Looks like Pokémon Black and White 2 will be just as gay (literally) as their predecessors

Those of you who have been visiting this little, rainbow-splashed slice of the Internet may remember a post I published just over a year ago. It's headline: "There's something about Brycen (or, Pokémon Black is pretty gay, isn't it?)."

In that post, I rather cheekily suggested that Pokémon Black and White--or, more specifically, a number of those game's gym leaders--were gayer than the Golden Girls dressing up as Cher, Judy, Lady Gaga and Madonna and singing a mash-up of "I Will Survive" and "YMCA" (hey, it could happen) at Elton John's Halloween party. (Yes, I know I just dated myself with that remark.)

Thanks in large part to this recent post over at the Video Games Made Me Gay tumblog, I'm getting the distinct impression that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will be just as gay.

What makes me think Shizui (right), one of this sequel's many gym leaders, is gay, you ask? Well, for starters, there's his glitter-covered coiffure. And then there's his broad shoulders, shaved bod and fashion-forward (not to mention skintight) trousers.

Granted, that nasty tan line around Shizui's waist is a bit questionable, as is his lack of nipples (aren't those, um, a requirement?), but I still think he's likely "gayer than a three-dollar bill," as my mom used to say. (Don't worry, I got her to stop long ago.)

Anyway, all of the above really is just a long way of me saying that I'll be plopping down my hard-earned cash on Pokémon Black 2 (or maybe Pokémon White 2) as soon as someone allows me to pre-order it.

Which games are you playing this weekend?

Before this holiday weekend began, my plan was to play a trio of games I've been meaning to finish for quite some time: Deadly Premonition, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light and Pokemon Black.

Instead, I've been playing a pair of old Famicom games, Chack'n Pop and Door Door (below), via emulation, as well as one other game I can't tell you about at the moment.

Door Door has some disgustingly adorable box art, doesn't it?

Actually, I could tell you about it, but I don't want to, as I'm saving its unveiling for a to-be-published-at-a-later-date post.

Anyway, those are the games I'm playing this holiday weekend. What are all of you playing (assuming, of course, you're playing games at all)?

A face only a mother Eelektrik could love

When it comes to Pokémon, I tend to prefer cute ones to ugly ones. As such, I'm not the biggest fan of Pokémon Black's Eelektrik.

Given that, I'm a bit surprised that I like Filip Johannes Felberg's LEGO Eelektrik (below and here) as much as I do.

To see Felberg's blocky takes on Pokémon Black's Basculin, Joltik and Whirlipede, check out his Flickr photostream.

See also: LEGO Pokémon posts

LEGO Vanillite

My (LEGO Pokémon) prayers have been answered!

In the comments section of my last LEGO Pokémon post, I mentioned that I'd love it if Filip Johannes Felberg added Vanillish to his ever-growing collection LEGO Pokémon creations.

Although the crafty Pokéfan didn't give me exactly what I wanted, he gave me the next best thing: A Vanillite made out of LEGO blocks!

True story: Vanillite/Vanillish/Vanilluxe are among my most favorite Pokémon Black/White creatures.

Speaking of Pokémon Black/White, I still have to finish the game. I got to the point--a few months ago, sadly--of taking on the Elite Four, only to lose interest. Maybe I'll give it--and Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light--one final push during my upcoming family vacation...

See also: All previous LEGO Pokémon posts

LEGO Pokémon post #352

OK, so it only seems like I've published 352 posts about Filip Johannes Felberg's fabulous LEGO Pokémon creations. In reality, I've only published six (including this one).

Is the batch below (see it here, too) Felberg's best yet? Not in my opinion, although I have to admit I'm quite impressed with his blocky recreation of that slippery Pokémon Black/White character, Shelmet.

You know which Pokémon I'd like Felberg to mold out of LEGO blocks next? Darumaka, Vanillish and Whimsicott. Make it happen, Filip!

