NINTENDO BRINGS MONSTER GAME TO CANADA
By Adnews Staff
Nintendo Co. Ltd. of Japan brought its newest Game Boy game to the Canadian market this week. Called Pokemon, the game combines an adventure/role-playing theme and elements of raising a virtual pet monster. To play the game, users begin with one monster to raise and train so it can become strong enough to weaken and capture other monsters. The new monsters can then be added to the players collection of Pokemon. The virtual monsters evolve, take on new characteristics and alter their physical appearance and fighting abilities by winning battles. Pokemon will initially be available in two versions: Red and Blue. Each version plays the same, but the frequency of the appearance of certain monsters is different in each version. To collect all 150 monsters, players will need to have access to both versions. Nintendo will promote Pokemon using TV and print ads created by Leo Burnett Co. of Toronto. PR will be handled by the GCI Group of Toronto. In November, Nintendo will launch a line of Pokemon toys in Canada. The first toy will be Pokemon Pikachu, which is an electronic pet. Users need to build a relationship with Pikachu by taking it for walks. As the owner walks, he will receive points in the form of watts. The watts need to be given to Pikachu in order to build a good relationship with the owner. Pikachu also brushes his teeth, takes a bath and rides a tricycle. Other products will include plush toys and action figures. In addition, YTV began airing a TV show based on the Pokemon game. The show follows the storyline of the game, with the hero, Ash, attempting to become the World's Greatest Pokemon Trainer. Ash and his friends are assisted in their adventures by a friendly monster, Pikachu, who shows them how to catch and tame an assortment of creatures.