In 1996, creator Satoshi Tajiri's dream came true and Nintendo released the first "Red" and "Green" versions of Pokémon for the Game Boy. The sales were modest at the start, but soon picked up resulting in the release of "Pokemon Blue." As the games grew more popular, a Pokémon Trading Card Game was introduced and popularity soared. Not too long after, an anime series was created and introduced to the world in 1997. Pokémon was enjoyed across the world by people young and old. However, growing up, Pokémon had a certain stigma surrounding it:
Nerd.
Growing up is tough enough without having a label stuck to your forehead for your entire childhood. This unfortunately resulted in players of Pokémon to hide in corners, enjoying the game in solitude. It is easy to get caught up in the opinions of your peers when you grow up, forcing you to hide the things you love for fear of ridicule. The beauty of growing up? You don't really care anymore. That's where "Pokémon Go" comes in.
"Pokémon Go" is a realistic, interactive version of the original 1996 Pokemon game that requires the player to travel throughout cities to catch Pokémon. Each city is deemed a different "type" (fire, water, grass and normal), hinting at the type of Pokémon that can be caught in that specific area. There are Pokéstops, which grant the player pokeballs, potions and eggs. With eggs, there are 10km, 5km and 2km eggs that require the player to walk the distance listed underneath it. Eggs are, well, what you expect. After walking the required distance, eggs hatch into various Pokémon accompanied with a high number of candy. This candy allows for the evolvement of said Pokémon. The coolest part? The game is interactive to where the Pokémon can be seen in real-life environments. The game uses the phone's camera to place Pokémon into the real world.
By using real-life city maps and sites to track and catch Pokémon, players are forced out into the community to play. Still embarrassed of your love for Pokémon? Forget it. "Pokémon Go" set a new record for Apple as the app with the most App Store downloads in its first week. Although there are no specific numbers to report, it is safe to assume thousands, if not millions, of people have downloaded the game. I have downloaded the game, and I am obsessed. I have seen hundreds of people in downtown Springfield camped out at the gym, catching Pokémon and trying to become the very best. I have seen hundreds of people come into my work, stopping to get Pokéstops and catch the Pokémon that are abundantly stocked throughout the store. I have spoken with various people, of different kinds and backgrounds, about the coolest Pokémon seen or the highest leveled Pokémon we protect as if it's our own personal treasure. I have debated with strangers on which team is the best (Team Instinct, am I right).
Last but not least, I have strengthened friendships through late night Pokémon catching and friendly competition. Some of my favorite memories to date include driving around town for hours in search of a Pokémon we are convinced no one else has.
So my advice?
Accept yourself and the things you enjoy. Share it with the rest of the world.
Go catch 'em all.
