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What is it with you people and your Pokemons? With this new edition of Pokemon for the DS, you do realize you're playing the exact same game as the old GBA version, right? But would that matter to anyone? No. They are still going to eat up this uber fad like crazy. Pokemons are unstoppable, selling more than one million copies in five days of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl in the U.S. The official word from Nintendo:

One of the video game industry's most celebrated franchises is officially hotter than ever.  Within just five days of availability, more than 1 million copies of Pokemon(R) Diamond and Pokemon Pearl for the portable Nintendo DS(TM) have sold in the United States since Sunday's launch; a faster rate than any previous Pokemon games since the franchise's U.S. introduction, almost a decade ago.  To date, more than 155 million copies of Pokemon games have sold worldwide.

Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl are poised to become two of the mtop-selling games of 2007 in the United States.  More than one half million people pre-ordered the games before launch. Additionally, thousands of people attended the kickoff launch event in New York, and demand for the games continues to be off the charts.  These latest versions of Pokemon games were introduced in Japan on Sept. 28, 2006, and have already been purchased by more than 5 million video gamers there.

 


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52 comments | showing # 1 to 50

brad drac's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:19
brad drac
The new pokemon games are to the old pokemon games exactly what halo 3 is to the old halos: more of the same. A franchise is a franchise is a franchise. With rare exceptions, differentiating between them is pretty much pointless. I haven't played a pokemon game since red, way back on the archaic original gameboy, which was one of the most entertaining and addictive RPGs I've ever played, so I think I may well pick this one up.

Also bashing pokemon, while popular, is pretty stupid. Their enormous popularity is based upon extremely compelling gameplay coupled with universal appeal. I imagine the percentage of people who've actually tried a pokemon game and didn't like it is pretty damn small.
World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:23
World Famous
I tried the new one. Exactly the same as the old GBA version I played.
zardoz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:24
zardoz
Hey Summa, every game sequel is the exact same game, please name me one game sequel where they have radically changed the game mechanics.

There are none, because that is the nature of gaming, if people are confused by the idea that millions are willing to buy the exact same Pokemon game repackaged, then those same people should be dribbling and rocking back and forth by the newest shock horror revelation - all games are guilty of this - the only difference with Pokemon is that Game Freak designed a game mechanic based on sharing and collecting, this is the oldest and most addictive past time of humanity, which is why the Pokemon franchise continues to sell.



Savant's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:25
Savant
In all honesty, I haven't played a single Pokemon game in 11 years. (Old GB Red version, back when I was 10/11 years old.)

I got the Pearl version in the mail on Tuesday, and I've already logged close to 9 hours into it. (Lvl 36 Empoleon FTW.) It really is a good game for those who haven't played one in awhile, but for those who own EVERY version... yes, it is more of the same. But right now, it has enough variety to keep me happy.
Savant's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:29
Savant
@zardoz - There are a lot of sequels that have radically changed the series.

The classic example? Legend of Zelda II: Adventure of Link. The entire f'n game was changed. GG. OMGWTFBBQ.
atheistium's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:29
atheistium
Last Pokeman I played was POKEMANZ BLUE. I got pearl via R4 and yeah its kind of the same game, you do the same thing you did in the last. But is it not true that most sequels like that?
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:29
Necros
Pokemon is a series that focuses on gradual refinement rather than sweeping changes. That said, even though I bought these sequels, I started wanting those sweeping changes after Ruby/Sapphire.

I wonder how much those numbers were boosted by people like me who bought both Diamond and Pearl? (Not that I've gotten to play them, what with finals and all.)

@ Kannon: If someone didn't like Pokemon in the past, the new games are really not going to change their minds.

@ Savant: You missed Gold/Silver/Crystal then, which were definitely the high points of the series. I doubt that Diamond/Pearl will surpass them.
Cruds's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:33
Cruds
You can reuse this article by doing a find & replace on the word Pokemon.
World Famous's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:36
World Famous
GOTTA CATCH EM ALL!!!
Campbell's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:39
Campbell
@Cruds:

Summa's becoming a one-trick pony thirsty for controversy and pointless debate from his followers.

The guy's a good, entertaining writer, but his below-the-belt rehashes of the same old whiny bullshit is just getting downright impossible to enjoy.

Adolf Hitler didn't abuse his power as much as Robert Summa
Diamondblade's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:39
Diamondblade
Man, Why didn't they call Ninja Gaiden a sequel to Zelda, you know because you kill monsters with a sword. And why didn't they call EVERY RPG EVER a sequel to EVERY RPG EVER, because you level up and you go around the world map killing things, and the fighting is turn based, and there are random battles.
generaldane's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:42
generaldane
Sorry to break it to you Summa but halo 2 was pretty much the same thing as halo 1
Linkoman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:43
Linkoman
Dont hate the playa. the big big thing about pokemon is the community. kicking friends ass and rubbing it in thier face. sure you can do this on some shooter but its just not the same.

oh and zardoz: metroid -> metroid prime. almost total overhaul
deanhatescoffee's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:43
deanhatescoffee
"exact same game as the old GBA version" - uh... ok.

