Gotta Share ’Em All

There’s a new Pokémon game out this week, which is always an exciting time for me. However, I haven’t had any time to play it yet. That’s the trade-off I need to make these days, as my work and family life allow for a lot less time for solo hobbies. I’m not complaining — it’s just a function of where things are for me right now.

I know I will get to it at some point, and I’m sure I’ll have a good time with it. I enjoy all the Pokémon games — I always have — even the ones that can be hard to love.

My love of Pokémon began in 1999 and was first realised with the anime being shown on Saturday morning TV in the UK. I don’t remember how I found out about the show beforehand, but I remember being so excited about the premiere that I didn’t sleep the night before.

The video game had been available for a few years in Japan and had launched in the US the year before. It’s possible that the hype building for the game found its way to me through video game magazines or something of that ilk.

Pokémon had completely taken over my life. I taped the episodes of the show to watch over and over, I bought magazines to help me draw my favourites, and I even bought a strategy guide for the forthcoming video game, which I perused in advance to prepare myself to become a Pokémon master. (Yes, you could say I cheated — but I was 11, give me a break.)

Pokémon Red and Blue debuted in October 1999 in the UK for the Game Boy, perfectly in time for Christmas. That year my whole family was staying at my uncle’s house, and I was sharing a bed with my mum. I also didn’t sleep that night– I was just too excited to start my journey. I remember my mum begging me to stop fidgeting and go to sleep — but it was not going to happen.

Due to my extensive research, I was convinced I would choose Bulbasaur as my first starter to help me get through the first couple of gyms. I didn’t waver from my conviction, and the rest is history.

I have since played every mainline Pokémon game, and my love of the franchise has never wavered. I’ll admit I haven’t kept up my knowledge with the same level of detail I had as an 11-year-old. The original 151 are my Pokémon. But I’ve enjoyed every game just the same.

In thinking about and looking forward to playing Pokémon Legends Z-A, I’ve been thinking about the things Sophia may be interested in. I have no idea where her passions will lie, but I know I’ll do all I can to be interested in and care about what she does, so we can share some things together.

But I also realised that before she’s able to make those decisions on her own, I can introduce her to some of the things I care about. Right now she’s a big fan of plush toys — and guess what the Pokémon Company makes a billion of.

I bought her three Pokémon so she could make thechoice for her first starter: Pikachu, Eevee, and Bulbasaur. The first two are the franchise favourites. It’s been interesting to me as I’ve grown up to see how Eevee caught on with people to sit alongside the powerhouse of Pikachu. I had to give her the chance to choose Bulbasaur too — maybe she would also want to make sure she was well prepared.

Unsurprisingly, when presented with her three choices, she gravitated to Eevee. That pocket monster is undeniable. But while Eevee is the first choice, the other two will remain on her team.

Pokémon is a very special thing to me. It’s been a part of my life for over 25 years. I can’t even imagine how amazing it would be if I got the chance to make it a part of my daughter’s life.

When I sat down to write today, I didn’t know this would come pouring out of me. But it’s been an incredible few days for me to see Sophia interacting with these toys. I wanted to share this with you.

I know this is quite a different post from what I usually write on Fridays (hence the title change), but it just felt right.

I do have a recommendation for you, though. A few years ago, the Pokémon Company released a game that was intended to be a good jumping-off point for people new to the franchise. It’s called Pokémon Let’s Go, and there’s a Pikachu version and an Eevee version (of course). If you’re interested in seeing the original story with a modern visual style, this is the way. The mechanics of the game are simplified a lot, but I think that’s kind of the point.

But all of these games are worth playing. Just jump in and do your best to catch ’em all.