Video:Guide to Pokemon

Transcript:Guide to Pokemon

Hello I'm Matt Ediger for About.com and this is your introductory guide to Pokemon.

What Is Pokemon?

Pokemon is a global phenomenon and rightfully so, with TV shows, movies, no less than 54 video games, and a wildly popular card game. It's easy to understand how millions of people have caught on to this sometimes-addictive franchise. In this video we'll briefly touch on the popularity, a beginners guide to playing the card game, and explaining some of the main characters.

Information About Pokemon

Pokemon originated during the early nineties in Japan as a turn based strategy video game. As trading card games became more popular in Japan a card version of the videogame series was created. The franchises popularity can be explained by the easily accessible game play, and sheer amount of content across a wide stratum of media. For those of you who are new to the trading card game or are just curious as to what all those damn kids are doing.

Pokemon Game

Here's a brief overview of the game play. Initially a playing board is set up and each player uses customized decks of 60 cards. Turns are taken starting with the flip of a coin or roll of the dice. Players pick from their deck what Pokemon they want to play and place them in the center of the board called the arena. The other player places the Pokemon they wish to "fight" against in the arena and play begins.

Other Pokemon can be placed on the "bench" so as to be able to quickly take over if the initial Pokemon is defeated. "Energy" cards are used as attacks against the opposing Pokemon. "Trainer" cards can be used to diminish the power of the attack of the other player. Turns are taken either offensively attacking the other players card, or defensively blocking the attacks. Pokemon are divided into the following groups: Grass, fire, water, electric, psychic, earth, dark, steel, and white. Each of these groups has its strengths and weaknesses as in fire is weaker against water but stronger against grass. One of the most popular characters is Pikachu this character is synonymous with the franchise and is the mascot for the series.