Is it acceptable for an adult to be into pokemon, REALLY?

[Snapple]

I can't help it. The games are fun. You can play the game a million times over, and it'll never be the same twice, because there are so many pokemon to choose from, and so many viable movesets.

And that's before you even get to PvP. People play pokemon against each other online using special fan-made programs, and until you play against these people, it's hard to fully grasp what a strategic game this is, and how easy it is to get knocked on your ass if you don't know what you're doing.

That all being said, I still can't help feeling a bit guilty. Sometimes, I take a step back and go, "Goddamn, maybe I need to get a life." I mean, this is supposed to be a "kid's game," and I'm 23.

So, is it normal for an adult to like pokemon? I won't be offended either way. I don't require acceptance of every one of my habits by strangers on the interweb. I'm just curious.

[djb1986]

Uh, you're posting this on a forum where some people have every Pokemon game in every region, so I'd say no.

[pacmanhat]

Huh...what a coincidence. I just bought Emerald today and thought about these same thoughts. Simply put, there's no wrong age to love Pokemon. I'll probably get yelled at for saying this, but I think you can make an argument that Pokemon is the best RPG series ever.

[Lothars]

there's nothing wrong with pokemon

I enjoyed them all and plan to buy the ds version when it's released

they are fun games

[norkusa]

Socially acceptable? Absolutely not.

Does that mean you shouldn't play it? I dunno. That's up to you.

[Richter Belmount]

nope , but you like do it in public to get attention, read stuff outloud from the game, charmander go!

[PDorr3]

Embarassing to play in public and have someone ask what game your playing? Yes. Awsome game to play alone in your spare time? yes. I still need to get fire red or leaf green on gba and relive this classic series.

[p_b]

Embarassing to play in public and have someone ask what game your playing? Yes. Awsome game to play alone in your spare time? yes. I still need to get fire red or leaf green on gba and relive this classic series.

If you look at what stupid books / newspapers some people are reading in public, playing pokemon is like reading classic literature!

[Muscelli]

nope- pokemon is a kids show, and a kiddy game. Good game, but yea youre asking this in a forum with grown men who love their videogames, so yea :P it is a good game though, shouldnt stop you from playing it

[Sothy]

what is acceptable is what you can do that is unpopular in public without getting yer ass beat.


I suppose if yer tough enough you can wear a my little pony shirt.

[zerohero]

If you enjoy it, and the obsession doesn't cause any health problems etc, your fine ;)

[Beefy Hits]

I can't really get into the RPG games, but I love me some Pokemon Pinball GBA.

[heybtbm]

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again...

A general rule in life: Do what you want and don't waste your time worrying about what other people think. Have fun doing what you want. No one is "keeping track" of the things you do.

There is no such thing as a "right" or "wrong" way to spend your free time (illegal activities non-withstanding of course).

[Crazycarl]

It's one of those things that you really don't want to tell people you do. Actuelly it would of been best not to tell us. But no one is stopping you from playing Pokemon games, they are good games, just keep it to yourself LOL

[cyberfluxor]

I suppose if yer tough enough you can wear a my little pony shirt.
Ya, I can see someone prancing around campus now.

I wasn't much fan of the TV show but watched it on occasion back in highschool mainly because my g/f watched it after school. Uggg, horrible anime in my opinion. As for the game, whatever blows your skirt up. If you enjoy it then take it out whenever and see how far you can get. I personally prefer Zelda on the go before Pokemon, or even Bomberman but it's all personal preference. If I ever meet you in public while playing it I'll laugh only if you're wearing a Salior Moon shirt at the same time. ;)

[Snapple]

Hey, that My Little Pony shirt was a present. I only wear it to be polite...

I mean... what shirt?

[handheldchick]

nothing wrong with pkmn,i am 21 and i play it in class while waitin on a teacher.

[itobandito]

If thats your thing thats cool, not my bag though. We all have our vices.

[coz]

Since the game came out 10 years ago, and you're 23, I see no problem, you're just being nostalgic for something from your youth. Though truthfully I'd feel 13 would have been too old to be playing pokemon, at 13 I was into things with real meat like D&D, but I don't admit to that in public.

So, yes, pokemon is acceptable it's no weirder than adult fans of Lego, or D&D or well, video games in general.

[PentiumMMX]

Pokémon isn't too bad. You may get laughed at depending on where you play, but who cares? I played some Pokémon on a Pikachu Edition Game Boy Color and no one laughed at me (My Atomic Purple GBC died, BTW). To be exact, I've been laughed at more for playing Final Fantasy 7 then Pokémon (Wired, isn't it?)

BTW, I've played the newer games, but don't own them yet (Going to finish Blue (Almost have the origenal 151 Pokémon caught!) before I move to the GBA Pokémon)

[kainemaxwell]

Pokemon's a kid's show, yes. The games are actually pretty involving RPGs though.

