Like everyone who grew up withPokemon, I wished they were real and also my friends.

Even the dastardly Team Rocket had Pokemon friends, with Meowth aiding in their schemes.

Wobuffet was there, too, but that was just because it refused to stay in its ball.

Collage of video game balls including Lure Ball from Pokemon and Samus in Morph Ball form.

My favorite games were the exceptions to the rule.

You could even turn around to see their expression.

Let us take a moment to ponder the orb.

Pokemon: Zekrom Reshiram Kyurem look at one another.

But the games that best nailed the feeling of being friends with your Pokemon werent the mainline handheld games.

I liked Hey You, Pikachu!, but I loved its pseudo-sequel Pokemon Channel.

Like HYP, Pokemon Channel gave you a pet Pikachu that you could hang out with.

A split image of Lucius, Choo-Choo Charles and Finding Frankie.

Unlike HYP, the main thing you did with that Pikachu was watch TV.

earned great reviews at launch.

Anew Pokemon Snapgame seemed like a long shot until Nintendo released one in 2021.

Pikachu from Pokemon Channel with a N64 set up to play Hey You, Pikachu! in the background.

I don’t care.

Just let me hang out with Pikachu one more time.

There sure are a lot of Unova things happening for a year with no Black & White remake.

Pokemon Channel gameplay screenshot

Triple-A Games