I haven't played Pokeymanz in seven years, but I can say that I'm a fan once again. I won't start watching the cartoon or wearing paraphernalia, but the game is damn fun and I will be playing it for a while. Talk about replay value.
Campbell's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:44
Campbell
Also, if I may....

Pokemangs, no matter how similar each game may be, is a vast, enjoyable experience.

Adventure mode can easily rack up 200-250 ours if you're that sort of obsessive player, and the whole new multiplayer ordeal is, from what I hear, loads of fun.
zardoz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:47
zardoz
@Mike

Legend Of Zelda 2 was part of an ongoing evolution to find the real Zelda gameplay mechanic that we all know today, the previous Zelda game was again an ongoing experiment, once Nintendo had found the right gameplay for the series then the real Zelda was born, and since that time Nintendo have only refined it rather than changed it. And that's my point.

In other words, once an established popular game mechanic has been found, game developers do not radically change it, if they do then this departure is released as a new game altogether. It makes no sense for them to change something which is selling well and is recognized for a particualr brand of gameplay.

I can think of Resident Evil 4 is another example, Capcom churned out the same game only a different name with the RE series, they finally cahnged something in RE4, but even RE4 features the same gameplay limitations and structure, it was a tweaking and refining rather than radical change.
Diamondblade's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:48
Diamondblade
@ Campbell

How many times do you have to punch King Hippo to make him do that?
zardoz's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:50
zardoz
I wanna be the very best...

can't remember the rest.
Snaileb 's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:51
Snaileb
I haven't played pokemon since I was 9 or 10.

Should I pick this up? What is the average age of these people who picked this game up in this thread??
Diamondblade's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 11:57
Diamondblade
@ Zardoz

I do, OH GOD I do........ :(
silencethefire's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:01
silencethefire
Nothing new here, Madden is still the same game with new ways to play it every year, pokemon is still the same game with just new pokemons, pussy is still pussy but with a new face and different body; life is full of repitition, nothing to see here.
Campbell's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:02
Campbell
@Diamondblade

Only the Ghastly Grinner knows.
Diamondblade's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:03
Diamondblade
@ Campbell

High Five man!
dprime's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:18
dprime
Yeah, it is basically the same game with a few tweaks and upgrades, and pretty good online. But maybe we loved the old game so much we WANT basically the same game with a few tweaks and upgrades, and pretty good online, plus a new story to sift through.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:20
Dexter345
I was pretty much going to say what Brad Drac said. Summa, you're going to buy Halo 3 (I know, I am too), but really it's going to be the same game as Halo 1 and Halo 2 were. I personally haven't played a Pokemon game since Pokemon Red way back in 1996, so this will be a nice refresher for me.
Jamesways's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:21
Jamesways
I've never played one. But man, the kids love 'em. Sure sell like hotcakes. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell a Squirtle is.

So they don't talk, they just say their names over and over again?
imcowman's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:32
imcowman
Lovin the Pokemans
Calla's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:41
Calla
how can this be considered a fad?? it's been around for over a decade. pokemons are here to stay, for better or worse, they are a nintendo flagship title. personally i never tried any of the previous iterations, but jumped in this go around. i've got mixed feelings about the game, i love the concept and the scope, but the graphics for the most part are on par with mediocre gba graphics at best. the battles are slow as shit, (why do i need to be told every damn turn it's raining...? i care?) and my biggest annoyance is they force you to give moves fundamental to advancement in the game to one of your group pokemon, but they have limited slots for moves, i.e. better moves than the ones you are forced to keep so you can push a damn boulder out of the way... but i digress. the layout of the game menus also suck, and there should be more buttons that you can map to. ok i've vented, fun game, poor execution.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:42
Mxyzptlk
Jesus, another Godwin on a DToid thread already? For shame.

I played the hell out of Red, played about half way through Ruby and got bored. But the online play is totally what's selling me on this one. Pokemon really only becomes awesome when you can trade/battle with others, and the wifi is definitely worth me dipping into the series again.
OutrageousToob's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:53
OutrageousToob
Back when I was 15 (in my freshman year of highschool) I purchased Pokemon Blue. I was a closet gamer at the time, hell if anyone at school found out I played Pokemon almost obsessively for a month a probably would have died from the humiliation. Ah well.... life goes on....

I'm 23 now, engaged, and a college graduate. I have a DS, 23 DS games, and will soon have one of the new Pokimanz. This is going to be like highschool all over again; my fiance has no idea I game, own a DS, and will soon own Pokemon. Heh!

