Pokémon: Why It's Good | Tim Rogers | Kotaku

Pokémon is one of the most successful media franchises in the world. I investigated why, starting from the hypothesis that it has a LOT in common with criminal confidence scams.

[@clintrogers1436]

Kid used a bullshit gameshark'd party with Mewtwo. My comp was Mr. Mime (Psychic, Solar Beam, Thunderbolt, and Substitute), Mewtwo, and Dragonite. Like he even had the gameshark on him not even hiding it.

[@kotaku]

Clint Rogers i genuinely believe you today in 2019 though i sorta didn’t back then lmao

[@Schmorgle]

This is the Gran Turismo of Comment Section Entertainment.

[@PandaXs1]

man I asked if I could use Mew, but they told me they had to check mine and said I couldn't use it (cloned it from a friend who said he won the contest, but I guess he lied about that lol). I'm guessing by the time the tournament got around to where I lived they started actually checking for unlicensed Mews.

[@fredo3161]

Did you fight him? Not in the game - in real life?

[@THEAmateurSommelier]

Good. GameShark is good for you. So is making the New York Yankees win the World Series.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

"Questions are sentences for ignorant people." -Tim Rogers, 2019

[@davidebrownii]

I lost it at "Shields are for cowards, Swords kill", it was the gunshot afterwards that honestly got me.

[@Ipsen13]

I read this comment BEFORE the video got to this line, and I was still unprepared for how hilarious this was. Setup: immaculate.

[@anonony9081]

Questions are sentences for ignorant people

[@aka_jr]

"Design is older than conscious thought. Art is not" Your old colleague has bars.

[@snouken]

This was incredible. I have no idea if he likes it or not but I had a good time with his mad rambling

[@canisdivinus6218]

Didn't you hear him? I think he honestly and sincerely loves pokemon

[@freindmaker4473]

the video's called "why it's good". pretty clear lmao

[@pikaboom6539]

@@freindmaker4473 eh, not really. The content of the video leads me to believe that he is making a hilariously forced devils advocate argument.

[@freindmaker4473]

@@pikaboom6539 i mean yeah, his argument is silly but i think he enjoys the games

[@pikaboom6539]

@@freindmaker4473 no, I don’t think so. I think he’s making an argument for them, but the compliments are made in such a manner that shows that no matter how you talk about Pokémon, it’s shortcomings cannot be suppressed. The cuts to the policeman laughing maniacally with his soulless clown eyes as he talks over the animation on repeat just sort of subconsciously drives the point home, too.

[@NickLysander]

Clicking Kotaku is like a slot machine. The sound of "HELLO" has surpassed clinking coins for a dopamine high.

[@vargasprime094]

Sid "Sid Meier's Civilization" Meier was a good gag.

[@danipo8658]

In my years of playing Pokemon, I have NEVER kept defensive techniques over Offensive ones

[@kotaku]

yeah, me neither! though i did get completely owned once by someone who did lol

[@vernontk]

If you play in "Shift Mode", there's hardly any reason to!

[@LegendaryMythril]

it's only really relevant for multiplayer, just like the X items only make sense if you're a speedrunner

[@higherlearning9386]

@@kotaku Your whole career is defensive techniques over offensive ones

[@CasualViewer-t4f]

Haven’t played a lot of pvp huh?

[@SmoothRiker]

You made me realize why I always seem to get so stressed when I get to the middle of the game. The middle of the game is like the event horizon of the decision-making black hole.

[@nhall129]

I hope “the gran turismo of...” becomes a thing forever

[@sergnb0]

It's the dark souls of game analogies

[@MrNineties]

I'm frightened by that prospect, as it would seem the development cycle at PD is a nightmare hellscape these days...

[@salemite]

This is the Gran Turismo of youtube comments.

[@salemite]

@@sergnb0 This is the Minecraft of realizations.

