Line #19 Franchise/Pokemon


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5	[[caption-width-right:350:"GottaCatchEmAll!"[[note]]And this only covers the first generation![[/note]]]]
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21	->''"Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon!"''
22	-->-- '''Professor Oak''', ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue''
23
24	''Pokémon'' is a [[LongRunners long-running series]] of [[EasternRPG Japanese]] {{Role Playing Game}}s, developed by Creator/GameFreak and published by {{video game}} giant Creator/{{Nintendo}}, which spawned a [[CashCowFranchise multi-billion-dollar media franchise]]--''the'' [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_media_franchises highest-grossing of all time]], in fact--and indirectly caused the proliferation of Western broadcasts of {{anime}} in the mid-to-late 1990s, along with ''Franchise/DragonBall'' and ''Franchise/SailorMoon''.
25
26	Released in Japan in February of 1996 for the Platform/GameBoy, ''Pokémon'' (or in Japan, ''[[MarketBasedTitle Pocket Monsters]]'') [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo came in]] [[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue two versions]]: ''Red'' and ''Green''. The idea of the game is to run around and battle wild {{Mons}} with your own, catch them with hand-held balls, and teach them to battle ([[NonLethalKO non-lethally]]) with each other under the guidance of human Trainers for fun and profit. The original idea was for an artificial form of insect collecting for kids that lived in cities and thus couldn't participate in such a hobby (as the original creator was a bug collector when he was a kid), with the paired versions providing incentive for players to get together and trade Mons with their friends (but more on that later).
27
28	The strategy in the gameplay comes from two factors. First of all, there's an ambitiously large ElementalRockPaperScissors setup. 15 (later 17, and now 18[[note]]excluding the ???-type, which was removed in ''Black'' and ''White'', and the Shadow type, which only exists in certain spinoff titles and is used to denote something slightly different from the main 18 types[[/note]]) different elements are in play, and some species of Pokémon belong to ''two'' elements instead of just one, which can neutralize or compound the elements' respective resistances or weak points. Pokémon aren't strictly limited to moves of their elemental type either,[[note]]though they do receive an attack bonus for it[[/note]] but can learn almost any move the particular creature might ''reasonably'' be capable of executing (like [[MakingASplash Water]] Pokémon using [[AnIcePerson Ice]]-type moves, or [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragon]] Pokémon using [[PlayingWithFire Fire]]-type moves), and sometimes ones they aren't (a [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lapras plesiosaur-like creature]] learning to eat dreams and shoot lightning? [[RuleOfCool Okay!]]).
29
30	The second factor is the strict move limit: each of your Pokémon can only know four moves at once, out of a large movepool that they can learn from. This was hampered in the first generation by balance issues leading to some elements and species becoming obvious [[GameBreaker Game-Breakers]], but later generations have made many strides in balancing them out, most notably with the addition of new types: [[CombatPragmatist Dark]], [[ExtraOreDinary Steel]], and [[OurFairiesAreDifferent Fairy]]. Other restrictions placed on the player are the number of Pokémon one can have on a given team, which is no more than six at a time. Other mechanics introduced in later generations, such as items that Pokémon can hold and abilities they can possess, are also limited, but serve to increase depth in strategy.
31
32	The {{plot}} of each main-series game is typically a quest ToBeAMaster; the player is given one Pokémon to start their team with, then proceeds to take on the region's "Pokémon League" by catching new Pokémon, defeating other Pokémon trainers in battles (most importantly your childhood friend and [[TheRival rival]]), challenging type-specialist Gym Leaders and collecting Gym Badges, and ultimately battling the Elite Four to become the regional League Champion. During your journey, you also manage to single-handedly take down some kind of crime syndicate (and/or save the world) at some point along the way, and capture really powerful Pokémon that the local legends are based on.
33
34	While these [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aren't necessarily the greatest stories ever told]], the games are certainly enjoyable, especially if you have friends that also play the games. This is because the completion of the in-game storyline, {{Bonus Dungeon}}s and filling out the game's Pokédex only comprise part of the gameplay. The rest of the game (or as some insist, the only point of the game) is the [[PlayerVersusPlayer one-on-one]] CompetitiveMultiplayer. Not only are the player's Pokémon usable against the in-game opponents, these same Pokémon can be pitted against Pokémon trained by other live players of the game. As such, players can continue to train and catch Pokémon in order to have the best team among their peers. To further facilitate interaction between players, Pokémon can also be traded between games, and [[SocializationBonus certain Pokémon can only be obtained by trading]]. That is the rationale behind [[OneGameForThePriceOfTwo releasing different versions of the game]], as each version has certain Pokémon that were exclusive to it, and trading is the only way to get those exclusives in the other version.
