Hey You, Pikachu! Ships

Nintendo has announced the release of Hey You, Pikachu! for the Nintendo 64. In the game players can interact with everyone's favorite Pokemon simply by talking. According to Nintendo, the game teaches children the importance of friendship, cooperation, and teamwork through activities such as fishing, gathering recipe ingredients, and even searching for treasure on a beach. Other Pokemon included in the game are Bulbasaur, Caterpie and Poliwhirl. The goal of the game is to keep Pikachu happy through repeated compliments - slights to its humble personality will make it run away.

"By using cutting-edge technologies such as voice-recognition, Nintendo is expanding Pokémon's popularity even further," says Peter MacDougall, president of Nintendo Canada. "Hey You, Pikachu! is an irresistible game that's a guaranteed hit this holiday season, further building the franchise's thrill level for Poké-fans."

The game and microphone package retails for US$79.99.