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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