Why Jubilife Vibes?
Much like almost every other pokemon fan, I grew up with the franchise. I can’t think of a single point in my life where I wasn’t either watching the show, playing the games or collecting cards. I personally grew up with the 3DS games, Omega Ruby being my very first, and from the very moment I started it, I was hooked. The adventure of getting to explore a whole world, raising and battling with my own pokemon, and catching and fighting my way to the very top hit me harder than drugs ever could. Years had gone by, and I still loved these games like they were my life. (which in elementary and middle school they really were!) However, I don’t know how or why, but I became less and less interested in pokemon as a whole. Don’t know if it was burnout, finding other, better interests or some weird perception of “wanting to grow out of it”, but by the time I entered high school pokemon didn’t speak to me as much as it had before. It made me feel pretty bummed, honestly, because I knew how much I loved it and the joy that it brought me, but I just didn’t feel that way anymore. That is, until something happened.
A friend of mine recommended me to play Pokemon Platinum, and I was hesitant. I didn’t know if I would like it very much as I was very out of the loop as well as being used to the 3DS games, which were VERY different to what came before. Nevertheless, I booted up my modded 3DS, downloaded legally acquired the ROM for the game, and booted it up. To tell you the truth, I was enthralled the moment the game freak logo appeared. It felt like I rediscovered something I loved so much as a child all over again, which I totally did! Choosing my starter, meeting the characters and passing through Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town felt so wonderful, but something clicked inside of me once I arrived in, you guessed it, Jubilife City.
I don’t know if it’s the music, or the ambience, or all the buildings and citizens, but I just stayed there. I walked around the town, talking to everyone, exploring everything and just plain vibing for what felt like hours, and I was having the time of my life. It just felt right. It only took me four days to beat the game after that, and I rediscovered my love of pokemon, but in a completely new and foreign way. I still loved the battles, I still loved the characters, story and pokemon as much as I did before, but something new popped up, the ambience. Even at their weakest, pokemon always manages to create captivating environments, locales and atmosphere, and it was only now that I learned to appreciate it. You know some people find comfort in simply admiring nature, taking in the scenery and comfort that the earth provides? That’s legit how it felt, and it got me to start noticing and enjoying the little things a lot more, both in game and in my life. I really didn’t think my jaded high school ass would be so profoundly impacted by how a pokemon game feels, but here we are I guess!
credit: @1TZAH
So to finally answer the titular question 3 paragraphs in, it’s simply out of love. It’s a tribute to the moment that changed my perception of media, and in a small way my perception of living as well. Pokemon Platinum means a lot to me now, and I only felt it right to give it a fitting love letter in the form of Jubilife Vibes, the website of joy. (I also think it looks pretty!)
See you in the next one!
-ale
