100% developed

History of video games/Platforms/Pokémon Pikachu

From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
Jump to navigation Jump to search

History[edit | edit source]

Pokemon Pikachu was released in Japan on Friday, March 27th, 1998 for 2,500 yen.[1] The system was later released in North America on November 2nd, 1998 for $19.95.[2] This dedicated console used a pedometer to measure player activity and create an fusion of exercising and a digital pet gaming experience on the go.[2] The system also featured a slot machine gambling mechanic.[3][4]

The Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS was released in Japan on Sunday, November 21st, 1999 for 3,000 yen,[5] and in North America and Europe the following year.[3]

The Pokémon Mini was a cartridge based followup console released in 2001. Some consider the later Poke Walker accessory for the Nintendo DS to be part of the legacy of this device, as it shares a similar concept.[6]

Technology[edit | edit source]

A CR2032 disposable lithium coin cell battery, similar to that used by the Pokémon Pikachu handheld console.

The console had built in clock, as well as a pedometer for measuring player activity.[2] The system can be cliped onto a belt,[7] making it an early example of wearable computing and a wearable console.

The original Pokemon Pikachu used a black and white screen.[8]

The Pokemon Pikachu 2 GS featured a color screen and inferred port, which could send data to other Pokemon Pikachu 2 GS handhelds, as well as to GameBoy Color consoles.[9][3]

The system is powered by a single CR2032 disposable lithium coin cell battery.[10]

External Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Take a tech-tech walk with Pikachu!". www.nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  2. a b c "Nintendo: Press Release". web.archive.org. 18 February 1999. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. a b c Peters, Jay (25 February 2021). "Pokémon might be famous for its games, but it also has some great gadgets" (in en). The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/25/22298495/pokemon-hardware-gadgets-pikachu-poke-ball-mini-camera-consoles. 
  4. "Pocket Pikachu". www.nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. "Pokemon Pikachu Color With Gold and Silver!". www.nintendo.co.jp.
  6. "Pokemon Gold/Silver remakes let you train Pokemon by walking". web.archive.org. 11 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090611155834/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/pokemon-gold-silver-remakes-let-you-train-pokemon-by-walking. 
  7. "CNN - Interactive entertainment: Bigger than ever - May 29, 1998". www.cnn.com. http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9805/29/e.three/index.html. 
  8. "Pocket Pikachu - Game Console - Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. "Nintendo - Customer Service Other Systems - Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS". web.archive.org. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  10. "Poke Pika". www.nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 23 December 2020.