Pokemon Spotlight: Zigzagoon

Pokemon is nothing if not consistent, we know over the years when we start up any game, that a few things will always happen. We will always get a starter pokemon, we will always have a mom that we leave behind who supports us, And the first catching areas we will always find a bug pokemon, a bird pokemon and one normal swiss army knives pokemon. From ratatta, to bunnelby and all in between. there have been good ones, terrifying one (looks at patrat and shudders). For me my favorite starter normal is really zigzagoon, i squeed that’s right i squeed when i started X a year ago and found this little guy in the beginning areas. My original one way back when when sapphire was still new was named bandit, future ones were names lil’theif and current one is named ziggy.

So what makes this little guy so special, Honestly like most beginning level normal’s you will out grow this little guy by gym four or five, but for be its that ability pickup that makes him so unique. When you start the game you can find you run though pokedollers really quickly. Zigzagoon picks up random potions, pokeballs, status heals, even berries as you travel along. Most of these items are very useful, and sometimes even life saving if your going though a forests or a cave. Early game before you get the full heals and full restores these extra little status saves are quite useful. Your little pickpocket turns out to be a real butt saver.

Zigzagoon  and Its evoluton linoone  can also be very useful learning four different hm moves, so if you need someone to carry the hm burden for your team this is a good choice learning, cut, strength, surf and rock smash. The can also use non hm but field moves like dig and rock climb. Also like most normal pokemon they are swiss army knives learning a veriaty of different type move sets, so if you decide to actually work with one longer then gym five i have a feeling you will be rewarded. however nither i nor  smogon recommend this guy outside your own game, its not built for competitive just to get you though the beginning of the game.

While its likely you will eventually outgrow the zigzagoon linoone family by the time you hit gym five, you cannot deny what this little guy does for you early game and should be recognized for that.

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Pokèmon Gen IV Review

Pokèmon Pearl, Diamond and platinum, was pokèmon’s first journey into the ds world. We would actually hang out with this system for a little while. This was a good start to the world of duel screens and it is a very strong title for the series in general. We would eventually see the relaunch of Gold and silver with the ds as well, but this is Pearl, Diamond and Platniums Review.

I remember when this game first launched i was away at college at the time, i remember getting up real early in the morning while my room mate and the rest of the dorm was still asleep, driving to the local Game Stop on a cold day for the launch, picking up my pearl and driving back getting my same parking spot back. (Ahh the love of sleeping college students) I had my Ds for a little while at this point, and this was my first main stream title for pokèmon i picked up since i got the system. This was probably the last gen i picked up a walk though the day of launch for. i remember studying the three starters carefully before going with turtwig. I never regretted that choice and look forward to reuniting with it one day.

Ok There is that now for the likes and dislikes of this gen. Lets start with the negative this time.

Dislikes.

-The Villain team, Really forgettable…in  fact the only thing i remember them doing all game was blowing up the lake and the magikarps flapping around. That’s all that i remember happening, i had to wiki the story line.

-The story. In general pokèmon has the same formula and the stories are never that strong, this is one of the weaker story lines, to date.

-The Contests…why are they still here?

-to many event pokèmon. Ok this is really starting to bother me the number of event Pokèmon that are just not accessable to me because i am either in another country, or not located near were the current event is going on. Yes i know its now easier with the wifi but really is it. The first couple of generations there was only one event pokèmon, Mew, Celebi, and Deoxies. this gen there were four, Darkri, Phoine, Arceus, and Shaymin. This is to much and honestly a bit of a put off to me. The only one out of this group i got was phonie and its baby maniphy. I have heard tales about the others but it just pisses me off because i don’t have access to them.

-Defog: Why? another useless HM move that thankfully it only lasted one generation:

-Roaming legendaries. Now its no secret by now i don’t like chasing legendaries around, Ruby and Sapphire only had the one, gold and Silver had three, but they are confined to land only and only stay on the johto side. This stinking game had four, and only one is worth my time.

-Another Regi

Likes:

-Pokèmon: this is one of the strongest entries to the game in quite some time, a good mix of old and new and even some new evolutions to old favorites. Even the Starters had a solid set of new comers to the game.

-Use of the Duel Screen. To me this is the best use of the duel screen, i now know its all about being connected to other players world wide but honestly i likes having my map on the other screen, or where that stupid roaming legendary is on the other screen, it made chasing them around a little more bearable and something i wish they would bring back.

-Pal Park, I loved pal park, and in my opinion my favorite way to bring pokèmon from my advanced cartridges into my current games. it was pretty simple and kind of fun too. Pokèmon that had given me such a hard time in the past (I am looking at you Regis) quickly and quietly got back into the ball. Yes it meant that i could no longer return to my advance games, but the other way to look at is i am evacuating them from a battery operated cartage and moving them to a safe game.

-Return of Day night, evening morning…Ect. Thats right the time of day has returned and is better then before. To me this is most significant because it showed players Game Freak actually listens to its fans.

