Info About Hey You, Pikachu!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to chat with a Pokémon? That’s the whole idea behind Hey You, Pikachu! on the Nintendo 64. When you pop the game cartridge in and plug in the special microphone, you’re instantly transported to a cozy, green clearing where a wide-eyed Pikachu is waiting to respond to your every command and question. It feels like you’ve been dropped into a little corner of the Pokémon world where talking and bonding take center stage instead of catching and battling.

Once you’ve greeted your new electric friend, the real fun begins. You’ll ask Pikachu to fetch berries, explore different spots around the clearing, play mini-games like a ring toss or hide-and-seek, and even have it perform tricks. The voice recognition can be a bit hit-or-miss—sometimes you’ll need to repeat yourself or rephrase commands—but when it works, it’s incredibly charming. Pikachu’s cheerful “Pika pika!” responses and playful antics make you feel like you’ve built a genuine friendship, even if it’s pixelated.

There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing Pikachu nibble on a berry you’ve given it, or giggle uncontrollably when you play peek-a-boo. The graphics are simple by today’s standards, but the bright colors and expressive animations really capture that signature Pikachu personality. You can tell the developers wanted to replicate that warm, fuzzy feeling of having a pet or buddy by your side, and most of the time, they pull it off.

Critics at the time were divided—some found the voice commands clunky and the gameplay too basic, while others praised its unique charm and family-friendly appeal. For kids or anyone who’s always wished they could chat up a Pokémon, Hey You, Pikachu! remains a delightful nostalgia trip. Even if it’s not the deepest game, there’s a genuine sense of joy in seeing Pikachu spring to life with each command, making it a memorable experiment in interactive play.