Software:Hey You, Pikachu!

From HandWiki
Short description: Virtual pet video game for the Nintendo 64

Hey You, Pikachu!
North American cover art, featuring Pikachu
Developer(s)Ambrella
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Producer(s)Tsunekazu Ishihara
Composer(s)Miki Obata
SeriesPokémon
Platform(s)Nintendo 64
Release
Genre(s)Digital pet, life simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Hey You, Pikachu![lower-alpha 1] is a virtual pet video game developed by Ambrella and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. A spin-off in the Pokémon franchise, it was released in Japan on December 12, 1998, and in North America on November 6, 2000. The player is asked to help Professor Oak test the PokéHelper, a device that lets humans communicate with Pokémon. The game is set in the Kanto region between Pewter City and Viridian City, where the player is introduced to a wild Pikachu. The player is able to communicate with a 256-word database through the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU), a Nintendo 64 hardware accessory that, when paired with a microphone, can comprehend and analyze human speech.[3] Along with speaking with Pikachu, the VRU allows the player to move around and gather items.

Hey You, Pikachu! is one of only two games to utilize the VRU, with the other being Densha de Go! 64, the Japan-exclusive N64 port of Densha de Go! 2 Kōsoku-hen. The game had a mixed reception from critics. Though no direct sequels have been made, the virtual pet game Pokémon Channel, first released for the GameCube in 2003, resembles Hey You, Pikachu! and shares similar gameplay, with the exception of the microphone peripheral.

Gameplay

The game makes heavy use of the Nintendo 64 VRU.
The player interacts with the wild Pikachu.

The main character is asked to test out the PokéHelper, a new device of Professor Oak's that is used to talk to Pokémon. The player then meets a wild Pikachu and befriends it. Once the player earns Pikachu's trust, it will come and live in the player's house. There are three different activity days: Pikachu's Daring Days, Discovery Days, and Play Days. Each day has a different objective (e.g. collecting food, going fishing) and the player can earn Pika Points, the currency used at Abra's Shop to unlock new items.

After 365 gameplay days, Professor Oak notifies the player that Pikachu, still a wild Pokémon, must be released. The player ventures to the woods to find Pikachu and repeatedly says "goodbye", upon which Pikachu realizes it must return to the wild. After the credits, while the player looks around the front yard and reminisces, Pikachu returns, and the game continues as if Pikachu was never released.

Development

Hey You, Pikachu! was first demonstrated at Nintendo Space World '97.[4] Originally, the game was to be titled Pikachu VRS in North America, but it was changed for marketability reasons.[5]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic57/100[6]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame3.5/5[7]
EGM4.67/10[9][lower-alpha 2]
Famitsu30/40[11]
Game Informer4/10[12]
GameFan84%[13]
GameRevolutionD+[14]
GameSpot8.3/10[15]
IGN6/10[16]
N64 Magazine(JP) 75%[17]
(US) 56%[18]
Next Generation3/5[19]
Nintendo Power7/10[20]
X-Play2/5[21]

Hey You, Pikachu! received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6] The Arizona Republic's Dustin Packwood commented that fans of the anime would enjoy this game.[22] NextGen's Greg Orlando, however, said that the game "tastes just like chicken made of glucose."[19] GamePro stated, "If you're a little kid or a big kid with a little kid's love for Pokémon, Hey, You, Pikachu is calling for you."[23][lower-alpha 3] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.[11]

Retronauts cited the game as an example of a terrible Pokémon console game.[24] UGO Networks listed the game on their list of the "Top 50 Games That Belong On the 3DS", stating "Using the 3DS' built-in microphone should make it simple to speak and interact with the wild Pokémon."[25]

The game was nominated for the "Console Family" award at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; that award ultimately was given to Mario Tennis.[26]

Legacy

See also

  • Densha de Go! 64, the other game that uses the VRU.