How should I come out with this?
OutrageousToob's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 12:57
OutrageousToob
Ah, anyway.... My point was - Pokemon does seem childish, it is childish, and it's the same childishness I embraced 9 years ago. However, childishness doesn't change the fact that the game is damn addicting and a great time.
brad drac's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 13:43
brad drac
rdaneel72's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 13:49
rdaneel72

I am 35 years old, and I have been playing videogames since there was such a thing as videogames, but this is my first Pokemon game. And I am loving it.

I think I've got it figured out, too. This is the first game I've ever played where I actually look forward to the random battles. Usually, random battles are a huge pain in the ass, keeping you from getting on with the story. But the story is no incentive in Pokemon. Rather, each random battle is a chance to collect another unique critter. I never knew I was so obsessive until I started playing Pokemon.

For those with graphical critique, keep in mind that coming up with unique battle animations for 493 unique critters and literally thousands of different moves would be impossible.

I didn't get it either, until I actually played the game. It is one of the deepest, most rewarding and utterly addictive games I have ever played.


donkeykong's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:06
donkeykong
Yeah I definitely didn't play any shpokémans (why do we all have to spell it differently?) until about a year ago... Needed a GBA to prevent boredom and it came with Emerald... lots of fun to play for true. I'll probably pick this new one up, just wish I knew more people who are into this sort of thing, it'd be nice to online battle with people I actually know.
Pangloss's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:14
Pangloss
@Snaileb:
I'm gonna guess the average age is in the low 20s. At youngest, it'll be 18/19.
nerpin's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:27
nerpin
Someone is very insecure.
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:31
bhive01
I'm 27, bought pearl. Have 16 hours in it. Have a lvl 25 Gyarados and lvl 34 Pinlup and 2 badges, I guess I'm trying to hard to level up all my shit. This is my first Pokemon ever. It's fun, but addictive. My problem is that I'm a stats builder I guess.
Wanderr's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:42
Wanderr
It's a lot different to the pros.
MrGreen's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:42
MrGreen
God give me a break with the "insecurity" bullshit already.

Can you fanboys try to understand that the "kiddy" art style simply doesn't appeal to everyone? Period. Stop being so defensive and pedantic.
ian_esq's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 14:50
ian_esq
im 19, and am lovin picking up my ds and playin pokemans for a little bit, then just closing the lid until i happen to pick up from where I left off. And I never charge the DS its got a kick ass battery, I just leave my ds on sleep mode anywhere.
Jamesways's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 15:06
Jamesways
Now if it were Hello Kitty...
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 15:24
bhive01
Island Adventure?
Calla's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 16:11
Calla
@Snaileb, 25
CrackerlySeagull's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 16:41
CrackerlySeagull
Let me show you my Pokemans.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 16:53
king3vbo
My Pokemans, let me show you them

More of the same aint a bad thing neccesarily, Pokemon proves that. Great games that are still fun
Im OK's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 17:36
Im OK
brad drac wins.

Well, anyway, I may regret this, but allow me to get up on the soapbox once again and firmly cement just how big of a Nintendo Fanboy™ I really am.

I bought Pokemon Red way back in the day, and played maybe a third of the way through it before getting bored with it and moving on to something else. I haven't touched a Pokemon game since, aside from maybe playing as Jigglypuff or Mew Two in Smash Brothers.

Oh wait, that didn't come out right. I mean... OMG SUMMA HATES NINTENDO HOW DARE YOU HURFLBURFLE SPIT RANT KILL!

Seriously though, I have no problem with people who like, and continue to like, Pokemon games. It's just not my cup of tea, that's all. So, I'm not going to go out of my way to say something asinine along the lines of "OH MY GOD, WHAT IS WITH YOU PEOPLE?!! IT'S THE SAME DAMN GAME! YOU LOSERS! IT'S JUST A FAD! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GROW UP YOU SIMPLETONS! FANBOYS™! NINTENDO SUCKS! THE WII IS DOOMED!!! PS3 FOREVER!!!~`1!~2`12`1~!`2`1!~@3!~3`" because that would be completely retarded.
Pangloss's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 18:56
Pangloss
@Im OK:
I'll summarize your post for you: "My name is not Robert Summa."
The_Psychopsilocybin's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 19:10
The_Psychopsilocybin
Well what do you expect from pokemon? Its always the same old shit just with more crazy fucked up critters to do your fighting for you. Madden is the same every year... very few games ever change very much over time. Why change something that works. You can make more money by putting the same old shit out over and over.
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 20:34
brainderailment
oh, god i really really dont care. This shouldnt even be on video gaming news sites. really summa?
Rezbit's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/26/2007 23:00
Rezbit
lol@Agent MOO.

Goes to show Pokemans is still big business. What it also shows however is sequel-itis is rampant in the gaming scene. I watched that vid of Halo 3 for instance...NOT IMPRESSED.
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