Profound Life Lessons Brought to You By Pokémon

By Lacey Ross on April 14, 2013

Since the tender age of five, when I found a rogue Spearow card during recess, I have been obsessed with Pokémon. Along with collecting 1,000+ cards, I hoarded books, toys, dolls, posters, movies, clothes, and all other products adorned with the Japanese sensation. My knowledge of the Pokémon universe was astounding. However, I always had the strongest emotional connection with the video games. The first Pokémon video game I ever played was Pokémon Sapphire for the Game Boy Advance. Since then, I have played and conquered at least one Pokémon video game from each generation of Pokémon, and I found that my emotional attachment was unwavering from game to game. Why is this?

This is the actual card I found that day, about 13 years ago.

The player does not realize he or she is gaining life lessons until the credits scroll as the player reaches the Hall of Fame. It’s neat.

Everything is a journey, and everything worthwhile takes time.

The premise of nearly every Pokémon game is to venture from town to town, battling Gym Leaders and formidable trainers alike for badges and honor. This adventure takes time. However, each moment of a Pokémon journey is a development. Each battle means growth and experience for a trainer’s Pokémon. Each badge means new capabilities and status for a trainer. Each new Pokémon spotted and new town visited means new information for the trainer’s Pokédex. Each person met means new connections; each villain conquered means new alliances. All of these experiences are a seminal part of every trainer’s journey.

A typical journey shot. This is actually from the soon-to-be-released Pokemon X & Y games.

“Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.”

The player chooses a starter Pokémon at the very beginning of the game. This Pokémon is the player’s first friend and the only Pokémon the player doesn’t have to incessantly chase, fight, and catch. At first, this Pokémon is the only thing defending the player from their first encounters with wild Pokémon and elementary battles. Watching the Pokémon quickly gain experience and levels should fill any player with pride and solidify the bond between the starter Pokémon and the trainer.

As the player goes on, arguably cooler, stronger, and more rare Pokémon will come along and the player will add them to his or her team. Forgetting about that starter Pokémon, the trainer’s oldest friend, is the wrong thing to do. Leaving that old friend behind in PC storage is a crime.

The basic setup for a Pokemon battle.

Take risks (but always have a Revive on hand).

There’s a trainer that’s significantly more experienced and powerful than you? Take him on. There’s a cave in your path filled with formidable Pokémon? Waltz right through it. There’s a legendary Pokémon at the peak of that mountain? Climb it. However, don’t be foolish. Fill your backpack with Revives, Potions, and the finest Antidotes to assure the health and safety of your team. If life were about playing it safe, we’d all be Pokémon Coordinators.

 

Plan your “Master Ball moment.”

The Master Ball is the mother of all Pokéballs. Guaranteed to capture any Pokémon with 100% accuracy, the Master Ball is typically given to the trainer once per game. Wasting this chance on anything less than a rare or legendary Pokémon would be a sin. Choose the target of your Master Ball and head relentlessly toward that target. Do not waste your opportunity.

“Whiting out” is not the end of the world.

“Whiting” or “blacking” out in a Pokémon game is when all six of a trainer’s on-hand Pokémon faint during a battle. The battle will end and the trainer will be rushed to the nearest Pokémon center to revive the fallen Pokémon. Once a trainer’s journey begins, this does not happen often if the trainer is astute in battle and attentive in training. However, even the most established trainers lose battles. Plus, after a little rest and more training, the trainer can go back to their opponent and battle them again. If a trainer “whites” or “blacks” out, it can only be a lesson on what to work on for the future.

 

Don’t like the direction you’re going? Restart.

Pokémon games are not permanent by any means. Any Pokémon trainer knows that the “New Game” option exists. If you don’t think you fit with your starter Pokémon, or you keep whiting out, or you just don’t like your situation, start over! Begin anew.

 

Are you surprised? Pokémon games have a lot more to offer us than recreation.

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