The question here is: Why don’t you play Pokémon? Its interface and gameplay is perfect for a UA student, and after Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver sold more than eight million copies, it’s easy to find someone to play with.

Most college students probably saw or played Pokémon Red and Blue when they were younger, and the basic game idea has not changed much. You pick a starter Pokémon, catch other Pokémon and train them to beat others. The difference is how the series has grown since its inception in 1996.

With Pokémon Black and White slated for North American releases next spring, now is a great time to get into the phenomenon Pokémon has evolved into.

The University boasts wireless signals in most dorms and buildings on campus, so it’s a great hub for Pokémon trading and training.

There are far more than the 151 Pokémon you remember. Now, with the fifth generation of Pokémon approaching, there are 493 Pokémon to date, and the amount of variety and versatility between Pokémon allows players to approach the game in many ways.

Pokémon encourages interaction between other people to obtain all 493 Pokémon. Fortunately, Nintendo has included features like global linking, which allows players to get trades from anywhere in the world with a wireless connection.

Being able to post trade bait online, go to a class and check it after class to find that someone in Singapore traded you that Mewtwo you wanted is all too easy when many people on-campus play or you can connect to the global link anywhere.

The DS proves to be the perfect platform for Pokémon and college students as it is portable and has a sleep mode. This translates well into training or quick plays since students can take the portable system to play between classes.

With different types, natures, abilities, items and attacks, Pokémon can be overwhelming for gamers new to it. However, Pokémon has an excellent balance between competitive and casual play.

For more competitive players, such as those who competed in the recent Pokémon Video Game Championships, game mechanics like breeding can be used to strengthen Pokémon.

For those that do not want to compete on that level, Pokémon can be a compelling game to play just for the challenge (and subsequent bragging rights) of beating in-game gauntlets like the Battle Tower, Pokéathelon or the Sudoku-like Voltorb Flip game. As you get better, the difficulty increases, providing players with additional challenges.

If you are having trouble spotting other Pokémon trainers out and about, be sure to look for someone with a Pokéwalker on them. This pedometer was included with retail versions of HeartGold and SoulSilver and is quickly becoming the easiest way to tell if someone else plays Pokémon.

This is where Pokémon is most successful. Through wireless connection and the easily visible Pokéwalker, it is easy to tell who plays Pokémon and connect with them. These connections are important as Nintendo releases new events and data that can be downloaded from a wireless connection and connecting with other Pokéwalkers nets you items and experience points for your Pokémon.

Pokémon is a game that will be around for a long time, so why not get in on it now? The University is virtually a Pokémon Center itself with its wireless connectivity and areas that many students walk through. With so many different types of students who are likely to connect with you, you should begin training now!