What is the appeal to pokemon games?

[Nick of Blades]

I have been playing pokemon Soul Silver obsessively for weeks now, and I stopped to think "what is drawing me to this game?" Is it the satisfaction of leveling up pokemon to show that you can overcome the next great challenge, or the pretty colors? So, I ask you fellow Escapists, what is it about pokemon games that draws you in?

 

[Aura Guardian]

The strategy. The ev training. Shiny hunting. Seeing if your strategy is great(PBR). Proving that you don't need to use the most overused pokemon to win.
For example

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

Because i find them fun. I don't know what else to say really other than that. Maybe its some kind of secret japanese mind control device o_0

 

[Kagim]

I beat the hell out of creatures and tear them from there homes and babies and force them to fight for profit.

Awesome.

 

[Ulquiorra4sama]

That's a mighty good question. Probably the nostalgia as well as the satisfaction of crushing all those other trainers and then embark on a journey to find new pokemon to level up, teach attacks and find new ways to totally scew over every challenge you come across.

 

[Axle_Bullitt_19]

To me its my obsessive desire to get everything in a game, thats why I have 10 Platinum Trophies on my PSN.

 

[Nick of Blades]

Because i find them fun. I don't know what else to say really other than that. Maybe its some kind of secret japanese mind control device o_0

You may have a point there...

I beat the hell out of creatures and tear them from there homes and babies and force them to fight for profit.

Awesome.

And you, I like the way you think.

 

[MellowFellow]

I don't know what it is about the pokemon games, but they are fun. I do not play them regularly anymore, but I sometimes go on pokemon binges where I may spend a weekend only playing a pokemon game. After I beat the elite four, I stop and don't play them again for a while.

 

[Axle_Bullitt_19]

Because i find them fun. I don't know what else to say really other than that. Maybe its some kind of secret japanese mind control device o_0

We must defeat the evil empire who's identity shall be revealed after we become Pokemon master eh?

 

[starwarsgeek]

Partially the colorful designs and lighthearted advenute.
Partially the deep level of RPG strategy and customization
Partially the same draw to other Nintendo games, especially Mario. There's just something about them...like the designers integrated pure joy into the coding itself.

 

[icyneesan]

For me it was always the character customization, how I could name my character, rival and other things

It sounds like a little thing to add into a video game, but for me its almost a perfect deal clincher

Its why I've bought at least 2 outta the 3 pokemon games from every 3 set and 1 outta the 2 from the remakes

 

[Nick of Blades]

Maybe it's a concept we should'nt think too much about, and just have fun with...

 

[Radeonx]

Not only is Pokemon one of the deepest RPGs ever made, but it allows you to have fun in a vast amount of ways.
The sheer fun factor in trying to EV train, catch shiny pokemon, and catch every species allows you to play the game how you want, at a pace you want, and enjoy it how you want.

 

[Counter_Southpaw]

I catch super powerful pokemon, give them ridiculously cute names, and then fight them online.

FLUFFORZ USED GUILLOTINE! ONE HIT KO!

 

[Nick of Blades]

Not only is Pokemon one of the deepest RPGs ever made, but it allows you to have fun in a vast amount of ways.
The sheer fun factor in trying to EV train, catch shiny pokemon, and catch every species allows you to play the game how you want, at a pace you want, and enjoy it how you want.

I think you just answered my question pretty well.

EDIT: Yippee, 100th post.

 

[swolf]

I beat the hell out of creatures and tear them from there homes and babies and force them to fight for profit.

Awesome.

They should hire you to make a variation of Kinectimals and the EyePet. It would be interesting and I already know who they could have as the celebrity guest commentator. You guessed it, Micheal Vick! Seriously though, there's a market for that game.

 

[-Seraph-]

I dunno, it's always left me wondering the same question. I've always found them terribly boring, shallow, and derivative every since its inception. I think I was one of the few kids back in the day that just couldn't stand them, and i gave the series a chance....4 chances, and after 4 games i said 'fuck this'.

I don't like saying this, but I really do feel that there is a lot of nostalgia behind the series and that's why people keep playing them. I always saw the games as almost a chore to play sometimes, bah!! I say!! I'd be a little me lenient on the series if it actually did something INTERESTING and new for once.