[@pdthorn]

“Histrionically”

[@octocoq]

Now we, like the butcher who got too close to his work, enter the meat. LMAO

[@SpencerSoares]

encouraging confidence in a children’s video game is particularly interesting as children are not generally given choices that balloon out to affect every decision of their life. or i suppose they are given those choices but shielded from them as much as possible. pokemon teaches kids confidence. i love it

[@kotaku]

yeah, it's genuinely great!

[@mechamonkeymancityboat7785]

That's how they getcha

[@BennyPowers]

I'm already nostalgic for Tim Rogers youtube for when I'll be old and grey

[@pav1506]

Am I the only one who thought bede was an old lady. Plot twist he's a young boy

[@gho5trun3r68]

I still kept thinking the game was pulling something on me. Even in "his" challenger uniform, I still thought it was a girl.

[@aatired7307]

Considering his plot line, I think it was intentional

[@Gatorw77]

No, I’m Tim Rogers.

[@chin_777]

This video feels like a chat with an old friend who I am meeting up with for the first time in years. The loop of that cop laughing is absolutely horrifying though

[@Puffy_Mario]

That part with the loud gunshot made me jump and then start laughing.

[@johnsimon8457]

The closer Pokémon gets to looking like an anime in a real world setting, the weirder the world gets in that EVERYTHING revolves around Pokémon. And it’s been a trend twenty years running

[@bennyfactor]

Tim, I also lost in the first round of the pokemon tournament at that shopping mall in Indianapolis. I feel your brother's pain, having metaphorically brought six metapods to a bird fight. Even before you mentioned that anecdote, though, this video brought back pleasant memories of those heady days of pokemon red and blue. Thanks, boss.

[@GoudaFetaExpandDong]

"It's difficult to wash blood stains out of a white t-shirt" "*_That's why vampires wear BLACK_*"

[@pinguman13]

“Questions are sentences for ignorant people” -Tim Rogers

[@SevenFingerDiscount]

Tim Rogers: Why It's Good: The Game: The (Grand Turismo of) Video(s)

[@ji3qu]

I came here, 2 years later, to determine if this game was worth buying. Instead I was treated to... whatever this was. 1 out of 1 viewers that I asked, "Is this video perfect?" Replied with a "Yes".

[@leftheavy.]

Wait... did... did Tim choose the backing track “Down by the Riverside” because it specifically references laying down their “sword” and “shield?”

[@kotaku]

yes!!!!!! i also had the battle hymn of the republic in here at one point (simply because of the word "sword") though i swapped it out for the star spangled banner lol

[@dontiswhervin9396]

Genius🤣

[@leftheavy.]

Ha! I love it! While I’m 1/3rd starstruck by you replying, I’m 2/3rds immensely appreciative and consistently blown away by all all the little details you include in your retrospectives. Thanks for all you do!

[@Squalltiduscloud]

What is the music going on around the 3:00 mark? I know I know it but it’s driving me crazy trying to remember.

[@leftheavy.]

Squalltiduscloud it’s the old ragtime classic, “The Entertainer.” It’s a staple of old-time piano music and has been included in more films and shows to count. It was also the jingle of the ice cream truck that sped past my childhood home without stopping on its way to the rich neighborhood... so hopefully that answers your question.

[@jasonlee1337]

omg positive yet contrarian opinion on Kotaku? Must be Tim Rogers. "Hello, and welcome to Video Games..." Yup.

[@shaneos2727]

It’s..simply the best entertainment in world history. Tim Roger’s synaptic web of particularities is a sacred treasure and I’m exceedingly grateful to have been exposed to the brilliance of his mastery’s breadth

[@johnnyfitzlive]

Ya’ll really need to put Tim’s name front and center in the video’s title.

[@midknight1339]

I mean, Tim's thumbnails are unique enough for this not to be necessary

[@johnnyfitzlive]

​@@midknight1339 The title card was the only thing that made me click, hoping it was a Tim video. I'm a recent sub to the channel, and honestly have no idea what their other "non-Tim" title cards look like. While I'm sure some of their other videos are great, I'm only really here for Tim right now. It's like if the Escapist didn't put the words Zero Punctuation or mention his name in any of Yahtzee's videos. This guy is their most popular personality, and properly branding his videos is only going to help that.

