I was 10 years old when Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Red and Blue Rescue Team came out. I remember my mom taking me to the ToysRus that Friday night, getting Pizza Hut (which is odd because we NEVER ate there in my family - probably had a coupon) and then going home and doing the quiz again and again to try and get the team from the Anime special Charmander and Squirtle.
I had browsed
Serebii.net and their Japanese coverage of the game everyday since it's release, the game just itched something in me that no other game had or as I would soon find out ever will. The sense of adventure, charm, and personality these games had enamored me.
As I took the quiz repeatedly trying to get the 'right' team, I continually got Mudkip as my Pokemon. I eventually shrugged my shoulders and figured 'well it's a water-type too' and played as him with Charmander as my partner.
From saving Caterpie from bullies, wandering arond town talking to the Kecleon brothers to see what items to buy, hoarding Reviver Seeds for the 100 floor dungeons I could never beat, bosses like Groudon and Rayquaza that took me a dozen tries, and a story that left me in tears and still gets me even a decade later.
I love these games. My initial journey with Mudkip and Charmander has carried thru to both PMD Explorers of Darkness and then Sky, as well as Super Mystery Dungeon (which I never actually finished)
I've replayed Mystery Dungeon Sky at least a dozen times. Both Explorers and Rescue Team are masterpieces and if I ever get back to Super I hope I can say the same. I remember finding the writing very charming.
Also I remember pre-ordering and going Day 1 to Borders/Books-A-Million to buy the copy of the Mystery Dungeon manga. Did anyone else buy this or ever read it? It's pretty bad haha but as a kid I was so hyped. I thought it was gonna be a full series but I was also stupid enough to think that the Rescue Team OVA was a full series (it'd be better then the actual anime)
