How to Become a Pokemon Master: An Unauthorized Guide-Not Endorsed By Nintendo

by Hank Schlesinger

Overview

Find out everything you need to know to master the world's favorite hand-held game.

It's all here. Amaze your friends, astound you parents, and impress your classmates with the valuable expert tips that can turn you into a champion Pokemon player. And you'll get them straight from the source: kids just like you who have played for hours on end and discovered the amazing secrets of this awesome game!Author Hank Schlesinger-an avid video game junkie himself-has interviewed kids who love Pokemon, and thrown in his insights and tips, to create the ultimate Pokemon guide.

Learn from the pros-other kids who have aced Pokemon!

From raising Pokemon to defeating the most deadly enemies in battle-these are the tips that no serious player can afford to miss. Compete on your own or plug into a friend's Game Boy and share the fun. Either way, you'll want the best hints and strategies-from the best players-for this amazing game of courage, skill...and monsters!

With special bonus tips for other Game Boy games.

This book has not been authorized or endorsed by any creator, manufacturer or distributor of Pokemon games of toys, or any creator or producer of the "Pokemon" television show.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250115843
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/15/2016
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Hank Schlesinger is the author of many books, including Digimon Power, How to Become a Pokemon Master, and How to Win at Nintendo 64 Games, Vol. 2.
Hank Schlesinger is the author of many books, including Digimon Power, How to Become a Pokemon Master, and How to Win at Nintendo 64 Games, Vol. 2.

Read an Excerpt

How To Become A Pokémon Master

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By Hank Schlesinger

St. Martin's Press

Copyright © 1999 Hank Schlesinger
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-250-11584-3

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CHAPTER 1

Another Pokémon Book

Does the world really, really need another Pokémon book? Heck, yes! And I'll tell you why. First off, I wanted to make this book different from all the other books out there. I wanted to make it as fun as the game itself.

Is that possible? Can a book be as fun as a video game? I think so. I think books can be even more fun than a video game. And remember, books don't need batteries.

One way I thought to make the book fun, while including as much information as possible, was to have kids — actual real live kids — write a large part of the book. I can tell you the moves, the tricks, the mini–walk-throughs, and all the rest of that stuff. All of that stuff is easy. But I wanted to get kids' comments on the games, the Pokémon, and the strategies.

Kids notice things in a game that adults might miss. Also, certain moves that may be easy for adults may be harder for kids. And last, I wanted the book to be like talking to a friend, like sharing secrets of the game in the schoolyard. I hope this book will be easier than the information in the schoolyard because it is written down, so you don't have to remember every little detail.

Another way I wanted to make this book fun was to put in a lot of stupid jokes. I read a lot of the video game books out there, and most of them are very serious. Too serious, if you ask me. You did ask me, didn't you? Okay, even if you didn't ask me, I'm telling you anyway. They're too serious! I want this book to be fun!

I did include a bunch of tips, suggestions, and hints to help you get through the really tough spots. Of course, I want people to finish the game, but even more important, I want them to have fun playing it. I also want them to laugh at some of the stupid jokes in this book. With any luck at all, this book will help you to enjoy Pokémon even more and maybe even make you laugh.

And just to show you that I'm serious about making you laugh, here's an absolutely useless Pokémon joke.

Question:

What's the difference between Pokémon and a bathroom?

Answer:

If you don't know, then you can't borrow my Game Boy!

Made you laugh, didn't I? Good. Now stop laughing and start reading. There may be more laughs, but I'm not going to tell you where they are!

I hope you like the book. And I want to thank all of the kids who contributed to it. I know they worked really hard on getting their sections done. It wasn't easy, believe me. They did it in their free time, after they had finished their homework and chores. They took the time to write about their favorite game because we can all learn something from each other. No matter how young someone is, he or she can still show us some cool things. And that goes for practically everything, not just for Pokémon.

Two of the kids who offered a lot — I mean a lot — of help are Max S. and Willy S. of Brooklyn, New York. So you'll see a lot of their comments throughout the book. They love Pokémon and play it all the time — sometime even when they're supposed to be doing homework. Since Max and Willy are twins, they have a real advantage over other kids. They always have someone around to play the game and trade Pokémon tips with. Both of them have collected all 150 Pokémon, so that makes them experts. They were also really enthusiastic about sharing what they learned with other kids.

