Game Plan

There is nothing new about parents being a good six to 10 months behind their kids when it comes to catching on to the latest fad.

No doubt there are still some well-intentioned mothers and fathers hunting down Furbies as gifts for their children. It’s even conceivable that some parents are running around looking for pogs.

Both had their day in the sun, but the excitement surrounding them now pales in comparison to that associated with the newest preteen craze, Pokemon.

You parents probably are tapping your temples, trying to recall exactly what or who a Pokemon is--it sounds familiar, maybe, but that’s about it. So here is a quick rundown of what the Pokemon fad consists of, where you might find merchandise associated with it and how far into your wallet you may have to dip to feed a Pokemon fix.

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If you are going to make a shopping list, you will need a large sheet of paper. Whereas Furby is a doll, Pokemon (short for pocket monsters) takes many forms.

The craze began as a pair of Nintendo Game Boy games released in Japan three years ago and in the United States last September.

There are 150 battling Pokemon, some of which evolve into others. Some are cute, some fierce and many look like mutated bugs and animals. They go by names such as Caterpie, Psyduck, Ivysaur, Poliwhirl and Snorlax.

Nintendo has added a bit to its original line, while other companies have introduced Nintendo-licensed Pokemon merchandise to the market.

Wizards of the West Coast, the Seattle company responsible for Magic, the Gathering--a collectible card craze that stormed through about six years ago--has created a similar card game for Pokemon, aimed at a younger audience. Several series of Pokemon game cards are popular among young collectors, traders and game enthusiasts.

If your child is a Pokemon fan, you probably already know about the Pokemon cartoon that airs on the WB network. The show also has made its way onto video, which you may want to add to your shopping list.

And if your child has all of the above but still finds something lacking, there is an array of Pokemon accessories including plush dolls, lunch boxes, T-shirts, hats, posters, yo-yos and electronic action figures.

Some or all of the items can be found at toy stores, game stores, discount retailers or card shops. Your child’s level of Pokemon involvement may determine where you shop, so do some initial investigation.

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The Game Keeper at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks calls itself a Pokemon headquarters. That is a good place to start your shopping trip.

Among the Pokemon cards, the store sells booster sets of the original series and the newer jungle series for $2.99 for a pack of 11 random cards. Preconstructed theme decks, not random, are 60 cards for $9.99. Booster cards are more expensive because the odds of getting a rare card are greater.

Starter decks, designed to get two players started in competition, are $8.99 for 61 cards. Wizards of the West Coast introduces new series periodically.

As for Game Boys, The Game Keeper carries the two original games for $29.95 each and the newer Game Boy pinball game for $39.95. The store also stocks Pokemon cartoon videos for $14.95, T-shirts with monster images for $14.95, hats for $12.95 and electronic yo-yos with character images for $9.95.

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Toys ‘R’ Us in Ventura could also be a Pokemon headquarters, offering a nice variety of merchandise--from Game Boy games to back-to-school supplies.

Pokemon three-ring binders sell for $6.99, portfolios are priced at $1.29, packs of six ball point pens are $1.99 and packs of five No. 2 pencils also are $1.99. Soft Pokemon lunch boxes are $12.99 and plastic lunch boxes are $7.99.

Among the more collectible items, Toys ‘R’ Us offers a large selection of different Pokemon monsters.

Two-packs of collectible Pokemon battle figures are $4.99, electronic yo-yos are $9.99, Blaster sets (each with three Pokemon figures with corresponding coins and a blaster to knock down the figures) are $7.99, hand-held play sets are $7.99 and electronic action figures are $7.99.

The two original Game Boy games are $29.99 each and animated videos are $11.99.

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If you’re planning a birthday party for a young Pokemon fanatic, you may want to check out Target. The Camarillo store sells Pokemon-themed party supplies by the DesignWare company.

Packages of eight invitations and packages of eight thank you notes sell for $1.79 each, eight dinner plates sell for $1.69, eight dessert plates are priced at $1.59 and eight horns are priced at $1.89.

Target also has the Pokemon videos for $9.99 each and Game Boy games at $29.99 each. But the accessory toys were hard to come by when we were there. Two-packs of action figures were going for $5.99 each and rubber balls with action figures inside were $2.99 each, but supply was minimal.

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If you’re interested more in cards, you may want to avoid the crowds of the mass retailers and pop on by a card and collectible shop. Michael’s Comic Book Shop in Oxnard has the 11-card random packs for $5 each.

“Prices are $3 to $7 a pack depending on where you go,” said store owner Dennis Phillips. “It’s just whether you want to stand in line.”

Phillips has watched collectible crazes come and go and expects the Pokemon fad to be gone by this time next year.

“It’ll last until Christmas,” he said. “Right now kids are out of school and playing it. After Christmas, it’ll be something else.”