US Pokemon lovers to challenge Europe and Japan

Siddarth Shanmuga is training to be the strongest Pokémon of all.

The 14-year-old student from the city of Cupertino in Silicon Valley was among ranks of Pokémon devotees that tested their videogame skills on Saturday in hopes of going on to vie for a world crown.

Shanmuga was among top finishers that will compete in national Pokémon championships to represent the United States against elite competitors from Europe and Japan.

"I am going to make sure that I stay confident," Shanmuga said as he savored his finish in a gym converted into an arena where people wielding Nintendo DS handheld game devices pitted Pokémon characters against each other.

"I will make sure I battle it out.

Nintendo's blockbuster videogame franchise calls on players to "befriend" animated characters, called Pokémon, and train them to win in head-to-head matches decided along the lines of an advanced rock-paper-scissor premise.

For example, a water type Pokémon will best a fire Pokémon because water douses fire, but would lose against a grass Pokémon because water strengthens grass, explained game director of marketing John-Christopher Smith.

"You have to stay calm no matter what the situation," Shanmuga said fresh from Pokémon battle.

"You can't give up the game even if you are losing a lot. You have to make good choices. You have to have good Pokémon; you have to be the strongest of them all."

A capacity crowd of about 700 people turned out for the regional event, with the roster of contenders hitting the cap of 128.

"It is definitely as popular in the United States as it is in Japan," Smith said. "These players seem to be battling just as strategically as they do in Europe or Japan. It is more of a mental game of chess."

Shanmuga said he has played Pokémon "since age 5 or 6" and that he plans to ramp up his training schedule from his current practice of devoting weekends to the videogame.

"It's kind of addicting," Shanmuga said. "I like the action-adventure."

Regional championships in Paris and Berlin are set for June, and the battle for the world Pokémon playing crown will take place in Southern California in August.

"Pokémon has a lot of elements that make it work for this," Smith said.

"We've got a game that is easy to get into initially that has a lot of depth. And when the Pokémon battle, they don't get hurt they only faint; it's a non-violent competitive sport."