From Our January Issue.
Pokemon was first introduced to the world on February 26, 1996; meaning, this year the Pokemon Company celebrates 25 years of its release. Pokemon has made an important impact in the infancy of the last two generations, and continues to make its mark on Generation Alpha.
Quick History of Pokemon
Pokemon started in Japan as a gaming magazine, where Ken Sugimori and Satoshi Tajiri illustrated the first stories about the world of Pokemon. That magazine was Game Freak, known today all over the world.
Sugimori and Tajiri had previously created very popular console games, both for the Game Boy and the SEGA’s console. Therefore, when they introduced the idea of Pokemon they were given the benefit of doubt.
Thanks to that, on February 26, 1996 the original game we all know and love was first released. Pokemon Red and Green was first distributed only in Japan where it’s success was amazing.
Two years later, Pokemon Red and Blue were released, later followed by Pokemon Yellow, starring Pikacu, an electric pokemon. The latter became so popular that Pikachu quickly became Pokemon’s mascot.
With time, Pokemon grew and expanded. Pokemon became a card game, an anime series,
Pokemon merchandise was introduced, and there’s even Pokemon themed cafeterias in several countries around the world.
As years pass, Pokemon continues to release more games and introduce more Pokemon. Today there are 122 Pokemon Games, 23 anime series, 23 movies, and 893 pokemon species.
The Game
Main storyline Pokemon Games went from the Game Boy, through all Nintendo consoles up to the Nintendo Switch. However, the games have always kept a similar storyline and purpose.
Pokemon Games begin with a young kid who turned old enough to have their first Pokemon. This young kid goes to the local professor who presents him with three pokemon to choose from: a fire pokemon, a water pokemon, and a grass pokemon.
After you choose your Pokemon, you are ready to explore the wild and capture more Pokemon. Eventually, you will find it your purpose to participate in a Pokemon League —a Pokemon battle tournament— and will have to fight in Pokemon Gyms where you earn badges that allow you to participate in said league.
However, in the meanwhile, there is an evil mastermind using Pokemon for destruction. This evil is usually complicated with deep backstories and complicated purposes. Eventually, it will be up to you to stop them and save the world.
The story is typical of each game, but it never becomes repetitive, as they are all different from each other. Each game adds more Pokemon, different regions, different characters, new game strategies, and news drives for adventure.
What also keeps these games interesting is that even after you complete the main storyline there are still hours of gametime.
The Anniversary
This year, Pokemon is hinted a big events to celebrate their anniversary. On their social media, they have made several posts talking about the Pokemon legacy and its anniversary. Its creators had added trading cards to McDonald’s Happy Meals, broadcasted movie marathons, and added a singing Pikachu to Pokemon Sword.
They have also announced to be working alongside pop-star Katy Perry to create a music campaign for Pokemon.
“Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon TCG cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO,” said Katy Perry.
“I’ve even visited the Pokémon Café in Japan while on tour! It is an honor to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it’s provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world,” she added.
“I love being a part of anything that is playful and is good storytelling and has really good messages to share with the world. Now having a child myself, I understand that it’s so important to play. This is a continued extension of who I am,” said Perry.
This year, the game Pokemon Snap will be released. The game comes as a reboot of Nintendo’s 64 Pokemon Snap, with better quality and higher efficiency, creating great excitement in the fandom.
Although Game Freak has kept their plans a secret for this year and the specifics of the 25 year anniversary, something big is definitely on its way.
