Pokémon is a media franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, first released in 1996 by Nintendo and Game Freak. The franchise began as a pair of role-playing video games for the Game Boy, which introduced the concept of creatures called Pokémon that humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. The games are set in fictional regions inspired by real-world locations, each with unique species of Pokémon, and involve the player collecting badges, thwarting villainous teams, and becoming the Pokémon Champion.
The Pokémon video game series has become one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, with core installments on every Nintendo handheld console. The games' mechanics, including type matchups, evolution, and trading, have become iconic. The franchise expanded into a global phenomenon encompassing an anime series, trading card game, movies, toys, and more. Its themes of friendship, discovery, and adventure have resonated with audiences worldwide, making Pokémon a cultural touchstone since the late 1990s.
