Can someone explain Pokemon to this grandma?

Pokemon car? Like a remote control something? I don’t know about that. But I could tell you about the plot/storyline/object of the games, if that would help at all.

I know that there are a while lot of different Pokemon, and that kids try to collect them all, whether it be through cards, or in a video game or something…I know that each Pokemon has different powers…and that’s about it. Oh, and Picachu (sp?) is the cutest one…

@Mariah, please tell me. I am totally ignorant on the subject.

@Judi Okay! I know more than is socially acceptable for someone my age to know on the subject.

So in the pokemon universe, it is customary to be given your first pokemon at age ten, leave home, and go on a “quest” of sorts to become a pokemon master. You can then catch other wild pokemon and add them to your party. This sounds terrible, but you train your pokemon by making them fight other pokemon, until they become strong and you’re able to beat various expert pokemon trainers, such as people called gym leaders, one of whom reigns over each city. The ultimate goal is to beat a group of pokemon trainers called the Elite Four, doing so make you the pokemon champion. There are many many species of pokemon, and a secondary quest is to collect one of each (Gotta catch ‘em all!). There’s a lot of strategy involved as you get to decide what moves to teach your pokemon, and there’s an extensive “rock-paper-scissors” style battling system that is important to learn in order to battle successfully (there are 13? different “types” of pokemon, and the various types are powerful against some types and weak to other types). All throughout the game it is emphasized to your character that you must treat your pokemon with love in order to raise them properly so I guess they enjoy fighting each other? :\

They are a collection of bizarre animals that can be caught and trained for dueling. They are from a Japanese television show, that has springboarded to the US. It is as confusing as can be.

Pokemon originated as a video game, an RPG (role playing game) about collecting various ’‘pocket monsters’’ and making them fight in tournaments against other Pokemon. Japanese in origin, it spawned a televised series, that had a plot and everything, but not being a fan, I can’t be much more precise.
The appeal is the wide variety of monsters to collect. They all have different powers, usually revolving around natural elements. (fire, water, earth, air, electricity, wtv) the monsters may be stored in ’‘Pokeballs’’, small balls that contain and release them.
The Pokemon can also evolve, turning into stronger monsters. (Pikachu, faster version of Pikachu, Raichu) It’s not uncommon for some of the human characters to form a bond and relationship with a certain Pokemon, to add more depth to the concept of the franchise.
The TV show was very popular, but right now, the countless video games rule the day. Card games are big too. A bit like Magic the Gathering, but with cute anime beasties instead. Needless to say, plenty of merchandise has spawned from this franchise.
Never heard of no car though…

Pokemon is basically cockfighting.

Instead of chickens, you use fictional magical monsters (Pocket Monsters, aka Pokémon.)

When they are not fighting, the monsters are forced captive into tiny red and white balls.

Mewtwo was right

In its basic form, it’s a card game (maybe you know magic the gathering? something like that)

Kids get together and use their unique Pokemon cards to “battle” each other.

That evolved into a cartoon, toys, etc.

Also, for the record, Pokemon was originally a (very lucrative) videogame by Nintendo, not a show or a card game. Though the company designed the game to tie into other media and promote collectibles like cards.

Aye, it started out as a game. On some Game Boy handheld or another. I forget which one, Game Boy Color I think?

No, @Symbeline , it started on the original Gameboy…I know because I had one, lol!

Wow, really? Damn haha. That must be pretty rare by now. I had Pokemon Red on the Colour…eventually traded the handheld and game for a copy of Suikoden haha.

The original game was on GameBoy in 1996, and the TV series began in 1997, so @Symbeline is correct and I was wrong on its origin.

Team Rocket is also worth explaining.

♪ We’re Team Rocket, and we fight for what’s wrong. ♪
♪ For mayhem, and madness, and rare Pokémon. ♪
(Jessie): I’m so gorgeous!
(James): And I’m always the man.
(Evil voice): YOU ARE JUST THE PLAYERS… IN MY MASTER PLAN!

Jessie has the hottest legs ever.

Prepare for trouble…!

Make it double!

James also has hot legs. Remember when he dressed as Officer Jenny lol?

Jessie: Prepare for trouble!
James: And make it double!
Jessie: To protect the world from devastation!
James: To unite all people within our nation.
Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love!
James: To extend our reach to the stars above!
James: Jessie!
Jessie: James!
Jessie: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
Meowth: Me-owth! Dat’s right!

Yeah I’ve never been one to really play the games, but I do have my own collection of cards. If I remember correctly, it’s a strategy game. @Symbeline and @Mariah are correct.

I have a daughter who is 3 and I can tell you if she asked for something like that, she would be happy with the most basic version. In other words, she would be happy with one thing, like a stuffed toy, or if it’s cards, then some cards s- very simple because you know at that age they may play with it for 15 minutes, or if it’s a stuffed toy they might have it in the bed. I think keep it simple because this is just the beginning of consumerism for your grandson, so I would not get him too much theme stuff.

I assume everyone has seen this , but just in case…

@filmfann ; that made no sense to me, but I’m sure if I really understood it it might. I think I’ll go to ebay and try and find the game. Do they have it for wii or xbox?

@Judi They have variations of the game for Wii, but they’re not as good as the handheld games. Does your grandson have a Gameboy or a Nintendo DS?

I have a nintindo ds. (I only play brain age. I am a grandma after all. ) maybe I should get it and learn then share. What is the name of the best beginner game?

The first games were for the Gameboy color which the DS unfortunately won’t support. It’s not important to play the games in order, though. I’d recommend Heart Gold or Soul Silver, those games are fun. But also, the newest games, Black and White, just came out recently, but I haven’t played either one yet so I can’t vouch for them.

So I got him a box of Pokemon cards (thought that might have been what he meant) and a few Pokemon toys. He didn’t have a clue or a care amongst all the other birthday festivities.
I’m still going to learn though. Angry birds made me really cool with my two 5 year old grandsons. I’m sure if I know Pokemon before they do I’ll be super cool. :-)

I’ve had several 5–7 year-olds try to explain it to me… none of them could really convey the plot or why they wanted Pokemon cards beyond the fact that they wanted it. The point of Pokemon is Pokemon products. Spend as little as possible, buy the stuff at garage sales.