Pocket Monisters (LCD game series)

Pocket Monisters (LCD game series)
A "Game #2" console.
Release date	Unknown, 2006 or earlier
System	Handheld LCD game
Game developer(s)	Synco Tech Company Limited (?)
Alternate name(s)	Monsters Pocket

Pocket Monisters [sic], also known as Monsters Pocket, is a series of handheld LCD games based on the Pokémon series. The handhelds are loosely part of the "POP Station" clone lineage (though likely predate the POP Station itself).

Overview

The handhelds are generally modeled after an original Game Boy, and feature one game per unit. Each system features the Pocket Monisters and/or Monsters Pocket name. The original releases do not actually feature game titles, only identified as being different games by a number stamp on the packaging and different-colored plastic; some later variants give the games proper titles. The known games from the series include:

• Game #1 - A variant of the common bootleg LCD game Scuffle, which in itself is a clone of Casio's Submarine Battle handheld (CG-330). The game replaces the player's submarine with Pikachu, and the enemy planes with Pidgeys. Comes in a yellow plastic case.
• Game #2 - A variant of the common bootleg LCD game City Fighter; the character graphics are replaced with Pikachu and Charmander. Comes in a green plastic case.
  • A later variant of the "#2" handheld was released under the name Pikaciu vs. Dino. The original console's artwork (showing Pikachu wearing pants) is replaced with an "imitation" Pikachu resembling a rabbit, alongside Ash and Charmander.
• Game #3 - A variant of the common bootleg LCD game Soccer with all players changed to Pikachus. Comes in a purple plastic case.
• Game #4 - Confirmed to exist, though its contents are unknown; comes in a brown plastic case.
• Unknown game - Appears to be an elaborate clone of Pooyan; it is not directly based on the 1982 Gakken handheld. The player controls Pikachu in a flying Pokéball, and must shoot down Meowths flying upward in bubbles; the Meowths appear to be able to build up across the top of the screen and push boulders onto Pikachu. Comes in a charcoal plastic case, with a different shape than other units.

Gallery

Unknown Pooyan-like handheld

Unknown Pooyan-like handheld (gameplay close-up)

Trivia

• Pikaciu vs. Dino was covered in the April 2006 issue of "Electronic Gaming Monthly" by reviewer Seanbaby, as part of a section on general knockoff consoles. The article states that the console "looks like a Game Boy but plays like a sandwich", and dubs it "The matchup God never intended!".
  • Other consoles covered in the issue are notably rare (or otherwise very obscure); including the Timetop UM6578 consoles, and two particularly bizarre LCD games titled "American Blunder" and "Long Love".