Pokémon Pikachu

This article is about the small handheld virtual pet. For the main series game known as "Pokémon: Special Pikachu Edition", see Pokémon Yellow Version.

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Pokémon Pikachu (Japanese: ポケットピカチュウ Pocket Pikachu) is a series of mini Game Boy-like devices in which the user looks after a pet Pikachu. They have features such as virtual pets, pedometers, slot machines, and, in the later models, an alarm, presents, and a high card/low card game.

In the United States, the original release was called Pokémon Pikachu. Later, an advanced version called Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS could be purchased.

In Europe, the only release was the Pokémon Pikachu Color. It came out at the same time as Pocket Pikachu Color in Japan and the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS in the US, in 1999.

Operation

The unit is strapped onto a belt and used as a pedometer. Every 20 steps the the unit registers give the user 1 watt, which is a currency that can be used to gamble or buy Pikachu presents. As Pikachu's happiness goes up (similar to the system in Pokémon Yellow), more activities are available. If neglected however, the Pikachu will become angry and not respond to anything the user does. Pikachu will also do activities based on time. When turning on the device soon before 8PM, Pikachu may be taking a shower, brushing its teeth, or getting into bed. Pikachu will also eat occasionally. Shaking the device during eating or sleeping will make Pikachu angry, and its happiness will drop. Watts can either be sent as a gift to other Pokémon Pikachu systems (later versions), or to Generation II games via Mystery Gift.

Pokémon Pikachu

The original, released in 1998 for the U.S, featured a yellow case. It had various functions as a pedometer, present-giver, and a slot machine where Watts could be gambled.

Other models

The Pocket Pikachu Color, Pokémon Pikachu Color, and the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS were sequels to the original Pocket/Pokémon Pikachu(s). They had extra features such as alarm composers, and a new high-card/low-card gambling game (the addition of this game, however, meant that the slot machine was taken out).

Pocket Pikachu Color: With Gold & Silver!

(Japanese:ポケットピカチュウカラー 金・銀といっしょ! Pocket Pikachu Color: With Gold & Silver!) The Pocket Pikachu Color only differed from the other versions in the matters of color choices and again, language, retail areas and name. It had a clear case, but there were also blue, gold, silver and clear blue color choices that were limited edition.

Pokémon Pikachu Color

The Pokémon Pikachu Color is almost exactly the same as the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS except that it lacks compatibility with the traditional games due to their not being released yet in Europe when the Pokémon Pikachu Color was released, and it was only released in Europe.

Pokémon Pikachu 2

Main article: Pokémon Pikachu 2

The US version Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS has no other differences from the other versions, excepting the area of retail and that the Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS unit has an infrared port that is capable of communicating with the Generation II games via the game's Mystery Gift option, which is utilized using both the infrared port on the Pokémon Pikachu and the infrared port on the Game Boy Color. This was to be able to trade the Pikachu's watts for items in the game. Though there is a limit to how much the Mystery Gift option can be used on the Generation II games, the game's only limit to transfer in the number of watts of the unit. There is also unlimited trading of Watts between Pokémon Pikachu units.

Trivia

• The Pokémon Pikachu also appears as an item in Animal Crossing, though it is only a quest item, and the player cannot interact with it.
• The Pokémon Pikachu is a treasure in Wario Land 3.

This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames.