station. To find out where Pokčmon is showing near you, visit Pokčmon.com