[@junebunchanumbers]

Tim "Tim Roger's Pokemon: Why It's Good" Rogers.

[@gavilan355]

Tim Rogers is the Grand Turismo of reviewers

[@The.Culture.Consultant]

Tim saying "going into the cold darkness" while panning into an image of a cave with a coal cart-monster as his adversary is just one of myriad creative choices why this man is a treasure.

[@XellosNi]

"That his Mr. Mime could kill ANY POKEMON." That sounds scary.

[@rootfifthoctave5336]

THIS IS ME, SHOUTING OUT FROM BIRMINGHAM.

[@osunightfall]

Love your stuff, Tim. Also, your FFVII translation series made me cry. And makes me cry every time I think about it. Just... thought I'd share that. Keep up the fine work.

[@cube2fox]

I teared up when reading his "what we might mean when we say a clock is wrong".

[@conmcdon]

i have no idea anymore when tim rogers is being sincere or sarcastic. tim rogers makes me question what i know about truth.

[@lcorr2000]

Thanks for such an insightful and funny take on the basic mechanics that makes Pokémon sink its teeth into me even after all theses years.

[@yagob]

Every friday I'm fuckin burned out by a lot of boring and tiring tasks at work, but I have this tiny pocket of relief and joy that a "Tim Roger's long video" brings. Thank you Tim, you make my fridays less tiresome.

[@michaeltenbroeck1807]

“...on the other hand...”Tim ‘100 hands’ Rodgers -2019. You are the best of the best. I have to hand it to you.

[@darkcheaker]

This dude is a Gran Turismo of insane people

[@MostAttractiveDudeInTown]

The reasons they are good in my oppinion : 1.It's Pokémon 2. Amazing Pokémon design 3. It's an RPG 4. It's for all ages ... who know how an RPG works 5. You're free to what mon's you use 6. It has a bit of every culture 7 . It has a charming artstyle 8. They can make ANYTHING child friendly 9. It has a interesting lore 10. The Ball Guy 11. Mr Rime 12. Variety 13. Fooooooood and cooking 14. You bond with these amazing digital creatures more than your family , what am I the only one that lonely , okay. Best reasons ever , especialy numbers 1,10,11and13.

[@paletteswapsquirrels]

Tim, I'm about 15 minutes in and I find myself needing a "double-like" button for the first time, ever. Please don't stop. Ever.

[@nhall129]

Is it weird that, despite not mentioning take Tim make the video, i read the title and description, and INSTANTLY knew it was Tim Rogers

[@paigehansen8944]

Me too

[@Y-two-K]

Also the video duration

[@Justsomeone99987]

I read “it’s good” in his voice and knew it’s be him

[@bratsampson]

You generally just need the title and video length in my experience.

[@samuelmueller2769]

I can usually tell by the way the thumbnail looks. I think he uses a slightly different font.

[@audiobusting]

Tim, I hope you'll also get to check out the other 2019 Dreamcast game, Shenmue III!

[@kotaku]

audiobusting ah, yes, that was my joke-i might have some thoughts on that soon!

[@PizzaDinosaur]

"Dreamcast game" is the highest praise a gameliker can heap upon a game

[@AmirGameShow]

I'm 30 and never understand the love for Pokemon. But after this , Tim Rogers Again made me do something.❤😂

[@brianpolite]

I don't give a hoothoot what Tim talks about, it's always so entertaining.

[@victorpetrescu6586]

I clicked this hoping it was Tim Rogers and I was not disappointed

[@smallmistake]

Birimgham represent! It was cool to hear you call us out in your other video too. And you pronouncing it the British way is even cooler! I remember seeing an old hbomberguy video where he mentioned he spoke to you at the NEC (or NIA...) in Birmingham, but I think he said he just embarrassed himself. You and him are my two favourite people on the internet so I need that crossover to happen again but on KZbin for me to consume.

[@rootfifthoctave5336]

fellow brummie kotaku fan - hi!

