I have always stayed away from Pokémon before. I didn't have anything against it, I just thought it was something I wouldn't care for. Then I had an opportunity to play Pokémon Pearl for the DS and gave it a try. It's actually a very fun game and having played it, I can understand the fascination now. I found it hard to put down.

One of your goals is to complete your Pokedex (information about Pokémon you see and catch). The data is automatically recorded in it. However, you will not be able to find them all in the Pearl version of the game. You will need to find someone that has the Diamond version and trade Pokémon with them. The game uses the DS clock and is played in real time, so make sure to play at different times of the day. Some Pokémon are only available at night; others can only be found in the morning.

Another goal is to become a great Pokémon Trainer. Throughout the adventure, you will battle wild Pokémon and other Trainers with their Pokémon. Both types of battles will help you and your Pokémon become stronger. Also, you will need to defeat the Gym Leader in each of the gyms in the region. Every Pokémon that competes in a battle that is won gets a share of the experience points. When each Pokémon receives enough experience points, it will level up. The higher level a Pokémon is, the harder it will be to keep leveling up. As Pokémon level up, they will have chances to learn new moves. Each can only have 4 moves at a time though, so you will have to decide which one it should "forget", or whether you even want it to learn the new move.

Different Pokémon have different moves depending on their type. Certain moves are more effective than others depending on the type of Pokémon you are battling. For example, a Pokémon that has water moves will do well against a Pokémon that has fire moves.

Pokémon Centers are the most useful places you can visit and can be found in each town. Here, your Pokémon can have all their Hit Points and number of times left for each move restored for free. You can use the PC (computer) found at the Pokémon center and other buildings in the region to store and withdraw Pokémon that you've caught. You can only have 6 with you at a time. In the PC you can store up to 30 Pokémon in each of the 18 boxes.

In one area you will find a Day Care that will raise your Pokémon for you. This is helpful if you have some low-level Pokémon that need to be leveled up. You will need to pay a fee when you go back to pick them up.

In another area, you will find the Contest Hall where you can enter the Super Contest. Here, your Pokémon can compete using their charms in 5 different categories: Cool, Beauty, Cute, Smart, and Tough. Your Pokémon will compete with 3 other Pokémon in 3 different areas: Visual, Dance and Acting. After you are finished with all 3, the score will be totaled and the award given. In the Visual Competition, you dress your Pokémon with accessories according to the theme that was given. In the Dance Competition, one Pokémon is the main dancer, and you will have to copy their dance. Each Pokémon is given the chance to be the main dancer. In the Acting Competition, you use your moves to try to impress the judges and be awarded points. At first, you must compete at the normal rank. After you win at that level, you may compete at a higher rank. You will also find a practice room in the Contest Hall, so you can practice before competing.

You can only have one saved game at a time. You can play with up to 7 other people, but every person needs his or her own card. You can connect to DS systems that are close by using Wireless Communication. You can battle, trade Pokémon, compete in Super Contests, play underground (each player needs to have the Explorer Kit that can be obtained during their solo adventure) and text chat with your friends. You can also use the Wi-Fi connection to play, battle, trade or voice chat with friends that you have registered to your pal pad; trade Pokémon with Trainers all over the world using the Global Trade Station found in one of the town or battle with other Trainers in the Wi-Fi Battle room.

The game is rated E, but I don't think young children will be able to handle it very well. There's nothing inappropriate about it, but you do need to be able to read well to play the game. Also, there is quite a bit of strategy needed to play, and a lot of young children aren't able to plan their strategy. I know my 6 year old wouldn't be able to handle it. I think it would be fun for kids and adults. I didn't think I would like it at first, but it turned out to be an enjoyable game to play.

Here are some tips that may help you play the game.

• Not all Pokémon are available on both the Diamond and Pearl
versions. Trade with friends who have the other version for Pokémon
that don't appear on your version!

• Make sure to play your game at different times of the day. Some
Pokémon are only available at night while others can only be found in
the morning.

• Did you know? Dusk Balls are more effective than Ultra Balls when
trying to catch a Pokémon in a cave or at night!

• If you want your Pokémon to be friendlier, give it an item to hold
and keep it healthy in battle. There are many advantages to having a
friendly Pokémon at your side. Some may even evolve by Friendship!

• Do you have Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen or Emerald?
Try inserting them into your Nintendo DS. Once you've played far
enough, you'll be able to have Pokémon from the GBA games migrate into
the DS versions.

• In the Contest Hall, certain combinations of accessories will get
your Pokémon better Visual Competition scores.

• If your Pokémon catch a virus from an infected Pokémon Center, don't
flip out! It's actually a helpful virus!

• Some wild Pokémon will be holding items. Find the Thief TM in
Eterna City to steal their hold items. If you're lucky and see a
Chansey, try to steal its lucky egg and double your experience points
in battle!

• Save your Rare Candies! The higher levels a Pokémon has the harder
it is to level up. Save your Rare Candies for high-level Pokémon.

• Use the Pokémon Day Care whenever you can, it's great for leveling
up Pokémon you don't have room for in your party.

• Did you know? You can put almost any Pokémon in the Day Care with a
Ditto and create an Egg of the other Pokémon. Don't forget that you
cannot breed legendary Pokémon.