Pokémon Shield

Game Freak, 2019

Plastic, metal circuit board, paper

3.0 x 2.0 x 0.3 cm

Purchased from EB Games, 2019

Personal collection

Pokémon Shield, along with Pokémon Sword, is the eighth and newest generation of the Pokémon games created in Japan. It was developed by Game Freak, and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo in 2019, being the first Pokémon installment for the Nintendo Switch. As a result, the player base had a number of expectations for this game. Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced new features and mechanics to the series, but also lost certain features, which has been controversial.

To me, Pokémon Shield is an ideal representation of my present. Pokémon games create a nostalgic feeling for me, as I was first introduced to them more than ten years ago, and it was exciting to immerse myself back into that world. However, in my present life, I am tasked with responsibilities that I did not have when I first played Pokémon as a child. I can no longer spend hours on end getting lost in the virtual world, so now Pokémon Shield represents the harsh contrast between my present and my past. I can still enjoy the wonders of Pokémon, but after five months I have yet to finish the game due to a lack of time and interest in it. Pokémon is meaningful to a lot of different demographics, whether it was something you grew up with or just experiencing now. It builds connections between new parents who grew up with Pokémon and their children, acts as a shared interest between cultures like Japan and North America, and creates a bond between the player and their Pokémon.

In our current situation, I think the virtual world the Pokémon Shield cartridge contains is extremely valuable because we are restricted from certain events and outings. The virtual world of Pokémon allows the possibility to make personal and meaningful connections even if we cannot go outside and interact with others. The #museumathome provokes thought about how seemingly meaningless or everyday objects actually are a lot more sentimental when considered in the context of what they mean to us personally. For myself, when it comes to video games and their cartridges, they hold priceless memories. They are a reminder of all the laughs, challenges, and connections I have made over the years, and right now that is something incredibly important.

 Riley Houde-Macdonald