[@smallmistake]

@@rootfifthoctave5336 yes mate!

[@drjtyson]

Honestly I cannot overstate how much I love this video lol

[@pwnedd11]

I've said this before, but the choice of music in these videos is amazing -- both from a purely musical perspective and a cinematic "What music goes well with what scene?" perspective. Bravo, Tim!!!!!!!! I thought I remembered you saying you were designing a JRPG... maybe I imagined that... but I can't wait for your musical choices in that venture (if and/or when you make that game!)!!!

[@infernoflash]

This is one of the best anallazys of anything Pokémon i have ever seen! It's also the most intense.

[@camhcom]

"professional... video editor" 2:48 [includes an "accidental" single frame edit] not bad timothy, not bad

[@MadMensDen]

I can't believe this. I love this. This gives me life. For the first time I have to thank the KZbin algorithm for showing me this video.

[@drjtyson]

I very much enjoy this type of humor

[@pappalink7734]

"Now we, like the butcher who got too close to his work, enter the meat." *chef's kiss*

[@Valius_]

Thanks for all you do, Tim! Your videos brighten my day. :)

[@the0ddpoint943]

I just hear Tim’s voice and hit like, it’s autonomous at this point.

[@martinmp19]

Automatic!

[@svenbtb]

Hey Tim, just leaving a comment to let you know I love your stuff, you're wonderful. Thank you for this video and all the hard work you put in - I really liked your analytical look at WHY Pokemon works so well and why it feels so good to play. It's seriously brilliant how Pokemon manages to be both widely accessible and enjoyable to anyone wanting to play the campaign while also having a CRAZY number of decisions and a bunch of mechanical depth. I love that this game even makes THAT part of the game more accessible by letting you see all active effects/buffs/debuffs in play at any given time. ANYWAYS I've rambled on enough, thanks again for being you, much love, keep doing your thing man and don't let people get you down

[@Nathan-bf7mt]

That was so deep into marketing and psychology my brain sploded.

[@KevinCow]

10:05 - "Pokemoners" I appreciate this consistency with the rest of the Tim Rogers Cinematic Universe.

[@FrecklesOpenMic]

"A process by which we acquire possibilities we have to learn how to deal with" Yeah the last episodes of evangelion hit me pretty hard too

[@k1ngkr1ms0n6]

As a child, I too thought "why isn't pokemon "sports" irl like chess, if there's got to be someone who is the best at it? And then I saw the one time anybody cared about competitive pokemon: the dragonslaying pachirisu. The meta is boring, everybody picks the same pokemon, and the only reason that particular player was noticed is because he dared to go against the grain AND WON. It doesn't happen that often and watching 24 people with at least three of the same pokemon on their team would simply not make good tv.

[@kotaku]

Diego Hernandez Peña yeah-in its current state, sure, it’d not be the best TV entertainment. though what if they tuned the game up a tiny bit? i feel like the multiplayer in sword and shield has a couple neat little tweaks that indicate the possibility of tuning this up for serious competition. with the right tweaks they could probably even create the utopian scenario wherein trainers use a wide variety of pokemon to different effects (instead of the same pokemon to similar effects lol)

[@kid_thegamer]

When LUV pulled out her knife out of Officer *K* and said "I'm the BEST one!" in _Blade Runner 2049_ made me love her.

[@short600]

That farfetched refusing to stay in the ball was stressing me out

[@nickhannan8008]

I never thought about why it hooked me but I do think the perfect monsters and endless decision permutations are what used to keep me coming back.

[@djdewitt]

Point #3 felt revelatory. Damn. Now I want to see RPGs where all the NPCs are obsessed with the player’s core gameplay loop.

[@andrewhickinbottom1051]

I'm from Birmingham. Well - I was born 16 miles away from Birmingham to be precise. (you told me to shout out in the comments) Brilliantly well observed and worded video as always, Tim! I'm not even a fan of pocket men, and i enjoyed this a lot.