[mills]

I have never once played a pokemon game in my life.

[theshizzle3000]

Since the game came out 10 years ago, and you're 23, I see no problem, you're just being nostalgic for something from your youth. Though truthfully I'd feel 13 would have been too old to be playing pokemon, at 13 I was into things with real meat like D&D, but I don't admit to that in public.

So, yes, pokemon is acceptable it's no weirder than adult fans of Lego, or D&D or well, video games in general.

I agree it is all about a nostalgia factor the only pokemon game I still play is yellow just cuz it is the one I grew up on.

[bangtango]

I'm 26 and I have all the Pokemon games up through Gameboy Color. I used to play them on campus during my early 20's, in a dorm full of jocks and frat-types, and nobody gave it a second thought. They all knew I was playing Pokemon and Sonic games. So what? It's a very small percentage of people that would think (or say) anything, one way or another. Not familiar with the tv show, movies, books, cards or other merchandise, though.

The only reason I ever bothered to play the games was because I bought a boxed Gameboy Color used, didn't think it came with any games, and took it home to find Pokemon Silver sticking in the cartridge slot. Sure as hell wasn't going to take it back, since it was a free game. I played it for awhile and liked it so much I found the rest of the games.

[staxx]

I think it's fine with whatever game you play. You are really an adult when you can careless what other thinks. Now if you run around and scream out that pokemon is da best evAAAAA, we may have a problem here. Plus go and cosplay and have pokeballs on your belt. Bottom line is if you enjoy the game, who cares what other people think of you.

[Richter Belmount]

Pokémon isn't too bad. You may get laughed at depending on where you play, but who cares? I played some Pokémon on a Pikachu Edition Game Boy Color and no one laughed at me (My Atomic Purple GBC died, BTW). To be exact, I've been laughed at more for playing Final Fantasy 7 then Pokémon (Wired, isn't it?)

hahahahahahaaaha! ff6 pAwns you boy!

[poloplayr]

It's NOT ok if you play them dressed as Pikachu while rubbing lotion on your nipples.

[norkusa]

what is acceptable is what you can do that is unpopular in public without getting yer ass beat.


I suppose if yer tough enough you can wear a my little pony shirt.

After reading that, I had to post this....

http://www.pbfcomics.com/archive/PBF024AD-Nice_T_Shirt.jpg

[jajaja]

LOL that cartoon strip.

I dont see anything wrong with playing Pokémon on GBA (or whatever system) if your over 13 years old or something. I dont think many people care anyway. Altho i do think the card games is for kids only. Looks alittle wierd of a 30 year old sits there playing Pokémon cards with a 10 year old hehe.

I bought Pokemon Red for GB when i was about 17. Bought it to kill some time in the hospital and it sure did :) Its a cool game too. I also bought the strategy guide at the hospital, but i dont think i have that anymore :\

[Daria]

I know a parent that at the elementary school I work at that claims to be addicted to Pokemon. I believe she's a nurse as she's always there in scrubs. Her son plays in constantly so it's probably a bonding thing between the two of them.

[katchoo]

Yes, it is okay to play Pokemon, or any other video game, when you're an adult. I'm 30 and have been watching the TV show for 10 something years. (yes, I'm a bit biased.)

Seriously though, as many folks have indicated here - do want ya like. Life is too short to worry if someone thinks you're not cool for playing a particular video game. Some random stranger on the street gives you crap about it, nuts to them - you're not going to ever see that person again.

You're not hurting anyone, except Team Rocket. :D

[Cryomancer]

Been playing it for 10 years, I've gotten older but the damn game is still fun so I don't see myself stopping any time soon if ever, and certainly not because of social pressures.

What i don't understand is all the people who go "oh gbc was the last good ones, blah blah too many!!1". Dude, have you PLAYED red or blue lately? The interface is TERRIBLE. Play a GBA version for 20 minutes and then try red again, you're not gonna want to go back.

I agree on the "you could make an argument that pokemon is the best RPG ever". Not saying it IS, but there's definetely a good argument for it. Personally I think pokemon is a nice present for collector types, as the game itself is about collecting, and the more cables and games and hardware and cards and whatnot you have, the more your game experience can be enhanced in different ways. In many ways, playing pokemon games is a game in itself, trying to get all the random promo items needed to get hyper-rare pokemon and whatnot.

[Sothy]

plus cryo is a girl

[Iron Draggon]

I can't really get into the RPG games, but I love me some Pokemon Pinball GBA.

