If you’re between the ages of 18 and 25, then you’ve most likely had some experience in "Pokemon," whether it was the video games, the show, the card game, the possibilities were endless. Most people grow out of it, but if you’re like my friends and I, it still holds a special place in your heart. But even those in the most ivory of towers will be hard-pressed to resist going back to the mayhem with the recent introduction of a new app.
"Pokemon Go" is an app released last week that is essentially "Pokemon" in real life. You’re basically in the Gameboy games, but in order to make your character walk around and catch Pokemon, you yourself need to physically move, thanks to the app’s built in GPS system. The beauty of it is, while it is strikingly similar to the Gameboy games, all you have to do is walk around, and challenge people at “local gyms” that are based in real life locations around your town (usually in a church oddly enough) without dealing with the annoying bullcrap like going into caves littered with freaking Zubats or the Team Rocket related shenanigans. The main point here is, it’s sick.
Now all the negative Nancies out there will be quick to point out how the servers crash often. You know why that is? Because a plethora of people have downloaded it, because who wouldn’t want to try and do their best Ash Ketchum (or Misty for you ladies)? The bugs will get fixed. The people who do this sort of thing for a living are borderline psychopaths with their genius levels. Take a chill pill.
Another positive about the app is while you can drive around and make your character travel more quickly, yet unsafely at the same time, another option is physically walking yourself. (Which I recommend since it makes it easier to catch wild Pokemon since you have more time) I actually walked about a mile the other day. You know when the last time I walked for leisure was? I don’t either, but I’m assuming it was sometime before last Thanksgiving, or last Olympics. I honestly have no idea. But what can't be taken away is that I got freaking exercise while playing "Pokemon." This app could help the childhood obesity problem. Not only that, with so much tension and antagonizing right now, "Pokemon" is something everyone can enjoy.
Some buddies and I ran into a gentleman late at night in a parking lot of a Capital Grille staring at his phone. We rolled down our window, asked if he was playing, he confirmed, and even suggested a nearby hotspot for wild Pokemon. We shared a laugh, and we’re on our way. I now consider this stranger a friend, but also a potential rival. You can’t let your guard down.
Look, at the end of the day is it stupid? Yes. Is it juvenile? Yes. But honestly, besides work, what else better do you have to do? But for now it’s Friday night (as of this writing), so I’m going to a bar. I love "Pokemon" as much as the next immature post-grad, but there’s a limit. There’s debauchery afoot.
