The Pokemon franchise has been around for more than 20 years, and it shows no sign of letting up. It has sustained and continued growth for so long — what is its secret? This article talks about Pokemon’s history and the reasons why it’s still one of the most popular franchises in the market today.

Brief History of Pocket Monsters

The idea of pocket monsters you can train and trade with other players came from the imaginative mind of Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri. Tajiri was an avid bug collector, and that was where he developed the idea for pocket-sized monsters.

The game was in development for six years. In 1996, Pocket Monsters Aka and Midori (Red and Green) was finally released, instantly skyrocketing to success. Two years later, the game transitioned into the US under the name Pokemon Red and Green. With the unique creativity of this launch Pokémon Cards quickly became a global phenomenon, the like of which had never been seen before.

The rest, as they say, is history: the game spawned a TV show, card game, sequels, merchandise (toys, action figures, Pokeball, etc), and spin-off games. More than two decades laters, Pokemon remains a powerhouse phenomenon — it’s one of Nintendo’s best-selling game franchises worldwide.

Growing with the Audience

One of the biggest reasons for Pokemon’s staying power is its growth. When the first video games were released, children were their key audience. As these kids grew up, so did the franchise, releasing anime, movies, and other video games all under Pokemon.

To date, new Pokemon properties are still being developed and released. The newest among them is the Pokemon Unite video game from Nintendo Switch. Pokemon Go has also been a phenomenal success — it requires players to catch virtual Pokemon using real-world environments, effectively engaging both kids and adults alike.

Overall, as Pokemon’s audience grows and grows big, there’s always something new for them to enjoy. This formula never gets old.

Interactiveness

Pokemon games are social games. Transcending multiplayer approaches to gaming, Pokemon has allowed players to face each other while playing instead of doing it side by side.

The minds behind the franchise have also given players convenience through a handheld console. Gamers no longer need to invite friends to play on a bulky gaming console — they can simply meet up wherever they prefer and start trading cards or battle each other right from their handheld devices.

This social and interactive element has become a primary attraction that keeps players coming back to the Pokemon franchise over the years.

Engaging Characters

From Ash and Pikachu to the Team Rocket, the Pokemon franchise is filled with memorable characters that arguably are the ones selling the brand. The overarching premise is simple: the characters train monsters to fight.

Catching Pokemons has always been the simple yet engaging narrative of the whole franchise. What made this more appealing are the unique and engaging characters that are released every time new material comes out. 

Of course, the new monsters that come out often are also a primary attraction. Who wouldn’t love Pikachu in a detective role? What legendary Pokemon is lurking behind your house? Check your Pokemon Go app to know!

Overall, the franchise’s characters are always relatable to kids and adults alike, and the company makes it a point to tease new stories and journeys with them. This strategy is undoubtedly effective.

Generation-Focused Approach

The Pokemon franchise focuses on generations of gamers instead of years. They focus on promoting the brand as a whole. If a new video game is released, it incorporates all current manga, anime, TV shows and movies, and trading cards.

In other words, the various channels don’t exist independently; they’re all part of a whole. Think of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its phases. Each movie is a part of a bigger narrative in a bigger phase. The same applies to Pokemon, except it incorporates various types of media and not only movies.