-Physical and Special Attacks, This finally made an impact espeically on those pesky tank pokèmon, having a physcial move some times really help.

-Opening game play, i actually really like that you do off on your own then you have to pick up a pokèmon quick, it gives the illusion of a quick intro at the very least.

-Pokèmon calls: with this generation and better sound available on the ds, the calls got a lot better on the new pokèmon…as did the music.

Now for the pokèmon, i am going to do things slightly different this round, I am going to add another top 7 of favorite new evolutions, just favorites because these post are generally large enough. because there are so many in each category i am increasing it to 7 this round.

top 7 favorite new Evolutions:

7: Leafeon and Glaceon: Another Two Eeveelutions, and another two adorable new comers to my team eevee. The one that really impressed is Leafon but Glaceon is a beaut and knows it.

6:Munchlax: This preevolution to one of my favorite tanks Snorlax. this Cute little guy will eat your out of house and home but will also be a nice tank for you when it grows up as well.

5: Happiny: i have always felt that the Chansey Family was a little under appreciated in the past, but with each new gen, 2 and now 4 it gained a new evolution and i feel a new way to appreciate this special wall.

4: Gallade: Talk about under appreciated, Its counter evolution Garnivor got a mega, this guy did not, where is the love for him. While i have personally never used this guy, he is on the list to take a test run with me soon, i hope he is as impressive as he looks.

3: Yanmega: I have gone one and on about my love for dragonflys and this pokèmon so i won’t say anything more.

2: Mantyke: another One whose parent I adore and just blasted its way to level 100 and though Y. Cute and useful.

1Togekiss: Togepi was on tv a lot in the beginning, and like many players we were a little upset on just how plain useless it turned out to be. Then in Gen IV the gave us Togekiss, a very very useful pokèmon to have on your team, with an impressive move pool and the stats to back it up this is one appoligy note i will gladly accept.

My Top 7 Least favorite Pokèmon of gen IV

7: Finneon There is nothing really wrong with this guy really there isn’t. It is on the list for the simple reason that i forgot it existed. that doesn’t bode well when i forget about something.

6: Gastrodon: This water Ground snail, usually i like snails but i never warmed up to these two, sorry guys.

5: Burmy: Why just why do i need this, why does it need five different forms.

4:Pachirisu: Another useless cute electric type. Look Game Freak i understand why your doing it, but just stop your not helping your cause.

3: Chatot: There seems to be in every generation this useless novelty Pokèmon. The ds has a mic on it, this guy tried to take advantage of it. It didn’t really work out for it, and this one ended up in the box.

2: Mespite Uxie, Azelf: Have i mentioned how much i hate chasing Pokèmon around, Especially three that were not very useful. I actually named these three Pain, in the, Ass once i caught them.

1: Regigigas: Ok after last game i thought i was done with the regi family, but nooooo Game Freak had to add one more to my torture, and not only that you need the other three to even get him. Really Game! do you have any idea how much of a pain the first three was to get. Trust me there dad wasn’t much easier. Stupid Regis.

Top 7 Favorites original new to game:

7: Garchomp: I didn’t grow to appreciate this creature until recently but this is one bad ass little dragon shark.

6: Lucario: another one that because of X and Y i grew to appreciate and love. It has proved itself as a valuable partner and like Garchomp i am sad that it took me that long to know what a great pokèmon it truly is.

5: Turtwig Family: Out of all the starters in this gen and trust me the water and fire are good too, but this was my favorite family. I wonder if he will see a mega?

4:Giratina: Hands down my favorite legendary of this generation, it stands head and shoulder above the legends of this generation. Two forms and raw power he became a fast favorite of mine of this generation. Devil or not he is a strong ally for your team.

3:  Staraptor Family:Pokèmon is always good at giving us Pokèmon in the beginning, however in most cases you either out level your stating team or you just come across better additions to your team, This is not the case with this family. Starly grows up to be a powerful addition to your team and so good it stayed on with me though the Elite Four.  Do not doubt this little bird, for its a great ally for your team.

2: Luxray: Finally a Good Electric Pokèmon, not only that this guy is tough, if taught well it can have ice, fire and thunder fang plus Crunch. Not only that its a cat, and a good cat shaped pokèmon, about time! i love this family and if you haven’t used it i highly recommend you do. But Alas this is not my favorite one, its close, so who took number on for me.

1: Bronzong: I love my little Bronzor. When i first met Bronzor, it reminded me of a tambourine, so i named it Tember at the time. With the ability of levitate it removed the problem that previous favorite Metagross had, had with ground types. While it eventually grows into a fairly large bell but it still continues to impress. I recently got a Bronzor though a wonder trade, i think i actually got up and did a happy dance, it was just days after i got Beldem. i look forward to raising it up to be my new ultimate team.

 

So what are your thoughts on Generation IV did it live up to expectations? Do you remember its launch? What were some of your favorites? Let me know in the comments down below.