Hey You, Pikachu! (1998)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Hey You, Pikachu! is a virtual pet game developed by Ambrella and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was released in Japan in December 1998 and in North America and Europe in April 1999. The game uses the Nintendo 64 microphone peripheral to allow players to communicate with Pikachu, the titular Pokémon.

Players begin the game by waking Pikachu up with a spoken command. They can then interact with Pikachu in a variety of ways, including playing games, feeding it, and taking it on walks. Pikachu will respond to the player’s voice commands with a variety of actions, such as jumping, dancing, and fetching items.

The game features a variety of mini-games that players can play with Pikachu. These games include hide-and-seek, tag, and a trivia game about Pokémon. Players can also collect items, such as berries and toys, to give to Pikachu.

In addition to the mini-games, Hey You, Pikachu! features a number of activities that players can engage in with Pikachu. These activities include going on walks, fishing, and solving puzzles. Players can also take Pikachu to different locations, such as the forest, the beach, and the mountains.

As players interact with Pikachu, they will build up a friendship meter. The higher the friendship meter, the more Pikachu will respond to the player’s commands and the more likely it is to perform special actions.

Hey You, Pikachu! was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative use of voice recognition technology and its charming and engaging gameplay. The game sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Hey You, Pikachu! is a virtual pet game in which players interact with Pikachu using voice commands. Players can speak into the Nintendo 64 microphone to give Pikachu commands, such as “jump,” “dance,” and “fetch.” Pikachu will respond to the player’s commands with a variety of actions.

In addition to giving Pikachu commands, players can also play a variety of mini-games with it. These mini-games include hide-and-seek, tag, and a trivia game about Pokémon. Players can also collect items, such as berries and toys, to give to Pikachu.

Hey You, Pikachu! features a number of different activities that players can engage in with Pikachu. These activities include going on walks, fishing, and solving puzzles. Players can also take Pikachu to different locations, such as the forest, the beach, and the mountains.

As players interact with Pikachu, they will build up a friendship meter. The higher the friendship meter, the more Pikachu will respond to the player’s commands and the more likely it is to perform special actions.

Development

Hey You, Pikachu! was developed by Ambrella, a Japanese video game developer. The game was directed by Takeshi Kawachimaru and produced by Satoru Iwata. Development of the game began in 1997, and it was released in Japan in December 1998.

One of the biggest challenges that the developers faced was creating a voice recognition system that would allow players to communicate with Pikachu. At the time, voice recognition technology was still in its early stages of development, and there were no existing systems that could accurately recognize a wide range of spoken commands.

To overcome this challenge, the developers created their own voice recognition system from scratch. They used a combination of acoustic modeling and machine learning to train the system to recognize the approximately 200 words that Pikachu can understand.

The developers also wanted to create a game that would be both fun and educational. They included a number of educational elements in the game, such as a trivia game about Pokémon and a puzzle game that teaches players about basic math concepts.

Reception

Hey You, Pikachu! was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative use of voice recognition technology and its charming and engaging gameplay. The game sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Critics praised the game’s voice recognition system for its accuracy and responsiveness. They also praised the game’s charming characters and its variety of activities.

Legacy

Hey You, Pikachu! is considered to be one of the most innovative and influential video games of its era. It was one of the first games to use voice recognition technology, and it helped to popularize the genre of virtual pet games.

The game has been referenced in a number of other video games, including Pokémon Channel (2003), Pokémon Dash (2005), and Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! (2018).

Hey You, Pikachu! is still enjoyed by many fans today. It is a classic example of a game that is both fun and educational.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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