Why the Pokémon Trading Card Game for Game Boy Color Still Shines Today When people talk about classic Pokémon games, they usually jump straight to Red, Blue, or Gold and Silver. But tucked away in the Game Boy Color’s library is a gem that blends strategy, nostalgia, and pure charm: Pokémon Trading Card Game (1998/2000) . Based on the real-world TCG, this digital adaptation became a cult favorite—and for good reason. 🎮 A Story That’s Simple but Surprisingly Engaging The game places you in the shoes of a young aspiring card master who dreams of becoming the greatest Pokémon Trading Card Game player in the region. Instead of traveling through forests and caves, you journey between themed clubs—like the Fire Club, Water Club, and Science Club—each filled with trainers specializing in a particular deck type. Your ultimate goal is to defeat the eight Club Masters, earn their medals, and challenge the mysterious Grand Masters for the legendary cards. It’s a classic Pokémon structure...
In the Hunt: A Submarine Shoot-’Em-Up for Arcade and PSX
Release Dates and Platforms
In the Hunt debuted in arcades in April 1993 and was later ported to home consoles and PC throughout the mid-1990s. In 2019, Hamster’s Arcade Archives series brought it to modern platforms like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
| Platform | Release Date | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade | April 1993 | Worldwide |
| PlayStation | 10 Nov 1995 | Japan |
| PlayStation | 22 Mar 1996 | North America |
| PlayStation | 1996 | Europe |
| Sega Saturn | 15 Dec 1995 | Japan |
| Sega Saturn | 4 Jun 1996 | North America |
| Sega Saturn | June 1996 | Europe |
| Windows (PC) | March 1997 | Japan |
| Switch, PS4 | 2019 | Digital re-release |
Game Story
Post-apocalyptic Earth lies submerged after the Dark Anarchy Society (D.A.S.) melts the polar ice caps with magnetic doomsday devices. Survivors form the United Ocean Garrison and secretly build the Hydro Fober Grampus, codenamed “Granvia,” to infiltrate D.A.S. waters and destroy their superweapon “Yugusukyuure.” Depending on player count and continues used, the game offers four dramatically different endings, from heroic escape to underwater death matches between rival captains.
Game Mechanics
Side-scrolling shooter set entirely underwater, blending R-Type’s strategic pacing with Metal Slug’s explosive action.
Free-scrolling controls let players move the Granvia at their own pace rather than fixed forced scrolling.
Multi-directional attacks:
Forward torpedoes defeat most threats in one hit.
Upward missiles engage enemies above or surface craft.
Depth charges sink and detonate on contact with underwater foes.
Collect power-ups to cycle through new weapons like machine guns, wave cannons, and “cracker” scatter shots.
Red star-embossed orbs grant bonus points; 100 orbs reward an extra life.
Supports simultaneous two-player co-op for shared-screen submarine warfare.
Graphics
In the Hunt’s detailed pixel art and richly animated sprites were handled by Akio Oyabu’s team at Irem, showcasing destructible scenery, looming underwater bosses, and dramatic surface explosions that prefigure Metal Slug’s signature style. Critics praised its visual fidelity, though some home ports experienced slowdown when too many sprites filled the screen.
Audio
The roar of torpedoes, muffled underwater explosions, and frantic percussion give the soundtrack a cinematic feel. While tracks like the first stage’s theme earn acclaim for catchy melodies, other compositions lean toward generic shooter fare. Originally, composer “HIYA!” was slated to score the game before being reassigned, contributing to the mix of standout and filler tunes.
Sales and Legacy
Exact sales figures for In the Hunt have never been officially disclosed, yet the game forged a cult following—especially in Japan—earning home conversions, PC ports, and modern digital reissues. Its enduring appeal lies less in blockbuster numbers than in its singular vision of undersea combat and its role as a creative springboard for the future Metal Slug team.
Why It’s a Unique Shooter
Entirely submarine-based, eschewing the space motifs common in ‘90s shooters.
Player-driven scrolling adds a tactical layer: push forward for speed, pull back to dodge.
Multi-directional armaments and power-up cycling deepen combat strategy.
Cooperative two-player mode lets friends dive into the same flooded battlefield.
Precursor to Metal Slug: the same Irem veterans later founded Nazca Corporation.
Why It’s Worth Trying Today
Modern ports on Switch and PS4 via Arcade Archives deliver authentic arcade action with optional save states and screen filters.
Its blend of deliberate pace, precise shooting, and environmental storytelling still feels fresh amid fast-paced vertical shooters.
As a historical touchstone, it reveals the early creative sparks that ignited one of arcades’ most beloved franchises.
Six richly designed stages, multiple endings, and hidden scoring secrets reward repeated playthroughs.
Divergent Insights:
The unreleased SNES conversion shown at CES 1994 highlights how platforms shaped arcade-to-home adaptations.
Hardcore Gaming 101 notes that In the Hunt’s slowdown, once a technical flaw, now serves as a brief slo-mo showcase of its lush sprite work.
Collecting every stage’s hidden “cracker” power-up and mastering the co-op deathmatch ending remains a badge of honor among shooter aficionados.
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