Sunday, September 14, 1992
The Bakudan Boys—Sakaki, Kumogi, Rikki, and Sawada—were gathered at their usual hangout spot: the Bakudan Arcade. Cups of coffee in hand, they leaned against the bar near the old CRT television mounted on the wall, eyes flicking toward the screen every few seconds.
This had become something of a ritual. Once a month, they made time to meet up over the weekend, especially when a new issue of ZAGE Power Magazine dropped. Usually they play ZEPS together on ZEPS rental in bakudan arcade or just hangout talking about games. This month's issue hinted at something big: a surprise announcement scheduled for Sunday at 11:03 AM on TV Tokyo. Naturally, the crew had to be there for it.
Kumogi let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing his temples. "Man, I hope this reveal is something wild. I need a distraction before Monday crushes my soul again."
Sawada chuckled and took a sip. "Mondays aren't that bad, you know?"
Rikki shot him a look. "Easy for you to say. You work at ZAGE, dream job! Ugh! Bro, please, tell me when ZAGE opens new positions. Let your poor bro in!"
Sakaki, who was about to graduate from college and still working part-time at the arcade, nodded. "Same here. If there's even a whiff of an opening, I'm asking Zaboru myself."
Kumogi and Rikki exchanged a look and said in unison, "Shameless."
Kumogi leaned back. "So, any guesses? Every time ZAGE airs a new ad, it's always a banger. What's cooking this time?"
Rikki shrugged. "Why ask me? Just grill Sawada. He's been grinning like a weasel all morning. You know he knows something."
Sawada, ever the tight-lipped insider, simply smirked. He did, of course, know about the ZGB handheld reveal, but he wasn't about to ruin the surprise.
"Just wait," he said, smug. "It'll blow your pleb minds."
"You always say that!" Sakaki laughed.
The banter continued, jabs and jokes flying as they waited for the clock to strike 11:03.
Then, at exactly 11:03 AM on TV Tokyo, the screen suddenly went black. A second later, it lit up with the glowing ZAGE logo. The familiar helmeted figure—Zaboru himself—stepped into view, surrounded by an all-star cast of ZAGE characters: Super Mario, Sonic, SpongeBob, and Mega Man.
With energy and excitement in his voice, Zaboru addressed the audience:
"Hello everyone! I know you already love the ZEPS and all its amazing games, but let's be honest—it's not always easy to play them, right? You're on break at work, waiting for the subway, stuck somewhere boring, and you think, 'Man, I wish I could play video games right now!' Right?!"
In the Bakudan Arcade, Kumogi, Rikki, and Sakaki looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Sawada just grinned.
Back on screen, Zaboru continued: "Well, don't worry anymore!"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, gleaming object. Holding it high above his head, it sparkled in the spotlight as the music kicked in.
"ZAGE GAME BOY—I choose you!"
Cue a catchy, energetic tune started as the surrounding ZAGE characters leapt toward the shining device. The camera zoomed in to reveal its form: a sleek, handheld console that fit perfectly in your palms. It featured a small screen, directional pad, two iconic buttons labeled X and O, and Start/Select buttons.
As the music swelled, the chorus played on the background:
"Tatoe hi no naka, mizu no naka, Kusa no naka, mori no naka, Tsuchi no naka, kumo no naka, Ano ko no sukaato no naka! Nakanaka nakanaka, Nakanaka nakanaka taihen da kedo, Kanarazu GET da ze! Pokémon GET da ze!"
Zaboru's voice returned as he held the ZGB proudly. "Now you can play games literally anywhere with the ZAGE Game Boy! With our special Z-Batteries, it lasts 9–10 hours of gameplay! And it launches with four incredible games: Tetris, Super Mario Bros Deluxe with new stage designs, the brand-new survival adventure Stranded Kids, and... POKÉMON!"
The screen shifted to a vibrant, whimsical stampede of Pokémon running alongside with iconic ZAGE characters. Mario riding Rapidash Pikachu dashed forward in sync with Sonic, their feet moving in perfect rhythm. SpongeBob grinned from atop Charizard's back, waving a spatula like a sword. Ryu Hayabusa crouched beside Arbok, gently stroking its scales like a seasoned beastmaster. Alis Landale playing and giggling with absent minded psyduck , The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Bros were riding Blastoise's shell and Lapras Back like a surfboard while high-fiving and passing jump Magikarps. Meanwhile, Little Mac and Hitmonchan traded playful jabs in a friendly sparring match, and on a nearby hill, Thonolan from Kick Master performed high-speed kicks, showing Hitmonlee new techniques as Hitmonlee eyes sparkling with excitement while trying new moves. as the music continued on background:
"Itsu mo itsu demo umaku yuku nante, Hoshou wa doko ni mo nai kedo (Sorya sou ja!) Itsu demo itsu mo honki de ikite 'ru, Koitsu-tachi ga iru! Aa Akogare no pokemon masutaa ni Naritai na Naranakucha Zettai natte yaru---! "
Zaboru appeared again and beamed at the screen. "ZGB launches on September 19, ZAGE's birthday! Get ready to catch all the Pokémon with me!. Gotta Catch them All"
He tossed a Pokéball toward the camera. The screen flashed and transitioned to a breakdown of the ZGB price, launch titles, and release details. While ZGB is playing games in the background.
The ad ended and left Japan in stunned silence.
At the Bakudan Arcade, Kumogi, Sakaki, and Rikki sat frozen.
"WHAT?!" Sakaki shouted. "You can play on the go now!? WHAT THE HELL—ZABORU, TAKE MY MONEY!!". He is already thinking about buying it and all of its available games even though he needs to survive with just plain bread for a month!.
Kumogi threw his hands in the air. "That's my lifesaver. I seriously can't imagine living without a ZGB now." He was already scheming ways to sneak in game time—like pretending to need extra bathroom breaks at work just to play the ZGB in peace!
Rikki added, "Insane. I need it. I need it."
Sawada leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, wearing a smug grin. "Told you. When Boss revealed it to us at ZAGE, everyone lost their minds."
Rikki then said "True man! How the hell! This is Insane!".
Across Japan, the reaction was the same—explosive excitement, shocked joy, and a rush of anticipation. The ZGB had landed, and it was already a phenomenon.
to be continue
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