Quoted By:
Yes, my first Pokemon ever and still have him. When my rival got Eevee I was a bit mad, but I found one later anyway and got over it.
I didn't see much of the show before then, so I didn't have many expectations for the game based on anime knowledge.
That's why I was surprised when my Pikachu refused to evolve and was disappointed since I liked Raichu better.
When I got Silver, I thought about the possibility of trading Pikachu over and trying to evolve him then, but I grew too attached to him as he was and that following/emotion gimmick.
Even though I know now that he didn't evolve because of Pikachu's mascot status, I liked to believe mine had his own reason for not wanting to evolve such as being afraid of change or growing up.