Pokemon - what can you tell me?

[tiggerlover]

DS (6) is getting very interested in Pokemon and I know nothing about them (it). Was wondering if anyone here had kids that were into Pokemon and what you can tell me about them.

 

[shortbun]

Pokemon: (Pocke)t (Mon)sters that evolve. Wish you
weren't in Italy-I have tons of stuff DS, 7 doesn't want
anymore. Cards galore and magazines, posters,
some stuffed animals and a dozen
videos(that probably won't play in Europe).
The attraction here is winding down pretty much.
Bet you can find lots of discounted stuff on Ebay.
When the 1st level Pokemon evolve they become stronger
and fiercer versions of the original; the names change too.
Then the Pokemon do battle with each other for their
"trainers" aka owners and the defeated Pokemon becomes
the possesion of the winner's trainer. Each Pokemon
category has a set of specialized attacks. My favorite is
Jigglypuff who sings and puts everyone asleep-then gets
mad because everyone fell asleep and paints their faces!
Geesh, I can't believe
all this is taking up brain cells...oh well.
Pikachu is the main trainer's(Ash Ketchum) favorite and
original Pokemon. Ash's Pikachu refuses to evolve but
there are many others that do evolve. Ash has friends,
one of them is an older boy who inappropriately reacts
to girls and hits his friends because he's trying to
impress the girls-I really hated this part of the stories.
Oh yeah, most Pokemon live in Poke balls. some hate
the balls and live outside them. Charmander is another
sympathetic Pokemon. I know lots more.
PM me if you want to. I'm slow getting back sometimes
because my only computer time is very early morning
our time.
mimi

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well I can tell you that I am being tortured by my kids collecting the cards. It is the ultimate fun for the kids. Get them a binder, card collecting pages to put in binder, and the booster packs of cards and you are set for a gift for Christmas.
Shortbun don't dump your cards because believe it of not they are still desired items by the kids, go figure.

 

[Serena]

I know the kids love them, my daughter included.

 

[shortbun]

I have a big binder stuffed with cards and card pages-too
full to close and multis in each card slot. I have a shoe box
filled too. Should I take them to a card store and sell the
lot? Other kids come over and play with them. Ds gives them
away as "favors" when friends visit. Yesterday, two friends
were over and they got out all the pokeballs with the gold
pokecards in them and played some game. I found myself
matching them up last night. Ds said he wanted to give them
away to his friends but as I wasn't there and DH said no-
they are still in my house. We're just OVER Pokemon here.

 

[Lars624]

My 1st grade son loves Pokemon! He collects the cards, has the game-boy games, the videos & even plays a computer CD game about the card game
In fact he is putting on a Pokemon shirt to wear today as I am typing this.
shortbun gave you a god explanation of Pokemon so all I'll add is that my DS has gotten many hours of enjoyment out of Pokemon & that I think the cards have helped him in math...figuring damage helps his adding & subtracting.

 

[snoopy]

Just don't tell your son about Yu-Gi-Oh, thats the new Pokemon.

My husband is the one who follows these crazes, I haven't a clue about either Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh. From what I do know of them, shortbun's description is right on.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks all for the information. I guess what I really want to know is if they are violent? I don't like DS playing with toys or watching videos related to violence and bad behavior.

Thanks again.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The "kids" in the cartoon/movies are searching for certain Pokemon trainers to battle, ie fight in a Pokemon match, to earn their "badges".
Each trainer pits Pokemon vs Pokemon. It is up to the trainer to know which "attack" to use to defeat the other Pokemon.

 

[Serena]

They also know when their pokeman has had enough and let's them recooperate.
It has some violence in it I guess, but I found myself letting her watch it anyway.

 

[shortbun]

I'd label it as mildly violent. As described before-the
friend of Ash hits his pals when he's upset about
pretty girls. He's a jerk, sexist and in no way cool or
funny. I was dismayed at this characters personality
flaw and felt I had to spend lots of time discrediting
him. Ash, on the other hand, is kind and gentle. Even
his Pokemon are sweet.

 

[JESW]

My DS (who will be 8 soon) LOVES Pokemon! But he just collects the cards and makes decks - he doesn't play the game. He also loves drawing the characters. Pokemon has helped with his artisitic ability. A lot of the characters are quite interesting!

As others have said, they are mildly violent. We don't let our DS play any violent games so we keep an eye on things. DS doesn't like the videos much, but he does like the cards. On Halloween he gave out lots of his doubles.

There are still some kids at his school who collect and trade the cards. He has several binders to put the cards in - except he keeps taking them out to make new decks! (I don't understand how the game works)

Unfortunately, they are another thing (like the legos before them) that seem to multiply right before your eyes. DS got ALL his cards taken away all day saturday because he wouldn't pick them up off the family room floor.

Do they have yard sales in Italy? That's how DS got lots of his. There were many happy Mom's when they saw THEIR kids cards going away!

Jill