[@bentheintern]

The clip of the police officer laughing will be in my head for days

[@GilangD21]

This is a 30 minutes poem,, im crying

[@benabbott302]

I wasn't going to get this game because of all the controversy surrounding it. However since hearing Tim Rodgers talk about it makes it more valid. So I don't mind giving Nintendo all of my money.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

Controversy? I got Googling to do!

[@daviderde]

The Children disliking this video thats been out for about 4 minutes is just terrific - long live rogers

[@revenone1077]

I can picture an angry 12 year old watching this and wondering what the fuck is going on.

[@RC-go2kl]

@@revenone1077 I can't imagine an angry 40 year old emasculated male raging at his screen because he saw a comment that wasn't offensive, OFFEND him. Oh, wait, yea I can, Tim Rogers!

[@joshuak4553]

Pokégood: Why It's Mon

[@mikyprather-wiegardt]

I think the aspect of choice is something I've overlooked for 20+ but it makes so much sense. Plus with one Kurt ball each, you choice which pokemon will be in what pokeballs

[@MDrams22]

This was one of the most well scripted and delivered videos I think I've ever watched.... Kudos

[@jebus9001]

Playing Pokemon reminds me of the time I bought 3 vacuums and a lifetime subscription to ESPN magazine from a very charming gentlemen that came to my door a few years ago.

[@randomweeb6997]

Oh, thanks for the inside, Tim. I've wanted someone to explain Pokemon to me, as everything outside of Pokemon Special manga failed to keep me. That said, I want to mention how those easy in-game battle backfired for me. I've played Pokemon L.Green, X, O.Sapphire, Moon, and U.Moon. Steamrolling through those game left me with no sense of achievement whatsoever. With one exception - Misty's Starmie from L.Green. It's not broadcasting "You are smart" to me, the message is "Everyone is a moron". Given that, what purpose does challenging morons serve? Morons are going to make stupid decisions, morons are going to be effortlessly crushed. But there's no fun in doing this. Where is fun? Battling Misty's Starmie while being very restricted. That is a fun battle precisely because how owerpowered for that point of the game it is. The rest just spirals down from this point. Which version do I buy? The one that provides more challenge. Wait, they're both the same. The monster roster is different, but... Wait, what's that? Shining Resonance is on sale? Well, that solves the problem completely. Also, the competitive side of the game is different because there are actual smart people out there. Competitive scene is the life and blood of Pokemon now, but it's in the trap of not caring enough about it. The games are easy and effortless, leading them to being forgotten about. Now, if joining the online multiplayer was free, I could give it a shot. But it costs money, money that could be spent on more games. It would be nice if there was a game that goes into competitive side of Pokemon from the box, but there seems to be no interest from the Pokemon company in making this kind of game. Ah, shit, it turned into wall of text. Sorry about that.

[@jgrocketpup]

I was worried about 21:07, but you navigated that information minefield like a pro, Tim.

[@Darrel_B]

I'm from Birmingham! Super impressed with the Balti mention. You're obviously well-traveled

[@weir9996]

I mean, the Move Reminder being free and pretty much everywhere does pretty much all the stress from learning new moves

[@cyberbrunk]

"Now we, like a butcher who has gotten to close to his work, Enter the Meat"

[@midknight1339]

"Hello" was not deep this time around... :c

[@reginaldfitzherbert8193]

It feels like he's down or something.

[@michaelberlin8526]

IMHO, one of your best, Tim, and tightest. Really nice

[@zelatoth]

"Your character read a blog post about the existence of common sense" that hit me lol.

[@ilikepie21234]

The B roll of the laughing cop gets ME EVERY FUCKinG T(mE

[@lu_shulmu]

Shoutout from the Balti Triangle of Birmingham! Spread the message of Pokémon Sword & Shield: curry is love, curry is life.

[@dopatwo]

Loved this video, you're the best!

[@Narokkurai]

That laughing policeman is fucking terrifying

[@lucasrodriguez8957]

This video is great! Cannot believe is part of kotaku.

[@nootmcscairy]

Hilarious and informative. Great ending too. Thanks Tim!

