For 20 years, Pokémon has delighted millions of fans of all ages and has grown into one of the most successful entertainment brands in the world. This legendary series has sold more than 279 million video games since the debut of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996.
What are Pokémon?
Pokémon are creatures of all kinds of shapes and sizes that live well in the wild or alongside humans. Most Pokémon only speak to say their names. Currently, there are more than 700 creatures that inhabit the Pokémon universe.
Pokémon owners (called “Trainers”) breed and care for them. During their adventures, Pokémon grow and gain more experience, and sometimes even evolve to become stronger Pokémon.
There are more than twelve different types of Pokémon, such as the Fire type, the Psychic type, or the Dragon type. Each type of Pokémon has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to fighting against other Pokémon. For example, a Fire-type Pokémon will have an advantage over a Plant-type Pokémon, but will be at a disadvantage against a Water-type Pokémon. This makes the strategy, positioning and use of Pokémon in your team crucial in the development of the combats.
Here are some examples of what different Pokémon look like:
Basic game mechanics (video games)
The first Pokémon video games appeared in Europe for the Game Boy in 1999, and since then, the popularity of Pokémon has continued to grow. Pokémon games have appeared on Nintendo systems, including the Nintendo 3DS system and the Wii U system.
In most games, the player plays the role of a young Trainer who is dedicated to traveling from one city to another catching and training Pokémon, and fighting against the Pokémon teams of other Trainers in order to become the Champion of the Pokémon League. Another goal is to catch and catalog all the Pokémon in the game. Despite the combative aspect of these games, explicit violence is avoided in Pokémon games. In fact, Pokémon never die during the course of the game. Trainers are invited to participate in many side activities during the game, whether it’s talent and beauty contests, tournaments, or fishing (of Course!).
Players can battle and trade Pokémon with other players, allowing children to learn values such as sharing and playing with sportsmanship. With the most modern video game systems, players can even play and trade Pokémon online with other Trainers around the world.
Developer statements about the success of the series
Junichi Masuda is the director of Pokémon at video game developer Game Freak.
“I would say that when we started we had absolute faith in what we were doing and we wanted to bring children the joy of discovering special creatures – the Pokémon – collecting them, fighting with them and exchanging them: that was our dream. Of course, at that time, the hope that people would like our vision as much as we did was just that, hope. We got a very pleasant surprise… although it was rather a dream come true when the game achieved success.”
“I think a lot of Pokémon’s success is due to the Pokémon themselves and the bond that fans create with the creatures they discover while playing. Fans love to pick and battle their favorite Pokémon. With each new generation, there are new Pokémon that people can discover. This and the games’ abundant communication options that allow people from all over the world to play together.”
Developer statements about the success of the series
Junichi Masuda is the director of Pokémon at video game developer Game Freak.
“I would say that when we started we had absolute faith in what we were doing and we wanted to bring children the joy of discovering special creatures – the Pokémon – collecting them, fighting with them and exchanging them: that was our dream. Of course, at that time, the hope that people would like our vision as much as we did was just that, hope. We got a very pleasant surprise… although it was rather a dream come true when the game achieved success.”
“I think a lot of Pokémon’s success is due to the Pokémon themselves and the bond that fans create with the creatures they discover while playing. Fans love to pick and battle their favorite Pokémon. With each new generation, there are new Pokémon that people can discover. This and the games’ abundant communication options that allow people from all over the world to play together.”
Most important Pokémon video games
Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version
Release date: 05-10-1999
Platform: Game Boy
The first game in the Pokémon series was released in Japan in 1996 and arrived in Europe in 1999.
Pokémon Yellow Version: Pikachu Special Edition
Release date: 16-06-2000
Platform: Game Boy Color
The uniqueness of this game is that Pikachu follows players on their adventure.
Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver
Release date: 06-04-2001
Platform: Game Boy Color
100 new Pokémon were introduced, plus a “day and night” cycle that allowed players to find different Pokémon depending on the time of day.
Pokémon Crystal
Release date: 02-11-2001
Platform: Game Boy Color
The first game that allowed players to choose between Coach and Coach.
Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version
Release date: 25-07-2003
Platform: Game Boy Advance
These Game Boy Advance titles introduced two-on-two battles, allowing four Trainers to play at once.
Pokémon Fire Red Version and Pokémon Leaf Green Version
Release date: 01-10-2004
Platform: Game Boy Advance
In these improved versions of the original games, players could for the first time swap and battle without the need for cables, using the wireless adapter for the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Emerald Version
Release date: 21-10-2005
Platform: Game Boy Advance
In this third adventure set in the Hoenn region, which we first met in Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, powerful Trainers will be able to fight in Battlefront mode.
Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version
Release date: 27-07-2007
Platform: Nintendo DS
For the first time, players could fight and trade with other players from all over the planet via the internet.
Pokémon Platinum Edition
Release date: 22-05-2009
Platform: Nintendo DS
Third adventure in the Sinnoh region, first seen in Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.
Pokémon Gold Version HeartGold and Pokémon Silver Version SoulSilver
Release date: 26-03-2010
Platform: Nintendo DS
Thanks to the pokéwalker accessory that comes included, players can train their Pokémon just by walking through the real world.
Pokémon White Version and Pokémon Black Version
Release date: 04-03-2011
Platform: Nintendo DS
In this adventure set in the Unova region, the Triple Combat feature was incorporated, in which six Pokémon – three in each team – can face each other.
Pokémon White Version 2 and Pokémon Black Version 2
Release date: 12-10-2012
Platform: Nintendo DS
Set two years after the predecessor game, it features a new story and many Pokémon to discover.
Pokémon X and Pokémon Y
Release date: 12-10-2013 (worldwide)
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
For the first time it was possible to see the Pokémon in 3D, adding a new dimension to the adventure. Megaevolution allows some Pokémon to take different forms.
Since October 12, 2013, these titles have sold more than 3.5 million units across Europe.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Release date: 28-11-2014
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Improved versions of Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, with new megaevolutions and secrets to discover.
Since November 28, 2014, these titles have sold more than 3 million units throughout Europe.
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon
Release date: 23-11-2016
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
The new era of Pokémon adventures is set in the Hawaii-inspired Alola region and will offer new Pokémon and features.
We hope you enjoyed this review of 20 years of Pokémon history with us. With the launch of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon just around the corner and Pokémon GO available for iPhone and Android devices, this is the best possible time to embark on your own adventure. See you out there, Coaches!
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