Thread: Please Help: Trying To Find A Piece Of My Childhood (Novel)

Okay, sorry I didn't bother with an introductory post. Maybe I'll do one later.

So here's how it is - there's this Pokemon novelization I used to have as a kid way back when. I've been trying to identify it for years without any luck. I have such a little memory of what it had, it's contents, title, but I figure if I come here, where, if I'm not mistaken, the brains behind Bulbapedia lurk, someone may be able to identify it. I'll just dump all that I can remember about it, and see if anyone here is able to identify it.

- The most notable aspect of it is that the book was a novelization of the Red and Blue games, specifically, not the anime or anything else. It didn't involve or mention Ash at all. It followed the plot of the games, and unless the mind deceives me, had various screenshots from Red/Blue. It was like a narrative from the perspective of the player character.

- I can't remember what the protagonist's name was, probably Red or something, but I know the kid chose Charmander. Among his other captures were a Pikachu in Viridian Forest, and he had a Caterpie/Metapod that didn't evolve until Nugget Bridge. He also possibly had a Pidgey-line member.

- Classic Sugimori images were sprinkled throughout the book, often of the Pokemon when it appeared prominently in the story. One specific example I know to be in the book was a mix-up between Pidgeotto and Pidgeot.

- The screenshots and Sugimori artwork lead me to believe the book was in color. For some reason, that lavender, purplish color is really strong in my memory. Either the cover or pages were this color, I'd imagine.

- I don't know how far the story goes. I don't think I ever got around to finishing it as a kid. It goes long enough for a Pidgeot to appear, so when your Pokemon are in the late 30s or when you battle your rival at Silph Co. are at least how far it goes. I can say safely that he eventually gets to Fuschia City, as a large point is made of the Safari Zone's secret house (he finally beat his rival to something? I think that was it.) It may just finish the entire game's arc, I don't know. I never finished it.

- Unfortunately, no clue on the author, publisher, or even title. Buh.

This is about all the info I can give. I would seriously appreciate any help anyone would be able to offer. Thanks in advance.

Sounds like Pokémon: Pathways to Adventure by Jason R. Rich. Character chooses Charmander and names him Charmer, he catches a Pikachu and names him Pikoo... sound familiar?

At the Secret House, I believe it says that since he was the first to reach the secret house, he must be ahead of his rival. His Metapod evolves right after Nugget Bridge. There's a picture of Pidgeot labelled Pidgeotto. Many of the pages are purplish. I'd say that's it.

I haven't read much manga but to me it sounds sort of like the Yellow storyline of the manga.

I would defininely check out and see the one that Vulpes suggested as that is more than likely to be it.

Yeah that is definitely path ways to adventures

holy mother of god that was amazing

Charmander was definitely named Charmer and that definitely sounds like it. I cannot believe how quickly this was solved. Thanks a ton.

I guess Amazon has them going from $0.97 new. Must not be as rare and hard to find as I used to think.

Just out of curiosity, how far along does the story go?

Happy to help. The story goes all the way to him defeating the Pokémon League.

The main thing I remember about that story is the fact that his rival's Blastoise turns into a Charizard for the championship battle...

If I recall correctly, it rushes/the pace gets faster as the book goes on, but yeah, it does end when he's champion.