See also: Previous posts about Felberg's creations

The LEGO Pokémon you've been waiting for

OK, so it's really the LEGO Pokémon I've been waiting for--but I guess that could go without saying since this is my blog.

Anyway, the LEGO Pokémon that anyone with an ounce of taste has been waiting for is Filip Johannes Felberg's LEGO Scraggy (below).

As you can see in this photo, Felberg's latest batch of LEGO Pokémon creations includes three other Pokémon Black/White characters: Dwebble, Purrloin and Venipede.

To see more of his blocky reimaginings, check out these blog posts or Felberg's Flickr photostream.

Yet another LEGO Pokémon post

You know what really impresses me about Filip Johannes Felberg's LEGO Pokémon? I find some of them to be more attractive and interesting than their two-dimensional counterparts in Pokémon Black and White.



That's especially true when it comes to Felberg's latest batch of LEGO Pokémon. I've never been much of a fan of Ferroseed and Woobat, for instance, but I'm quite fond of their blocky, three-dimensional forms.

See also: 'More LEGO Pokémon, anyone?' and 'Man, those Pokémon are blocky!'

More LEGO Pokémon, anyone?

Honestly, I think this batch of LEGO Pokémon may be even better--or at least cuter--than the last batch made by Filip Johannes Felberg. (Here's his last batch, for the sake of comparison.)

My favorite this time around: The Lillypup in the center, although the Axew (left) is pretty darn precious, too. (Oh, hell, all four of them--even the Klinklang in the back--are cuter than cupcakes.)



I just recently added an Axew to my, er, collection in Pokémon Black, by the way. Shortly after that monumental occasion, I beat the eighth gym leader, Drayden--on my first attempt! Now I'm off to battle the Elite Four (I think?). Anyway, wish me luck!

There's something about Brycen (or, Pokémon Black is pretty gay, isn't it?)

And by gay, I don't mean dumb or lame. I mean literally gay. At the very least, the game's gym leaders seem to be a rainbow-flag-waving bunch.

The thought didn't cross my mind until I encountered the Icirrus City gym leader, Brycen. What caused me to think he may be gay? Well, there's his name, for starters--which is bested in terms of gayness only by "Crys." Then there's the fact that he's obsessed with strength and working out. Finally, he likes masks and über trendy clothing.

Your gaydar is going off now, too, isn't it?

Brycen isn't the only seemingly gay gym leader in Nintendo's oh-so-popular RPG. Drayden (right), Opelucid City's gym leader, seems to be a "friend of Dorothy," too, if you get my drift. (Nudge nudge, wink wink.)

Honestly, how could Drayden--with his fabulously-coifed hair, broader-than-a-lumberjack's shoulders and perfectly-fitted clothes--not be gay? Like Brycen, he has a fairly gay name. Also, he looks a lot like Anderson Cooper--and everyone knows which way he swings.

Granted, Drayden's facial hair is a bit questionable--it covers up his mouth, for crying out loud--but I'm sure the right man could convince him to shave it. After that, he could very well be the perfect catch--assuming you like silver daddy-ish types, of course.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe all of the gym leaders in Pokémon Black and White are gay. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if they were, especially given the game's emphasis on diversity. Lenora's got a definite butch-ness about her, for instance, and Burgh has that whole androgynous hipster thing going on. Oh, and Clay is a bear--no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Elesa and Skyla (right) aren't as obviously or superficially gay (or bi or transgender), but that doesn't mean they don't love the ladies. I mean, Elesa easily could be a lipstick lesbian, or she could have been born a boy, and Skyla could be one of those oh-so-earnest baby dykes (sorry for using that phrase, ladies--I couldn't think of better one) we all know and love.

Of course, it's completely possible I'm just off my rocker. It certainly wouldn't be the first--or, sadly, the last--time that could be said about me.

Note: My tongue was planted firmly in cheek while writing this post.

Man, those Pokémon are blocky!

