Why Pokemon Is The Biggest Franchise In Gaming

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Pokémon is a massive gaming franchise, consistently selling millions of games annually. The anime series is also incredibly popular, and the franchise has built a huge and growing fanbase over the last three decades, with its characters becoming iconic figures in pop culture.

As a huge Pokémon fan, I’ve often wondered how this little RPG series became such a massive phenomenon! It’s honestly hard to imagine life *without* Pokémon, especially since the franchise will be thirty years old in 2026. There are so many reasons why it’s become one of the biggest names in gaming, but if I had to pick the most important, I’d say there are eight key things that really made it special.

A Revolutionary Concept Done Right

It Single-Handedly Popularized The Monster-Taming Subgenre

Games where you collect and train monsters have existed for a long time – even before *Pokémon*. Many people consider *Shin Megami Tensei* to be the origin of this type of game. However, *Pokémon*, with the release of *Red/Blue/Green* in the late 1990s, truly made monster-taming games popular and changed the world of gaming.

The original *Pokemon* games were more appealing to a wider audience than other monster-collecting RPGs of the time, thanks to their bright world, simple graphics, and engaging characters. But the biggest innovation was the ability to trade Pokemon with friends using the Game Boy Link Cable and different game versions. While monster-taming games existed before *Pokemon*, these games truly popularized the genre and inspired many later titles, such as *Digimon* and *Monster Rancher*.

The Designs Of The Pokemon Themselves

A Lot Of Time And Care Went Into Designing These Creatures

While the *Pokemon* series isn’t without its flaws, one thing Game Freak consistently delivers on is the Pokemon designs themselves. For decades, their skilled artists have expertly blended inspiration from the real world – like animals, plants, dinosaurs, and folklore – to create remarkably unique and memorable creatures in the world of video games.

Pokémon are visually appealing and attract a wide range of fans, thanks to the franchise’s incredible diversity. Iconic Pokémon like Pikachu, with its friendly and recognizable design, and Charizard, the powerful fire-breathing dragon, have broad appeal. Others, like Lucario, evoke the style of popular anime heroes. Even lesser-known Pokémon, such as Mr. Mime and Flamigo, often have surprisingly clever design details.

Impeccable World Building

Who Doesn’t Want To Live In The Pokemon World?

Pokémon captivated people worldwide not only because of the creatures themselves, but also because of the detailed and imaginative world they inhabit. Fans frequently mention the Pokémon universe when talking about fictional places they’d want to live, and it’s easy to see why. Pokémon aren’t just used for battles; they’ve deeply impacted the society, culture, and politics of their world, even inspiring unique myths and legends that echo classic folklore.

It’s heartwarming to watch characters interact with Pokémon in their daily lives, and this creates countless opportunities for compelling stories, whether in turn-based RPGs or other game genres. It’s also crucial to remember that the human characters are a major reason for Pokémon’s huge success. Characters like Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, Champions, Pokémon Professors, and Rivals have become some of the most beloved and recognizable figures in video game history.

Universal Appeal

It Has Something For Everyone

While *Pokémon* is primarily aimed at children, it also offers plenty for adults to enjoy. Kids are drawn to its simple and fun role-playing gameplay, but experienced gamers appreciate the surprisingly deep and strategic battle system, which has fostered a large and friendly competitive community.

Even if you’re not a fan of traditional turn-based RPGs, there’s a *Pokémon* game for you! The franchise offers a wide variety of spin-offs in different genres – *Pokémon UNITE* for MOBA players, *Pokken Tournament* for fighting game fans, *Pokémon TCG Pocket* for trading card game lovers, and *Pokémon Snap* for those who enjoy photography, to name a few. Plus, you don’t even need to be a gamer to experience *Pokémon* – there are numerous animated series and even a live-action movie based on this popular world and its creatures.

Can Be Easily Adapted To Other Mediums

Pokemon Has Dominated The Animation Industry Since The 90s

When people talk about successful multimedia franchises, *Pokémon* is almost always the first example that comes to mind, and for good reason. While *Pokémon* began as a unique series of role-playing video games, it’s likely most people know the brand because of the *Pokémon* animated series, which has been running for nearly three decades.

From 1996 to 2023, the adventures of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu charmed audiences worldwide, and other *Pokémon* series like *Pokémon Horizons* and *Pokémon Evolutions* have also been incredibly popular. The franchise’s creative creature designs and detailed world make it perfect for adaptations beyond video games – including anime, cartoons, and movies – attracting new fans and expanding its overall appeal.

The Mainline Entries Are Very Accessible

Most Gamers Learned What An RPG Is By Playing These Games

I always hear people knock *Pokemon* and call it a super easy RPG, like something a little kid would play. But honestly, I think that’s part of why it’s so huge! It’s easy to pick up and play, which means anyone can enjoy it, and that’s awesome.

The core *Pokémon* games avoid the common complaints about turn-based RPGs – that they’re slow or dull – by including gameplay elements that are simple to pick up but offer a lot of depth. They also consistently add features that make playing smoother and more enjoyable. RPGs are vital to the gaming world, and *Pokémon* has done a great job of introducing a new generation to the genre, turning many of them into lifelong fans.

Perfect For Fan-Made Creations

A Creative Franchise With A Creative Fan Base

The Pokémon world is remarkably detailed and imaginative, and it’s no surprise that its biggest fans are just as creative as the people who originally designed it. For the past thirty years, Pokémon has inspired artists, developers, and designers to create their own amazing fan projects, showcasing their talents and love for the series.

Fans fascinated by the intricate world of Pokémon creation have designed countless original creatures, often called “Fakemon,” that rival the quality of official Pokémon. These fans – including character designers and storytellers – have built entire worlds and narratives around their creations. Many aspiring game developers have even made their own fan games and modified existing ones to explore ideas not found in the official releases. Some have gone even further, channeling their passion into completely new games inspired by Pokémon, such as *Cassette Beasts* and *Temtem*. For these dedicated fans, Pokémon isn’t just a game; it’s a source of artistic inspiration that fuels their own creative projects.

The Franchise Is Always Evolving

The Pokemon Formula Has Changed A Lot Over The Years

The *Pokemon* games follow a familiar pattern: players create a character, pick a starter Pokemon, explore a region, catch and train Pokemon, battle an evil organization, and defeat eight Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and the Pokemon Champion. Given this predictable structure, it’s surprising how popular the series remains – what keeps players coming back?

For those who haven’t played a *Pokémon* game recently, the series is constantly reinventing itself with new gameplay features in each installment. These changes range from small updates, like improved online play, to bigger additions designed to draw in new players, such as Mega Evolution or Gigantamax Pokémon. Each *Pokémon* game offers something unique, ensuring the series continues to appeal to a wide audience. Recent releases like *Scarlet and Violet*, with its open world, and the upcoming *Legends: Z-A*, featuring real-time battles, have shaken things up in exciting ways. Game Freak’s commitment to regularly revitalizing the formula is a key reason why *Pokémon* has remained popular for so many years.

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2025-09-26 03:08