Links to Japanese Game

[Doctor Oak]

Hmm. I'd always thought these two sets were in some way related but it wasn't until I got my set this morning that I fully saw it after browsing the TFGDex entry.

In Japan, there already is a similar game but there are some apparent differences.

First up, they are both battle games using Pokemon figures. They're all highly collectable and look pretty but the main gameplay is vastly different, there are more characters (The Japanese one appears to be a one off 12 piece set), no trainers in the Japanese one and the Western Game wont come with little sugar cube candies either.

The Western models are visibly larger and most of them are Pokemon unavailable in the Japanese one. (Though the Japanese ones have more detail).

There is this one interesting likeness though:

It's interesting that Treecko is in exactly the same pose, considering it's an entirely new model. Possibly moreso considering Pikachu's model is completely different.

The Japanese game, called Pokemon Battle Figure, produced by Kaiyado, released through TOMY seems definitely to be the original idea through which this much more expansive game is based, so I figured I may as well just post to give awareness of it.

And because these figures are damned cool - the rest is on my album at the Pokecharms Gallery: http://forums.pokecharms.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5

 

[Pie]

We've known about the similarity to the Battle Figures for quite some time. In fact, when the TFG was first announced, someone pulled out a picture of the Manectric Battle Figure and asked if it was another Trading Figure that had just been announced.

Although, the Treecko similarities are interesting, particularly since this is the first I've heard of them - though if you look, part of the poses are actually inverted - the TF's down on the right, and the BF's down on the left.

But it becomes less interesting in the light of - well, you say the Battle Figures were made by Kaiyado? That's who's making the figures for the TFG, too. ^^o

Also - you say the Battle Figures have more detail? How so?

 

[Doctor Oak]

Although, the Treecko similarities are interesting, particularly since this is the first I've heard of them - though if you look, part of the poses are actually inverted - the TF's down on the right, and the BF's down on the left.

That TF image is flipped.

Also - you say the Battle Figures have more detail? How so?

You can see from the Treecko one, the Western one has a pretty simple rock face which is pretty blandly coloured and not especially detailed. The Japanese one, however, has a twig coming out from a pool of water with intricate detail notched onto the twig (even a knothole at the bottom and extra grass etc.

The figures are also (apparently) airbrushed by hand, presumably the TFG ones will all be machine painted.

In general, the Japanese ones are just more "statuey". They just seem more loved and unique in design. The western ones probably dumped that in favour for quick production rates though, so while the Pokemon may look the same (except for materials used, which gives the Japanese ones another extra touch - if albiet not intentionally) they wont have the same "extras".

Though clearly, since the TFG is obviously expanding on it so much further, it's a small and tiny price to pay.

 

[Pie]

That TF image is flipped.

Then it's the way the head and tail are turned that's inverted on the two figures. =P

You can see from the Treecko one, the Western one has a pretty simple rock face which is pretty blandly coloured and not especially detailed. The Japanese one, however, has a twig coming out from a pool of water with intricate detail notched onto the twig (even a knothole at the bottom and extra grass etc.

The figures are also (apparently) airbrushed by hand, presumably the TFG ones will all be machine painted.

In general, the Japanese ones are just more "statuey". They just seem more loved and unique in design. The western ones probably dumped that in favour for quick production rates though, so while the Pokemon may look the same (except for materials used, which gives the Japanese ones another extra touch - if albiet not intentionally) they wont have the same "extras".

Though clearly, since the TFG is obviously expanding on it so much further, it's a small and tiny price to pay.

I think it's less the choice of detail in scenary and the preference of focusing on 'cool' effects than 'beautiful' effects, if you catch my meaning. I mean, you looked at the gallery, right, and at the figures of Charizard, and Feraligatr? Feraligatr in particular - I LOVE its design, looking like it just came out of the water or something. I can see the scenary is more complex in the Battle Figures, but from what I've seen of the Battle Figures and Trading Figures, the Trading Figures have the more detailed, cool-looking elemental effects.

Also - the Trading Figures are not expected be airbrushed by hand, and quite frankly I don't think anyone would think that's the best idea, given how widely this is going to be produced (Australia and Europe first, USA and Japan later...). Then we'd never get them. It'd be like painting the art for the Trading Cards on by hand. XD It doesn't matter, though, since the Trading Figures are STILL quite gorgeous...

 

[Doctor Oak]

I didn't say that the TFG would be bad, nor that they are. There's just that little something extra in the Japanese ones. Certainly, I'd reccomend them for that even if every one of them is later seen in the TFG.

And yes. That Feraligatr is one of the most pwnly things I've ever seen and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

 

[Pie]

I wasn't implying you did. I was just saying, as it appears to me, that little something extra may be gone - but not without replacing it with another little something extra. ^^o

 

[sdp]

This is very interesting I'd love to see more info on that game, did it ever get more releases?

 

[Archaic]

The original Japanese game? It was something of a board game in the manner it was released, IIRC. Just a single set, no expansions, or anything. Should still be available in Japan, though perhaps not for long.