Are you eagerly awaiting the day when Pokémon games are fully polygonal? In a way, I am, and in a way, I'm not.

Regarding the former, for instance, I really like how the folks at Game Freak have incorporated polygonal backdrops into the most recent Pokémon titles. Regarding the latter, though, I'm quite happy with the sprite-based Pocket Monsters themselves.



All that said, I'd be perfectly content if the polygonal Pokémon that are sure to show up in a future installment of the series look anything like Flickr user Filip Johannes Felberg's LEGO-based creations (above).

See also: 'LEGO + Pikmin'

Seven down, one to go

Well, I just beat Pokémon Black's seventh gym leader, Brycen. Does anyone else think he may be a "friend of Dorothy" (i.e., gay), by the way? I think it's a distinct possibility.

Anyway, much like I did with his predecessor, Skyla, I beat the oh-so-gayly-named Icirrus City gym leader on my first try. Granted, Brycen and his ice-type Pokémon (below) didn't put up much of a fight, but I'll take what I can get at this point.

Next up on my journey through the game's Unova region: Dragonspiral Tower. I'm going to encounter a Pokémon every other step in there, aren't I? Oh, well, onwards and upwards, as they say.

See also: Previous Pokémon Black/White posts

Hey, I actually beat a gym leader in Pokémon Black on my first try!

For the first time since, oh, the game's second city (or maybe the third), I've beaten one of Pokémon Black's gym leaders--Skyla--on my first try.

Oh, and I finally caught Victini (below), the legendary fire/psychic-type Pokémon. Yesterday was the last day to get the Liberty Pass--which gives you access to Victini's hideout, the Liberty Garden--in the US, so I begged the hubs to help me get my DS (back) on line, grabbed the Liberty Pass, found Victini (in the basement of the Liberty Garden's lighthouse) and challenged him to a battle. I caught him on my third try--after tossing many regular Poké Balls, Great Balls and Ultra Balls his way, of course.

Anyway, I'm currently making my way through the mine shafts of Twist Mountain. After I complete that task, I'll probably re-explore some of the game's earlier locations using the HM 03 ("Surf") I recently received from Champion Alder before continuing on with my quest to ... do whatever I'm supposed to do to complete this game.

Are any of you still playing Pokémon Black or White?

Take that, Elesa!

After, oh, six or so attempts, I've finally defeated Pokémon Black's fourth gym leader--some hussy who calls herself Elesa.

Apparently I had been training the wrong Pokémon in the lead up to my battle with Elesa (below). That's what I get for ignoring the game's oh-so-ugly (in my opinion) ground and rock Pokémon, I guess.

Next up: The title's fifth gym leader. Oh, and more Pokémon hunting and training, of course. I'm especially looking forward to spending some quality time with my recently captured Vanillite and Whimsicott.

I heart Darumaka

And Darumaka hearts strawberries. Or at least he does in my latest doodle (below).



Why does he love strawberries? I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they're both red? (Kind of like how Pikachu loves yellow fruit, like bananas.)

I've just passed the 13-hour mark in Pokémon Black, by the way. I'm currently catching wild Pokemans along Route 5 and 16, although I'll probably give that up soon so I can tackle the fourth gym leader.

Raise your hand if you're a Tympole hater

I hereby declare the Tympole (right) to be the worst Pokémon design ever. Or, at least the worst Pokémon design of which I'm aware.

Close behind, in my estimation, is Roggenrola.

On the other hand, two of my favorite designs of this generation thus far are the two-by-four toting Timburr and the zebra-based Blitzle. (I also have a bit of a soft spot for Sewaddle.)

To those of you currently playing through Pokémon Black or White: Which designs are your favorites and least favorites so far?

I'm currently about nine hours into the game at this point, by the way. I just chased Team Plasma through Pinwheel Forrest and into Castelia City.

Two hours in ...

I started playing Pokémon Black last night, and as of now I'm nearly two hours into the game. (I'm just about to battle the first gym leader, it seems. I know, I'm slow.)

