Since Pokémon first launched in 1996, the media franchise has captured the imaginations of kids and adults alike across the globe. But do you know the full history behind the world‘s highest grossing media property? Let‘s explore the past, present, and future of Pokémon together – from modest Game Boy beginnings to emerging international phenomenon.
Origins: Bug-Catching Inspires Tajiri‘s Masterpiece
As a child growing up in Tokyo in the 1960s, future Game Freak founder Satoshi Tajiri loved to collect insects. He hoped to replicate the thrill of bug hunting and the joy of building his own collection. While studying arcade games, Tajiri came up with the idea for Pokémon – bringing digital monsters to life on the Game Boy platform.
Tajiri pitched the concept of Pokémon to Nintendo. With the Game Boy‘s link cable allowing trades and battling between friends, executives saw major potential…
[ Several paragraphs on Tajiri‘s origins, early development, key inspirations from anime/manga culture and digital pet toys like Tamagotchi ]Generation 1: Birth of a Global Craze (1996-1999)
Pokémon Red and Green took Japan by storm when it launched in 1996, with anime and tons of merchandise fueling Pokémania. When Pokémon made its way overseas as Red and Blue in 1998, the catalyst was set for..
[ Expand on development, key new mechanics introduced, involvement/approval from Nintendo, monster designing process, franchise records set ]Side Games, Manga and Show Capture Attention
Beyond the video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game with original art drew in collectors. The anime aired soon after Red/Green‘s Japanese release, bringing lovable Pokémon like Pikachu to televisions everywhere. American comics and films boosted popularity worldwide.
Generation 2: Colorful Sequels Improve Upon a Classic (1999-2002)
After the roaring success of Gen 1, anticipation was sky-high for the 1999‘s release of Pokémon Gold and Silver on Game Boy Color…
[ Discuss hype building pre-release, new species discovery, key developers, then technical ambitions for Gen 2 software ]Generation 3: Pixel Art Peaks in Hoenn (2002-2006)
With 1997‘s Pokémon cartoon cementing itself as the highest rated show for American children, Ruby and Sapphire had big shoes to fill. Visually and musically, Hoenn pulled us into a tropical paradise teeming with aquatic life and geologic wonders…
[ Game Boy Advance capabilities, key character artist hires, new battle mechanics nail multiplayer balance ]Tables Detailing Global Sales Records
| Generation | Years | Core Games Sold | Gross Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1996-1999 | 193M+ | $8 billion |
| II | 1999-2002 | 22M | $850 million (est) |
