Hey You, Pikachu!

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Hey You Pikachu!
Also known as: Pikachu Genki Dechu (JP) Developer: Ambrella Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo 64 Released in JP: December 12, 1998 Released in US: November 6, 2000 This game has regional differences. This game has a notes page

Hey You Pikachu! is a simulation game in which you talk to Pikachu (quite literally). It is the only N64 game released in America to use the Voice Recognition Unit (VRU), which is Nintendo-speak for "dopey-looking microphone."

No PlayStations Allowed

In reference to Nintendo's on-going rivalry with Sony, saying the word "PlayStation" causes Pikachu to get angry, as if he was insulted. This has been verified.

Regional Differences

The Japanese version of the game has a few differences from the American version. A PAL version wasn't released due to trouble with recognizing various accents all at one time.

Pokémon Cries

Every Pokémon, except Pikachu, Caterpie, and Butterfree have different cries between the two versions. This is because the Pokémon go by different names between Japanese and English, and the voice work was changed to match the dubs of the animé.

Player's Home

Japanese Version	American Version

• Right outside the sliding glass door of the player's room are a pair of shoes in the Japanese version which are non-existent in the English version. In Japan, people take their shoes off before entering their homes, a tradition which America doesn't follow so strictly.

Japanese Version	American Version

• The Nintendo 64 in the Japanese version looks rather unpolished and appears to have Super Famicom cartridges with it, which doesn't make sense. Nintendo 64 cartridges are the same in design between America and Japan, so they aren't Nintendo 64 cartridges. Super Famicom games can be played when the Tristar 64 is attached, but nothing seems to be attached.
• The fishing posters that the player receives are different in design between the two versions.

Item Changes

Certain items that the player and Pikachu can play with are different.

Japanese Version	American Version

• The cupcake in the US version that resides in the Toolbox by default is an onigiri (riceball) in the Japanese version.

Japanese Version	American Version

• Instead of there being corn like in the US version, the Japanese version has eggplants, which means Japan misses out on popcorn which is obtained when Pikachu shocks corn.

Japanese Version	American Version

• In Viridian forest, instead of finding Cattails, you find Horsetails.

Japanese Version	American Version

• In Springleaf Field, the Bluebell is a Morning Glory in the Japanese version. Although the models remain unchanged, it's just a texture swap.

No Microphone Icon

Japanese Version	American Version

In the US version, the icon in the lower right-hand side of the screen for not having a microphone plugged in is a decent size and is animated, making it very hard to miss. In the Japanese version, the icon is a bit smaller and isn't animated at all. Apparently it's very difficult for Americans to realize they haven't plugged in one of the main aspects of the game.

Piñata Game

To do: Check to see if any part of this game is still in the US version's code somewhere

In the US version, going to Cobalt Coast in Pikachu's Play Days leads to a Piñata party where Pikachu has to hit a Pokéball Piñata. In the Japanese version, the game is different. Instead, Pikachu is playing a similar game called Suikawari. The objective of the game is to hit a watermelon with a stick, wearing Ash's hat from the animé to cover his eyes. As such, there are watermelons scattered around along with the bananas, and Pikachu has to hit the watermelons. Pikachu can trip on the watermelons a couple times before he actually has to quit the game, where tripping on bananas is automatic game over. In the case that Pikachu loses, instead of obtaining a bottle cap ring like in the US version, Pikachu gets a soda can tab.

Japanese Version	American Version
Ash's hat!	Hi Lapras.

Japanese Version	American Version