Pokemon games run emotions high
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Dec 13/00) - They're funny looking little creatures that have gained worldwide popularity.
They answer to the names of Bulbasaur, Arbok, Charmander, Drowzee, Snorlax and Pikachu.
In fact, there's more than 150 little creatures like Slowpoke, Squirtle, Venonat, Tauros, Weezing and Wigglytuff.
Recognize them? They're Pokemon, and they have their own movie series, TV show, trading cards and video games.
First started in Japan, Pokemon (Pocket Monsters) have reached incredible heights of popularity with kids, including those in the Kivalliq.
At first, the idea behind Pokemon was for a trainer to capture all 150 creatures.
No easy task, but, no matter how big a Pokemon is, it can be contained in little Pokeballs that fit in the palm of your hand.
The creatures even have their own Psychic Pokemon Connection Web site.
Rankin Inlet's Eugene Kabluitok rarely leaves home without his Pokemon cards.
For Eugene, Pokemon is as much a business opportunity as it is a card game.
"I like doing battle with them, but I'm not a very good player," says Kabluitok.
"I'm more into collecting them and then selling them for a profit."
Johnny Kaput is known among his Pokemon buddies as "Psycho."
He's into Pokemon, and his aggressive approach to the game is one of the reasons it has been banned from many schools.
"I like winning cards by beating someone else," says Kaput. "Sometimes people will fight for real over the game, throwing cards at each other and everything.
"I find attacking a lot is the best strategy, even if sometimes I attack the other player."
Some Pokemon games even have their own language.
A player might launch a RSA (rocket sneak attack) or try a SER (super energy removal) on his opponent.
Either way, the goal is clear -- demolish your opponent trainer's Pokemon.
"That's the whole idea," says "Psycho," attack and destroy.
"Sometimes the Pokemon, sometimes the trainer."
