Somehow, the game “Pocket Monsters” became Pokémon and grew into a cultural phenomenon that continues to entertain people of all ages. Below, we’ll explore how this happened by looking at the origins and evolution of this iconic franchise.
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1982: Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori Start Game Freak
In 1982, Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori partnered to create a video-game-focused magazine called Game Freak. The two shared a passion for video games and complementary skill sets, writing (Tajiri) and illustration (Sugimori), which helped them bring the magazine to life. The magazine included reviews of popular games, tips for playing, and other game-related articles.1989: Game Freak Evolves into a Gaming Company
After a few years of publishing Game Freak, Tajiri and Sugimori saw the potential to add new games to the gaming industry, which saw Game Freak’s evolution from a magazine to a game development company. Thanks to this transition, both Tajiri and Sugimori are now polished game developers and designers, and Sugimori continued his love for art by becoming a professional illustrator and manga artist.Shortly after transitioning to gaming, Tajiri pitched an idea to Nintendo that he developed as a child fascinated by bugs and considering a life as an entomologist. That idea was the concept of Pocket Monsters. Nintendo hesitantly agreed and started working on the game for their Game Boy with the help of Shigeru Miyamoto, the well-known video game developer who brought The Legend of Zelda into the world.Game Freak has not only played a role in introducing Pokémon to the world but has also developed games like Yoshi, Mario & Wario, and Pulseman.1996: The First Pokémon Game Is Released
In 1996, the first Pocket Monster video game was released, Pocket Monsters Red and Green. The game followed much of the basic formula it does today, allowing players to collect and trade Pokémon. Less than a year later, Pokémon cards were released. Today, these cards are still popular collectors’ items, with the most expensive individual card ever auctioned selling for $369,000.1997: The Pokémon Anime Series Starts
An animated adaptation of the game was released in 1997, centering around the main character, Satoshi, named for Tajiri’s work on the game, and his journey to becoming a Pokémon master. The show ran for 26 years and over 1,000 episodes—and still has a dedicated fanbase today.1998: Pokémon Goes Global & the First Movie Hits Theatres
In 1998, Pokémon leaped to America, and shortly after, it was taken to the United Kingdom. The TV show character was renamed Ash Ketchum, and in the UK, the game released was a red and blue version instead of red and green. Around this time, the game’s name was shortened from “Pocket Monster” to “Pokémon.”The first movie was also released in Japan in 1998, later making its way to American audiences; this led to the release of over 20 other movies. The most recent was released in 2020, and the highest-grossing was Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, released in 2019 and bringing in over $140 million.2004: The Pokémon World Championships Debut
The many ways of playing Pokémon were taken to a whole new level and gaming experience with the debut of the Pokémon World Championships. The championships allow Pokémon players to meet one another, win awards, and travel. For fans, it’s a thrilling way to play, and they can start at the local level and journey through to regional levels and higher.2016: Pokémon GO Augments Our Realities
Pokémon impressed players and non-players alike in 2016 when it launched its augmented reality (AR) game, Pokémon GO. The game was novel because it was one of the first AR games to enter the market, adding an extra layer of excitement and intrigue. It also helps that the game evoked a great deal of nostalgia for people who grew up with Pokémon, capturing a wider demographic. This version of the game also made the social aspects of Pokémon far more accessible to people by being available on mobile devices rather than requiring a gaming device or cards. Players can catch Pokémon, work with teams, evolve their Pokémon, and trade with other players anywhere they bring their phones and have internet access.Present: The Pokémon Franchise Remains Strong
Today, Pokémon continues to release game updates, remake old favorites, and even explore entirely new gaming avenues, including slot games similar to those available at NJ online casinos, adding to the ways the franchise reaches audiences and keeps its fans entertained. The adaptability of the game, from the screen to augmented reality to physical cards, demonstrates the franchise’s ability to reach new audiences and experiment with different options to extend its legacy. It shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, with more movies (including live-action films) set to be released in the near future.Conclusion
The legacy of Pokémon began in the early 1980s with a magazine, though some might argue that it started with a childhood fascination with nature and grew from there. Either way, it then transitioned into video game development, leading to a pitch for Nintendo, and snowballed from there. Today, the franchise is worth billions and entertains people with various gaming options, a TV show, and numerous movies. Whatever the future holds, it will surely continue the legacy of Pokémon.
