Based on his mother's conversation downstairs, Mike left home to search for the legendary Professor Oak.
His research institute was quickly located below.
However, Professor Oak didn't seem to be there; instead, John and three balls on the Table were there.
Having already experienced the "interactive world" at home, Mike naturally didn't miss this opportunity and went over to investigate.
[It's Poké Ball, and it contains Pokémon!]
"Huh? Pokémon are actually kept in balls?"
This setup feels familiar, like I've seen it somewhere before.
Just then, John suddenly shouted:
"Hey Mike, did you see that Poké Ball? It looks a lot like ' Capsule Monsters,' it's kind of interesting."
After his reminder, Mike finally realized what was happening.
No wonder I felt like I'd seen him somewhere before.
He and John had watched a movie imported from Japan called " Ultraseven " back then.
In that story, the protagonist Dan Moroboshi brings three Capsule Monsters from the Nebula M78.
Simply throw the capsule out to summon a monster to fight for you.
Returning his attention to the game, Mike searched the entire lab but couldn't find Professor Oak, so he went back outdoors to see if he could find anything else.
Soon, he discovered a deliberately left passage at the very top of the map.
This place is covered with weeds, completely different from the rammed earth floors in other places.
The moment he stepped into the grass, Professor Oak suddenly jumped out from the side of the screen.
[That's dangerous! Wild Pokémon pounce from the tall grass!]
[If you have Pokémon, you can battle.]
[By the way!]
Please come with me!
Following Professor Oak, Mike returned to the lab and stood in front of the three Poké Ball.
John, who's incredibly annoying, was also there.
"So, we have to choose from these three?"
It looks like a variation of choosing a class in an RPG game.
Mike glanced at John's card box, looking at the Charizard drawn on it.
"Charizard is definitely afraid of water, so I'll just pick Squirtle and ambush it."
If we were to fight each other then, I'm sure I could win.
[ The Pokémon I chose looks much stronger than yours.]
Mike's lips twitched slightly, completely ignoring this despicable jerk.
Just as I was about to leave, the other person stopped me.
[I finally got Pokémon from Grandpa!]
Let's have a little competition!
Good, good, I was just wondering how to deal with this guy's annoying taunts, and now he dares to run right into me.
" Squirtle, use Tackle!"
Bulbasaur running out of energy...
Two level 5 Pokémon with only basic moves engaged in the most speechless Axe-like duel ever.
But for players of this era, this is already a very standard, or even excellent, turn-based combat experience.
With visuals and special effects, what more could you ask for?
[No way! I should have chosen your Pokémon!]
John let out a complaint, which secretly pleased Mike.
Not to mention that his Squirtle actually leveled up to level 6 after the battle just now.
What a wonderful start!
After accepting the 175 bonus and being threatened by John, Mike was finally able to step out of the research institute and officially enter the game.
The arrangements unfolded naturally, and everything completed a closed loop under the seemingly self-determined operation.
Without any tedious explanations, Mike learned almost all the necessary operations.
There was even a hint of smugness in it.
This is what excellent guidance should be like.
"It seems that if I want my Squirtle to become stronger, I need to take it on Adventure and battle more Pokémon."
As Mike stepped out of the research Daimon, he suddenly remembered what Professor Oak had said when he stepped into the bushes.
Wild Pokémon pounce out of the tall grass!
"I see! "Mike suddenly understood.
I thought it was just some unimportant dialogue, but it turned out to contain a hidden explanation of the gameplay.
Mike decisively stepped back into the bushes and continued along the path.
[Ah! A wild Rattata is pouncing on me!]
Aside from Rattata and Pidgey, they didn't encounter any danger along the way.
Wild Pokémon averaging level 3 or 4 are nothing more than experience points in front of a level 6 Squirtle.
At least we've arrived in Viridian City.
"Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!"
All the Pokémon I gave them have become full of energy!
[You know Professor Oak, right? He asked me to deliver this to him.]
It's a very standard RPG delivery quest; players familiar with RPGs will find the game's combat system and gameplay design completely intuitive.
" Pokémon illustrated encyclopedia?"
Upon hearing that a new feature had been unlocked, Mike immediately perked up and opened the feature menu to access the encyclopedia.
Mike immediately saw the [Found 4] and [Caught 1] displayed in the upper right corner.
On the left side of the table of contents, Squirtle, number 007, is displayed with a Poké Ball icon.
What is this?
This is our mission!
The purpose of an encyclopedia is simply to wait to be filled!
Even if Professor Oak asked for his help, and even if Old Man didn't say anything, he would definitely find a way to fill it up.
No, not just discover them all, but capture them all!
He's definitely getting those eleven limited-edition items!
Even if John quits the game, I'll still have to grind for him!
He was clearly not the only one who held this view.
Inside the game store, Pokémon Center.
Long lines formed in front of the Pokémon Trading Machine; almost overnight, the area was packed with Pokémon console players.
The coffee table, plush sofa, and bar set up on the side were all packed full.
It's less of Pokémon Center and more of a video game club.
"Hey, do you have any Oddish? My son and I both bought the same version."
"Uh oh, it's Satan Mom..." Hunter exclaimed in surprise, "I do have her, but what are you going to give in exchange?"
"... I can teach you how to play Wolfenstein and use the chainsaw."
The two hit it off immediately and joined the queue at the back of the switchboard.
"Mr. Lin, you're amazing! The dual-version design is simply genius! Why don't I have your money-making brain!"
On the other end of the phone, Meyer kept praising the products, spitting as he described the amazing economic benefits brought by the Red Green versions.
Meyer is a pure businessman; he doesn't care about the social aspects and unique experiences that limited-edition Pokémon bring.
All he knew was that because of this design, quite a few players even bought both versions specifically to collect them all.
Exchange? Exchanging with yourself is also an exchange!
The potential market doubled out of thin air—it's practically magic!
Damn it, who's the real Jew here?
"Let's not talk about that, Mr. Meyer."
Lin Lixin interrupted him, turning his gaze to the screen in front of Sam.
He was focused on dealing with Rock Gym Brock.
This is also an important main storyline quest in the game.
"The dojo can prepare to open."
On this day, something outrageous happened in the video game industry.
The dojo is open.
It's not a gym from a game.
Damn, the real-life Eight Gyms are now open for business!