I chose Tepig as my starter after much contemplation, by the way. I nearly went with Snivy instead, but the creatively named piglet is such a cutie that in the end I couldn't resist him.

Anyway, I'm enjoying the experience thus far. The graphics are nice--I especially like the animated Pokémon sprites while in battle--the music is appropriately cheery and, best of all in my opinion, everything seems to move along at a nice clip.

Are any of you currently working your way through Pokémon Black or White? If so, what do you like or dislike so far?

I kind of doubt I'll catch them all

My long-awaited copy of Pokémon Black arrived while I was in Kauai. I have yet to pop it into my DS, as I'm still spending time with Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, but I'm planning to trade the latter for the former sometime this week.

I'm not in any particular rush at the moment because I haven't decided which starter Pokémon--Tepig, Snivy or Oshawott--I'm going to pick. Although I'm leaning towards Tepig (right), Snivy is appealing, too.

Another reason I'm not in a rush to start this particular Pokémon adventure: I've been a bit ho-hum on the series since I brought home Pokémon Emerald many moons ago. I'm hoping Pokémon Black will reverse that trend, but I'll hardly be heartbroken if it doesn't.

Anyway, enough about me. Have any of you picked up the latest Pokémon title? If so, which starter did you choose, and what are your overall thoughts on the game thus far?

Lanky Pokémon

Well, Pokémon Black and White--or Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, if you go by Nintendo of America's official verbiage--will hit the streets in the US in just a few days. Will you be getting either of these games--or maybe both of them?

I caved and pre-ordered Pokémon Black--for no other reason than I like the looks of the Black City more than I like the looks of the White Forest--last week after I heard I could get a $5 promotional credit--which has since been bumped up to a $10 promotional credit--for doing so.

Anyway, enough about all of that. My main reasons for posting this were: 1) to see if any of you plan on getting either of these games and 2) to show you this interesting illustration, created by artist Reed Bond, of a rather lanky Pikachu, Charmander and Bulbasaur.



See more of Bond's work on his blog or on deviantart or Flickr.

Pre-order: Pokémon Black Version and/or Pokémon White Version

The next Pokémon titles come with a tab of acid, right?

I know the next Pokémon games are Pokémon Black and Pokémon White and I know that both of them are going to hit the streets in Japan on Sept. 18, but other than that I don't know much about Game Freak's next project(s).

Which probably goes a long way toward explaining the look that washed across my face as I watched the following trailer earlier today:



Which scenes in particular prompted my "WTF face," as I like to call it? Well, there are the twitchy, three-on-three battle scenes that appear at the 3:22 mark. (I knew they existed, but I had never seen them in action before today.) Then there are the headscratchingly crazy trainers--including a fat chef and a football player--that appear at 5:18. Last but not least, there's the dress-up-and-dance "music show" that appears at 2:12. (Note to the game's developers: Please let me take the lizard-like Pokémon--Tsutarja?--into battle avec purse!)

I know I'm going to buy this game, play it for about 10 hours and then give up on it, but that isn't stopping me from being completely and totally stoked about it at the moment.

See also: 'You know, I'm kind of interested in Pokémon Black/White'

You know, I'm kind of interested in Pokémon Black/White

The question is: Will they bring me back to the Pokémon fold?

I devoured Pokémon Red back in the day. I don't remember if I "caught them all" or if I completed the game, but I remember putting a lot of hours into the game. I put a lot fewer hours into my second Pokémon purchase, Pokémon Emerald, and I spent even less time with my third, Pokémon Pearl.

I kind of doubt "Gen 5," as the kids call it, will reverse that trend. That said, I'm intrigued by some of the changes the folks at Pokemon Company seem to be making to the series. Specifically, I'm really digging the new perspective:

More Pokemon Black/White screenshots can be seen here and here.

Still, so little is known about Pokémon Black and White at this point that it's hard to have much of an opinion about them.