Pokémon is a Japanese media franchise that began as a pair of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy in 1996. The games were created by Satoshi Tajiri, with character design by Ken Sugimori, and introduced a world where humans coexist with creatures called Pokémon, which can be captured, trained, and battled. The core gameplay loop—exploring regions, catching wild Pokémon, and challenging Gym Leaders to become a Pokémon Champion—became the foundation of a multi-billion dollar franchise.
The original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green (released in Japan as Pocket Monsters), were a sleeper hit that sparked a global phenomenon. The series expanded through multiple generations, each introducing new Pokémon, regions, and mechanics. By 2025, the video game series has sold over 500 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. The games' emphasis on collection, strategy, and social interaction (through trading and battling) has had a lasting impact on gaming culture and inspired numerous spin-offs, anime, films, and merchandise.
