Pokemon (short for “Pocket Monsters”) X and Y are the latest games in a franchise spawned by Nintendo that has encompassed nearly every medium possible for children: widely popular video games, hit TV shows, accessible and thought-provoking trading card games, and more.
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Story & Themes
For the most part, the handheld Pokemon games center around a youth coming of age in the Pokemon world. At a certain time (generally thought to be 10 years old) you will get your first Pokemon and venture off into the world on your own to become the greatest Pokemon trainer that ever was. There are many different enemies in each incarnation of the game, but for the most part, the enemies' story is secondary to the fight to level up your Pokemon and defeat the "elite" Pokemon trainers of that world. Along the way you must collect gym badges to prove that you are strong enough to reach the final battles. Each gym gets harder and harder to complete and training of Pokemon may be necessary.
Save Points
The game is easily saved through the menu in the world map, but during a battle this is not possible! The battles are turn-based so it is possible to put the game down and leave it running and have nothing change, but to be able to turn off the system, a real save through the menu on the world map must be done.
Heads Up!
Violence The Pokémon video games generally revolve around the defeat of other Pokémon to gain experience points and subsequently level up. In these battles, the object is not death— the opponent is merely rendered unconscious, known as KO (or knock-out). Pokémon cannot die and are revived with either items or the help of Pokémon hospitals known as Pokémon Centers. The playable character does perhaps get into some mischief with the enemies who are trying to take over the world, but all violence is tempered to be suitable for children, such as mild electrocution or equivalent comic violence.
Sex & Nudity In later incarnations, breeding of Pokemon is possible. There is no sex shown, but it is clear that a simple knowledge of how breeding works must be present.
Conversation Starters
- Here are a few ideas for engaging with your kids around Pokemon:
- Compare the Pokemon to any family pets you might have and ask them how they think pets would like to be treated. A lot of the newer games include gauges of how loved your Pokemon feel when you use them. Encourage them to keep those scores up.
- Use the training and leveling up mechanics in Pokemon to discuss why it's important to work hard to get better at something or to get something you want. You can explain that when you're faced with a challenge, you can think about overcoming hardships and leveling up, much like your Pokemon do. You can also point out that your kids will be come stronger and smarter as well as grow up physically.
- Talk about the complexities of feelings around winning. Lots of Pokemon depends on your ability to win and defeat challengers. Talk to your kids about how it feels to lose and help them understand that while winning is important, not everything needs to revolve around being the greatest. Sometimes having happy Pokemon and a team you love is more important.
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