Pokémon Play It!: Difference between revisions

Pokémon Play It! is a Pokémon game for PC that simulates the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It is similar to the video games Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!.

Two versions of the game were released. In the original version, the player can duel using one of four half decks, while the updated version 2 features seven standard decks. Both versions also contain numerous bonus features.

Original

The main menu of the original version contains three options: "Play", "Learn" and "Extras".

In "Play" mode, the player can play a duel against a computer opponent, Julie, using one of four half decks, named Fighting, Water, Fire and Xtra decks. Initially, only Fighting and Water decks are available. The additional two can be unlocked by typing the word "fire" on the main menu. Julie always uses the Fighting Deck, unless the player chooses it; in such case she uses the Water Deck. All four decks are composed of Base Set and Jungle cards.

The "Learn" feature is meant to teach about the mechanics of the Trading Card Game.

Extras

Following features are found in the "Extras".

• An "Academy Entrance Exam", with questions about the TCG, as well as about Pokémon in general. Finishing the test with 10/10 correct answers unlocks a certificate – which can be printed and taken to the Pokémon League, where it should be exchanged for "10 points in the Trainer's Badge Book" – a desktop wallpaper and a second, harder quiz. Finishing the second quiz unlocks another certificate (worth 20 points) and three additional wallpapers.
• Two special issues of TopDeck, (Wizards of the Coast's now-defunct magazine dedicated to TCGs) one with tips about the game and one focusing on the Pokémon League
• Custom Pokémon Game Gear and coins to print
• A video promoting the League

Wallpapers

The wallpaper unlocked after beating the first quiz has a large Poké Ball in the center with Pikachu, Gengar and Snorlax around it, on a blue background. Of the three wallpapers unlocked after the second quiz, one has a jungle background (reference to the expansion name) with Scyther in the center and Vileplume and Wigglytuff on the sides, another is supposed to look like a box with the Fossil set logo and Aerodactyl escaped out of it and the final one has a red background with Mewtwo on the left and a big Base Set 2 logo on the right.

Issues

• It is not possible to put Pokémon on the Bench before the play starts. Instead, players must wait for theirs first turn to put Pokémon on the bench.
• No Energy card is discarded from Magmar when using the Flamethrower attack.

Both issues were adressed in version 2.

Version 2

In version 2, the "Play" mode is divided into fifteen levels: five "Basic", three "Basic Challenges", six "Advanced" and one "Advanced Challenge". Those without "Challenge" it its name are tutorials levels, with pre-designed non-shuffled decks, played for one prize, used to teach the player various aspects of the game, such as retreating, status ailments, Pokémon Powers etc. Coin tosses are also usually not random. These levels replace most of the less interactive content of the "Learn" feature of version 1, althrough parts of it can still be found in version 2.

In the "Challenge" levels, the player can play actual duels against Julie. "Basic Challenges" use the half decks from version 1. Those three levels are Fighting vs. Water, Water vs. Fighting and Fire vs. Fighting duels, respectively. The "Advanced Challenge" mode is where the player can play a match using standard 60-card decks, choosing from seven available decks. Unlike version 1, Julie can also use any of the decks (although it is not possible for both sides to use the same deck).

The seven decks available are the Electric Zap, Flame On, Hit'Em Hard, Poisonpowder, Psychic Dream, Royalty and Wet and Wild decks. They are composed of cards form Base Set, Jungle, Fossil and Team Rocket sets.

Other features

The "Learn" and "Extras" modes are similar to version 1. The two new features are "Collect" and "Build". In the "Collect" mode, the player can keep track of the cards he/she owns in real life. In "Build" mode, the player can learn about creating decks or make custom ones and later print the list of cards needed for it.

Version 2 also added the option to turn off Julie's vocal remarks.

Blurb

Every Pokémon trainer has to start somewhere. And this CD-ROM is the easiest way for you to learn the Pokémon trading card game. Learn it well and practice hard enough, and you'll become a Pokémon Master Trainer – maybe even the number-one Master Trainer in the world!

If you've played Pokémon Game Boy or wathced the animated TV series, you'll be surprised to discover how much you already know about the Pokémon trading card game. Even if you're new to the world of Pokémon, you'll have lots of fun learning – and playing – this adventure-filled trading card game.

So pop this disc into your computer... and get started training right now!

Special features:

• Learn all about the Pokémon trading card game
• Play the game!
• Use the deckbuilder guide to build your own decks.
• Print playmats, counters and more!

System requirements

IBM PC or 100% compatibles Pentium 133 Processor, Windows 95/98,16 MB RAM, 4x CD-ROM, 16-bit Video Card (800 x 600 pixel res.). All major DirectX compatible sound and video cards.

Version 2 is known for being highly prone to crashing when run under modern Windows operating systems. Oddly, no such issues happen in version 1, even though it's even older.

External links

At Wikipedia

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