Pokémon Turns 20

Happy Birthday Pokémon

Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard, and all of their friends turn 20 years old today.

On this day in 1996, Pokémon Red and Green came out in Japan for the Game Boy. It spawned a series that has sold over 200 million copies. But Pokémon’s reach goes far beyond video games, as it has also inspired a cartoon that has run for more than 900 episodes, 19 movies, and a popular card game that still receives updates. Fans even play the game competitively, and Nintendo has earned plenty of cash thanks to sales of merchandise like T-shirts and plush with the brand earning $1.5 billion annually. The only thing more shocking than a bolt from Pikachu is how relevant Pokémon still is today.

“While its concept — catch a bunch of animals and make them your friends — might seem childish, it was basically a role-playing game like Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior.”

Underestimated Game

Few people had high expectations for Pokémon when it launched. It came out for the aging Game Boy, which released back in 1996 and had seen a decline in popularity. However, Pokémon itself soon revived interest in the platform. It was a perfect portable game.

But Pokémon wasn’t just a clone of older games. It had the ability to evolve, which turned Pikachu and the gang them into new, more powerful creatures. It’s one of the greatest carrots-on-a-stick in gaming history. Who doesn’t want to keep playing to see just how cool their Pokémon look once they evolve? It motivated players to trade with friends and even wait in large lines at Toys ‘R’ Us for a chance to win a rare Pokémon.

Boost in Popularity

Within a year, everyone knew what Pokémon was. The games, cartoon, and card game all turned into giant hits. Soon, you saw Pikachu everywhere. He was even a float in the Macy’s Thanksgivings Day Parade.

Pokémon quickly became an important part of Nintendo’s stable of recognizable properties. Some examples are:

• When the first Super Smash Bros. came out in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, Pikachu was one of the original fighters
• Pokémon Stadium for the Nintendo 64
• Pokémon Snap which was also for the Nintendo 64
• Pokémon Gold and Silver 1999

At first, only 151 Pokémon existed. Today, that number is at 722. Check out the new additions.

In 2013, the X and Y series, didn’t stray too far from original formula. It did, however, finally introduce 3D models. The original game’s battles featured static, black and white sprites for each Pokémon. Of course, Pokémon fights are about to look more impressive than ever thanks to Pokkén tournament, the next spinoff game in the franchise. It’s a 3D fighting game that originally came out in Japanese arcades, but we’ll get to play it on the Wii U on March 18.

Find out more information on Nintendo’s next game, Sun and Moon.

This 20th anniversary gives us a chance to look back at the landmark series. All this week, we’ll post features that examine the franchise’s popularity and creation and pay tribute to its past.

It’s going to be a fun week for fans of Pokéstuff at GamesBeat.