Pokemon Battling Coin Game

These hefty, bevel-edged, golden coins might have been minted simply for the pleasure of handling and tossing, but spinning and conquering---and collecting---is the point here. Pokémon coins match edges in intricate (and easily staged) battles involving the characters you have to catch. The playing side of the coin is divided into five pie-shaped wedges with a holograph of a Pokémon character in the center. The wedges are labeled: one bears Knockout colors, another an attack method (such as Poison, Hypnosis, etc.), and the remaining three are numbered. Players spin their coins and watch the lovely blur of color. When the coins stop, they see which coin wedges are facing and then consult the heavy-duty cardboard sleeve, which offers Battle Outcomes, Special Attack Chart, Poké Item Chart and Poké Type Chart. The game is fun, and the extensive charts are a great overview for the uninitiated. The game includes three different Pokémon coins. Each coin is 1.375 inches in diameter; one side is gold-colored metal and the other side has a metallic holograph game decal. --Ava Natov