When Did Pokemon Start? A Complete History of the Pokemon Franchise

When Did Pokemon Start?

The Pokemon franchise, created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, first burst onto the scene in 1996. Since then, it has become one of the most successful and beloved franchises in the world, capturing the hearts of fans of all ages.

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The concept of Pokemon, short for “Pocket Monsters,” revolves around fictional creatures with various abilities that can be captured, trained, and battled by Pokemon trainers. The franchise includes video games, trading card games, an animated television series, movies, merchandise, and more.

The journey of Pokemon began with the release of the Game Boy video game, Pokemon Red and Green, in Japan on February 27, 1996. The games were an instant hit, selling millions of copies and captivating players with their addictive gameplay and memorable Pokemon characters such as Pikachu, Charizard, and Bulbasaur.

Following the success of the video games, the Pokemon franchise quickly expanded its reach. The first season of the animated television series, Pokemon: The Indigo League, debuted in Japan in 1997 and soon became a global phenomenon. The series introduced main protagonist Ash Ketchum and his iconic partner Pikachu, as they set out on their quest to become Pokemon Masters.

In addition to the video games and television series, Pokemon also made its mark in the trading card game industry. The Pokemon Trading Card Game was first released in Japan in October 1996 and quickly gained popularity around the world. The trading card game allowed players to collect and battle with their favorite Pokemon in a different medium.

Over the years, the Pokemon franchise continued to expand with new generations of video games, introducing new regions, Pokemon species, and gameplay mechanics. To this day, the franchise remains a cultural phenomenon, with millions of fans worldwide eagerly awaiting each new release and keeping the Pokemon spirit alive through various forms of media and community events.

When Did Pokemon Start? A Complete History of the Pokemon Franchise

Pokemon, short for Pocket Monsters, is a popular Japanese media franchise that has gained global recognition since its inception. The franchise began in 1996 with the release of the first Pokemon video games for the Game Boy, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. These games, titled Pokemon Red and Green in Japan, introduced players to the world of Pokemon and the concept of capturing and training these creatures to battle each other.

Pokemon quickly became a sensation in Japan, capturing the hearts of millions of children and adults alike. Due to its overwhelming success, the franchise expanded its reach beyond video games and into various other mediums, including trading card games, an animated TV series, movies, merchandise, and more. This multi-media approach helped Pokemon to become a global phenomenon.

The Pokemon franchise made its way to the United States in 1998 when the video games, trading card games, and animated TV series were localized and released. The popularity of Pokemon in the U.S. was unprecedented, with children and collectors alike eager to collect the trading cards, watch the TV show, and play the video games.

Over the years, the franchise has continued to grow and evolve. New generations of Pokemon video games have been released, introducing new regions, new Pokemon species, and new gameplay mechanics. The popularity of the Pokemon franchise has also led to the creation of spin-off games, such as Pokemon Go, a mobile game that gained massive popularity in 2016.

Today, Pokemon remains one of the most successful and recognizable franchises in the world. With over 800 different Pokemon species, a vast array of merchandise, and a dedicated fan base, Pokemon continues to capture the imaginations of millions of people around the globe.

Pokemon Generation 1: The Beginnings

The Pokémon franchise began with the release of Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy in Japan on February 27, 1996. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Red and Green introduced players to the vibrant world of Pokémon.

In Pokémon Generation 1, players took on the role of a Pokémon Trainer on a quest to become a Pokémon Champion. They embarked on a journey to catch, train, and battle creatures known as Pokémon. With their trusty starter Pokémon, players explored the regions of Kanto, encountering other Trainers, Gym Leaders, and the nefarious Team Rocket.

There were 151 Pokémon available in Generation 1, each with their own unique abilities and types. Players could catch and train a diverse range of Pokémon, including iconic favorites like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo.

One of the defining features of Generation 1 was the ability to connect Game Boy systems via a link cable and engage in Pokémon battles or trades with friends. This multiplayer component added a social element to the game and allowed players to complete their Pokédex and strengthen their teams.

Generation 1 also saw the release of the animated Pokémon TV series, which further expanded the Pokémon franchise’s popularity. The TV show followed the adventures of a Pokémon Trainer named Ash Ketchum and his trusty Pikachu as they traveled the world, battled Gym Leaders, and aimed to become Pokémon Masters.

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Key Features of Pokémon Generation 1:

In summary, Pokémon Generation 1 marked the beginning of a worldwide phenomenon. With its captivating gameplay, memorable characters, and innovative multiplayer features, it laid the foundation for the success of the Pokémon franchise.

