Pokémon Trading Card Game (video game)
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| Pokémon Trading Card Game | |
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| Developer(s) | Hudson Soft |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Release date(s) |  December 18, 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy, Game Boy Color (hybrid cartridge) |
| Media | Cartridge |
Pokémon Trading Card Game is the video game incarnation of the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game. There are currently two games in the series. Both the series and the card game are based on the famous Pokémon video game series.
Mimicking the style of the original Pokémon video games, this series featured the protagonist, Mark, that wanted to be the best at the Pokémon Trading Card Game. He would then travel between areas collecting cards and challenging Club Masters. Upon defeating all of the Club Masters, he would face the Grand Masters. Afterwards he would fight his rival Ronald for the title of Champion. Winning would win him the 4 Legendary Pokémon Cards: Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, and Dragonite. Each of the Grand Masters built their decks around one of these cards. Ronald uses a deck containing all 4.
The first game in the series was released in Japan for the Game Boy Color on December 18, 1998. It was then released in North America on March 31, 2000 and in Europe on December 8, 2000. When the game is played on a Super Game Boy, it features enhanced colors during battles, making it look almost identical to how it looks on a Game Boy Color.
A second Game Boy Color game, Pokémon Card GB2, was released in Japan on March 28, 2001. The game was not released in North America and Europe. A feature introduced in this game was the ability to play as a girl similar to Mark, name Mint.
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[edit] Game Exclusive Cards
Several game mechanics were introduced in game-exclusive cards that simply could not be reproduced in real life. An example is the Legendary Moltres' Pokémon Power FireGiver, which randomly places 1-4 Fire Energy in the player's hand. These game exclusive cards were given the symbol GB on their cards to show they do not have real life counterparts.
The game also came with a promotional Meowth collectible trading card. The card also appears in the game but the effect of the "Cat Punch" attack is different from the promotional card.
Among the game exclusive cards (besides the Legendary Cards) are a Ninetales, a Venusaur, Tangela, Meowth, and a Slowpoke. There were also new versions of each of the three Eevee evolutions, all with colorless energy requirements for their attacks.
[edit] Club Masters and Grand Masters
The game noticeably parallels the quests in the actual Pokémon games. Players must defeat the 8 Club Masters, similar to Gym Leaders. They are Mitch, Gene, Amy, Isaac, Nikki, Murray, Rick and Ken. Throughout the course of the game, the antagonist Ronald appears to challenge the player, notably stronger each match.
The 4 Grand Masters parallel the Elite Four. Most notable is the leader of the Grand Masters, Rod, who uses Gyarados, Charizard and Dragonite, making him a poorly veiled parallel of Lance (who uses all of the above 3 Pokémon throughout the course of the games).
Once the Grand Masters are defeated, Ronald steps in, revealing he has already beaten them. But the rules state that now he must duel the player for the right to remain champion. Ronald uses a deck with all 4 Legendary Cards, as well as each of the game-exclusive Eevee evolutions.
[edit] The Hall of Honor
Upon defeating the Grand Masters and Ronald for the first time, the player enters the Hall of Honor and receives 1 of each of the above cards. After that, each subsequent rematch with the Grand Masters awards 1 of the cards, until the player has 2 of each, at which point no more can be won. Behind the altar where the cards float is a Deck Building Machine with each of the decks of the Grand Masters is stored, as well as a Grass/Psychic deck of various powerful and legendary Pokémon such as Mr. Mime, Mew, and Venusaur.
[edit] Imakuni?
Imakuni? (note that the question mark is actually part of his name) is an in-game character. Imakuni? appears from time to time in any of the 8 clubs, dancing against the back wall while singing the PokeRap. Imakuni? is willing to duel the player, on the condition they dance if he wins.
Imakuni?'s deck uses Psyduck, Slowbro, Farfetch'd and Hypno. His Pokémon are not physically powerful, and instead use disabling powers like Headache, Dark Mind, and Strange Power. His deck also uses several cards that either involve shuffling his deck, or flipping coins. To this end, he uses the Trainer card Imakuni?, which confuses his Pokémon, just so he can flip a coin.
Beating Imakuni? wins the player 1 of each of the 4 Booster packs. When the player wins against Imakuni 3 or more times, every 3rd win results in Imakuni? presenting them with his Trainer card Imakuni? rather than the aforementioned booster packs.
Imakuni?, according to his Trainer card, is an unknown creature not listed in the Pokedex. He is not human, for he is called a Strange Lifeform when players challenge him to a duel. As well, the Trainer card claims that Imakuni? wants to be played as a Basic Pokémon, but cannot be. He travels the world, posing the question to children: Who is cuter, Pikachu or me?
Imakuni? is actually a Japanese singer/entertainer that sings a few Pocket Monsters songs and even has had a few cards inspired by him in the real TCG like Imakuni?'s Doduo, Shining Imakuni?, and Imakuni?'s Exploud ex.
[edit] Internal Battery Failure
A common problem found with this cartridge is that the internal battery fails after a number of years. The internal battery is located inside of the cartridge which allows the game to save the user's progress. Many people have reported that their games no longer save due to this problem. It is possible to replace the battery, but the cartridge must be opened and a new battery must be soldered in.[1] The battery model is similar to a model CR1616, and can generally be purchased at electronics stores. However, the internal battery has small conductive tabs spot-welded to its exterior, making the battery difficult to remove.
[edit] Sequel
Pokémon Card GB2 was the second videogame based off of the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was only released in Japan and was a sequel to the first game and was released for the Game Boy Color (although it could be played on a non-colored Game Boy system). It featured characters from the first game, as well as a second island to travel to that expanded on the first game, with a focus on the Team Rocket expansion. The game was never released outside of Japan. There are currently no plans of any American release.
This game contains every Japanese card that had been released up to the Team Rocket set, including some Japan-only promotional cards.
[edit] External link
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