Pokemon

[Yegolev]

Looks like we are into the Pokemon TCG.  Can I do this in this thread so I'm not lonely?

[Rendakor]

There's a simple Arkanoid-esque game up on pokemon.com now that if you win, you'll get one of the Eevee flavors to download into your game when their global link goes online.  Which kind of Eevee you get depends on which bubble you collect the most of, so plan accordingly.

Any chance you know how to go about downloading the Eeveeloution now that the G.Link is live?

[Kitsune]

From everything I've been able to gather, the eevee download isn't set up yet.  The main global link page has an info link on it that basically says, 'Uh.  The eevees are coming soon, honest!'

[Rendakor]

Ok, thanks. That's what I had figured, but I know the game ends soon and couldn't find a way to send it to the Dream World or anything.

[Rendakor]

After beating the Elite Four the first time, the difficulty ramps up considerably. Ghetsis's Pokemon were in the low 50s; most of mine were in the high 40s when I beat him. The trainers in the post-game areas that open up all have pokemon in the low 60s. 

[Khaldun]

Yeah, I ended up leaning heavily on my fire pig to get me through the post-Elite Four content, even using the Exp. Share to try and catch up a few of my alternative guys.

[Rendakor]

I'm just grinding Audinos on Rt. 14 because my starter wasn't substantially higher than the rest of my team.

[Khaldun]

I have to figure out what the hell you can get the Waterfall move on. Time to look at Bulbapedia, I guess--I was really hoping I could get it on my Fly/Swim/Dive swan-thing but nope.

[Rendakor]

I think I taught mine to Basculin.

[Morat20]

Okay, I'll move this here: My wife and son have both always had a hand-held -- GBAs led to DS led to DSi's. So now I have two old DS's that have been sitting around since they got their DSi's and I thought "Fuckit, I'll just make one of them my own" and started digging through my son's games.

Which included every freaking version of Pokemon EVER except the latest stuff. Offhand, I saw a LeafGreen and I snagged his copy of Pearl but there's probably a lot more in there. He didn't always get BOTH versions (I don't know about the combined ones, like Platinum -- I'll have to look) but other than the new Black and White, he's got at least one of each generation going back to the GBA.

So I thought "I'll try it". The question is: "Which one?"

[Raging Turtle]

Heartgold or Soulsilver.

[Kitsune]

Yeah, I think I'll agree with the turtle.  Diamond and Pearl were good, but I consider Heartgold and Soulsilver to be more accessible, as they don't take it for granted that the player's already been through four generations of Pokemon games leading up to them.  Since Gold and Silver were only the second generation, they didn't go trying to cram the kitchen sink into the gameplay, and the DS remakes keep a fair bit of that pleasant straightforwardness.

[Rendakor]

I'll third that recommendation; HG/SS is one of the longest entries in the series as well, since you have both Johto and Kanto to explore, earn gym badges, etc. If you end up playing those (or other Gen IV like Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) and need to trade for evolution or anything, I can help out there.

[Hawkbit]

Halp, if you can please.

I took my kid a few months back to Gamestop and got Celebi on both HG/SS.  Now she wants Zorua, but it looks like we'll need 2 DSs... correct?  This is pretty damn complex it seems.  Gotta find some secret building in Black/White to get a relocator, then Wifi it up from there between two DSs I'm reading. 

Or is there a way to do it with one or via the global link?

[Morat20]

Looks like HeartGold or Soulsilver it is -- my son doesn't actually have either of those, which turns out to be a good thing. I wasn't aware of the "one save per game" thing, and I just don't feel right saving over the game my kid will still pick up and futz with.

I suspect there's a way to export or backup that save somehow, but since I picked up a DS for the first time yesterday -- I have no idea. :)

Looks like 40 bucks new at Amazon, but I suspect a quick swing by a Gamestop or two might find one cheaper than that.

[Rendakor]

Hawkbit, you need 2 DS's; the Relocator is in Castelia City. See this page for a full walkthrough on using it. If you don't have 2 DS's you can always just get someone to breed and trade you a Zorua since he isn't a legendary.

Morat, there's no way to backup a save file without using a third party device.

[Kitsune]

The reason for HG and SS costing more is the inclusion of the pedometer.  If you get a used copy off of eBay or wherever, try to get one that comes with the polewalker; it's a neat feature.  One they ought to have supported in black and white. 

[Raging Turtle]

If you're going to get a new game anyway, Black and White are as good, if not better, than HG and SS.  They have entirely new pokemon (for the main storyline anyway), and some new stuff like reusable TMs, trainers that will heal you in the middle of long routes, and much better battle animations.

[Rendakor]

Pokemon has battle animatons? 

[Khaldun]

Man, I hope I don't have to have a Basculin to do waterfalls. I really don't like those little bastards.

[Yegolev]

In Soul Silver, I'm now in Violet City and I want to catch a Bellsprout.  Is there some way to catch a pokemon that, if you attack it you will one-shot it?

[Rendakor]

You could try using a Quick Ball; alternatively put it to sleep or paralyze it and just use Ultra Balls. If you've got someone who knows False Swipe you could use that.

Or I could trade you one over WiFi if that's too much hassle.

[Khaldun]

Keep a Pokemon that has a sleep/paralyze move in your number #1 slot when you're out hunting, bring some Quick Balls, and teach the sleeper False Swipe if possible. You need Quick Balls for sure to catch late-game legendaries.

[Yegolev]

Obviously I am not very far into this game at all.

[Hawkbit]

I'm actually amazed at the depth.  It seems as if I could stop playing all other games, only play Pokemon and still not scratch the surface.

[Khaldun]

Yeah. I just wish there were some twists and change-ups in the formula from game to game. Once you get the fundamentals, it can get pretty repetitive.