Pokemon Generation 2: Expansion and New Adventures

Following the massive success of the original Pokemon games, Game Freak and Nintendo wasted no time in developing the next generation of Pokemon. Pokemon Generation 2, also known as Pokemon Gold and Silver, was released in Japan in 1999 and later made its way to North America and Europe in 2000.

Pokemon Generation 2 introduced many new features and Pokemon to the franchise, building upon the foundation set by the first generation. Some of the notable additions include:

100 new Pokemon species, bringing the total number to 251
New types of Pokemon, including Dark and Steel types
New regions to explore, including the Johto region and the return to the Kanto region
Day and night cycle, affecting the availability of certain Pokemon and events
New gameplay mechanics, such as breeding, held items, and gender differences
An expanded storyline and new characters

Pokemon Generation 2 also introduced two new legendary Pokemon, Ho-Oh and Lugia, which became iconic figures in the Pokemon franchise. It also saw the introduction of the shiny Pokemon, which are extremely rare and have different color variations compared to their regular counterparts.

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The release of Pokemon Generation 2 revitalized the Pokemon craze and solidified the franchise’s position as a cultural phenomenon. It expanded the world of Pokemon and gave players a whole new set of adventures and challenges to embark on.

Overall, Pokemon Generation 2 marked a significant milestone for the franchise and laid the groundwork for future generations of Pokemon games.

Pokemon Generation 3: The Next Evolution

Pokemon Generation 3, also known as the “Advanced Generation,” marked the next evolution of the Pokemon franchise. It introduced a wide range of new Pokemon species, gameplay mechanics, and features that revitalized the series and attracted a new generation of fans.

Released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire were the first mainline Pokemon games of Generation 3. The games featured a new region called Hoenn, which was filled with new Pokemon to catch and train. Players could choose from three starter Pokemon: Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip.

One of the most significant additions in Generation 3 was the introduction of Abilities and Natures. Abilities were unique traits that each Pokemon could possess, granting them various benefits in battles or during exploration. Natures, on the other hand, influenced a Pokemon’s stat growth and determined their preferences.

The Pokemon Contests were another notable feature in Generation 3. These contests allowed trainers to showcase their Pokemon’s beauty, coolness, cuteness, smartness, and toughness in different categories. It added a new layer of gameplay and provided an alternative to battling.

Generation 3 also brought forth a considerable graphical upgrade. With the Game Boy Advance’s improved hardware, the Pokemon world became more vibrant and colorful. The battles were more visually exciting, with detailed sprites and animations for each Pokemon’s attacks.

New features were implemented to enhance the overall experience. The Battle Frontier, a facility where skilled trainers could challenge a variety of battle formats, offered a significant challenge for players looking for post-game content. Secret Bases allowed trainers to personalize their own hideouts and share them with friends via a link cable or the Game Boy Advance wireless adapter.

Generation 3 introduced a total of 135 new Pokemon, bringing the overall number to 386. Some notable additions include popular Pokemon like Blaziken, Gardevoir, and Rayquaza. Additionally, it expanded the roster of Legendary Pokemon with powerful creatures like Groudon, Kyogre, and the Eon Duo (Latias and Latios).

The mainline games of Generation 3 concluded with Pokemon Emerald, an enhanced version of Ruby and Sapphire. Pokemon Emerald featured additional story elements, an extended Pokedex, and the Battle Frontier. It was well-received by fans and further solidified Generation 3 as a favorite among players.

Pokemon Generation 3 brought significant changes and innovations to the series, ushering in a new era of Pokemon games. Its fresh take on gameplay mechanics, new Pokemon species, and expanded features ensured that the franchise continued to thrive and captivate players around the world.

FAQ:

What is the history of the Pokemon franchise?

The Pokemon franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, and it debuted in 1996 with the release of the Pokemon Red and Green video games for the Game Boy in Japan. It quickly became a worldwide phenomenon and expanded into an anime TV series, trading card game, movies, merchandise, and more.

Who created Pokemon?

Pokemon was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori. Satoshi Tajiri came up with the concept of Pokemon and developed it into a video game, while Ken Sugimori was the artist who designed the original Pokemon creatures.

When did the first Pokemon video games come out?

The first Pokemon video games, Pokemon Red and Green, were released in Japan on February 27, 1996. These games were released for the original Game Boy handheld console.

How did Pokemon become popular?

Pokemon became popular due to its unique concept of capturing and battling creatures called Pokemon. The franchise gained popularity through the success of the video games, which were followed by an animated TV series, trading card game, movies, and various merchandise. The appeal of collecting and trading Pokemon, as well as the engaging storylines and characters, contributed to its immense popularity.