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Satsu's First Nuzlocke Run! || Chatsu Shorts
272 Plays3 years ago
In this episode of Chatsu Shorts, Satsunami discusses his first experience with the Nuzlocke Run, a set of self imposed rules designed to make Pokemon that much harder. Will he succeed? Or will it be more difficult than anticipated?
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Transcript
Introduction and Pokémon's 90s Fame
00:00:05
Speaker
Welcome to Chadtsunami. Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of Chadtsu Shorts. In this episode I'm going to be talking about my very first Nuzlocke run in the world of Pokemon. Without any further ado, hope you enjoy.
00:00:35
Speaker
Being a child of the 90s, I experienced my fair share of trends. However, one that took the world by storm was the monster-catching series known as Pokémon. Since its inception, the franchise has evolved into a prominent media empire, from the games and anime series, to pretty much anything you can slap a logo onto. So after 25 years, how does the franchise stay so fresh? The truth is, for us older veterans, it doesn't.
00:01:04
Speaker
To make a long story short, there have been divisions amongst the fans of the franchise, criticising the game for losing their challenge.
Origins and Rules of Nuzlocke Challenge
00:01:11
Speaker
That, however, was soon changed in 2010 in, quite possibly the most unlikely of places, Internet Franco, an avid Pokémon player who changed the way fans played the game in what became known as the Nuzlocke run. The name Nuzlocke itself stems from the name of the Pokémon Nuzleaf and the character John Locke from the TV series Lost.
00:01:31
Speaker
As a result, fans adopted the name like Wildfire, and then decided to try their own Nuzlocke runs. But what is a Nuzlocke run? The run itself is a self-imposed challenge that is formed of two core rules. You're only allowed to catch the first Pokémon at the start of every route, and if your Pokémon faints, then it dies. Of course, in the cheery world of Pokémon.
00:01:52
Speaker
Such concepts are rare, but it was that age that intrigued new players.
Narrator's Nuzlocke Journey Begins
00:01:57
Speaker
I myself barely knew of its existence until I came across a form where others shared their own stories and experiences with the challenge. At the time, I had moved away from the franchise, so it was the perfect hook to lure me back in. After some research into the topic, I settled on playing Pokemon Leaf Green, as many suggested that this was the easiest to start out with. I was met with a familiar glow of the screen, where Professor Oak,
00:02:21
Speaker
The game's resident expert of the world awaited me. Once I blasted through the tutorial, I was met with an all-too-familiar decision. Which start of Pokémon was I gonna choose? Of course, Bulbasaur and Squirtle would have been the safer options, but I yearned for a challenge. After all, how hard could this really be? Without a second thought, I pressed down on the A button and chose Charmander. The fire was their Pokémon who I named Phoenix.
00:02:46
Speaker
From there on, the game was fairly standard. I would catch the first Pokémon of every route, give it a suitable nickname, and then carry on to be the best like no one ever was. While I had my fair share of close calls, the run itself began rather uneventful. As I left Pallet Town, fresh-faced and ready for anything, I had no doubts that I would
Challenges and Triumphs Against Gym Leaders
00:03:06
Speaker
succeed. After catching the standard fare of ratatas and pidgeys, I soon found myself face-to-face with Brock, the rock-type gym leader of Pewter City.
00:03:16
Speaker
By now you may realise that I was at a severe disadvantage with a fire type, but after some perseverance, I eventually prevailed. This caused me to feel proud. Dare I say, a little invincible. If I kept this up, then the run would be as good as finished. During my travels through the Kanto region, I caught a number of team members along the way.
00:03:35
Speaker
most noticeably a Nabra called Jasper, and a Justine called Arcturus. Others came and went, but for the most part, the journey was successful. The more I progressed through the game, the more I became attached to my Pokémon. It sounds silly to say it looking back, but these were the companions I'd made along the way who stuck with me through thick and thin. Thanks to their efforts, there was nothing I couldn't face in this
The Indigo Plateau and Rival Battles
00:03:59
Speaker
challenge.
00:03:59
Speaker
And while I did indeed lose several teammates along the way, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before I would be finished. After collecting all late badges, I made my way to the final setting of the game, the Indigo Plateau. Well, it seems like nothing more than a mash of pixels on the screen. To me, it was the finishing line to what felt like a long and arduous journey. While the battles themselves were fun, I often got bored at having to slowly level up my Pokémon,
00:04:26
Speaker
And in the end, settle for a team that was relatively on par with everyone else. As I took my first steps towards the indubile plateau, I was once again confronted by my rival. Throughout the game, my rival would be nothing more than a minor inconvenience, often popping up to hurl insults, and then vanish until the plot needed him. With that in mind, I just thought of it as a small bump in the road. Of course, I sent out Phoenix, who'd now grown into a Charizard, annihilating his team with ease until I came face to face with this starter.
