Pokemon: an unexpected ordeal

This past Sunday was host to the release of Pokemon Black and White on Nintendo DS, and normally I wouldn't care so much. The last time I played a Pokemon game was Pokemon Platinum, and even then I couldn't get into the game. Maybe it was all the micro-tasking, or the extra quests. So what would compel me to try it again this time around? Rare pokemon.

GameStop had a promotion where you could download Celebi, a rare pokemon, into a previous Pokemon DS game, and the last day for the promotion was this past Sunday - the same day as the launch of the new Pokemon Black and White. In a moment of hesitation, I bought a used Pokemon DS game Saturday to grab Celebi, with the intent of returning the game for a full refund within 7 days after I transfer it to the new game. I even placed a pre-order for the game at GameStop just in case, because my original intent was to pre-order the game from Amazon and get their $10 Gift Certificate.

Then things got complicated.

I thought the transfer of Celebi to the new game would be as easy as turning it on and sending it on its way. Turns out the method of travel would not be unlocked until I earn the first 2 badges. Second, Amazon's delivery of the game (even with 2-day shipping) was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. Given my already complex work schedule and the 7-day used-game return policy,
earning 2 badges before Saturday was gonna be a feat for me. I had no choice; I bought the pre-order from GameStop.

The way I see it, if I get a 2-day head start in earning the first 2 badges now, I can spread out my gameplay time. At the same time, when my Amazon order arrives, I'll simply use THAT game as my return to GameStop. Hopefully by then, I'll have achieved 2 badges by then, granting me access to the device that will finally allow me to transfer Celebi to the new game, and giving me the green light to get a full refund on the used Pokemon DS game I purchased just to get the free Celebi pokemon in the first place.

Easy, right?