Pokemon Black and Blue Game Review

Pokemon Black and Blue

Genre: Action, Education

Game Review
Just in time for the launch of Pokemon Black & White 2, animal activist group PETA has released a parody game called Pokemon Black & Blue with the tagline "Gotta free 'em all." PETA occasionally make parody flash games which entirely reflect their views on animal cruelty. The organization claims that the animal-on-animal fighting gameplay central to the Pokemon series teaches children the wrong message on how animals should be treated. Well, the idea behind the game is good but I would say this is just one of their propaganda.

To get their message across they use some pretty heavy visuals. The game features Pikachu, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, but they have a lot more battered and bruised than we’re used to seeing them originally. Pikachu has a chain around his neck and missing chuck from one of his ears, while Tepig is missing his ears altogether. Snivy has a syringe jutting out of his head and a tag clipped on his tail. Oshawott is shown to be skinned alive. Your enemies are humans which have attack moves such as "trap" and "chock collar". I would argue that showing images of bloody and severely injured Pokémon isn’t the best way to spread the message of animal rights to kids.

Interestingly, it looks like PETA has done its research, as Pikachu can be seen on the game’s site holding a sign that says “I support Team Plasma.” We all know that Team Rocket only attempt to steal powerful pokemon, while Team Plasma is fighting to free all Pokémon from their trainers. To be quite honest, I find it quite laughable. Why? The series as a whole when I was young, has always been about fostering trust and friendship with your newfound allies, and growing stronger with them. How can they see this as evil?