[@sterntoaction1]

Tim Rogers...too good...too smart...too unique...this guy is the super saiyan of reviewers

[@uhkeyboard]

Pokémon is a gorgeous, neglected bookcase. Each book, once acquired, has a fun cover and will be ordered, alphabeticaly, by me.

[@christopherstich1009]

That laughing man will haunt my dreams.

[@nihilgaming7343]

The laughing cop is giving me Paranoia agent vibes

[@christopherlundgren1700]

While I enjoyed the use of the "confidence man" as a jumping off point for that part of the essay, my understanding of the origin of the term is not that he is instilling his mark with confidence, but rather that he is asking the mark "will you put your confidence in me?" i.e. preying upon the natural inclination of one unassuming human being to trust another seemingly sincere human being that asks to be trusted. The mark feels obliged to be nice and becomes a victim on account of their natural generosity.

[@larxene12]

Gen 5 was the first and last time Gamefreak created a deep storyline. Gym leaders had a purpose, villain was awesome, music was lit AF. Now the series is stale and struggling to come out with new stuff, this version holds your hand all the way through, and plot is soooooo shallow :( oh well. Black and White is the best one.

[@phantomraviolis]

i get where you're coming from, but sun & moon, arguably the most "hand-holdy" (I prefer to say it was more guided/directed, but it was very easy either way) had maybe the best story of the mainline games? the focus on themes of family, loyalty, betrayal, the weirdness of the UBs, the narrative of dealing with parental abuse... I can understand if you prefer b&w's more grandiose high-stakes story, but i definitely feel like they're at least on par with each other! sw&sh, i def think is a step back from the last game, but it also feels like it's aiming for something different in terms of being a slow-burn buildup, esp with the rivals

[@larxene12]

Phantom Raviolis I see sun and moon as an extension to black and white in a way due to the leader of team plasma making a return, I was expecting M to make a comeback and nope T^T

[@MOSTL314]

When Tim Rodgers review I click

[@BrJPGameplay]

I'm so confused by the "the GRAN TURISMO of POKEMON GO clones" statement that I just keep laughing to myself

[@alexanderdavies3232]

Watching this video reminded me that I played over 1,000 hours of Pokémon Pearl, 110 of which in the week that I bought it. The other 900 hours were spent pouring over the explosive wealth of information at the time that satiated my innate lust for curiosity towards numeric manipulation and the endlessly labyrinthine tree of probability that is team-building. That's not including the time I spent outside of the game idly pondering this information. I dread to think how many decisions I'd made by the time I was happy with my team. Pokémon is the caffeine of popular videogames, the first sweet hit grabs you and by the end of the day you feel like you can't live without it, and it will keep you up at night. The only way to overcome it is to go cold-turkey; and I eventually sold half a dozen Pokémon games in one fell swoop - I've been curious of subsequent games and, in truth, I've been somewhat curious about Sword and Shield. However, some 10 years after the start of my abstinence I genuinely would be risking the decent, adult life that I've built up in that time, and I like that life. Anyway, this was a superb video, and it's a perfect snapshot of my life as a senior undergraduate student.

[@MrMatheus2707]

"Ritualistic dog-fighting animal torturer abuse basketball blacktop rectangles in their otherwise midwestern frontyards"

[@vwtifuljoe954]

Trying to listen to this like a podcast at work sends me into a waking trance like state, where Tim's words and voice wash over me like a gentle calming wave and leaves my soul at ease and rejuvenated.

[@darrenmcfadden6744]

As a pokémon lifer who wonders “why it's good” quite a lot, this does it

[@CasualViewer-t4f]

This was great. Thanks Tim.

[@tomoakley760]

Found this via TheQuartering, I like your analysis of how the pokemon games create these addictive feedback loops.

[@Tina_K]

I came here via the quartering too and now I'm never going to watch this soy filled bitchfest again

[@jaymoogle4479]

A breeder has all three starters in the wild area...

[@irurwurst]

he was talking about the series' general design as a whole.