Pokémon Pikachu

Pokémon Pikachu is a series of portable Pokémon digital pets featuring the famous yellow electric mouse Pokémon, Pikachu. This product was intended as an exercise toy and mentioned by Guinness World Records as the most popular fitness toy of its time. The first release of the device was simply called "Pokémon Pikachu." A yellow unit resembling a Game Boy, it features a black and white LCD screen used to display animations of Pikachu's activities. The second release, Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS, was available in clear and silver casing with a color display featuring more animations. [http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/other/pokemonpikachu2gs.jsp The Official Nintendo FAQ] Both of the Pokémon Pikachu incarnations differ slightly from more traditional portable virtual pets in that Pikachu does not need to be fed, watered, or cleaned up after. Instead, the Pokémon Pikachu unit can be strapped to a belt and used as a pedometer. With every step it counts, the Pokémon Pikachu credits its user with "watts," which are a sort of currency used to buy Pikachu presents. Twenty steps on the pedometer will reward the player with one watt. As the player grows closer to Pikachu, more activities become available. However, if neglected, Pikachu will become angry and eventually refuse to recognize the player. [http://cheats.ign.com/objects/853/853386.html The IGN Profile] Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS features an infrared port for interacting with "Pokémon Gold", "Silver", and "Crystal" via the Mystery Gift option, which uses the Game Boy Color's built-in infrared communication port. This mode allows players of the Game Boy titles to trade their Pokémon Pikachu's watts for items to use in the Game Boy game. Although there is a limitation on how much the Mystery Gift mode can be used between Game Boy cartridges, Pokémon Pikachu's only limit is that of available watts. Watts can also be sent to other "Pokémon Pikachu 2" units.

Versions

There are, in total five versions of Pokémon and Pocket Pikachu. In November 1998 (US), Pokémon USA came out with the original Pokémon Pikachu, in a Pikachu-yellow case. It had features like an alarm, presents, and a slot machine game where watts, points earned through walking, may be gambled. Except in regards to name and language, the Pokémon Pikachu (US) and the Pocket Pikachu (JPN) have no differences.The Pokémon Pikachu Color, Pocket Pikachu Color, and the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS were the sequels of the originals. This version included features like an alarm composer and a new "hi card-lo card" gambling game. In Japan it had a clear case, but there were limited edition ones with clear blue cases, blue, silver and gold ones. Communication with third generation Pokémon games was possible through an IR Port and the "Mystery Gift" feature in the game. Additionally, watts may be traded between two same-language units.The Pokémon Pikachu Color (EU) was the same as the (US) Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS, but lacked compatibiliy with the games due to their not being released in Europe yet.

Trivia

*A Pokémon Pikachu is one of the items given to players when doing a delivery for a villager in "Animal Crossing", though it is not possible to obtain and keep in one's house.
*One of the many treasures in "Wario Land 3" is a Pokémon Pikachu. Pikachu makes funny noises when happy.

References

* [http://www.geocities.com/thelegendarydogs/faqs/general/pika2gs/pikachu2gs.htm An introduction to Pikachu GS by Phil Erwin]