[Hard to Find!] Pocket Pikachu Color Edition (1998) Review｜The Original Walking Pokémon Virtual Pet!
Product Overview
Product Name: Pocket Pikachu Color Edition
Release Date: December 1998 (Japan)
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Specs: Built-in pedometer / dot-matrix color LCD
Features:
Walking increases your steps, which generate “Watts.”
Use Watts to feed Pikachu snacks or send items to Pokémon Gold & Silver on Game Boy Color.
Sequel to the original Pocket Pikachu (March 1998), with a new color LCD that makes Pikachu’s expressions come to life.
Character & Series Overview
What is Pocket Pikachu?
Source:Nintendo
A unique “pedometer + virtual pet” device.
Your walking steps become gifts for Pikachu.
The more you walk, the happier Pikachu gets, showing smiles and animations.
If neglected, Pikachu sulks, turns away, or even gets mad.
This concept encouraged kids to walk more just to see Pikachu smile, creating a huge boom at schools in the late ’90s, rivaling Tamagotchi.
Features of the Color Edition
Upgraded from monochrome to full color LCD.
Pikachu’s yellow body and red cheeks finally appear correctly on screen.
Added infrared connectivity with Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal to exchange items.
Multiple shell colors, including transparent editions.
Pikachu’s Screen Actions
Source:Nintendo
Mood based on steps:
Walk more = Pikachu smiles, jumps happily.
Neglect = Pikachu sulks, shows you his back.
Presents:
Use Watts to give gifts, Pikachu reacts joyfully.
Daily Animations:
Pikachu runs, lies down, sleeps, or eats depending on the time of day.
Color Display:
Pikachu appears in yellow with red cheeks.
Backgrounds change color for more lively animations.
Friendship Level Changes
Higher friendship = more unique animations and happy expressions.
Neglecting Pikachu = pouty or sad animations.
This system perfectly reflects Pikachu’s “moody” personality, making it fun to simply watch.
Connectivity with Game Boy Color (Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal)
Source:Nintendo
Transfer Watts via infrared to unlock in-game items.
Special animations show Pikachu celebrating during transfers.
Popularity & Sales in Japan
Original Pocket Pikachu (Monochrome, 1998)
Source:Nintendo
Release: March 27, 1998 (Nintendo)
Combined pedometer + toy concept was groundbreaking.
Sold over 2 million units in Japan alone; millions more worldwide.
Official reports described sales as “beyond expectations,” making it a social phenomenon.
Released during peak Pokémon anime popularity, fueling explosive demand.
Pocket Pikachu Color Edition (1999)
Release: November 21, 1999 (Nintendo, alongside Pokémon Gold & Silver).
Color display made Pikachu’s design more authentic.
Huge upgrade demand from monochrome owners.
Sold over 1 million units in Japan, a massive hit though slightly below the original.
Strong sales boosted by Gold/Silver/Crystal connectivity.
Pre-orders sold out quickly; toy stores often reported “sold out upon arrival.”
Today, complete working units are highly valued collector’s items.
Overseas Fan Voices
“I carried mine to school every day until it broke. It was like my buddy.”
“I liked this even more than Tamagotchi—Pikachu felt like a real friend.”
“Pokémon Pikachu Color was my first wearable game. Long before smartwatches!”
“Everyone had one on the bus. Total playground craze.”
“Looking back, it was basically the ancestor of Pokémon GO.”
“When Pikachu got mad, I felt guilty and had to walk more, lol.”
“Even now as an adult, I bought one again. Pure nostalgia.”
Related Pokémon Goods Around the Same Era (1993–2003)
Game-Related
Source:Nintendo
Feb 27, 1996: Pokémon Red & Green (Game Boy, Nintendo)
Source:Nintendo
- Oct 15, 1996: Pokémon Blue (mail-order exclusive)
Source:Nintendo
Sep 12, 1998: Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy)
Source:Amazon
Nov 21, 1999: Pokémon Gold & Silver (Game Boy Color)
Source:Amazon
Dec 14, 2000: Pokémon Crystal (Game Boy Color)
Source:Amazon
Nov 21, 2002: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (Game Boy Advance)
Pokémon Card-Related
Source:ポケモンカードゲーム
Oct 20, 1996: Japanese Pokémon TCG Starter Pack released
Dec 1999: Expansion Pack “Intro Pack★neo” (Gold/Silver Pokémon debut)
Source:Amazon
Dec 2001: “Pokémon Card★e” series begins, featuring scannable barcode cards
Merchandise & Toys
Source:bandai.candy
- 1996: Pokémon Kids (soft vinyl figurines, Bandai)
Source:takaratomy-arts
1997: Monster Ball Plush Series (Takara Tomy)
Source:ポケモンオフィシャルサイト
- 1998: Pokémon Bread with collectible stickers (Daiichi Pan)
Source:Nintendo
Mar 1998: Pocket Pikachu (original monochrome version)
Dec 1998: Pocket Pikachu Color Edition
Source:4gamer.net
1999: Electronic Pokémon Zukan Toy (Takara Tomy)
Source:Amazon
- 2001: Pokémon Mini handheld console (Nintendo)
Summary
The Pocket Pikachu Color Edition is a legendary 90s gadget that turned walking into play.
Sold out quickly upon release in 1998–1999.
Became both a nostalgic childhood memory and a collector’s treasure today.
If you grew up during the late 90s Pokémon boom, this is the ultimate item to relive the era.
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Pocket Pikachu Color Edition (1998)
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