TIME Pokemon
Pokémon IS FOR EVERYONE • Whether you’re a kid opening a pack of trading cards for the first time or an adult who grew up on the original games, Pokémon gives you plenty of reasons to catch them all.
1 The Journey Begins • The story of Pokémon’s success involves passionate developers, savvy marketing moves, and a love for the namesake creatures.
The Path to Pokémon • Collaboration and connection were crucial to the franchise’s philosophy from the very beginning.
The Ultimate Game Freak • In 1999, TIME spoke with Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri at the Tokyo offices of his small company, Game Freak.
When We Feared Pokémon • Can such cute critters be a bad influence? In 1999, TIME writers thought they might be.
The Origins of the Word Pokémon • The combination of Japanese and English created a term that made its way into the dictionary.
The Game, the Shows, the Movies • Few franchises publish quite as often as Pokémon. This year-by-year road map tracks the many entries.
Why We Love Pikachu • He comes in many forms, he transcends generations, and for a mouse, he’s pretty cute. What’s not to love?
2 Monster Business • Lucrative licensing deals, massive Pokémon stores, and competitive collecting of trading cards have led to some serious Pokédollars.
Investing in Trading Cards • Buying and selling Pokémon cards can be risky business, but some have made serious dough. Experts weigh in on do’s and don’ts of monetizing the trading card game.
A Legendary License • Through licensing and tie-ins, Pokémon has become the most valuable franchise in the world.
BY THE NUMBERS • When it comes to total dollars earned through merchandise, box office, television, and games, Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise of all time.
The Best (and Most Bizarre) Collaborations • Smell like a Pokémon! This and other life goals are now achievable.
3 Pokémon GO Mania • In 2016, augmented reality and Pokémon collided in a game that would dominate the cultural zeitgeist.
A Player’s Review • When Pokémon GO was released in 2016, a writer learned the ropes from the perfect mentor: his kid.
How GO Took Over the World • A smartphone game infiltrated real enviornments and created a global community.
The Nostalgia Factor • Psychologists explain why Pokémon GO is so addictive and why older fans returned to the familiar franchise.
Meet GO’s Mastermind • Pokémon GO made augmented reality accessible to average users. TIME spoke with Niantic’s founder amid the game’s booming success.
Paving the Way for New Games • Niantic is creating new mapping technology that will allow future developers to create their own games like Pokémon GO.
Become a Pokémon GO Master • The app-based game is very different from the main series games.
4 Always Evolving • You don’t become the world’s most valuable franchise by resting on your laurels. Pokémon is continually expanding into new spaces and forms.
Introducing Detective Pikachu • In 2019, a missable spinoff game inspired a live-action blockbuster.
Bringing Them to Life • The animators had some key decisions to make when turning the cartoon favorites into three-dimensional avatars.
The Best of the Best • In 2014—the 10th anniversary of the event—TIME spent a weekend with some serious trainers at the Pokémon World Championships.
Sleep and Smile • Pokémon entered the wellness space with two apps aimed at improving healthy habits.
TIME Pokémon
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How to Spot a Fake • Knockoff Pokémon cards are flooding the market. Know what to look for to avoid a scam.
The Power of Pokémon •...
