I think I'll move our PM convo here, since my storage box is getting full. :P
But yeah, that's how most people seem to feel about Pokémon now. Hate the anime, play the games (also, Wi-Fi is a good addition). Yeah, I know how to dodge POWs too, by the way, AND blue shells, though you need a mushroom or some kind of speed boost item to do that. Just use it whenever the blue shell is right about to crash into you. ;) And, I agree with that. Also looking forward to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (dayumn, I be a freaking Mario addict).