35
36	To say that the brand took off like a (Team) rocket would be an understatement. Part of its success is down to the fact that with each generation, you must have access to (through purchase or a friend) at least ''two'' games to complete your Pokédex, trading with another player, and you ''both'' need Game Boys and alternate copies of the game. Despite being a relatively young series, the franchise is the second-best-selling video game franchise of all time, by a wide margin,[[note]]''Pokémon'' is a whopping seventy million copies ahead of number three, the ''Platform/{{Wii}}'' series (''VideoGame/WiiSports'', ''VideoGame/WiiSportsResort'', ''VideoGame/WiiPlay'', ''VideoGame/WiiFit'', ''VideoGame/WiiMusic'', ''VideoGame/WiiParty''), also published by Nintendo![[/note]] and is only beaten by its older brother, the ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' franchise. And that's just as a game franchise; as stated above, as a wider media franchise, [[CashCowFranchise it is literally the most profitable thing ever]], having expanded early on with a CollectibleCardGame, various {{manga}}, and an on-going {{anime}} series that is just as notable as the games. It was even amongst the first of Nintendo's stable of games to be represented in the [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros64 original]] ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' (which was the first appearance of characters from the franchise on the Platform/Nintendo64 in the Western world as the franchise had arrived in the West literally just months before) where not only are Pokémon like Pikachu playable fighters, but a larger selection are [[AssistCharacter summonable during battle]].[[note]]In fact, Pokémon was the youngest Nintendo franchise represented in the Nintendo 64 installment. The next youngest? ''Franchise/StarFox'', which came out in 1993.[[/note]]
37
38	The franchise received a live-action film from Creator/LegendaryPictures and Creator/WarnerBros (the latter of which previously distributed the first three anime films in the West) called ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' in 2019, based off the ''VideoGame/DetectivePikachu'' spin-off game. It is the first live-action entry of the franchise to be officially licensed, and the first live-action media related to ''Pokémon'' since the short-lived ''Pokémon Live!'' concert tour in the United States (besides the 20th anniversary Pokémon commercial shown during Super Bowl 50).
39
40	The Pokémon Company is known as one of two major corporate entities with a mouse as mascot (Pikachu). The other is [[Creator/{{Disney}} the Walt Disney Company]] (WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse), which owned Creator/{{Miramax}} at the time it picked up several Pokémon anime films for release in the Western world, and is the owner of Creator/DisneyXD, which was the American home for English-dubbed anime episodes during the ''Sun and Moon'' series.
41
42	You can visit the official website(s) ([[http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ Japanese]], [[http://www.pokemon.com English/Worldwide]]), as well as the official Website/YouTube account ([[https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonCoJp Japanese]], [[https://www.youtube.com/user/Pokemon English]]), Website/{{Tumblr}} account ([[https://pokemon.tumblr.com/ English]]), Website/{{Twitter}} account ([[https://www.twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp Japanese]], [[https://twitter.com/Pokemon English]]), and Website/{{Facebook}} account ([[https://www.facebook.com/PokemonCoJp Japanese]], [[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon English]]). See also Creator/GameFreak's official website ([[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp here, in Japanese]]), and Junichi Masuda's blog (which contains content regarding the ''Pokémon'' series -- [[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir/ Japanese]]; [[http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english English]]).
