Hey You, Pikachu!
by Nintendo

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Product Summary

Video Game Reviews of Hey You, Pikachu!

Customer Review: The world may not have A.I yet, but this game comes close.
Summary: 4 Stars

This game has absolutely no plot. It has even lesser of a plot than "Dude, Where's my car." (Which is almost impossible.) Even though I'm 13, this game is still entertaining to me. Pikachu does respond to your commands (90% of the time.) The VRU (Voice-recognition unit) isn't the same as Stephen Spielberg's "Artificial Intelligence," but it makes the grade. Of course, when you're fishing, Pikachu does tend to ignore you. I will say "Pull!" and he'll release it. Once I said, "You're so cute!" (Because Prof. Oak told me too.) and Pikachu electrocuted me and had an angry face, and his "affection" level went down substantially. What it very cool is if you say "Quiz time!" while in the house. Pikachu will flash 10 pokemon, and you say their names into the microphone. It will actually tell you if it's right or wrong! However, I think about 3/10 of the time, it will not recognize the right answer, and mark it wrong. Sometimes Pikachu will press a wrong button (not your fault, his.) and you will suffer. Overall, gameplay's a 9/10

It's 64-bits, so you can't expect much. All characters are pretty impressive looking. Except when you play Quiz time, it is in 2D. The rest is very nice. Pikachu cannot talk, but he communicates with the tone of his voice, and sometimes a little word balloon will pop up, but it will be a picture. (A flower for "I understand," a light bulb for "I have an Idea," and a little black lined scribble if he is discouraged.) Sometimes the game glitches. Pikachu will run, then all of a sudden he will be in between a tree. It is very strange. Overall, except for the glitches, graphics deserve a 9/10.

The sound is important. Pikachu's tone will tell you his feelings. Most sounds are normal. Oddish goes "Oddish!" Poliwag goes "Poli! Poli!" and Charmander goes "Chaaaar! Chaaaar!" The music gets highly annoying though, like a broken record. When you move, a hand goes to the closest item. The weird sfx gets really aggravating. It's not even a sound! It sounds like a single maraca shake. It's really weird. Overall, the sound gets an 8.75/10

Speed is normal. Because it is N64 cartridge, it is very fast. Unlike the new Gamecube, which because of mass producing and increased game space, with CD's that take loading time, HYP is very fast. There is no loading time, and it takes less than half a second between days, where it saves your progress. Speed gets a perfect 10/10.

Now, the one thing I MUST complain about is the controlling. I cannot stand it! Ok, if you hold Z and talk then release it, a bubble is sent to Pikachu (with your comments) which works fine. But when you are trying to move around, your screen always shows Pikachu. You can be holding up and he will be going left or right. I cannot stand it, and if you buy it you will understand my aggravation. The controls get a crummy 6/10.

The replay value is great. You can always play a level again, and fishing is highly addicting, along with piñata party. You will play it over and over. Some games, like Caring for Caterpie, are not that much fun, and will probably only be played for Pikachu Points. The replay will get a special 10.5/10 because it is so amazing.

Overall, between all the Pokemon games on the N64, Hey You Pikachu is probably the best in original plot and replay.

Let's review:
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 8.75/10
Speed: 10/10
Controls: 6/10
Replay value: 10.5/10
Total: 53.25/60 giving Hey You, Pikachu! an 88.75.

Description of Hey You, Pikachu!

With the abstract goal of building a friendship with Pikachu, players communicate with it by speaking certain keywords and phrases into the VRU's microphone. Although Pikachu's speech is limited to variations on its own name (e.g., "Pika! Pika!"), it expresses itself through thought bubbles and the game's adorably animated 3-D graphics.

Mastering this interaction is key to solving Hey You, Pikachu!'s puzzle elements, which are encapsulated in various squeaky-clean activities in which you and Pikachu participate together. While the voice recognition here isn't perfect by any means, there's plenty of on-screen help and guidance to keep players from getting too frustrated. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Allows players to interact verbally with Pikachu
• Adorably animated 3-D graphics
• Plenty of onscreen help and guidance

• Voice recognition not perfect by any means
• Might be too childish for older Pokémon fans

With the abstract goal of building a friendship with Pikachu, players communicate with it by speaking certain keywords and phrases into the VRU's microphone. Although Pikachu's speech is limited to variations on its own name (e.g., "Pika! Pika!"), it expresses itself through thought bubbles and the game's adorably animated 3-D graphics.

Mastering this interaction is key to solving Hey You, Pikachu!'s puzzle elements, which are encapsulated in various squeaky-clean activities in which you and Pikachu participate together. While the voice recognition here isn't perfect by any means, there's plenty of on-screen help and guidance to keep players from getting too frustrated. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Allows players to interact verbally with Pikachu
• Adorably animated 3-D graphics
• Plenty of onscreen help and guidance

• Voice recognition not perfect by any means
• Might be too childish for older Pokémon fans

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