Another kid who really helped out a lot was Tim R. from New Jersey. He did a really great job of writing up all his favorite Pokémon stuff. But when the book was almost done, he called again and said his favorite city had changed. So Tim's favorite place in the game is now the Unknown Dungeon. I think that's pretty cool because Tim had been playing the game a long time and was still discovering stuff and having a great time doing it.

A bunch of other kids who helped out include Michael D., Aaron R., and Raymond K. from New Jersey and Colin J. from Brooklyn, New York. They did great jobs too. Naturally, other kids also helped out, but they didn't make it into the book. I'd like to thank them too. Thanks, guys.

Will This Book Make Me a Better Pokémon Player?

I can answer that question in one word. Nope! The only thing that can make you a better Pokémon player is playing Pokémon. Hey, no book can make you a better player. Books can tell you how to finish the game, but finishing the game doesn't mean you are a better player. It just means someone told you how to finish the game. What's the fun in that?

What I tried to do is include a bunch of stuff that will help you understand the game. And a bunch of tips and hints that will help you over the tough spots. That way, if and when you do finish the game, you did it on your own without me telling you how to go every inch of the way.

Remember, the whole idea behind Pokémon isn't to finish the game quickly but to have fun playing it. Even if you never finish the game to its end, you can still have loads of fun collecting, trading, and battling with friends.

What's All That Stuff in the Back of the Book? This is a Pokémon Book!

Relax! Chill out and calm down! I included a whole bunch of other Game Boy games in the back of the book for fun. And yes, I know this is a Pokémon book. It says so right on the cover. On the other hand, sooner or later you may want to play a different game. Look at it this way: What if you just had to eat ice cream forever? How much fun would that be? Okay, bad example. It probably would be a lot of fun.

Let's look at it another way. Suppose you bought the Game Boy just to play Pokémon. Finally, you've done all the collecting and trading and had all the adventures you ever wanted to have. By this time you're maybe 120 years old. You put your Game Boy and Pokémon cartridge down and say, "Stupid game! That was easy. It only took me 110 years to beat it! And it needs batteries again! What a rip-off! Stupid game!" You look around and what do you see? You see this book! And suddenly you realize that you can play other games on the Game Boy! Plus, a lot of the games are the same ones you used to play on your television. But you haven't played the console since your parents grounded you for life when you were 97 years old because of that little incident with the goldfish and your big sister. Now, finally, you can try out all those other cool games for the Game Boy.

That's the kind of stuff I was thinking when I included the information for the other games. You may not appreciate them now. But just wait 100 years or so, and you'll really enjoy those games.

CHAPTER 2

Pokémon: The Game (for Parents and Kids)

Pokémon began in Japan a little over three years ago. And today it's still a favorite with Japanese kids. As a matter of fact, while there are only two cartridges available in the United States, with two more coming, in Japan they have more game cartridges to choose from. Today Pokémon is one of the hottest-selling video games in the world. Among the facts cited is that Pokémon cartridges are selling at the rate of about 10,000 a day.

What is probably most amazing about this is that it's for the Nintendo Game Boy, a system that is a decade old. As I told you before, in the world of computer games, ten years is ancient technological history.

Pokémon doesn't have the fancy-pants graphics or the super- difficult, fast game play. Above all, it doesn't have the violence currently found in many video games. While there is fighting in the Pokémon game, the object of the game is not to kill the monsters you encounter but rather to capture, train, and collect them.

For many Americans, the first time they heard the word "Pokémon" was in news stories about an unfortunate incident in which several hundred children were reportedly adversely affected by the flashing multicolored display used in a cartoon sequence in Japan. That sequence was removed before the cartoon was broadcast in America.

Today Pokémon games are just one piece of a vast Poké Empire that includes not only the television show, but toys, clothing, trading cards, and events held in shopping malls. One cold-cuts manufacturer even came out with Pokémon products.