43
44	[[foldercontrol]]
45
46	[[folder:Main Series Games]]
47	[-''Pokémon'' games are categorized by "generations". Up until moving to the Platform/NintendoSwitch during Generation VII, each generation used its own game engine that allowed PlayerDataSharing between all games in the same generation (this functionality has since been offloaded to a separate app that manages the multiple Switch game engines). The first two games in each generation also introduce a new setting and new Pokémon.-]
48
49	* Generation I (Platform/GameBoy)[[index]]
50	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version]]'' (''Blue Version'' is known as ''Green Version'' in Japan; 1996 Japan (JP)/1998 United States (US))
51	** ''Pokémon Blue Version'' (1996 JP)
52	** ''Pokémon Yellow Version'' (1998 JP/1999 US)
53	* [[/index]]Generation II (Platform/GameBoy and Platform/GameBoyColor)[[index]]
54	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Pokémon Gold Version and Silver Version]]'' (1999 JP/2000 US)
55	** ''Pokémon Crystal Version'' (2000 JP/2001 US)
56	* [[/index]]Generation III (Platform/GameBoyAdvance)[[index]]
57	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby Version and Sapphire Version]]'' (2002 JP/2003 US)
58	** ''Pokémon Emerald Version'' (2004 JP/2005 US)
59	** ''Pokémon [=FireRed=] Version and [=LeafGreen=] Version'' (Remake of ''Pokémon Red and Blue Versions'', 2004)
60	* [[/index]]Generation IV (Platform/NintendoDS)[[index]]
61	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Pokémon Diamond Version and Pearl Version]]'' (2006 JP/2007 US)
62	** ''Pokémon Platinum Version'' (2008 JP/2009 US)
63	** ''Pokémon [=HeartGold=] Version and [=SoulSilver=] Version'' (Remake of ''Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions'', 2009 JP/2010 US)
64	* [[/index]]Generation V (Platform/NintendoDS)[[index]]
65	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Pokémon Black Version and White Version]]'' (2010 JP/2011 US)
66	** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2 Pokémon Black Version 2 and White Version 2]]'' (2012)
67	* [[/index]]Generation VI (Platform/Nintendo3DS)[[index]]
68	** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' (2013)
69	** ''Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire'' (Remake of ''Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions'', 2014)
70	* [[/index]]Generation VII (Platform/Nintendo3DS and Platform/NintendoSwitch)[[index]]
71	** ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' (2016)
72	** ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon'' (2017)
73	** ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee'' (Remake of ''Pokémon Yellow Version'', 2018)
74	* [[/index]]Generation VIII (Platform/NintendoSwitch)[[index]]
75	** ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' (2019)
76	*** ''Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass'' (DLC for ''Pokémon Sword and Shield'', 2020)
77	** ''Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl'' (Remake of ''Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions'', 2021)
78	** ''VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus'' (2022)
79	* [[/index]]Generation IX (Platform/NintendoSwitch)[[index]]
80	** ''VideoGame/PokemonScarletAndViolet'' (2022)
81	*** ''Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero'' (DLC for ''Pokémon Scarlet and Violet'', 2023)
82	** [[/index]]''VideoGame/PokemonLegendsZA'' (2025)
83
84	----
85	[[/folder]]
86	[[index]]
87	[[folder:Spin-off Games]]
88	* ''VideoGame/PokemonTradingCardGame1998'' (a.k.a. ''Pokémon Card GB'')
89	** ''Pokémon Card GB 2: Here Comes Team GR!'' (Japan only)
90	** ''Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket''
91	* ''VideoGame/PokemonSnap''
92	** ''VideoGame/NewPokemonSnap''
93	* ''VideoGame/PokemonPinball''
94	** ''Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire''
95	* ''[[VideoGame/PanelDePon Pokémon Puzzle League]]''
96	** ''Pokémon Puzzle Challenge''
97	* ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium''
98	** ''Pokémon Stadium 2''
99	** ''Pokémon Battle Revolution''
100	* ''VideoGame/HeyYouPikachu''
101	* ''VideoGame/PokemonChannel''
102	* ''Platform/PokemonMini''
103	* ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum''
104	** ''VideoGame/PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness''
105	* ''VideoGame/PokemonDash''
106	* ''VideoGame/PokemonRanger'' series
107	* ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeon'' series
108	* ''VideoGame/PokemonTrozei''
109	** ''Pokémon Battle Trozei!''
