Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Post by **FatherJack** » November 22nd, 2005, 19:55

This has arrived, and I was playing it a bit last night.

I think I have worked out what the XD is. It doesn't stand for anything, it is an emoticon of the expression on the makers faces as they make their way to the bank.

I wasn't expecting a great deal of new features, the series excels at making things simple. For those that don't know, it works like your standard console RPG where your party fights against enemies which have various strengths and weaknesses (Fire, Ice, Water, etc.) except that instead of having some visual clue as to the enemies type, you basically have to recognise enemies type and probable abilities on sight - so it tests your memory as well as your strategy. I was, however expecting a little bit more.

Unfortunately this release seems to have less features than ever, and rather than adding interesting new twists to keep the series fresh, it seems to sound the death knell for the Pocket Monsters.

Here's a rough chronology:

Red, Blue (Green in Japan) and Yellow (GB)
All the same game with different start/available Pokémon. Story mode has you wandering around catching wild Pokémon, then battling them against a linear series of foes.
- with link cable, another copy of the game and another GB
Can trade between GBs and have battles against friends

Pokémon Stadium (N64)
No story mode, but many tournament modes battling using stock Pokémon against computer or friends , minigames
- with adapter (supplied) and a GB game
Use collected Pokémon in battles, Pokémon organiser and library, Play GB game through your TV. Allowed you to trade without having a GB!

Gold, Silver and Crystal (GBC)
New story, 100 new Pokémon and 2 new types (Dark, Steel), Pokémon can hold recovery items to use during battle, mate and produce eggs, enhanced Pokédex
- with link cable, another copy of the game and another GB
As before - limited compatibility with RGBY

Pokémon Stadium 2 (N64)
Probably the best release all things considered. Everything from the first one, plus support for the new Pokémon, enhanced library, item holding and information, Pokémon University, better minigames. Worked with all versions of the GB games

<-- This is the cutoff point, any Pokémon captured before or after this line are only compatible with games from the same era.

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald (GBA)
New story to keep pace with the animation, 100 or so new Pokémon and new type (Light). Introduced day/night cycle, Pokédex became P*DA.
Link cable functions as before for trading/battling with other GBA owners

Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green (GBA)
Remakes of the original GB games, with additional Pokémon and features. Link cable as above.

Game Boy Player (GC)
Allows you play any GB, GBC or GBA game on your TV. Cannot be used for linking/trading.

Pokémon Coliseum (GC)
Tournament mode using stock Pokémon against computer or friends. Basic story mode with no wild Pokémon - the only ones you can catch are Shadow Pokémon, which are predetermined and always the same. No minigames (other than decorating a room with bonus items). No play-through TV option. No organiser. Minimal library.
- with GC-GBA link cable (different cable to GBA-GBA), a GBA and a GBA copy of the game
Use captured Pokémon in Tournament mode. Battle friends. No trading. Bonus items for regular connection (one a day)

Pokémon Box (GC)
A freebie given away with some copies of Pokémon Channel (an excrable, mind-melting game which awarded a hidden Pokémon for completion). Performed the library/storage functions absent in Coliseum, unsure whether trading was possible.

Pokémon XD (GC)
Story mode. The same as Coliseum's story so far, no wild Pokémon yet and the second town is exactly the same!
No tournament mode. No library. No minigames. No Pokémon school.
No bonus items. No trading. No play-though TV option.
You can connect GBAs for one-off battles only.

Post by **Grimmie** » November 22nd, 2005, 20:10

Well done Japan!
Annoottherr job well done!

Post by **ProfHawking** » November 22nd, 2005, 20:24

serves you right for buying a 5year olds cuntish game

Post by **Grimmie** » November 22nd, 2005, 20:52

^ Neville.
Possibly one of the better b3tans.

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » November 22nd, 2005, 22:27

ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA!

Jinxx · Post by **Jinxx** » November 22nd, 2005, 22:27

Post by **ProfHawking** » November 22nd, 2005, 22:30

yes indeedy!
i had to modify it tho to suit our (sinister) purpose:

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » November 22nd, 2005, 23:06

pffffffffftttt

cashy · Post by **cashy** » November 22nd, 2005, 23:29

ProfHawking wrote:serves you right for buying a 5year olds cuntish game

this

Grimmie wrote:^ Neville.
Possibly one of the better b3tans.

also this

Post by **Dog Pants** » November 23rd, 2005, 8:12

mrbobbins wrote:ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA! ENYA!

Oh god! It's happening again!

Post by **Roman Totale** » November 23rd, 2005, 18:26

cashy wrote:
Grimmie wrote:^ Neville.
Possibly one of the better b3tans.
also this

JamieChalm · Post by **JamieChalm** » November 23rd, 2005, 18:40

Pah, no Pokemon games have been since Red/Blue. They made it too complicated, all together there must be like 400-500 pokemon now, that's just cunty.

Post by **FatherJack** » November 23rd, 2005, 19:48

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » November 23rd, 2005, 23:09

FatherJack wrote:386

Post by **TezzRexx** » November 24th, 2005, 0:25

Yeah, Nintendo seem to relase the same Pokemon games at least 3 or 4 times untill they decide to change something major.

Expect another 80 years untill a pokémon game comes out in which you'll be able to catch wild pokemon, and battle people on the GBA or whatever it is nowever days.

Post by **FatherJack** » November 24th, 2005, 9:55

spoodie wrote:
FatherJack wrote:386

Excellent!

Actually (I just found out) this new game does let you catch wild Pokémon, but only in certain Pokéspots, which I haven't encountered yet. It also allows you to trade: once you have completed story mode. This isn't of much use to me, while I have one of every type of game, the number I've actually completed...is zero.

Nickface · Post by **Nickface** » November 24th, 2005, 14:43

I didn't even notice this topic!

I've picked up my Pokemon Red from way back when, in preparation for when I get crystal. My friends and I are having a resurgance of pokemon for a big throwdown battle at New Years. If I decide to stay with it, I might pick up a GBA and bust out Ruby/Saphire or whatnot. But the idea of tag team pokemon just doesn't float my boat.

Post by **deject** » November 24th, 2005, 19:28

hahaha, father jack is a joey...

how appropriate.

pixie pie · Post by **pixie pie** » November 24th, 2005, 22:56

deject wrote:hahaha, father jack is a joey...

how appropriate.

It may be appropriate due to the fact that fatherjack has a custom thing, and chose to be Joey... Consider that one.

Post by **FatherJack** » November 26th, 2005, 0:21

/belms obliviously