Pokégear Expansion Cards, the True Charm of the NPC

"Pokégear Expansion Card ----"

Mike looked at the huge array of trinkets on the shelf and was momentarily caught in a dilemma.

He originally planned to rush over, grab the cassette tape, and run away.

But once he got there, he realized that his understanding of Gamenova was still too superficial.

The cassette tapes alone already fill an entire wall!

NP version, NS version, NX version, NB version----

There are even adapter cases that are backward compatible with the NP version for the NS, and adapter cases that are compatible with both the NS and NP versions for the NX.

This is absolutely a massive mess.

Theoretically speaking, if you buy the lowest-spec version, it will be compatible with all devices, and you won't need to buy any additional copies.

but----

Mike glanced at the shopping cart in front of him; it contained a set of each version.

For no other reason than pure collection.

But who could have imagined that this was just the beginning?

He turned his attention back to the shelves.

The group of shoppers around them were in roughly the same situation.

There are so many different kinds of trinkets on this wall that it's not easy to figure them out without looking closely.

"Map Card - An extension that independently displays the game world map - "

This is a black-and-white LCD screen, slightly smaller than the handheld console's own screen.

Below the screen was a unique gold-plated design he had never seen before; it must have been inserted into a specific slot.

"The Pokémon illustrated encyclopedia will automatically recognize and play the description of Pokémon when you encounter Pokémon ----"

This guide has a similar design, but the cheat codes have been moved from the bottom to the side; it's basically a small stick with indicator lights.

However, after just one glance, Mike already had a guess in his mind.

In the recently aired Pokémon anime, the Pokémon illustrated encyclopedia carried by the protagonist Ash seems to have the exact same indicator lights as Ash's.

"A time card, a 12-hour digital watch, and... a radio??"

It's utterly fantastical, encompassing all sorts of things.

The most outrageous one here is the mobile phone priced at a whopping $2,500.

Developed jointly by Motorola and Gamenova, this version is based on the Motorola MicroTAC design.

Flip-style mobile phones can be connected via the same special interface.

According to the product description, this item can be connected to an NPC handheld console via Pokémon Gold /Silver cartridges.

The MicroTAC can be powered using NPC's battery module, or even the other way around, turning the mobile phone into an NPC battery pack.

Meanwhile, the in-game call function can be automatically synchronized to your mobile phone. You can use your mobile phone to make and end calls, and the game will also play the voice messages through your mobile phone, maximizing the immersive experience.

Absolutely avant-garde design!

In theory, this cleverly combines an NPC, a purely entertainment device, with Motorola's handheld communication device, the "big brother" mobile phone.

The Pokémon Gold and Silver cartridges were used as a medium to unite the two into one.

A device that can be used for both gaming and everyday phone calls.

Aside from being very heavy, the design concept is indeed surprising.

However, the price... well, that's not so easy for people to accept.

Although it's much cheaper than the DynaTAC from a few years ago, the price of $2,500 is still not affordable for everyone.

To put it bluntly, this is probably just a toy made specifically for rich guys.

Although Mike's financial situation has improved a lot over the years, he is still not at the point where he can easily spend thousands of dollars.

The other expansion cards, while not exactly cheap, are still within an acceptable price range.

Buying the whole set, except for the radio module which was slightly more expensive, made the rest much cheaper.

Mike returned home carrying large and small bags.

This was the first time he had ever bought a game cartridge that felt like a large-scale purchase.

This is about the amount I usually spend when I go to the supermarket to buy daily necessities.

Unboxing! One of the peak moments of dopamine release in humans!

Few things are more exciting than the unboxing process after shopping.

First and foremost, the most important one is undoubtedly the main attraction this time Pokémon Gold and Silver.

Because of limited funds, Mike's purchasing strategy this time was to diversify his investments.

That is, buying different versions on different platforms.

If the NPC version is gold, then I'll buy the silver version for the console.

This way, you can satisfy your collecting hobby without wasting money.

Mike's expression turned excited as he looked at Ho-Oh and Lugia on the card box.

Only after seeing it with his own eyes did he become even more convinced of this.

GAMENOVA has been hiding this for so long, deliberately revealing so many clues, all for this!

However, when he saw Lugia, a sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.

"How strange—I feel like I've seen it somewhere before?"

Handsome, elegant, and simple.

Lugia's design style remains highly valuable regardless of the era.

This is perhaps precisely what the Pokémon IP series excels at in terms of design.

Use the simplest and smoothest lines to create the most distinctive characters.

It avoids piling up bloated and redundant elements, thus reducing aesthetic fatigue.

While this design style is not necessarily superior or better than other approaches.

After all, when it comes to medieval, Gothic, or Victorian styles, the more ornate the better.

But at least in terms of children's appeal and a cute Pokémon's design style is indeed unique.