00:04:56
Speaker
Without thinking about the implications of going toe to toe with a water type, I mashed the A button, striking him directly as I washed the health bar drain. Then suddenly, it stopped. The previously green health bar still stood strong at a week, but very much alive red, and that's when it happened. In the blink of an eye, Phoenix was struck down.
00:05:18
Speaker
After the battle was over, I kept thinking to myself about what I could have done, should I turn off the console and pretend it never happened? Or should I have switched out instead? Either way, without my starter by my side, things slowly began to crumble.
Coping with Defeat and Shiny Catch
00:05:32
Speaker
From Rooki the Hidmon-chan to Alba the Lapras, each Pokémon fell as I did my best to pick up the pieces of an already broken team.
00:05:40
Speaker
By the end of it, I was left with Jasper the Kadabra and Arcturus the Dragonite, but even then it wouldn't be enough to take down the Elite Four. I must admit, I considered turning the game off there and then as the thought of levelling up Pokemon I caught at the beginning of the game didn't exactly inspire me with confidence.
00:05:59
Speaker
As I continued training Jasper and Arcturus in the caves of Victory Road, I came across what could only be described as a miracle. You see, while the core rules of a Nuzlocke run still applied, there were a number of optional ones which many have decided to incorporate into their runs. One such was the shiny claws which,
00:06:18
Speaker
If you happened to come across a shiny Pokémon, then you were allowed to catch it regardless of the first root rule. Since I was so rare in the first place, I had no issues with implementing this rule. Without hesitation, I hurled my Master Ball towards the shiny Primeape I found and called it Sparks.
00:06:34
Speaker
After prepping my team with an assortment of TMs and items, I took my final step into the Indigo Plateau. It was now or never.
Final Victory and Emotional Reflections
00:06:43
Speaker
I'd be lying if I said the battles weren't tough. That much I can't deny. But eventually we scaled the ranks of the prestigious Elite Four, finally reaching our rival on the final floor. With a cocky grin and one last insult, he made his final challenge.
00:06:58
Speaker
I don't think I've ever felt so nervous about a Pokémon battle since I was a child. Not only was the outcome of the challenge on the line, but also the fate of my trio of Pokémon. As the battle raged on, I thankfully managed to whittle him down to his last Pokémon, an ironic twist of fate considering that he sent out his Blastoise.
00:07:17
Speaker
Sparks stood against the tortoise titan proudly, hurling a thunderbolt that only brought his health to a worrying shade of amper. In retaliation, the water pokemon sent a hydro pump attack towards the primate, its body crashing into the wall behind as the health meter drained into nothing. With a final gasp, Sparks run had come to an end. With one last push, a ninja jasper leapt into action, firing one last side beam into his enemy. And with that, the battle was over.
00:07:46
Speaker
I remember sighing with relief as I collapsed into my chair, placing the Game Boy gently down. While it was still a game at the end of the day, I was taking aback at how such a simple challenge changed the way I viewed Pokemon. It felt like once again I was 8 years old, playing Pokemon Yellow in my Game Boy Color, trying to become the greatest trainer there ever was.
00:08:07
Speaker
And yes, in case you were wondering, I did indeed complete the postgame. I even challenged Mewtwo against Jasper. Turns out the spoon is mightier than the cave cat. Since then, I've tried my hand at other Nuzlocke runs, some more successful than others. In my latest run of Pokemon White, I completed the game in its entirety, which resulted in a similar situation, where only my starter and a Gyrodos remained as the victors. Another run saw me succeed, albeit by luck.
00:08:35
Speaker
In the world of Pokemon green version, I doubt it'll be my last run. And who knows? Maybe I'll return to talk more about Minus Lux shenanigans. For all those Pokemon fans who have yet to try the run, I'd say go for it. While it's not exactly a life-changing experience, it's definitely one that'll make you see the game in a different light. In the words of the challenge's motto, never give up, never forget, grind like hell.
00:09:03
Speaker
Thank you for listening to this episode of Chatsu Shorts. If you've attempted your own Nuzlocke run, then let me know. I would love to hear about it. As always everyone, stay safe, stay awesome and most importantly, stay hydrated.