Recently on Pokémon Sunday, a live-action Pokémon themed variety show in Japan, the above clip was shown concerning the Gold and Silver remakes. It’s only a few seconds long, but it can be clearly seen that the main character is being followed around my Chikorita, one of the 3 starters. Not since Pokémon Yellow for the Gameboy has this feature been utilized in a game in the series.
Since every pokémon has a pretty detailed sprite used in the menu screen, it makes sense to put them to good use like this. Still, the mechanics of this system are entirely unknown. Can any pokémon follow around the player, or just the 3 starters? What happens when they evolve? Can you be followed around by a Meganium? If it doesn’t need to be a starter, are there any restrictions? Surely a Wailord couldn’t flop around behind you through town…
In Pokémon Yellow, the rules were pretty strict. Only your starter Pikachu could follow the player and if he evolved, he went right back into that ball. I ended up Gamesharking mine into having a bunch of HM’s (including surf) so that he wouldn’t be completely useless in the later stages of the game.
Well, this is the first of the new features that will appear in Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver and I have to say I am happy. It may be a minor cosmetic improvement, but let’s face it, we get attached to our dumb pokémon and having them follow us around is totes awesome.
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My name is Roy and this is my blog about games that I enjoy. My favorite games are RPGs, but there are a few wild cards from time to time. I use my elementary knowledge of Japanese language and culture to translate info on upcoming games in Japan. When time (and publishers!) permit I also preview games and write reviews.
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White Knight Chronicles
by Level Five
Hours Played: 35-40
Recent Accomplishment:
Georama Level: 7
Clan Level: 7
Trying to make some of the higher level job parts, they take a lot of rare elements which has be questing my ass off. Should be able to reincarnate my character soon!
I have no idea what they are saying in the video, but it seems to me like they’re just as excited as I am. I’m still pretty disappointed that they didn’t remake Yellow, but if this video is any indication, it shows that Nintendo hasn’t forgotten about it. Very glad that they are implementing the Pokemon following you mechanic again and expanding upon it. I also really hope this is released during the Summer over here for some reason. It just seems like one of those games I’d put in a countless number of hours during those lazy summer afternoons, but I’m guessing they’ll be releasing it here around the same time the original G&S was released in October.
@Jink: What they’re saying basically amounts to HOLY SHIT THAT CHIKORITA IS FOLLOWING HIM AROUNDASKFAKASDNFGAKLGASH’S PIKACHU AOSDFANOGJNO
This translation is 100% accurate™!
Pokemon, by no means, has to make any logical sense. A male Wailord can mate with a female Skitty. Yea…I’ll let you digest that for a sec…
By that logic, perhaps anything can follow you around. However, in Platinum they have a park where only certain Pokemon can follow you around. These include the 3 starters, their evolved forms, as well as small, non-vicious pokemon like pikachu and pachirasu. So perhaps it will only be certain ones.
Either way, I’m excited and I also look forward to battling tonight at Nutgarden05’s house!