Local Pokemon fans celebrate 20 years of dedication
By: Anna-Michelle Lavandier
As the temperatures dropped, Pokemon trainers of all ages were absorbed in the heat of battle celebrating the midnight release of Pokemon Sun and Moon on the year of the franchise’s 20 year anniversary.
Ready to welcome the latest members of the Pokemon family, the GameStops located at Paramus Park Mall, the Westfield Garden State Plaza and The Outlets at Bergen Town Center (formerly known as Bergen Mall) teamed up once again to host the midnight release of Pokemon Sun and Moon at Miller’s Ale House in Paramus, New Jersey.
Dave Babuska, manager of the Bergen Town Center’s GameStop, enjoys the atmosphere of midnight release events of games. To help pass the time and keep players excited, the three GameStops hosted amateur Pokemon and Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournaments.
“Nintendo games tend to bring a more excited crowd,” he said. “Games like Super Smash Bros. and Pokemon generally have bigger, better, crazier moments and that tends to drive the excitement.”
Kira Secor, resident of Ramsey, New Jersey, credits Pokemon for being the reason she is a gamer today.
“With all the different changes over the years, it’s like you’re playing a different game each time,” Secor said. “I’m looking forward to being surprised by the game. Because I know I’m going to have fun.”
The three GameStops often do midnight release events together, bringing together gamers from different parts of the local area. Babuska enjoys seeing the different players meeting and interacting with each other during these release parties.
“It ties to the diversity of the gaming world,” he said. “People often think that some games are for kids or just for adults. You see all different people of different genders, ages, races. It really shows the power of video games.”
Molly Hoffman of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, began her Pokemon journey with Pokemon Diamond, but enjoyed the experience so much that she shared it with her 8-year-old son.
“There’s a reason why it’s so popular,” Hoffman said. “It just captures everyone. It’s unique compared to other games. They try something new while keeping some of the old. I’m not an RPG (Role-Playing Game) gamer, but that one stood out to me. The dynamics of the game captured me.”
Russell Holland, from Teaneck, New Jersey, is looking forward to all the new changes in the new version — especially the new Alolan Pokemon forms that transform the look and type classifications of certain Pokemon.
“It’s reliably fun,” Holland said. “It’s a decent experience and a nice change of pace from the other games I play. It can be serious, but also goofy.”
The Pokemon video game series is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary and loyal gamers have dedicated many hours of game play to the various games.
“It’s one of those games that just stays in your heart,” Secor said. “No matter how old you get, you just have to keep playing.”
Here are a few photos from the Pokemon Sun and Moon midnight release event taken at Miller’s Ale House in Paramus, New Jersey:
The Nerd Castle is an ongoing master’s capstone project with the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism that will be used to explore, showcase and expose diversity and the issues surrounding it within the gaming community.
Anna-Michelle can be found on Twitter @amlavandier. The Nerd Castle can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr.
