How I Finally Got Pokémon, Or How Pokémon Finally Got Me
Before you go into panic mode, this is not about a Pokémon themed plane. Although there is a real ANA plane and I would die of happiness if there was a smiling Chimchar on my plane ticket, I just flew ordinary United Airlines--the fanciest thing in this plane was the short muzak tune that played when the tv monitor lowered for the latest Jennifer Garner poop vehicle. Being somewhat of claustrophic temperament, I'm not a huge fan of flying (although there is always good boy watching at airports)--yet this is how I crossed over from casual Pokemon fan into a full fledged PokéFreak while playing Pokémon Pearl during a recent trip to the Midwest.
Full story at the jump!
Planes are scary places. Once I enter, I know I've just resigned myself to the fate the gods have chosen for me, for I am utterly helpless. You can't run from anything being trapped in a metal box several bazillion feet in the air, and if your plane is going down, you're screwed. I can't imagine how many times I imagine the terror of those last few seconds--what would I do? Perhaps scream at the top of my lungs for my Mommy? Or gnash my teeth over having never passed FFXII? Well, now I know that I'd probably be playing Pokémon.
You see, although I always brought some sort of electronic gaming system with me on planes, I usually found that I couldn't concentrate very much on the game. It was always hard to focus on killing innocent goblins when my imminent demise seemed so near. So I'd look out the window and check to see if the wings were still intact, smile sheepishly at the talkative granny to my left and just plain twiddle my thumbs. But when I loaded up my Pokemon Pearl at the start of my four hour flight, something magical happened. The kiddyness of the whole thing seemed really safe and comforting suddenly, and a shade lifted: suddenly, I got Pokemon.
The sheer number of things to do kept me so occupied that I didn't even hear the stewardesses ask me if I wanted that usually necessary cocktail, or notice the bone rattling turbulence, or the way the businessman behind me snored like a Snorlax on valium. I'm convinced now that Pokemon was designed to ease the troubles of those with OCD tendencies, because I can't describe the pleasure I experienced from raising all my Pokemon to the exact same level (except my Monferno, which always needed to be 3 levels higher), growing berries, mixing poffins, engaging in contests, etc. GameFreak put so much detail in the newest version of the franchise that you really do have to hand it to them. Little things, like the ability to polish your hard earned badges, really warmed my cynical gamer heart.
When the plane began it's final descent (I always hated that phrase) I almost felt a twinge of regret. Soon the bf and I would be in Chicago, and I would have to actually communicate with human beings again. And when the purse-mouthed stewardess asked me tersely to turn of my "electronic device" just as I was about to save after capturing the very last Unown (the question mark-y one), I shot her a look that would have scared even the most hardened of Team Galactic goons.
Chicago was fine, I guess, but whenever I was in a public place I kept an eye out for people with DSs, to no avail. While on top of John Hancock I thought about ultra balls. When I was in Shedd Aquarium I thought how a certain fish looked an awful lot like my trusty Goldeen I nicknamed Dolly. The Field Museum was full of a bunch of things that the plaques described as "animals" but beared freakish resemblances to pocket monsters. The week couldn't go fast enough, and I relished the flight home so that I could focus once only on my little red scarfed self. When we passed security, I was practically pushing large Midwestern fathers down on the way back to that uncomfortable seat and four more delicious hours of collecting, mining for gems and home base refining.
70 hours later and 2 more badges, some would guess that my ardor would have died. At least that's what my abandoned boyfriend hoped. Little does he know our next trip, I'm planning for at least a 16 hour flight. Maybe to Tokyo, I'm betting someone has a DS there.
Pirate Prince
Posted to Video Games on 11 June 2007
· Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: addiction, diamond and pearl, flying, nintendo ds, pirate prince's adventures, pokemon
Cheers to you!
Pokemon has always been a franchise that I've been both entertained by and embarrassed to play. It's multi-faceted gaming structure makes it very appealing and I, too, find myself enjoying the little things. Who doesn't like the "Chatter" power of a Chatot or the inevitable cave collapse when mining for jewels?
I'm glad that pokemon helped you (if only a little) conquer a small fear. I know Pokemon has treated me well over the last ten years and I look forward to many many more.
"While on top of John Hancock I thought about ultra balls."
I'm glad the great Pirate Prince has had a great memory with Pokémon. I've been playing my Diamond everyday since launch (although I would probably be much further if it wasn't for keeping all my berry trees healthy). I love how there is so much careful detail and arrangement for fun and balance with plenty of other stuff to do while you go along (I've almost got my master ribbon for the contests).
As for myself, I'm loving my Vespiqueen and will always look for a challenger.
I recently gotten over my embarrassment of my Pokemon game. My DS is a permanent fixture, it has been since I bought one oh so long ago. When I got Pokemon Emerald that almost changed, I played it all the time but didn't like taking it outside because, I was a 25 year old playing Pokemon!
Well I did it anyway, and I quietly caught monsters waiting for Diamond and Pearl to come out. I had been playing since the blue and Red/Yellow days but not nearly as much as I am now. Anyway I got PKMN Diamond one day after it was launched and have not put it down. I got over my Poke-fear pretty quick because now I take it on trips, to work, the park, pretty much it never leaves my backpack. LOL I think PKMN is the reason the battery life on my (old) DS is getting shorter and shorter. So far I am 91(2) hours into it, working on nut just capturing, but collecting in my PC EVERY PKMN in the game. LOL An one else notice the bizarrely huge amount of water Pokemon in the game? Well dude Im glad I'm not alone in enjoying this game well past its target age group. L8er