Pokémon games have been a part of the gaming landscape for more than two decades now. Starting with Red and Blue, players were able to explore the world of Pokémon on their GameBoy consoles. Over the years, we’ve seen these games get more powerful with each new release that has come out. In honor of the release of the first game being released 25 years ago, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come in this journey from our first steps into Kanto all those many years ago.
The First Pokémon Game: Red and Blue
The first Pokémon game was released in 1996. It was released to the Japanese market for the Nintendo Game Boy under the title “Pocket Monsters Red & blue.” The games are role-playing video games that allow players to capture creatures called Pokémon. The games were successful, especially in Japan. Satoshi Tajiri created the Pokémon series and Ken Sugimori was the character designer, who worked with Nintendo under the gaming development company, Game Freak.
The 4th generation of Pokemon games was released in 2006. It was released for the Nintendo DS and features updated graphics and gameplay elements.
Red and Blue had a total of 151 original creatures to catch and train, which made it more fun for players. It also included a new concept called “Experience Points” where players could collect points in order to make their Pokémon stronger.
Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and HeartGold
It was also in 1999 that “Pokemon Gold & Silver” was released for the Game Boy Color. As part of the second generation, players were able to explore an expanded world with Johto. More Pokemon were introduced, but better yet, there were ways to trade and battle other trainers using a wireless connection. That same year also saw the release of “Pokémon Crystal”, which added animations and upgraded graphics.
Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire
Three years later in 2002, Nintendo released “Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire” for its newest handheld device at the time, the Game Boy Advance. These games introduced us to a new region called Hoenn, which allowed players to collect new creatures called “evolved Pokémon” for the very first time. The games also came with a wireless trading system that allowed trainers to connect with each other and swap creatures using the Nintendo GameCube. They allowed players for the first time to customize their Pokémon trainer by choosing their gender, clothing, hairstyle, and skin color. In 2004 there was a remake of the original Pokémon games called “Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green”.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
The 4th generation of Pokemon games was released in 2006. It was released for the Nintendo DS and features updated graphics and gameplay elements. The new DS touchscreen allowed players to catch Pokémon more easily than with a traditional Nintendo Game Boy system and they could even trade and battle their opponents using a wireless connection. “Pokemon Diamond & Pearl” was also the first time that trainers could create teams of six Pokémon at once, which lead to more strategic battles.
Pokémon Black and White
The fifth generation of Pokémon games was released in 2010. “Pokémon Black & White” were the first 3D Pokemon games to be released on the Nintendo DS. This generation introduced a new mode called “Triple Battles” which increased the level of strategy and teambuilding in battles, by making each player have a team of three fighters.
The game also came with a new feature called “battling online” that allowed players from all over the world to play against each other in battle.
Pokémon X and Y
The sixth generation of Pokémon games was released in 2013. “Pokémon X & Y” allowed players to explore a new region called Kalos and work their way through the game’s story. Along the way, trainers could catch more than 100 new species of Pokémon and trade with friends using wireless connections.
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Between 2013 and now, there were 2 more generations of Pokémon games. “Pokémon Sun and Moon” was the 7th generation and it came out in 2016. This game introduced trainer customization, which allowed trainers to customize their appearance, as well as explore a new region called Alola with new creatures that trainers could capture. There were also more RPG-style adventures with quests that trainers had to complete along the way. The latest generation of Pokémon games is “Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu!” and “Let’s Go Eevee!”, which launched in 2019 for Nintendo Switch!
Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee!
The newest Pokémon games “Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu!” and “Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee” were released in 2019. These games follow the story of the original Pokémon Red and Blue Game Boy generation.
Between 2013 and now, there were 2 more generations of Pokémon games. “Pokémon Sun and Moon” was the 7th generation and it came out in 2016.
The two Nintendo Switch games are exciting for all players of all generations because it takes us back to where it all started, exploring the world with Pikachu by our side. There is also an option to use motion controls for catching Pokémon, which should make the game more immersive than ever before!
Pokémon Sword and Shield Bundle for Switch (nintendo switch)
Nintendo is offering Pokémon Sword and Shield owners an opportunity to purchase the two games individually, or together, but it’s not really saving any money. Fans who want both will find this package convenient for their collections or if they’re looking forward to starting a new adventure on Switch soon enough – nothing more though!
Pokémon in 2021
To date, there are 898 Pokémon in the game franchise as of 2021. You can check out the full list at Pokemon DB. Currently, there is an abundance of rare Pokémon to be found. Some that you can currently get in-game include Sandile and Noibat which are both common but have high IVs for their stats as well as Azelf, Mesprit, or Uxie depending on how far into the game they’re at when captured; Unown, Axew, Tirtouga, Archen, Goomy- all being uncommon with low odds though Grooming appears more often than not so make sure to keep your CP up if possible!
Managing and running (mostly) successfully multiple eCommerce lines of Business. Writing enthusiastically for the past 7 years. In between loves to travel and explore worldwide culture.
