The other day I booted up my old copy of Red, to look at my team. I was so worried that I'd traded them to Gold, and lost them when the battery died. I was so relieved to see my Charizard sitting there, safe and sound.

When I was young, I had to work hard to convince my Mom to let me get a gameboy. The minute it was in my hands, I knew all I wanted was a copy of Pokemon. Playing Mario or DK at friends' houses was all very fun, but I wanted a team. I wanted a Charizard of my own. From the minute I booted up the game, it was already magic. And I'll never forget how excited I was when I finally found Oak, and he led me back to the lab, where those pokeballs were waiting. Just for me.