Pokémon has cut to the heart of what kids want in a video game. Fancy graphics, violence, and negative themes were not what captured the imagination of kids. Neither was it an ocean of products related to the game, including a television show. It was solid and imaginative game-play.

Why This Game Is Cool (Parents, Are You Reading This?)

The plot of Pokémon revolves around a young boy named Ash Ketchum (as in "Catch 'em") and his adventure to capture and train all 150 Pokémon included in the game. The game is a very basic role-playing game (called RPG) very similar to console-type video games, such as Zelda or Super Mario. The young hero of the story — Ash — explores his imaginary world searching out Pokémon. Once he finds one, he uses his tame Pokémon and a Poké Ball to capture them. He then goes about training and "evolving" the Pokémon.

Pokémon is, in fact, not a fighting game but an exploring and collecting game. Young players are encouraged not to hurt the wild Pokémon but to care for them. They are also encouraged to "trade" Pokémon. By connecting a cable link between two hand-held games, kids can trade electronic characters. These trades can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the conditions the children set between themselves. The kids also may trade between the two versions (red and blue). Trading is encouraged within the game rules, with traded characters gaining skills more quickly.

Is Pokémon good or bad? Like any other video game or television show, too much of a good thing is always bad. It is the parents' responsibility to monitor all forms of entertainment their kids consume, whether it is television, movies, books, magazines, or video games. And it is up to the kids to trust their parents' judgment and obey the rules.

Warning: This Could Happen to You!

How important is Pokémon? It depends on how much you like playing the game. For a lot of kids it's a game to play once in a while. For other kids it's a game to play all the time. It may even be their favorite game of all time. However, no matter how much you like Pokémon, no matter how good you are at playing Pokémon, and no matter how much you want to play Pokémon, remember: It is still only a video game. It's not as important as doing your chores around the house. And above all, it's not as important as school or homework. No question about it! No question at all.

School and homework are more important. But some kids, it seems, didn't quite understand that or got too excited. Schools around the country are starting to ban Pokémon! They are banning Pokémon Game Boys, cards, and even clothing. Why? Because the kids were paying more attention to Pokémon than to their schoolwork, and some of the kids were losing their Game Boys, cartridges, or cards. What a mess! So, the teachers and principals got together and made a rule: NO MORE POKÉMON!

Think about it. You wouldn't bring your television from home to watch your favorite show in class. You wouldn't ask a teacher to teach history in a video arcade. So, why make a problem with Pokémon in school?

There are a lot of other reasons why Pokémon doesn't belong in school. For one thing, it's a hard game to play and you'll make mistakes if you're not giving it your full attention. Besides, if you're rushed or distracted, you won't even enjoy it that much. And you might lose it altogether on the playground or on the way home.

So keep school for learning and not for Pokémon.

Pop Quiz!

Question: When are video games more important than schoolwork?

A. Always.

B. Only when I'm winning.

C. I can't read this; I spend too much time playing video games.

D. Never.

Correct Answer: D. I know you were hoping for another answer, but there just isn't one. Video games, even great ones like Pokémon, are never more important than schoolwork.

CHAPTER 3

Pokémon Glossary

There's a lot to know about Pokémon. Everyone forgets something sometimes. So, here's a handy and dandy glossary of things included in the game. Yes, I know, you probably already know all this stuff. It's "baby stuff," right? Well, as I said, everyone forgets something sometimes, so isn't it good to know this information is here if you need it?

Ash: Ash Ketchum, a young boy and the hero of the story.

Badges: You win Badges during the game play when you do something good. There are eight different Badges in the game, including the Boulder Badge, the Earth Badge, and the Rainbow Badge. You will need Badges to win the game. See the section on Badges for complete details of what powers they give you and your Pokémon Party.

Boss: Video game slang for the bad guy you have to fight. The Bosses in Pokémon are Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and your rival.

Cable Club: Located in the Poké Center, you can go to the Cable Club either to trade Pokémon or to challenge a friend to battle. You must go to the Cable Club to trade or fight even if you are using a Color Game Boy with Infrared connection.

