Thursday, October 23, 1992
Leo Garrick was many things a top student, a rich kid, and a self-proclaimed gaming purist but above all, he was a ZAGE devotee. It all began when he saw his first ZEPS ad on TV months ago. The moment he played Rad Racer, he was hooked. Since then, Leo had bought nearly every game and device ZAGE released in Japan, often importing them at a hefty cost. And now, the rumors are swirling. A new console? A handheld device? Leo had blocked out all spoilers, avoided flyers, and even refused to talk to friends about the speculation. He wanted to experience the reveal with pure, untainted hype.
Tonight was the night. ZAGE's new American ad was scheduled to air at exactly 19:00. Leo had marked his calendar, turned off the lights in his room, grabbed popcorn, and sat in front of the TV like it was a cinematic event. His heart thumped as the clock ticked closer.
"I wonder what ZAGE is cooking up this time! I'm beyond excited!" Leo muttered to himself, his eyes glued to the screen as he sat cross-legged on his couch, a bowl of popcorn in his lap and the remote clutched in his hand like a sacred relic.
The screen went black.
Then it lit up with the gleaming ZAGE logo, accompanied by a synth-heavy sound effect. The Emerald Wings logo followed right after, cementing this as a U.S. launch.
Suddenly, the screen burst to life with a familiar figure—Zaboru himself, donning his trademark Z helmet. He stood confidently next to none other than Mario.
"Hello everyone! It's me, Zaboru!"
Mario turned to him and crossed his arms. "That's my line, Zaboru!"
Zaboru chuckled and scratched the back of his helmet. "Right, sorry! Anyway, I have something magical to show you. A device that lets you play anywhere, anytime!"
A blue blur zoomed across the screen, and Sonic appeared, dashing up to hand Zaboru a sleek handheld console. "Thanks, Sonic," Zaboru said, holding it high like a sacred artifact.
"Let me introduce the ZGB—ZAGE Game Boy!"
The device shimmered with a metallic sheen. "With our advanced Z-batteries, a pair can last up to 9-10 hours of play! Now that's portable power!"
Then, a glowing Poké Ball materialized in Zaboru's hand. He wound back and hurled it toward the screen. "Gotta catch them all!"
Cue the music—the Pokémon theme , sung in English:
I want to be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend
(Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all) A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all Gotta catch 'em all
As the iconic song played, the screen flooded with scenes from the game. Pokémon running through forests, trainers battling in pixelated arenas, and creatures evolving with dramatic flashes. Then came crossovers. RoboCop marching alongside Growlithe. Mario riding on the back of a Charizard. SpongeBob laughed as he splashed Magikarp and Gyarados in a digital pond. Bill Rizer and Doomguy were shown relaxing beneath a tree with their guns near them, surrounded by wild Pokémon, looking more relaxed than ever.
Next, the ad cut to gameplay footage of the other ZGB launch titles: Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, Stranded Kids, and Tetris. Each title had its own visual pop, but nothing matched the energy of Pokémon Red and Green.
Finally, a clean screen appeared with all the vital info:
ZGB - ZAGE Game BoyRelease Date: October 26Retail Price: $99Games: $30 eachZ-Batteries: $2 per pair
"Available in all major retailers across the U.S. Don't miss it!" the narrator chimed.
The ad ended with the ZAGE jingle and Zaboru giving a peace sign. "See you on the go!"
Leo Garrick leapt off his couch, eyes wide and sparkling. "That's it! That's what I've been waiting for!" he shouted.
He fumbled for his notepad and scribbled down the release date. "Gotta get there early... like 5 a.m. early. No way I'm missing out on this. And Pokémon? I don't even know what it is yet, but I love it already!"
Across the United States, similar reactions exploded. Kids and teens ran through their homes screaming about Pokémon. Retail hotlines were flooded with calls asking about the ZGB. Game stores prepped for one of the most anticipated hardware launches in years. Some hardcore ZAGE fanatics were already preparing to start queuing the very next day, despite the ZGB's release still being two days away. Tents, chairs, and sleeping bags were expected to line the sidewalks outside major game retailers across the country.
And in Japan, watching a late-night rebroadcast , Zaboru leaned back in his chair at ZAGE HQ, arms folded.
"America, get ready," he said with a grin.
To be continued.