My brother got the Nintendo tape in the mail about pokemon. it looked interesting, but i wasn't instantly hooked. not just yet.....my brother started to collect the cards. i wanted beanie baby cards!! then, i saw how much better his where and how neat they looked. so i got some and started to watch the show. bam! i wanted the games, plush, toys, and cards. been hooked since! i CANNOT wait for diamond and pearl to get here to the USA!