[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:
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Walking increases your steps, which generate “Watts.”
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Use Watts to feed Pikachu snacks or send items to Pokémon Gold & Silver on Game Boy Color.
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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.
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Your walking steps become gifts for Pikachu.
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The more you walk, the happier Pikachu gets, showing smiles and animations.
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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
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Upgraded from monochrome to full color LCD.
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Pikachu’s yellow body and red cheeks finally appear correctly on screen.
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Added infrared connectivity with Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal to exchange items.
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Multiple shell colors, including transparent editions.
Pikachu’s Screen Actions
Source:Nintendo
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Mood based on steps:
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Walk more = Pikachu smiles, jumps happily.
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Neglect = Pikachu sulks, shows you his back.
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Presents:
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Use Watts to give gifts, Pikachu reacts joyfully.
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Daily Animations:
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Pikachu runs, lies down, sleeps, or eats depending on the time of day.
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Color Display:
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Pikachu appears in yellow with red cheeks.
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Backgrounds change color for more lively animations.
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Friendship Level Changes
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Higher friendship = more unique animations and happy expressions.
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Neglecting Pikachu = pouty or sad animations.
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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
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Transfer Watts via infrared to unlock in-game items.
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Special animations show Pikachu celebrating during transfers.
Popularity & Sales in Japan
Original Pocket Pikachu (Monochrome, 1998)
Source:Nintendo
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Release: March 27, 1998 (Nintendo)
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Combined pedometer + toy concept was groundbreaking.
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Sold over 2 million units in Japan alone; millions more worldwide.
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Official reports described sales as “beyond expectations,” making it a social phenomenon.
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Released during peak Pokémon anime popularity, fueling explosive demand.
Pocket Pikachu Color Edition (1999)
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Release: November 21, 1999 (Nintendo, alongside Pokémon Gold & Silver).
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Color display made Pikachu’s design more authentic.
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Huge upgrade demand from monochrome owners.
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Sold over 1 million units in Japan, a massive hit though slightly below the original.
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Strong sales boosted by Gold/Silver/Crystal connectivity.
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Pre-orders sold out quickly; toy stores often reported “sold out upon arrival.”
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Today, complete working units are highly valued collector’s items.
Overseas Fan Voices
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“I carried mine to school every day until it broke. It was like my buddy.”
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“I liked this even more than Tamagotchi—Pikachu felt like a real friend.”
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“Pokémon Pikachu Color was my first wearable game. Long before smartwatches!”
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“Everyone had one on the bus. Total playground craze.”
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“Looking back, it was basically the ancestor of Pokémon GO.”
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“When Pikachu got mad, I felt guilty and had to walk more, lol.”
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“Even now as an adult, I bought one again. Pure nostalgia.”
Related Pokémon Goods Around the Same Era (1993–2003)
Game-Related
Source:Nintendo
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Feb 27, 1996: Pokémon Red & Green (Game Boy, Nintendo)
Source:Nintendo
- Oct 15, 1996: Pokémon Blue (mail-order exclusive)
Source:Nintendo
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Sep 12, 1998: Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy)
Source:Amazon
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Nov 21, 1999: Pokémon Gold & Silver (Game Boy Color)
Source:Amazon
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Dec 14, 2000: Pokémon Crystal (Game Boy Color)
Source:Amazon
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Nov 21, 2002: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (Game Boy Advance)
Pokémon Card-Related
Source:ポケモンカードゲーム
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Oct 20, 1996: Japanese Pokémon TCG Starter Pack released
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Dec 1999: Expansion Pack “Intro Pack★neo” (Gold/Silver Pokémon debut)
Source:Amazon
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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
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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
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Mar 1998: Pocket Pikachu (original monochrome version)
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Dec 1998: Pocket Pikachu Color Edition
Source:4gamer.net
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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.
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Sold out quickly upon release in 1998–1999.
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Became both a nostalgic childhood memory and a collector’s treasure today.
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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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