NAME: Pokémon
SYSTEM: Game Boy
MAKER: Nintendo / Game Freak / Creatures
PRODUCER: one from each company, including Shigeru Miyamoto
GENRE: RPG

GRAPHICS: 8. Kind of simple, but the pokémon look cool
MUSIC: 6. Mostly annoying except the battle music
FUN: 10. Starts out slow, but gets increadibly addictive after a few hours
REPLAY: 4. Some pokémon are choices between two or three, but there's only one save slot
DIFFICULTY: 8. You need to spend some time beefing up your monsters to stand a chance
ENDING: 3. Uhh... it's credits
STORYLINE: 6. Not plot twists or anything, very simple
MULTIPLAYER: 10. I've heard it boosts the fun rate signifigantly if you trade and stuff
ORIGINALITY: 9. A weird cross between an RPG, Tamagotchi, and real life
REALISM: 5. The pokémon look realistic, but otherwise, nope
CONTROL: 6. Menu-based, but I HATE one block per step setups!!!
MATURITY: 3. Kiddie-oriented, just look at the box: "Basic reading skills reccomeded"

 What is the deal with Pokémon?! you may be asking. Everyone's so hyper about how fun it is 
and how cute Pikachu is and all. I'll just say this: it's an aquired taste, and it's NOT 
for everyone. For the most part, the entire game is very simple, which in itself is a turn-
off for half the population. However, once you get a good amount of pokémon together, 
you'll forget all about the stupid control system, the hokey text, the simple graphics, and 
the cheesy music. Yes, my friends, none of that matters. The fights get really strategic, 
switching between pokémon every time your opponent sends out a new one. The fact that there 
is only one save slot is a huge downgrading, and the reason why this game isn't getting a 
100. People say that the most fun in the game is found by linking up and fighting/trading 
with another player. Unfortunately, I live about ten miles from a town and, at the time I'm 
writing this, I'm getting homeschooled until next year; thus, I've never found another 
Pokémon player to link with (it's also why I only have 129 pokémon). You really need to 
think about this game, since I'll tell you one thing: you'll either love it or you'll hate 
it.

OVERALL: 90% *********

Reviewed on 4/1/1999