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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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brad drac's Avatar
brad drac at 04/26/2007 11:19
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
World Famous at 04/26/2007 11:23
I tried the new one. Exactly the same as the old GBA version I played.
zardoz's Avatar
zardoz at 04/26/2007 11:24
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
Savant at 04/26/2007 11:25
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
Savant at 04/26/2007 11:29
@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
atheistium at 04/26/2007 11:29
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
Necros at 04/26/2007 11:29
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
Cruds at 04/26/2007 11:33
You can reuse this article by doing a find & replace on the word Pokemon.
World Famous's Avatar
World Famous at 04/26/2007 11:36
GOTTA CATCH EM ALL!!!
Campbell's Avatar
Campbell at 04/26/2007 11:39
@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
Diamondblade at 04/26/2007 11:39
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
generaldane at 04/26/2007 11:42
Sorry to break it to you Summa but halo 2 was pretty much the same thing as halo 1
Linkoman's Avatar
Linkoman at 04/26/2007 11:43
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
deanhatescoffee at 04/26/2007 11:43
"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
Campbell at 04/26/2007 11:44
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
zardoz at 04/26/2007 11:47
@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
Diamondblade at 04/26/2007 11:48
@ Campbell

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

can't remember the rest.
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 04/26/2007 11:51
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
Diamondblade at 04/26/2007 11:57
@ Zardoz

I do, OH GOD I do........ :(
silencethefire's Avatar
silencethefire at 04/26/2007 12:01
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
Campbell at 04/26/2007 12:02
@Diamondblade

Only the Ghastly Grinner knows.
Diamondblade's Avatar
Diamondblade at 04/26/2007 12:03
@ Campbell

High Five man!
dprime's Avatar
dprime at 04/26/2007 12:18
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
Dexter345 at 04/26/2007 12:20
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
Jamesways at 04/26/2007 12:21
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
imcowman at 04/26/2007 12:32
Lovin the Pokemans
Calla's Avatar
Calla at 04/26/2007 12:41
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
Mxyzptlk at 04/26/2007 12:42
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
OutrageousToob at 04/26/2007 12:53
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
OutrageousToob at 04/26/2007 12:57
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
brad drac at 04/26/2007 13:43
rdaneel72's Avatar
rdaneel72 at 04/26/2007 13:49

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
donkeykong at 04/26/2007 14:06
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
Pangloss at 04/26/2007 14:14
@Snaileb:
I'm gonna guess the average age is in the low 20s. At youngest, it'll be 18/19.
nerpin's Avatar
nerpin at 04/26/2007 14:27
Someone is very insecure.
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 04/26/2007 14:31
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
Wanderr at 04/26/2007 14:42
It's a lot different to the pros.
MrGreen's Avatar
MrGreen at 04/26/2007 14:42
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
ian_esq at 04/26/2007 14:50
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
Jamesways at 04/26/2007 15:06
Now if it were Hello Kitty...
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 04/26/2007 15:24
Island Adventure?
Calla's Avatar
Calla at 04/26/2007 16:11
@Snaileb, 25
CrackerlySeagull's Avatar
CrackerlySeagull at 04/26/2007 16:41
Let me show you my Pokemans.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 04/26/2007 16:53
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
Im OK at 04/26/2007 17:36
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
Pangloss at 04/26/2007 18:56
@Im OK:
I'll summarize your post for you: "My name is not Robert Summa."
The_Psychopsilocybin's Avatar
The_Psychopsilocybin at 04/26/2007 19:10
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
brainderailment at 04/26/2007 20:34
oh, god i really really dont care. This shouldnt even be on video gaming news sites. really summa?
Rezbit's Avatar
Rezbit at 04/26/2007 23:00
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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