E3: Hey You, Pikachu impressions and release info

[05.17.00] » One ambitious localization project = one unique game.

    Among all the noisy displays on the E3 show floor, the occasional gamer could be heard over the crowd while screaming at their controller – not out of frustration, but while yelling commands at video gaming's newest superstar, Pikachu. Hey You, Pikachu is the first voice recognition console game, and despite a few troubles with Pika being able to hear over the din and the costs of the technology being somewhat high, the game shows promise of providing a new kind of gaming experience to the Nintendo 64.

   The demo displayed at E3 was a combination of both the Japanese version (whose title, "Pikachu Genki Dechu" could be seen in places) and the progress made thus far in localization. All text, menus, and commands were in English, and Pikachu was more than willing to do everything from shoot his familiar thunderbolts to dance on command. The animation was very impressive, and a large number of other Pokémon made appearances as well.

   The demo covered all the basic play mechanics of the game - a small head in the lower right of the screen indicated whether the player was speaking or not, and a heart in the lower left showed just how fond Pikachu had become of the player. In order to send a message you must hold down Z to speak, and release the button when finished talking to send the message. It floats in the form of a bubble that may or may not reach Pikachu depending on what you said and how much attention he was paying to your voice. Later areas of the demo included a pointer hand that could be used to draw Pika's attention to certain items or portions of the screen, including everything from apple snacks to light bulbs that would glow brightly when Pikachu picked them up.

   The first task of the game was to leave home and get Pikachu's attention while he wanders around in a nearby forest clearing. Saying his name loud enough results in a cut scene of Pikachu noticing you and becoming curious, with the cut scene being denoted by a film-frame overlay of the screen. Once you've befriended him, the player helps Pikachu fish for Magikarp by giving instructions and encouragement, with a big catch even approaching Pikachu himself in size. You may find yourself screaming into the mike just a bit when Pika doesn't pull in that fish, but the game draws you into it's virtual world extremely well.

   Later areas of the game promise even more interactivity, with an increasingly friendly Pika beginning to sleep in your house and a needy Bulbasaur asking for help with finding ingredients. In fact, Hey You, Pikachu promises to be a unique and entertaining experience, although some gamers may be put off by the $89.95 retail price. Just remember how that includes a microphone for the controller slot, a voice recognition box that plugs into the fourth controller slot, and one of the most ambitious localization projects that has ever been undertaken. Gamers everywhere can yell at Pikachu beginning on November 6th.