Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
What is it exactly about the Pokémon games that makes older (and when I mean older, I mean old enough to have gone through puberty) gamers continuously buy the newest versions of what is, in essence, the same old thing?
Obviously the kids (sort of) have an excuse: it’s the big thing right now, and they were too little to have been playing the last version(s) when they were the big thing.
But what about those of us who are old enough to have kids of our own?
Some might say that it’s fun to obsess with collecting every last freaking Pokémon. Most of the adults I know love the games for this. But who exactly do we show these completed lists to once they’re complete? Any significant other in our life would likely roll their eyes at us, and unless you’re in a company where goofing off with kiddy games is expected (like it is here), you can’t gush about it with co-workers.
For me, it really isn’t about collecting them all. Waiting around on route 214 for Thursday night to roll around so that rare Pokémon “might” show up never really interested me. Nor do I have to have a maxed-out team or become the best Trainer.
It most certainly isn’t about the story, that’s for certain. And while the Pokémon are quite cute, it’s not to satiate that urge I get from time to time to grab every cute thing in my line of sight. Even the “new” features don’t really interest me.
What I think it is that keeps many of us coming back for more is the way this game lets us be kids again without patronizing us (once you get past the beginning few minutes, that is, that exist solely to teach new players how to play). The game, while embraced by children, doesn’t make adults feel stupid for playing. It says “hey, we know there are adults out there, so come have fun with us.” Quite honestly, it’s nice to be a kid once again without actually being treated like one.
-Rebecca Bundy