I've been enjoying Pokemon Pinball for the GBA so much that I'm seriously considering getting some of the other Pokemon games for the GBA now. I didn't think that I was really gonna like Pokemon Pinball, and I only got it because I wanted to own all the GBA pinball games. But what a cool surprise, Pokemon Pinball is actually one of the best pinball games ever made for the GBA, and possibly for any other system. It's just really interesting to catch all the different Pokemon, and very cool that even that can be done in a number of interesting ways. These games are just for kids? I don't think so. No way that a game that involves this much strategy could possibly be just for kids. Just because it's very popular with kids doesn't mean that it's just for kids. Play it in public. Be proud of it. Spread the word. It's not like you're a guy playing some Barbie game in public.

[Xizer]

So...who cares what is "acceptable" ?

[diskoboy]

I quit working at Gamestop because of Pokemon Crystal.

NOT because of the game, itself - but all the asshole parents who cuss you out if you didn't have the game in stock, even after you tell them hundreds of time to pre-order it.

So in my eyes - Pokemon should be wiped off the face of the earth.

EDIT - But if you wan't to buy the game. No ones gonna make fun. I'm sure all of us here have a game we won't admit to owning.

[Xizer]

I quit working at Gamestop because of Pokemon Crystal.

NOT because of the game, itself - but all the asshole parents who cuss you out if you didn't have the game in stock, even after you tell them hundreds of time to pre-order it.

So in my eyes - Pokemon should be wiped off the face of the earth.

:roll:

What about all of the asshole kids who bitch when you won't sell them Grand Theft Auto?

[diskoboy]

I quit working at Gamestop because of Pokemon Crystal.

NOT because of the game, itself - but all the asshole parents who cuss you out if you didn't have the game in stock, even after you tell them hundreds of time to pre-order it.

So in my eyes - Pokemon should be wiped off the face of the earth.

:roll:

What about all of the asshole kids who bitch when you won't sell them Grand Theft Auto?

I laughed and rubbed it in their faces.

J/K - I'd tell them to get their parents. If they buy it, I can't say anything. Otherwise I couldn't. Kids were pretty cool about that. Bitchy kids were a rare occurance at my store.

[Cryomancer]

plus cryo is a girl

just means i get to touch girls more

[mezrabad]

Acceptable?

Look, if you're an adult and you play videogames you've quit caring about "acceptable" a long time ago. Most of the adults I know "don't have time" to play videogames. Meaning they don't enjoy them enough to "make" time for them. That doesn't keep them from reading "The 'Duh' Vinci Code" or from consuming some other type of time wasting brain candy (Reality TV, Sit-coms, professional sports, you name it) supposedly meant for "grown ups." Some have the ignorance to claim what they use to pass the time is "more enriching" than anything we can come up with in videogames. I don't have a problem with them enjoying whatever they enjoy, I have a problem with them having a problem with me enjoying what I enjoy.

You get one life. If you find something you enjoy in life, go ahead and do it. This isn't a rehearsal. You don't get another life.*

I'm 38. I can't wait to actually play Pokemon ... Red/Blue/Yellow, Gold/Silver, Emerald/Ruby, Crystal, Fire/Leaf, Stadium, Colleseum - whatever. In the meantime, I play the Pokemon card game with my son. He kicks my ass unless I can get my Dark Tyranotaur (right name?) out in time.

*actually, do it if you enjoy it, unless what you enjoy involves hurting other people.

[Snapple]

I dont see anything wrong with playing Pokémon on GBA (or whatever system) if your over 13 years old or something. I dont think many people care anyway. Altho i do think the card games is for kids only. Looks alittle wierd of a 30 year old sits there playing Pokémon cards with a 10 year old hehe.

That isn't a problem for me, because I hate all card battle games with a passion, whether they're actual decks of cards or the video game version. I think Yu-Gi-Oh is the devil, and Metal Gear Acid made me want to cry.

I haven't bought any kind of pokemon merch except for the actual video games. Although, I did get a couple pokemon things free with my Burger King meal like 8 years ago. I don't think I have them anyore.


Look, if you're an adult and you play videogames you've quit caring about "acceptable" a long time ago.

Well, I don't necessarily agree with that. Adults playing video games is very common now. People used to think kids would grow out of video games, but instead, the video game industry grew up along with the kids. So we have more mature games out there, as well as more adults playing games.

[Synergy]

A general rule in life: Do what you want and don't waste your time worrying about what other people think. Have fun doing what you want. No one is "keeping track" of the things you do.

There is no such thing as a "right" or "wrong" way to spend your free time (illegal activities non-withstanding of course).

QFT. The only Pokemon game I've played personally is Red on the Game Boy, and I thought it was an ok game. Honestly, play the games you want to play if you enjoy them. ;)

[Muscelli]

pokemon is a kids cartoon.. theres a time for everybody to grow up, its just plain immature to play a kids game

[Sebastian]

That all being said, I still can't help feeling a bit guilty. Sometimes, I take a step back and go, "Goddamn, maybe I need to get a life." I mean, this is supposed to be a "kid's game," and I'm 23.

