"I was very fortunate to be invited by GAMENOVA and become one of the first players to participate in the Pokémon Red and Green demo!"
"What surprised me most was that GAMENOVA also prepared a trading mechanism solution for console players."
"Simply visit a local store that supports Pokémon Center to use the [ Pokémon Trading Machine ] to trade for your Pokémon with your friends!"
John put down the latest issue of Electronic Games and looked at the red handheld console on the table next to him.
"So that's how that machine works. Luckily we were quick enough to snag a handheld version beforehand, otherwise queuing at the store would have been a nightmare."
Unlike the floppy disk console version, which was shipped in large quantities, the handheld version is currently in a state of being available but not in demand, whether due to insufficient ROM production capacity or simply too many buyers.
Although the console version offers higher resolution, richer effects, and more vibrant colors, many people still prefer the handheld version, which allows them to play anytime, anywhere.
"Speaking of which, I just realized that our versions seem to be different?"
John picked up the handheld console and looked at the large Pokemon title on the start screen, below which was displayed "Red Version".
However, the screen on Mike's device displayed "GreenVersion".
Two different versions of a game at launch? That's the first time I've ever seen that.
"Hmm, it seems so."
Upon hearing this, Mike also craned his neck to look at the scene on John's side and found that it was indeed different.
The two took out the cassette box and examined it carefully. Sure enough, even the cover was completely different.
I was so excited that I hadn't even noticed this.
On John's Pokémon Red cover, the Pokémon called Charizard stands, breathing dragon breath towards the sky, looking exceptionally majestic.
Mike's picture, however, is of Venusaur, and the overall color scheme is predominantly green.
"Look at the back; it shows the differences between the two versions."
John looked through the card box and suddenly noticed a passage written on the back.
The following Pokémon cannot be encountered in Red and can only be obtained through trading:
" Ekans, Growlithe, Electabuzz..."
Several corresponding pictures are also attached to the name.
Mike glanced at his side and, sure enough, the Pokémon described were completely different from those in the Red version.
"Wait, so the only way to collect all 150 Pokémon is by trading with players from other versions?"
Mike then understood.
No wonder NovaPocket has been so enthusiastic about this communication feature since its launch; it turns out that was the key reason behind it.
This is actually a game that focuses on social interaction?
Or is it... for the popcorn?
John shrugged, seemingly quite indifferent to the situation.
"It's not a big deal. If you can't collect them all, you can't collect them all."
Upon hearing his words, Mike stared wide-eyed as if he had heard something unbelievable.
"What nonsense are you talking about, John! Of course we have to collect them all! Don't you feel bad about having 11 blank entries in your encyclopedia? I certainly can't stand it."
Why collect them all? Because they're right there!
John actually said something as silly as "it doesn't matter" about something so simple and obvious!
John glanced at his own notes again, speechless, his gaze lingering on Growlithe and Arcanine.
"Okay, to be honest, I really want this little one."
John would have always wanted a puppy as a companion if his living conditions allowed.
Mike's eyes were also fixed on the limited edition red version of the Vulpix and Ninetales, and he even had the idea that he should buy the red version.
"Forget it, we haven't even played yet, what's the point of saying all this?"
Mike shook his head and went straight into the game.
With a flash of the screen, a person dressed as a doctor in a white lab coat appeared in the center of the screen.
Hello! It's nice to meet you!
Welcome to the world of Pokémon!
My name is Samuel Oak, but everyone affectionately calls me Professor Pokémon.
The opening is similar to GAMENOVA's previous works such as " Story of Seasons," with background information and player name input.
The only difference is that, in addition to the player's own decision, the game provides three pre-set options.
[ Red ], [ Satoshi ], and... [ Mike ].
"Oh ho, what a coincidence!"
Mike chuckled and simply selected the third option.
As soon as the name was entered, a guy with an extremely flashy appearance suddenly popped up on the screen.
He had one hand in his pocket, glanced to the side, and displayed an arrogant attitude.
[This is my grandson; he was your rival when you were very young.]
[... Uh, what's his name again?]
Mike understood.
No wonder it was so annoying; it turned out to be a hook, a design similar to a main quest.
The goal is to make players dislike him at first glance, which will motivate them and make it more satisfying to defeat him later.
"But being able to decide the name yourself is actually quite interesting."
Mike had already decided that he had to fill in the name of his most hated boss and give him a good beating!
As he pressed the A key, the options that appeared on the screen surprised him.
Why is there a John here?
What's going on? Are our names too Volkswagen?
This sudden sense of identification made Mike laugh out loud, and he decisively abandoned his original idea, choosing " John " as his name.
Then, he secretly looked up and glanced at John, who was also lying on the bed playing, only to find that John was also secretly watching him.
Noticing that both of their expressions were strange, they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.
It seems the situation on the other side is the exact opposite of what we're experiencing; what a strange coincidence.
"Let's f**king go!!!"
Upon entering the game, Mike was surprised to find that although the NovaPocket's screen resolution was much lower than that of a console, thanks to the relatively small screen size and the harmonious graphic design, the actual visual effect was surprisingly good.
Aside from the somewhat monotonous and dull colors, the overall first impression he got was surprisingly not at all jarring.
After a brief observation, the layout of the spawn point is very simple, but all the necessary elements are present, and it can be identified that it should be inside a bedroom.
A bed was placed in the corner, and a potted plant was on the other side.
In the very center of the ground, in front of the protagonist, is a CRT television, connected to the host computer next to it by a cable.
This console looks exactly like a NovaBox.
"Frog Fun, and Hidden Advertising."
Mike grumbled and casually pressed the A key, only to be surprised to find that it actually worked.
[ Mike is playing NovaBox!]
It's time to set off!
With this discovery, Mike became obsessed and tried everything in the room.
They quickly spotted the computer on the table, which was neither clearly an Apple II nor a C64.
"So the props were accessed via computer."
Mike understood, shut down the computer, and logged out.
Before he knew it, Mike had learned the basic operations without any hard tutorials whatsoever.