nycdaug Chapter 78: Red and Green Dual Versions, A Genius Design Born for Exchange
Chapter 78: Red and Green Dual Versions, A Genius Design Born for Exchange
"I was very fortunate to be invited by GAMENOVA to be among the first players to participate in the Pokémon Red and Green demo!"
"..."
"What surprised me most was that GAMENOVA also prepared a trading mechanism solution for console players."
"Simply visit a local store that supports Pokémon Centers to use the Pokémon Trader to trade for your desired Pokémon with your friends!"
……
John put down the latest issue of Electronic Games and looked at the red handheld console on the table next to him.
"So that's how that machine works. Luckily we were quick enough to grab the handheld version in advance, otherwise queuing at the store would have been a nightmare."
Unlike the floppy disk console version, which was shipped in large quantities, the handheld version is currently in a state of being available but not in demand, whether due to insufficient ROM production capacity or simply too many people wanting to buy it.
Although the console version has higher resolution and richer effects and colors, many people still prefer the handheld version, which can be played anytime, anywhere.
"Speaking of which, I just realized that our versions seem to be different?"
John picked up the handheld console and looked at the large Pokemon title on the start screen, which displayed "Red Version".
However, the screen on Mike's console displayed "Green Version".
Two different versions of a game at launch? This is truly the first time I've ever seen this.
"Hmm, that seems to be the case."
Upon hearing this, Mike also craned his neck to look at the scene on John's side and found that it was indeed different.
The two took out the cassette box and examined it carefully. Sure enough, even the cover was completely different.
I was so excited that I didn't even notice it.
On John's Pokémon Red cover, the Pokémon called Charizard stands, breathing out a dragon's breath, looking exceptionally majestic.
Mike's picture, however, is of Venusaur, and the overall color scheme is predominantly green.
"Look at the back; it shows the differences between the two versions."
John looked through the card box and suddenly noticed a passage written on the back.
The following Pokémon cannot be encountered in Red and can only be obtained through trading:
"Arbok, Growlithe, Electabuzz..."
Next to the name are several corresponding pictures.
Mike glanced at his side and, sure enough, the Pokémon described were completely different from those in the Red version.
"Wait, so the only way to collect all 150 Pokémon is by trading with players from other versions?"
Mike then understood.
No wonder NovaPocket has been so enthusiastic about this communication feature since its launch; it turns out that was the reason behind it.
This is actually a game that focuses on social interaction?
Or is it... for the popcorn?
John shrugged, taking it all in stride.
"It's not a big deal. If you can't collect them all, you can't collect them all."
Upon hearing his words, Mike stared wide-eyed as if he had heard something unbelievable.
"What nonsense are you talking about, John! Of course we have to collect them all! Don't you feel bad about having 11 blanks in your encyclopedia? I certainly can't stand it."
Why collect them all? Because they're right there!
John actually said something as silly as "it doesn't matter" about something so simple and obvious!
John glanced at his own notes again, speechless, his gaze lingering on Growlithe and Arcanine.
"Okay, to be honest, I really want this little one."
John would have always wanted a puppy as a companion if his living conditions allowed.
Mike's eyes were also fixed on the red limited edition Six-Tails and Nine-Tails, and he even had the idea that he should buy the red version.
"Forget it, we haven't even played yet, what's the point of saying all this?"
Mike shook his head and went straight into the game.
With a flash of the screen, a person dressed as a doctor in a white coat appeared in the center of the screen.
Hello! It's nice to meet you!
Welcome to the world of Pokémon!
My name is Samuel Oak, but everyone affectionately calls me Professor Pokémon.
……
The opening is similar to GAMENOVA's previous works such as "Story of Seasons", with background introduction and player name input.
The only difference is that, in addition to the player's own decision, the game provides three pre-set options.
【Red】, 【Ash】, and... 【Mike】.
"Oh ho ho, what a coincidence!"
Mike was amused and simply chose the third option.
As soon as the name was entered, another guy with an extremely flashy appearance suddenly popped up on the screen.
He had one hand in his pocket, his eyes glancing to the side, displaying an arrogant attitude.
This is my grandson. He was your rival when you were very young.
[...Uh, what was his name again?]
Mike understood.
No wonder it was so annoying; it turned out to be a hook, a design similar to a main quest.
The goal is to make players dislike him at first glance, which will motivate them and make it more satisfying to defeat him later.
"But being able to decide the name yourself is actually quite interesting."
Mike had already decided that he had to fill in the name of his most hated boss and give him a good beating!
As he pressed the A key, the options that appeared on the screen surprised him.
Why is there a John here?
What's going on? Is it because our names are too common?
This sudden sense of immersion made Mike laugh out loud, and he decisively abandoned his original idea, choosing "John" as his name.
Then, he secretly looked up and glanced at John, who was also playing on the bed, only to find that John was also peeking at him.
Noticing that both of their expressions were strange, they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.
It seems that the situation on the other side is exactly the opposite of what we are experiencing, which is quite a strange coincidence.
"Let's f**king go!!!"
Upon entering the game, Mike was surprised to find that although the NovaPocket's screen resolution was much lower than that of the console, thanks to its relatively small screen size and well-coordinated graphic design, the actual visual effects were surprisingly good.
Aside from the somewhat monotonous and dull colors, the overall first impression he got was surprisingly not at all off.
After a brief observation, the layout of the spawn point is very simple, but all the necessary elements are present, and it can be identified that it should be in a bedroom.
A bed was placed in the corner, and potted plants were on the other side.
In the very center of the ground, in front of the protagonist, is a CRT television, connected to the host computer next to it by a cable.
This console looks exactly like a NovaBox.
"Frog Fun, and also Hidden Advertising."
Mike grumbled and casually pressed the A key, only to be surprised to find that it actually worked.
Mike is playing NovaBox!
【…】
It's time to set off!
With this discovery, Mike became obsessed and tried everything in the room.
They quickly spotted the computer on the table that they couldn't tell whether it was an Apple II or a C64.
"It turns out the props were accessed via computer."
Mike understood, shut down the computer, and logged out.
Before he knew it, Mike had learned the basic operations without any hard tutorials.