Notes

  1. ↑ Known in Japan as Pikachū Genki Dechū (Japanese: ピカチュウげんきでちゅう). It is a pun on "Pikachu genki desu", meaning "Pikachu is fine", and the suffix "-chu" from Pikachu's name. The pronunciation "dechū" for "desu" is also used in Japanese affected speech intended to sound childish and cute, including baby talk.
  2. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 4.5/10, 3.5/10, and 6/10.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, and two 4/5 scores for sound and control.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (November 2, 2000). "N64 Games of November". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/03/n64-games-of-november. 
  2. ↑ Hopkins, Christopher (August 31, 2022). Video Game Audio: A History, 1972-2020. McFarland and Company. p. 130. https://books.google.com/books?id=gT6DEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA130#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  3. ↑ Moyer, Michael (September 2000). "Back Talk". Popular Science: 42. https://books.google.com/books?id=IKvES_TIwJoC&q=pikachu&pg=PA42. Retrieved November 2, 2018. 
  4. ↑ NINTENDOスペースワールド '97 オフィシャルガイドブック. Enterbrain. 1997-11-21. p. 26. 
  5. ↑ "'VRS' Confuses Masses". 2000-03-28. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/29/vrs-confuses-masses. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Hey You, Pikachu!". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/hey-you-pikachu/. 
  7. ↑ Zjaba, Tom. "Hey You, Pikachu! - Review". All Media Network. http://allgame.com/game.php?id=23064&tab=review. 
  8. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (November 7, 2000). "Hey You, Pikachu! [Incomplete"]. CNET. http://www.gamecenter.com/N64/Reviews/Heyyou/. 
  9. ↑ Johnston, Chris; MacDonald, Mark; Mielke, James "Milkman" (January 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu!". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (138): 200. https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_138_January_2001_U/page/n199/mode/2up. Retrieved May 27, 2022. 
  10. ↑ Burnham, Van (January 5, 2001). "Hey You Pikachu! [sic"]. Greedy Productions Ltd.. http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=4877. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "ピカチュウげんきでちゅう" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3648&redirect=no. Retrieved March 26, 2024. 
  12. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (January 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu!". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (93): 136. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200101/R03.0804.1407.01569.htm. Retrieved August 2, 2021. 
  13. ↑ "Hey You, Pikachu!". GameFan (BPA International). November 6, 2000. 
  14. ↑ Liu, Johnny (November 2000). "Hey You Pikachu [sic Review"]. CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32632-hey-you-pikachu-review. 
  15. ↑ Provo, Frank (November 3, 2000). "Hey You, Pikachu! Review". Fandom. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hey-you-pikachu-review/1900-2650135/. 
  16. ↑ Mirabella III, Fran (November 6, 2000). "Hey You, Pikachu!". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/07/hey-you-pikachu. 
  17. ↑ "Pikachū Genki Dechū". N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (25). February 1999. 
  18. ↑ Evans, Geraint (January 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu!". N64 Magazine (Future Publishing) (50): 54–57. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Orlando, Greg (January 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu". NextGen (Imagine Media) (73): 99. https://archive.org/details/NextGen73Jan2001/page/n99/mode/2up. Retrieved May 27, 2022. 
  20. ↑ "Hey You, Pikachu!". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 138: 126. November 2000. https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-127-december-1999/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20138%20November%202000/page/n123/mode/2up?q=%22Hey+You%2C+Pikachu%21%22. Retrieved August 2, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Jones, Alex (February 5, 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu! (N64) Review". TechTV. http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C23008%2C3309610%2C00.html. 
  22. ↑ Packwood, Dustin (December 8, 2000). "A Day in Nintendo Heaven". The Arizona Republic (Gannett Company). https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/azcentral/access/1843451611.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+08%2C+2000&author=Dustin+Packwood%3B+a&pub=Arizona+Republic&desc=A+DAY+IN+NINTENDO+HEAVEN&pqatl=google. 
  23. ↑ Pokémaxx (January 2001). "Hey You, Pikachu!". GamePro (IDG) (148): 90. https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/GamePro_US_148.pdf. Retrieved March 26, 2024. 
  24. ↑ "Retronauts Podcast". IGN Entertainment. http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/podcast.the1upnetwork.com/flat/Retronauts/R030611.mp3. 
  25. ↑ Basile, Sal (July 6, 2010). "The Top 50 Games That Belong on the 3DS". IGN Entertainment. http://www.ugo.com/games/the-top-50-games-that-belong-on-the-3ds.html. 
  26. ↑ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Console Family Game of the Year". http://www.interactive.org/awards/family.html. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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