Cart: Short for the word "cartridge." You may also see or hear the term "game cart," which is a "game cartridge." Inside the cartridge, which goes into your Game Boy, is the software (computer language) that holds your Pokémon adventure. You wouldn't think that such a little cartridge could hold so much fun, would you? The words "cart" and "cartridge" are also used to describe "console game" software. Console games are the ones you play with a system like Nintendo 64 and hook up with your television.

Common: In Pokémon the word "Common" means that there are a lot of them. "Common" Pokémon are easy to find, and a lot of them exist in the game. Pokémon that are difficult to find, and there are very few of them, are called "Rare."

Elemental Stone: There are five different stones that Pokémon need to evolve. They are Water, Moon, Thunder, Fire, and Leaf Stones. You can simply buy them in the Celadon store or find them in Item Balls. The Moon Stone can be found in dungeons.

Elite Four: You will encounter the Elite Four near the end of the game. In fact, the Elite Four are the four biggest battle challenges of the game. They are the four trainers, Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, and Lance. All have Pokémon with levels above 50. And each one specializes in a different type of Pokémon.

Evolve: When a Pokémon changes (grows) into another form through experience, it is said to evolve. Evolved Pokémon are stronger and better fighters. However, not every Pokémon evolves. The ones that don't evolve into anything else are rarer and more valuable.

Faint: What a Pokémon does in battle if it is not up to fighting an opponent.

FAQ: A common term used in video game books or Internet sites. FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. It's pronounced like the word "facts," so it sounds like what it is.

Game Pack: (also "game pak" and just plain "pak") The game cartridge that contains the software that is the game. The Game Boy "reads" the information stored in the cartridge depending on what buttons you push to play the game. The words "game pack," "pack," and "pak" also are used to describe "console game" software.

Gym: Found in the cities and towns, Gyms are where you test your Pokémon against the Gym Leaders' and Pokémon Trainers'.

Gym Leaders (sometimes called Trainers): Your major opponents in the game, they can be found in gyms in the major cities. There are eight Gym Leaders. When you defeat them, they give you things, like Badges and Technical Machines.

Health Point (also called HP): These are the points or measurement of how healthy your Pokémon is during the game. A battle may deplete (use up) some HPs, but you can usually cure your Pokémon and get more Health Points by using a potion.

Hidden Machine (also called HM): Like a Technical Machine (TM) a Hidden Machine gives your Pokémon new battle moves. However, unlike a Technical Machine, a Hidden Machine can be used for as long as the game goes on. In fact, once a Pokémon learns a Hidden Machine skill, it has that skill forever. There are tons of Technical Machines but only a few Hidden Machines. Both a Technical Machine and a Hidden Machine have to be given to a Pokémon type that is able to use them. For example, a machine for a Grass type Pokémon will not help a Water type very much.

Level (also called LV): The amount of skill a Pokémon has gotten in battles and training. The level (or LV) of a Pokémon will give you an idea of how well it will do against an opponent. Pokémon is different than other RPG games where the word "level" refers to where you are in the game. For instance, the Third Level is the Magic Dragon's Dungeon. In Pokémon, the word "level" mostly means the strength of your Pokémon character.

Party: This is usually when a bunch of friends come over to eat cake and wear funny hats. However, a Pokémon Party usually means the group of Pokémon you've collected and are using in the game.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from How To Become A Pokémon Master by Hank Schlesinger. Copyright © 1999 Hank Schlesinger. Excerpted by permission of St. Martin's Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Title Page,
Copyright Notice,
Dedication,
A Note to Parents,
Introduction,
Another Pokémon Book,
Pokémon: The Game,
Pokémon Glossary,
Stuff You Should Know,
Ten Pokémon Questions Answered,
Ten Stupidest Questions Ever Asked About Pokémon Answered,
Getting the Best Pokémon,
Evolving, Leveling Up, and Elemental Stones,
Trading,
Where to Go and What to Do,
The Way I Play,
Poké On, Man!,
Is There Life After Pokémon?,
The End of the Book ... Almost,
St. Martin's Paperbacks titles by Hank Schlesinger,
About the Author,
Copyright,