Pokémon Showdown 2008: Catch ‘Em All…In Real Life!

Remember the original Pokémon? Pikachu and friends. A Squirtle that looks like a turtle. A fire-breathing Charizard, the orange dragon. Now there’s 493, and everyone originally interested should have far outgrown the originals. I may be too old to get excited about Pokémon tournaments, but they still exist, and the idea of going to one all dressed up as Pikachu at the ripe age of 20-something is scintillating.

I’d love to be lumped into the over-13 category and make little Poké-enthusiast children cry as I unleash Chingling, the…Pacman with toesocks on his head.
Well, GotGame readers, I choose you…to show up at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008, equipped with Nintendo DS, copy of Pokémon Diamond/Pearl, stylus of choice, cosplay costume, and old geezerness, to be the very best, like no one ever was.

So I lied a little. If it wasn’t enough to be older than every participant there, online registration is closed. But there is hope, if you are to fulfill your Poké-mission. Just show up in either LA or New York, slip your way in there in your Snorlax costume, and frantically draw attention to yourself by behaving as much like your chosen Pokémon as possible and vowing that you are, in fact, the best Pokémon trainer.
Perhaps Snorlax would not be the best choice, as he is neither frantic nor the best. But he is large. They could select you as an alternate and make you the happiest Poké-fan in the world. And for a tournament that seems to be targeted at kids, the prize is actually quite swanky—the top finisher in each division wins a Wii prize package including a Wii system, four Wiimotes, four Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Pokémon Battle Revolution. And the grand prize includes a 6-day vacation package for four to Honolulu, New York, or Tokyo. Fit for a Master Trainer.

And the tournament seems to promise goodies for all; it re-iterates: you might even get a chance to meet Pikachu!

The rules have gotten complicated, the Pokémon have gotten numerous, but you must put your skills to the test. Your courage will pull you through.