Hobbies And Interests
Card Game
The Pokemon card game is designed for children, though people of all ages play. The players carefully construct a deck of 60 cards consisting of various Pokemon. If player "A" can present a card with a Pokemon whose power move outshines the card player "B" presents, player "A" wins. Play goes on until one player collects all six Prize cards, the opponent's active Pokemon get knocked out or if the opponent runs out of cards. Since the decks are limited to 60 cards, and there are thousands of Pokemon cards, each game has a high potential for diversity.
Video Games
The game line includes "Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs" for children over 7 years due to mild cartoon violence. The Nintendo DS title pits Guardian Rangers, protectors of Pokemon, against the Pokemon Pinchers, who steal Pokemon for their own nefarious purposes. "Pokemon FireRed" for the Gameboy Advance calls for children 8 to 13 to collect rare Pokemon. A WiFi device that comes with the game makes it possible for children to play with others online.
Play! Pokemon
The Pokemon Battle Road tournament is divided into age groups so kids are paired up with their peers. In 2010, for example, the junior division was limited to children born 2000 or later. The senior division was for children born between 1995 and 1999. The tournaments are part of the Play! Pokemon network and cover video and card games. Competitive tournaments begin at the city level and culminate with a world championship.