My 11-year-old self would be having a ball this week.
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I watched the TV show religiously, saw the movies at the cinemas, collected trading cards and even had a stuffed Pikachu on my bed.
My sister and I had the Red and Blue games – Blue was mine – and I was the first to get my hands on the limited edition Game Boy Colour console (all of which are still in my wardrobe at home).
I was obsessed with completing my Pokédex and thought, for some unknown reason, having the same first name as lead character made me a better player.
So when the release of augmented reality game Pokémon Go sent social media into a frenzy last week, naturally I was intrigued. And so it seems was the rest of central Victoria.
Adam Holmes reports on the craze sweeping through our region on pages 1 and 3 of today’s Bendigo Advertiser.
People are flocking to Bendigo landmarks to catch the creatures at all hours of the day.
Cars are crowding hotspots like Lake Weeroona and social media feeds are flooded with pictures of the rare finds.
A Facebook page started by Bendigo resident Ash Pink has amassed almost 2000 followers in a week; and a Bendigo Pokémon pub crawl has piqued the interest of more than 500 people.
And as with any new app, warnings about internet safety and being aware of your surroundings are important issues that need to be raised time and time again.
But regardless of whether you’re a Pokémon newbie, or a die-hard fan from the ’90s, I’m sure many would agree this version of the game introduces a whole new experience for players.
Instead of being tethered to the couch and locked inside, people must get out and explore their surroundings to take part in the game.
It’s a welcome move when we as a society are becoming more reliant on technology in our day-to-day lives, opting to shop online or pay the bills through an app.
But perhaps the most heartening aspect of all, people are putting down the phones and talking. “Everyone gets out and socialises,” says Ash Pink of the evening meets.
And while I am in two minds about whether anything will be as good as the original, it’s a positive step in getting us off the couch and moving – even if that includes a Pokémon or two.
Ashley Fritsch – journalist