110	** ''VideoGame/PokemonShuffle''
111	* ''VideoGame/MyPokemonRanch''
112	* ''VideoGame/PokemonRumble'' series
113	* ''VideoGame/PokeParkWii''
114	** ''[=PokéPark=] 2: Wonders Beyond''
115	* ''VideoGame/LearnWithPokemonTypingAdventure''
116	* ''VideoGame/PokemonConquest''
117	* ''VideoGame/PokkenTournament''
118	* ''Pokémon VideoGame/{{Picross}}''
119	* ''VideoGame/PokemonGo''
120	* ''VideoGame/DetectivePikachu''
121	** ''VideoGame/DetectivePikachuReturns''
122	* ''Pokémon Tretta''
123	* ''Pokémon Ga-Olé''
124	* ''VideoGame/PokemonDuel'' (a.k.a. ''Pokémon Co-Master'')
125	* ''VideoGame/PokemonMagikarpJump''
126	* ''Pokémon VideoGame/ArtAcademy''
127	* ''Pokémon Playhouse''
128	* ''VideoGame/PokemonQuest''
129	* ''VideoGame/PokemonMasters''
130	* ''Pokémon Smile''
131	* ''VideoGame/PokemonCafeMix''
132	* ''VideoGame/PokemonUnite''
133	* ''VideoGame/PokemonSleep''
134
135	----
136	[[/folder]]
137
138	[[folder:Other Media]]
139	* Animation:
140	** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' anime
141	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries''
142	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphire''
143	*** ''Anime/PokemonChronicles''
144	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl''
145	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite''
146	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesXY''
147	*** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon''
148	*** ''Anime/PokemonJourneysTheSeries''
149	*** ''Anime/PokemonHorizonsTheSeries''
150	*** ''Pokémon'' anime films
151	** ''Anime/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2IntroductionMovie''
152	** ''Anime/PokemonOmegaRubyAndPokemonAlphaSapphireAnimatedTrailer''
153	** ''Anime/PokemonOrigins''
154	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonGenerations''
155	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonTwilightWings''
156	** ''GOTCHA!'' (music video)
157	** ''WebAnimation/{{Poketoon}}''
158	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonEvolutions''
159	** ''WebAnimation/BidoofsBigStand'' (animated short)
160	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonHisuianSnow''
161	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonPathToThePeak''
162	** ''WebAnimation/PokemonPaldeanWinds''
163	** ''Anime/PokemonConcierge''
164	* Tabletop Games
165	** ''TabletopGame/PokemonTradingCardGame''
166	** ''TabletopGame/PokemonMasterTrainer''
167	* Manga:
168	** ''Manga/PocketMonsters''
169	** ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'' (aka ''"Pokémon Special"'')
170	** ''Manga/PokemonGettoDaZe''
171	** ''Manga/TheElectricTaleOfPikachu''
172	** ''Manga/MagicalPokemonJourney''
173	** ''Manga/PokemonZensho''
174	** ''Manga/HowIBecameAPokemonCard''
175	** ''Manga/PokemonGoldenBoys''
176	** ''Manga/PocketMonstersEmeraldChallengeBattleFrontier''
177	** ''Manga/PokemonMysteryDungeonGinjisRescueTeam''
178	** ''Manga/PokemonDiamondAndPearlAdventure''
179	** ''Manga/PhantomThiefPokemon7''
180	** ''Manga/PocketMonstersHGSSJousBigAdventure''
181	** ''Manga/PocketMonstersBWTheHeroesOfFireAndThunder''
182	** ''Manga/PokemonReBURST''
183	** ''Manga/PokemonHorizon''
184	* Other:
185	** ''Literature/PocketMonstersTheAnimation'' (books (titled "The Animation" because they're adaptations of the anime))
186	** ''Radio/ItsAWhiteTomorrowTeamRocket'' (radio drama)
187	** ''Music/Pokemon2BAMaster'' (music)
188	** ''Music/PokemonChristmasBash'' (music)
189	** ''Theatre/PokemonLive'' (stage show)
190	** ''Toys/PokemonPikachu'' (VirtualPet toy)
191	** ''Series/PokemonSunday'' (TV show)
192	** ''Advertising/ASneakPeekAtPokemon'' (promotional video)
193	** ''Radio/PokemonTheBirthOfMewtwo'' (radio drama)
194	** ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' ([[LiveActionAdaptation live action film adaptation]] of ''VideoGame/DetectivePikachu'')
195	* ''Website/PokemonLearningLeague''
196	* ''Series/PackYourPocketWithAdventure''
197	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' (The series has been represented since the first installment.)
198	** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros64''
199	** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''
200	** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl''
201	** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU''
202	** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''
203	** ''Wrestling/SuperSmashBrosSlamfest99''
204	* Toys/{{amiibo}} (A few Pokémon amiibo have been released, and some games unlock Pokémon-themed content based on those amiibo.)
205	* Also see [[FanWorks/{{Pokemon}} Fan Works]]
206	----
207	[[/folder]]
208
209	[[/index]]
210	----
211	!!Examples found in ''Pokémon'':[[index]]
212	* Pokemon/TropesAToI
213	* Pokemon/TropesJToR
214	* Pokemon/TropesSToZ
215	[[/index]]
216	----
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Context Franchise / Pokemon