Nintendo released a Pokémon X & Y live-action launch trailer and it literally gave me chills.
That might sound a little silly, but the frame above should explain it enough. Anyone who grew up with Pokémon, the absurdly addictive RPG from Nintendo, should feel it the second they look out over the wilderness and see Charmander standing by the trainer's side. Wasn't this how Pokémon Red and Blue seemed when you shoved the cartridge into your Game Boy and flipped the On-Off switch?
How about this forest scene where the trainer is catching a wild Pokémon in a dense forest? Doesn't it look like it could be Veridian Forest, waiting for eager trainers leaving Pallet Town for the first time?
How about this trio of images that show the changing seasons and how a growing stable of Pokémon friends evolve to reflect the hours you've spent in-game. You can find the full minute-long and gameplay-imbued trailer in Youtube form below, but can we just talk for a second about how meaningful this Pokémon release feels in the anticipation?
It feels like a brand new generation of gamers, those Nintendo intends to sell the 2DS to, are about to take their first timid steps into the world of Pokémon. It feels like a meaningful step forward for the franchise and for fans who've stuck with it through the lengthy lifespan of Nintendo DS Pokémon games. Black and White sure seemed to overstay their welcome, even after Version 2.
Truly I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for how defining Pokémon was way back when. While I'd love to have told you how awesome Pokémon X & Y are ahead of release, I'll be downloading a copy of Y from the Nintendo 3DS eShop on Saturday for GameRevolution's review. Our hands-on preview is right here though.
Will you take those newbie trainer steps tomorrow?