Thread: If part of the USA was used as the geographical basis for a Pokemon region...

Within a generation or two, Pokemon is going to run out of Japan to base the geography of the Pokemon games on. So I was thinking, if they decided to base a region on part of the US, what portion of the country would work best? Where would the gyms be? How would the game be laid out in terms of progression? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

-Availability of water areas to use surf on.
-Regions based on Japan tend to be about 200 mi * 150 mi. regions in other areas could be smaller or larger.
-Pokemon games often start out in a small town (often near water) and work through a region.
-Pokemon games usually feature areas to explore subsequent to the completion of the main portion of the game.
-Having a variety of terrain is nice.

I've got some ideas, but I want to hear some discussion first.

Southeastern U.S. because I live there and having a Pokémon region based on the area I live would be freaking awesome.

...:D

Pacific Northwest. It's probably one of the most diverse areas in the country. Oregon alone has, within 150 miles, the Pacific ocean, a major mountain range, thick forests, and high desert.

And you'd need to Surf to get from Oregon to Washington most times since bridges are few and far between.

Ice legendary atop Mt Hood! Fire legendary within Mt St Helens! And for the love of pete, give us a water/steel salmon!

If I were to be really biased, I'd say the southwestern portion of the US because that's where I live. But if I were to take this seriously, I'd actually say maybe the areas around the Great Lakes. There's certainly no shortage of water there, and the forests would also make rich environments for pokemon.

Come to think of it, Ash has the option of traveling through quite a lot of states based on that criteria, so wouldn't a state count as a league?

See if you can guess where this is (no fair if you're from there and know):



Still seems a little sparse to me, but otherwise okay.

New England FTW!

Originally Posted by Yoshi1001

See if you can guess where this is (no fair if you're from there and know):



Still seems a little sparse to me, but otherwise okay.

Can I be the first to want to call this region Fransansisko?

First HM, Cut, so you have to go to Gym 1 first.

Second HM, Fly, since this place seems big.

Third HM, Strength, because it can be used to get to Gym 4.

Fourth HM, Rock Smash, so as to block the route to Gym 5.

Fifth HM, Rock Climb, because to Gym 6 you got mountains.

Sixth HM, Surf, to get to Gym 7.

Seventh HM, Defog, because south of Gym 7 there'd likely be a lot of fog.

Eighth HM, Waterfall, as always.

Originally Posted by Yoshi1001

See if you can guess where this is (no fair if you're from there and know):



Still seems a little sparse to me, but otherwise okay.

Lol, I was thinking the same thing... but all of California would be best if you ask me. We'd get all types of Terrain from Forrest and Tropical Forrest, to Snow Top Mountain and Desert. lol

Well, I might point out that the region of Orre, which featured in Pokemon Colosseum and XD, is actually based on Arizona:
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Orre

So one place has already been done. :)

Originally Posted by bobandbill

Well, I might point out that the region of Orre, which featured in Pokemon Colosseum and XD, is actually based on Arizona:
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Orre

So one place has already been done. :)

Not the most geographically interesting place in the country, though (apologies to any Arizonians reading this).

Hawaii? it has mountains, forest, tons of islands, and water. Each island has it own culture and the geography is just amazing.

If not, China, parts of South/Western Europe, Washington (Olympic Peninsula, yes I am a Twilighter), or Alaska.

Maybe around the Great Lakes but I live in Ohio and it sucks here so no. I could see India in there too.

How about the South-Asian island countries like Indonesia and Singapore?

Originally Posted by Yoshi1001

Not the most geographically interesting place in the country, though (apologies to any Arizonians reading this).

Hmm, I beg to differ xD It has a huge variation of climate changes resulting in many very "localized" or unique climate conditions (Meaning one place can have snowfall and be in the low 30's while somewere 20 miles away can be pushing 100+ degrees.) It also has plenty of suburban/ city area as well as many mountain ranges. Though, obviously, it does REALLY lack water or ocean.

Originally Posted by Normalize

Hawaii? it has mountains, forest, tons of islands, and water. Each island has it own culture and the geography is just amazing.

Hawaii definitely has my vote, it was the first thing that came to mind when I read this topic. Its rather perfect for a pokemon map to be based on IMO.

Australia would be cool since the real one already has exotic wildlife.

A dingo ate mah babay pokemon!