Can we catch ‘em all?: Generation II: Difference between revisions

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Once again, it is helpful to look at Nintendo’s published descriptions of versions.
Once again, it is helpful to look at Nintendo’s published descriptions of versions.


[[File:GenIIOfficialVersionTree.png|Generation II Official Version Tree]]
[[File:GenIIOfficialVersionTree.png|thumb|Generation II Official Version Tree]]


According to Nintendo, {{bp|Generation II}} was released to Japanese audience in 1999 with {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}}.<ref> http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gbc-gs/</ref> They were marketed as the first {{bp|core series}} optimized for {{bp|Game Boy Color}} and advertisements heavily focused on the improved graphical aspects of the new system. However, the games were also accessible on any monochrome {{bp|Game Boy}} system. As with the previous generation, the Japanese titles were translated into the near-identical {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions}} for release in the United States<ref> http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-gold-version-and-pokemon-silver-version/</ref> and Australia in 2000. European release followed in 2001 with translations in French, Italian, German, and Spanish.<ref> http://www.pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-gold-version-and-pokemon-silver-version/</ref> For the first time, a Korean-language version titled {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} was released in 2002.<ref> http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/09/25/the-koreanization-of-pokemon-or-simply-pokemon-in-south-korea-2296686?lt_source=external,manual </ref> Unlike all other version of the paired titles, this localization was only compatible with the {{bp|Game Boy Color}}.  
According to Nintendo, {{bp|Generation II}} was released to Japanese audience in 1999 with {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}}.<ref> http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gbc-gs/</ref> They were marketed as the first {{bp|core series}} optimized for {{bp|Game Boy Color}} and advertisements heavily focused on the improved graphical aspects of the new system. However, the games were also accessible on any monochrome {{bp|Game Boy}} system. As with the previous generation, the Japanese titles were translated into the near-identical {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions}} for release in the United States<ref> http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-gold-version-and-pokemon-silver-version/</ref> and Australia in 2000. European release followed in 2001 with translations in French, Italian, German, and Spanish.<ref> http://www.pokemon.com/uk/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-gold-version-and-pokemon-silver-version/</ref> For the first time, a Korean-language version titled {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} was released in 2002.<ref> http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/09/25/the-koreanization-of-pokemon-or-simply-pokemon-in-south-korea-2296686?lt_source=external,manual </ref> Unlike all other version of the paired titles, this localization was only compatible with the {{bp|Game Boy Color}}.  
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In addition to data structures, examining graphical alterations demonstrates that the official order of distribution was not synonymous with the order of localization. While suggestive as well as religious graphics from the Japanese {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} were removed from most localizations, the South Korean version retains the original graphics.<ref> http://iimarck.us/i/changed-designs/</ref> This suggests that, while the Korean-language version was the last released, it was not the last produced. It has been suggested that difficulty implementing the Korean language is to blame for the delayed release, though no speculation can truly answer that question.
In addition to data structures, examining graphical alterations demonstrates that the official order of distribution was not synonymous with the order of localization. While suggestive as well as religious graphics from the Japanese {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} were removed from most localizations, the South Korean version retains the original graphics.<ref> http://iimarck.us/i/changed-designs/</ref> This suggests that, while the Korean-language version was the last released, it was not the last produced. It has been suggested that difficulty implementing the Korean language is to blame for the delayed release, though no speculation can truly answer that question.


Therefore, the original assignment of the term sequel to these games becomes impossible from a media archaeological view. Unlike the official Nintendo diagram, the actual connections between versions of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} instead resemble the diagram below.
Therefore, the original assignment of the term sequel to these games becomes impossible from a media archaeological view. Unlike the official Nintendo diagram, the actual connections between versions of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} instead resemble the diagram to the right.


[[File:GenIIGSUnofficialVersionTreeV3.png|Generation II Official Version Tree - Gold and Silver]]
[[File:GenIIGSUnofficialVersionTreeV3.png|thumb|Generation II Official Version Tree - Gold and Silver]]


What can be understood from this mess? It can be argued that, rather than the sequels promoted by Nintendo, Generation II is best described as an adaptation of Generation I. Returning to Linda Hutcheon’s A Theory of Adaptation, three possible descriptions for adaptations are given: as a “transposition of a particular work,” as a “process of creation,” and as a “process of reception.”<ref name="Hutcheon, ''A Theory of Adaptation'', 2nd ed."/>
What can be understood from this mess? It can be argued that, rather than the sequels promoted by Nintendo, Generation II is best described as an adaptation of Generation I. Returning to Linda Hutcheon’s A Theory of Adaptation, three possible descriptions for adaptations are given: as a “transposition of a particular work,” as a “process of creation,” and as a “process of reception.”<ref name="Hutcheon, ''A Theory of Adaptation'', 2nd ed."/>
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The inclusion of these unused areas, along with a substantial amount of translation, indicates that the decision to remove mobile elements was not an early one. Instead, the decision was made late and abruptly in the localization process, considering the level of translations already in place. Of course, media archaeology cannot tell us why this decision happened, but it can tell us that the situation surrounding this executive decision was sudden and possibly unexpected.
The inclusion of these unused areas, along with a substantial amount of translation, indicates that the decision to remove mobile elements was not an early one. Instead, the decision was made late and abruptly in the localization process, considering the level of translations already in place. Of course, media archaeology cannot tell us why this decision happened, but it can tell us that the situation surrounding this executive decision was sudden and possibly unexpected.


Combining all of this information, the diagram of {{bp|Generation II}} versions now appears to be something like this.
Combining all of this information, the diagram of {{bp|Generation II}} versions now appears to be something like the image to the right.


[[File:GenIICUnofficialVersionTreeV2.png|Generation II Official Version Tree - Complete]]
[[File:GenIICUnofficialVersionTreeV2.png|thumb|Generation II Official Version Tree - Complete]]


It can be argued that {{bp|Pokémon Crystal Version|Pocket Monsters: Crystal Version}} is not simply another version of {{bp|Generation II}}. It is an adaptation of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} with the inclusion of adapted elements from {{bp|Pokémon Stadium (English)|Pokémon Stadium}}. In addition, {{bp|Pokémon Crystal Version| Pokémon Crystal Version and its international localizations}} are not mere translations but instead adaptations of the Japanese version, compensating for the loss created by the sudden removal of the {{bp|Mobile Adapter GB}}.
It can be argued that {{bp|Pokémon Crystal Version|Pocket Monsters: Crystal Version}} is not simply another version of {{bp|Generation II}}. It is an adaptation of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver}} with the inclusion of adapted elements from {{bp|Pokémon Stadium (English)|Pokémon Stadium}}. In addition, {{bp|Pokémon Crystal Version| Pokémon Crystal Version and its international localizations}} are not mere translations but instead adaptations of the Japanese version, compensating for the loss created by the sudden removal of the {{bp|Mobile Adapter GB}}.