I think the problem of Pokemon is the Pokemon craze that hit our planet. The million and two toys produced... the crap of a TV show, the card games, and anything from a pika-pen to a pika-dildo. When people think POKEMON they think of that... not the video game.

As a video game Pokemon is at least a decent RPG (or even a great one, depending on preference.) If there was no Pokemon craze on Planet Earth... then Pokemon the game would be just that - Pokemon the game just like Final Fantasy or Fire Emblem.


And that's before you even get to PvP. People play pokemon against each other online using special fan-made programs, and until you play against these people, it's hard to fully grasp what a strategic game this is, and how easy it is to get knocked on your ass if you don't know what you're doing.

Multiplayer is where Pokemon the game really shines. To me as a single player game Pokemon is only decent, I find the story and characters to be rather lame. However the battle system and strategy is deeper than what first meets the eye.

Why not upgrade Pokemon to DS and make it online over Wi-Fi.... that would be one solid game.

[mezrabad]

Look, if you're an adult and you play videogames you've quit caring about "acceptable" a long time ago.

Well, I don't necessarily agree with that. Adults playing video games is very common now. People used to think kids would grow out of video games, but instead, the video game industry grew up along with the kids. So we have more mature games out there, as well as more adults playing games.

Sorry, acceptable is a bit strong but I was trying to use the word you chose.

Let me put it this way. I think that it is safe to say that adults who don't play videogames don't have the same level of tolerance for other adults who play videogames as adults who don't watch professional sports have for adults who do watch professional sports. I use professional sports as an example, but you could insert many hobbies.

Basically, many people look at our hobby and consider it something for children, "children in adult bodies" or adults indulging a part of themself that hasn't grown up yet.

[Cryomancer]

pokemon is a kids cartoon.. theres a time for everybody to grow up, its just plain immature to play a kids game

E means everyone, not 14 and under. There is such a thing as age-neutral entertainment, and the pokemon games are just that.

[GameSlaveGaz]

I think the problem of Pokemon is the Pokemon craze that hit our planet. The million and two toys produced... the crap of a TV show, the card games, and anything from a pika-pen to a pika-dildo. When people think POKEMON they think of that... not the video game.

As a video game Pokemon is at least a decent RPG (or even a great one, depending on preference.) If there was no Pokemon craze on Planet Earth... then Pokemon the game would be just that - Pokemon the game just like Final Fantasy or Fire Emblem.


I agree wholeheartedly. I think the main stigma of Pokémon is the emphasis on the merchandising and hype. Of course it's going to be labelled as kiddie if all this kiddie product comes out for it and there's a kiddie cartoon. But the game itself is a fine piece of strategy and role-playing entertainment. Playing the game is something I think is intended for all ages, whereas merchandise like dolls and clothing and DVDs are more geared towards kids (although that didn't stop me from buying a Munchlax plushie at the mall tour.......)

I mean I'm 21 and I've been playing since Red and Blue came out off and on. I actually have never played Gold, Silver or Crystal, but I've played Ruby, FireRed and have recently picked up Emerald. I like the challenge in planning a strategy for beating each gym leader and exploiting the various strengths and weaknesses of different types of Pokémon and attacks. Also, since I'm very obsessive-compulsive and have a bad collecting habit, the "Gotta catch 'em all!" thing gets me going. It's a game series that I'll play for months straight then put down for a year or two then pick up again for months, but I keep coming back. My boyfriend (22) and his brother (19) are the same way. And we even went to the Journey Across America mall tour with another friend in his early 20s and stood in line for hours for Celebi. And we weren't the oldest people there (and I'm not talking parents with their kids) and we weren't the weirdest and geekiest people there either (although all four of us were wearing video game themed shirts). There was a guy there wearing a cape and pushing a shopping cart filled with monitors, Gameboys, link cables and god knows what else. I actually found out today from out Nintendo rep that they call him the PokéMaster and that he's ALWAYS at that mall (South Shore Plaza in MA).

There will always be people who look down on other things. Some look down on video games in general. Some only look down on adults playing "kiddie" games like Mario and Pokémon instead of "manly, adult" games like Madden and GTA. Some look down on adults watching cartoons or reading Harry Potter. So what? Let them think what they want. Don't let it bother you too much. And if you can't help that, at least remind yourself that you could be worse. Because no matter how much of a geek or fanatic you think you are, there's always someone even geekier or more of a fanatic than you.

I stopped caring about what people thought of me and am not afraid to drive around in public blaring Styx in my car with the Pac-Man fuzzy dice and the Live Long and Prosper bumper sticker while wearing my Slytherin shirt on the way to the nearest anime convention where I would be cosplaying and standing in line for registration playing Pokémon FireRed on my NES edition GameBoy Advance SP. But that's just me. Hope you feel better about yourself now