Pokemon: Violet

Pokemon: Violet (Nintendo Switch)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an unexpected Christmas gift (it was on the kid's wish list, but not my own, though I had considered trying it after hearing about a tie in with it to Pokemon Go). Not far into it yet, but have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of different challenges and the game play to collect the different pokemon. A lot of early release news listed a lot of complaints about the game play and lag issues, but other than the occasional odd rendering (most often with an odd angle for a battle to start, especially near a cliff or with the little water floaters popping out for battles in the water), there haven't been many, if any, glitches to speak of in my play so far, and what I have noticed has mostly been amusing and not a blocker in any way to continuing game play. Overall, this story so far has been more enjoyable than Let's Go, Eevee, which is the only other Switch game I've really played at this point. My daughter has commented several times that she likes the style of this game watching me play it and that it looks a lot more fun to her than the battle play she's used to in Shining Pearl.

Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee

Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee (Nintendo Switch)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Admittedly, I ended up playing this more for the pokemon transfer storage and the mystery boxes for Pokemon Go to get Meltan to spawn. Initially, the set up was interesting, and could someday see wanting to play through more of the story as I do enjoy some of the challenges and collecting the various pokemon, especially when one of the long time favorites pops up on screen. The overall style fits well with my preferred RPG style game as well as combining with a story and characters that I'm familiar with that make it more fun to pick up once in awhile when time allows and would rather game than read.

Pokemon: All About Pikachu

Pokemon: All About Pikachu by Simcha Whitehill

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


My kids love Pokemon, so finding this was an instant hit to add to their collection. While it's a fairly simple formatted book, and is largely informational rather than story based, there are a lot of a words in it. Enough that my daughter will complain it is too hard at the same time as begging to read more. The tie in with the Pokemon world and how popular that is lately, makes this an easy draw for the kids to keep their attention, so we can keep pushing them to work on those reading skills as they really do want to read the book. Deceptive for the subject and format that it would be more challenging to some kids.

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Pokemon: Detecitve Pikachu

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, especially as we had all heard it wasn't very good before seeing it. We still went as the kids love playing Pokemon Go and really wanted to see the movie. Having grown up with the TV series and older animated movies, I really appreciated that they gave a nod to the first movie, but moved on with an original story line rather than trying to redo what had already been done. The story itself has a few twists and turns as well that keep it interesting and unique. Odd twist at the end, but it makes sense with the entire talking thing, otherwise why not with any of the others after breathing in the gas if that really was the trigger for how it worked? Why not anyone else? There were a lot of questions that could be asked through the entire film if you kept track of the clues and wanted to solve the puzzle. Have to say it's cute how it all turns out. No, it's not the best movie out there, but if you want something family friendly with an uplifting ending, you got it.

Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go (Android)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a walking/hunting game where you can choose virtual or real world settings to find your Pokemon in. Gyms provide for training (if they belong to your team and have open slots) or battle experience as well has having poke-stops attached to grab goodies for the game (pokeballs, healing potions, etc). The poke-stop rewards are randomly generated; you have no control over it. You can earn coins by defending gyms if you assign a pokemon to one belonging on to your team (you must be close enough to the gym to do this) or buy them. Coins can then be used to buy items in the game. Friends and gifts are a new addition, introducing trading to the game, though it costs stardust to do so, which you also need to evolve your pokemon. Challenges are also a newer thing in the game, allowing players to earn higher rewards, including legendary pokemon if they complete a full weeks worth of challenges (it does not have to be done in this timeline, but the quantity of completed quests/stamps is the same). Collecting is not easy if you aren't walking a lot however, so getting outside is definitely encouraged in this game.

Pokémon 6: Jirachi Wish Maker

Pokémon 6: Jirachi Wish Maker (2004)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first of the Advanced Generation (series 2) movies. It also marks where they started making actual titles that fit the movies as a description instead of relegating the interesting titles to subtitle status. Brock is still traveling with Ash, but Misty has been replaced by May and Max. Max gets them in more trouble as he's drawn to yet another Legendary Pokémon. The team is on a deadline to save Jirachi before the comet is gone and/or Butler can use him in his science experiment for Team Magma.

Pokémon 4: 4Ever [Celebi: Voice of the Foest]

Pokémon 4: 4Ever [Celebi: Voice of the Forest] (2002)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Celebi is cute, but proves to be yet another Legendary someone is hunting. Conveniently, Sammy ends up being a very familiar friend, despite the time hopping he does with Celebi. Of course Ash has to end up right in the thick of things with Team Rocket on the outskirts.

Pokémon 3: The Movie [Spell of the Unown]

Pokémon 3: The Movie [Spell of the Unown] (2001)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Yet another batch of Legendary "unown" Pokémon make an appearance, kidnapping Ash's mother and running out the town. Ash and his friends have to navigate Molly's dream world if they want to save everyone. It isn't always clear which parts are dream and which are reality. Entei is interesting despite being way too powerful and rather misguided.

Pokémon 1: The First Movie [Mewtwo Strikes Back]

Pokémon 1: The First Movie [Mewtwo Strikes Back] (1999)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The original Pokémon movie from when I was a kid. Our kids have been asking to watch them since they started playing Pokémon Go with family. Mewtwo proves that science is not always better even if statistics say otherwise. Thankfully, Ash and his friends get their miracle, even if none of them remember it in the end. Seems a waste, but easier than dragging Mew and/or Mewtwo back out for all the following movies.

Pokémon 2: The Movie 2000 [The Power of One]

Pokémon 2: The Movie 2000 [The Power of One] (2000)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Someone always wants some rare/legendary Pokémon, and it always ends up leading to trouble. Honestly, this one largely gets a slight rating bump because I do like the legendary birds and their story. Not very original when it came to their title though. Team Rocket has always had a rather ambiguous role in the movies despite being the "bad guys." They prove this further as they actively seek to help Ash and "be heroes" for a change.