Shaking his head, Mike put his thoughts aside and gently opened the Pokémon Gold card case.

The NPC-specific cartridge has a gold-colored plastic casing with a cover featuring Ho-Oh; the quality is decent but average.

What truly amazed Mike was the design of the cassette itself.

Unlike "Clefairy's Universal Gravitation," it doesn't have built-in weights, nor does it feel as light as other cartridges.

It's less of a cartridge and more of a docking station.

Apart from the cheat code for inserting into the NPC card slot, the entire cartridge has pre-drilled slot holes all over it.

"Oh My God----"

Now Mike finally understood what those expansion cards were for.

That explains why there are only Pokégear Expansion Card and no Pokégear.

The handheld console itself is the legendary Pokégear.

This means that Gamenova has directly reserved various extended communication protocols for the game cartridges this time.

"Does that mean that, theoretically, other manufacturers can also produce similar accessories once they have the authorization?"

Mike grew increasingly alarmed as he thought about it.

The potential displayed by NPCs is truly beyond imagination.

It was clearly just a weak 8-bit machine.

But in terms of playability, it far surpasses the older handheld consoles.

I have a feeling that this is what GAMENOVA originally intended to do.

"Clefairy's Universal Gravitation" and "Our Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand" were merely simple trials.

What GAMENOVA really wants to create is an open and extensible platform that allows developers to freely experiment with whatever they want to make.

"Hey, let's check out the game first."

Realizing he had gotten caught up in all this nonsense, Mike quickly pulled his attention away.

That won't do. No matter how fancy the outer shell is, the quality of a work ultimately depends on the work itself.

Adding too many fancy embellishments actually overshadows the main dish.

[Elf Pokémon Gold]

POCKETMONSTERS

It must be said that the upgrade in cartridge capacity has indeed brought about many improvements and enabled many things that were simply impossible in the past.

Take the opening animation, for example.

Various Pokémon appear in turn, covering land, sea, and air.

There was even a scene featuring Pikachu, the main character who just appeared in the anime.

It finally stopped at the title screen.

A black silhouette of Ho-Oh flapped its wings in the air, scattering golden rays.

This scene is almost identical to the ending of the first episode of the anime, except the resolution is a bit lower.

This time, there's no need to guess; its distinctive tail feathers and crest have already proven its identity.

Even though it was just a black silhouette, Mike could recognize it at a glance—it was Ho-Oh- Oh.

[Starting from scratch]

Mike didn't hesitate any longer and decisively started the game.

[Mmm, umm.]

Is it already this time?

Excuse me, could you please check the time for me?

Then, an option to adjust appeared on the screen.

[8 AM]

Mike glanced at his watch; it was about time.

[What?! It's already 8 a. m.! So, what time is it now?]

[10 points]

Upon seeing this, Mike suddenly raised an eyebrow, as if he had remembered something, and quickly pulled a Pokégear Expansion Card from his shopping bag.

A time card, which is essentially a small electronic watch, likely uses an 8-segment display to save power.

Simply insert the expansion card into the designated slot on the cartridge, and synchronization is complete instantly.

[08:11AM]

Oh no, I think I overslept!

It seems that this work will have many time-related designs.

Otherwise, Gamenova wouldn't have gone to such lengths at the beginning, like taking off your pants to fart.

Mike looked at the numbers on the watch.

"Time synchronized with reality? That's interesting----"

Doesn't this mean that when it gets dark in the real world, it will also get dark in the game?

That's quite a clever design.

As the screen slowly lit up, a familiar figure appeared in the center.

[Oh dear, sorry to keep you waiting!]

"Professor Oak!"

The entire opening section is not much different from the original "Red/Green" era.

However, it's clear that the resolution of Pokémon has been significantly improved.

The obvious benefit comes from the larger cartridge capacity.

The familiar bedroom opening, the familiar soft integration of GAMENOVA's own hardware platform.

I went downstairs to say goodbye to my mom, just like I always do.

Even animated films use this classic formula.

It seems that Gamenova intends to use this system to its fullest extent.

Well, it's become a classic symbol, too.

Having learned from his experience with "Red/Green," Mike didn't waste any time this time and immediately set off for the research institute.

Mike couldn't wait to see what the three starter parents would look like this time.

The happiest thing is that this generation has added a full 100 Pokémon compared to Red Green.

It not only improved many of the incomplete evolutionary chains from the first generation, but also introduced many new companions.

This includes the three starter families.

Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Chikorita.

They are all adorable and charming little things.

Mike couldn't resist the urge to see the Chikorita standing there.

"Hmm, John and I tried the Fire and Water builds last time, how about we try the Grass build this time?"

It must be very strong!

Mike's hand was on the confirm button.

For some reason, he suddenly had a strange, impulsive feeling.

It's as if if you choose the grass master, you'll definitely suffer later.

Because grass has a reverse restraint effect on flight!