Don't Want To Catch Them All? That's OK
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Don't Want To Catch Them All? That's OK

Why I'm not planning to "catch 'em all" in Pokémon Go.

13
Don't Want To Catch Them All? That's OK
Polygon

When I was 5 years old, I would sneak into my older brother’s room while he was away and play his Game Boy. I didn’t have a system of my own at the time and my brother wouldn’t let me play his, so I would take on this covert gaming operation anytime I got the chance. Although there were several games I could choose from, I found I was drawn to the bright yellow cartridge of Pokémon Yellow. I would only play in short bursts and I would never save my progress—I couldn’t have my brother finding out what I had done—but little did I know that those gaming sessions of capturing tiny monsters would be developing in me a deep love of Pokémon.

Flash forward 16 years, and Pokémon has changed drastically. 570 additional Pokémon to catch, 3D graphics, the ability to battle and trade Pokémon with your friends from anywhere in the world; while the basic game remains the same, it's evolved into something almost entirely different from where it started. However, one element of Pokémon has remained constant: the emphasis on catching them all. It goes without saying that with the release of Pokémon Go just a few weeks ago, players are trying to fill up their Pokédexes as much as they can. But as much as I've been told that I've "gotta catch 'em all," I'm not going to.

Over my years of gaming, I've probably caught every Pokémon in some form, but I've never actually completed a Pokédex. It's not that I haven't tried, but at some point in every Pokémon journey I give up. After only two weeks of playing Pokémon Go, I know that eventually, I'm going to give up on catching them all. Yes, there are only 150 Pokémon available to catch in Pokémon Go, but I'm not going to do it. I simply play the game too lazy.

I know what you're thinking: "How do play a game about leaving your house and being active lazy?" Well, to tell the truth, I don't play Pokémon Go the way it's meant to be played. Instead of searching around town for new Pokémon, I'll check to see what's around while I'm waiting in line at the movie theater. Instead of taking walks with the purpose of hatching egg, I open the app while I'm at the grocery store to increase my steps. I want to do more. I really do. But I don't have the time to play any more actively than I do. Working a full-time summer job doesn't give me much opportunity to fill up my Pokédex. By the time I'm done working for the day, I just want to go home and sleep, not wander around town looking for Pokémon.

Even if I wanted to search my town for Pokémon, I wouldn't be able to find much more than what I already have. I live in a small town of fewer than 2000 people. If I want to catch anything more that the abundance of Pidgeys and Rattatas that I already have, I would have to travel at least 20 miles to the nearest city, and even then there's not much of a variety. To truly catch them all, I would have to travel the world, as there are three Pokémon that can't currently be caught in the United States. This doesn't even account for the five Pokémon that currently aren't available at all.

If you have the time and energy to catch all 150 Pokémon, that's great. You're doing something I wish I could do. If you're like me and you don't plan on catching them all anytime soon, that's fine, too. No matter how you're playing Pokémon Go, just have fun with it. That's why it was made, so why not play it that way?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

91361
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

67046
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments