No wonder Pokémon is so popular with folks these days. According to a survey of more than 2,000 parents, Pokémon video games help kids learn important values and skills. The survey, conducted by Impulse Research Corp., was announced alongside the North American release of the latest Gameboy Advance edition of Pokémon, LeafGreen and FireRed.

The survey explains that Pokémon is more than just a piece of entertainment for kids. It' s such a hit with parents as well, because it encourages memory skills, such as remembering key places where Pokémon reside, and promotes teamwork. Here are some key responses provided by Nintendo.

* More than 75 percent think that Pokémon does a good job of promoting positive values and enhances strategic thinking.

* Almost 70 percent say that Pokémon improves memory skills and promotes teamwork.

* More than 60 percent believe that Pokémon increases mental agility and awareness as well as promotes cooperation with friends.

" We' re proud to be a part of a video game franchise that parents believe helps boost important skills, like teamwork and memory, that can translate to kids excelling in school," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America' s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. " And, with the new Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter bundled with Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen, players now can expand their abilities even further by testing their brain power against many other players simultaneously."

Not a bad piece of endorsement, though its doubtful that the Pokémon franchise ever needed the help. Since the release of the first two original Gameboy titles in 1998, more than 38 million Pokémon video games have been sold to fans in North America alone.