Pokémon (Video Games)

Officially Pokémon Main Series RPG

Legendary Japanese role-playing video game franchise (1996-present) by Game Freak/Nintendo — players capture, train, and battle 1000+ fictional creatures ('Pokémon') across turn-based RPG adventures — best-selling media franchise in history ($150+ billion revenue).

📐gaming console / mobile device⏱~40 min🌤indoor

What is Pokémon (Video Games)?

Pokémon (short for 'Pocket Monsters') is a Japanese video game franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri, developed by Game Freak, and published by Nintendo/The Pokémon Company (1996-present). Concept: player as young trainer traveling a region, catching wild 'Pokémon' creatures using Poké Balls, training them, battling other trainers, and completing a Pokédex (encyclopedia of species). Combat is turn-based with type-based rock-paper-scissors mechanics (18 elemental types: Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, etc.). Started as Pokémon Red + Green (Japan, 1996; USA as Red + Blue 1998) on Game Boy. Currently 9 main generations spanning 25+ years — Red/Blue → Gold/Silver → Ruby/Sapphire → Diamond/Pearl → Black/White → X/Y → Sun/Moon → Sword/Shield → Scarlet/Violet. Also: spin-off games (Pokémon Snap, Pokémon GO, Pokémon Unite, Colosseum, Ranger, Mystery Dungeon), TCG (Trading Card Game), anime (1997-present), merchandise, movies. Best-selling video game franchise (~440M copies) + best-selling media franchise in history ($150+ billion cumulative revenue). Pokémon GO (2016 AR mobile game) generated $6+ billion. Competitive scene: VGC (Video Game Championships) doubles format Pokémon World Championships since 2009. Cultural phenomenon spanning generations of children + adults.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Capture Pokémon, defeat 8 Gym Leaders + Elite Four to become Regional Champion. Complete Pokédex (catch all species). In competitive: defeat opponent in turn-based battles.

Match structure

Story mode: player controls trainer walking through overworld regions, catching Pokémon, defeating trainers + Gym Leaders + Elite Four. Battles: turn-based 6v6 (or 3v3 in newer generations); each side picks 1 Pokémon at time; moves chosen from menu; damage calculated via type advantages + stats.

Rules

Basic rules

Trainer catches Pokémon
Encounter wild Pokémon in grass/water/caves. Throw Poké Ball to catch; success depends on Pokémon's HP + type of ball.
Battle turn-based
Each trainer's turn: choose action (attack, switch Pokémon, use item, run). Fastest Pokémon (by Speed stat) moves first.
18 elemental types
Each Pokémon + attack has 1-2 types. Type advantages: Fire > Grass, Water > Fire, Electric > Water, etc. Damage doubled (super-effective) or halved (not very effective) based on match-up.
6-Pokémon team
Maximum 6 Pokémon carried; others stored in PC box.
8 Gym Leaders per region
Story mode: defeat 8 Gym Leaders to earn badges; then defeat Elite Four + Champion.
Complete Pokédex to win 'Master'
Catch all species (varies by game — 151 Kanto → 1025+ across all generations).
Levels + evolution
Pokémon gain XP from battles; level up to increase stats + learn moves; some evolve at specific levels/items.

Advanced rules

VGC (Video Game Championship) doubles format
Competitive format: 2v2 doubles; teams of 4-6 Pokémon; Bo3 matches. 5 moves + species restrictions per season.
EV (Effort Value) training
Pokémon get invisible stats from defeated opponents; max 252 EVs per stat (510 total); crucial for competitive.
IV (Individual Value) genetics
Each Pokémon has 0-31 hidden 'genes' per stat; hunt for perfect 31/31/31/31/31/31 Pokémon via breeding.
Natures + Abilities
Natures increase 1 stat + decrease another (Adamant, Modest, Timid, etc.). Abilities passive effects (Intimidate, Levitate).
Mega Evolution + Z-Moves + Dynamax
Recent mechanics: temporary battle transformations (Gen 6+); different eras had different signature gimmick.
Ranked battles online
Nintendo Switch Online offers ranked battle ladders; monthly seasons.
Pokémon Home (2020)
Cloud storage service; transfer Pokémon between games; unifying franchise catch history.
Shiny Pokémon (1/4096 chance)
Rare color variant; 1 in 4096 encounter chance; hunted by collectors.

Scoring

Story mode: complete Pokémon League + Pokédex. Competitive: win % + rating in ranked ladder / knockout tournaments.

Action	Points
Catch a new Pokémon	Pokédex entry
Defeat trainer battle	XP + prize money
Defeat Gym Leader	Gym badge
Defeat all 4 Elite + Champion	Regional Champion status
Competitive VGC win	Tournament advancement / rating points
Complete Pokédex (all species)	Diploma / achievements

Win condition · Story: become Regional Champion + complete Pokédex. Competitive: win tournaments / climb ladders.

Playing area

Called

gaming console / mobile device

Dimensions

Game Boy (original) through Nintendo Switch + mobile devices; screen sizes vary.

Turn-based combat in dedicated 'battle screens'; overworld exploration in top-down or 3D perspective depending on generation.

Equipment

Nintendo gaming console (Game Boy through Switch)
Every main-series Pokémon launches on newest Nintendo hardware — Game Boy (1996), Game Boy Color (1999), Game Boy Advance (2002), Nintendo DS (2006), 3DS (2013), Switch (2019), Switch 2 (2025).
Poké Balls (in-game item)
Item used to capture wild Pokémon; multiple variants (Great Ball, Ultra Ball, Master Ball, Quick Ball, Timer Ball).
TMs / TRs / HMs
Technical Machines teach moves to Pokémon; permanent (TM in Gen 5-7), one-use (TR), or reusable (Gen 8+).
Held items
Items Pokémon hold for battle bonuses (Leftovers, Choice Scarf, Life Orb, Focus Sash).
PC storage box
In-game system to store 1000+ captured Pokémon between adventures.
Berries + medicines
Consumable items for healing + status effects.

Officiating

Game software auto-officiates. VGC tournaments have Pokémon Professor referees for cheating detection.

Game logic (built-in)
Tournament Officials (VGC events)

Strategies

Type coverage in team
Build team with diverse types to counter opponent's team; avoid weakness to single type.
Speed control
Fastest Pokémon usually attacks first; use priority moves (Quick Attack, Fake Out) to outpace faster foes.
Item selection
Choice Scarf (speed boost), Focus Sash (survive 1 hit), Leftovers (healing) — items critical to strategy.
Prediction + mind games
Anticipate opponent's switch or attack; make counter-play — VGC essentially rock-paper-scissors at high level.
Weather teams (Sunny Day, Rain Dance)
Set up weather condition to boost your team's types + weaken opponent's.
Coverage moves
Give Pokémon moves outside their type to hit resistant opponents (e.g., Ice Beam on Water Pokémon).

Terminology

Pokémon: Fictional creatures; 1025+ species across franchise.
Trainer: The player character; catches + battles with Pokémon.
Poké Ball: Item used to catch Pokémon.
Gym: Location run by Gym Leader; defeat to earn badge.
Elite Four: 4 elite trainers defended before Champion; final challenge.
Champion: Region's top trainer; player becomes Champion by defeating them.
Pokédex: In-game encyclopedia of all species; goal to complete.
Evolution: Pokémon transforming into stronger form at certain level/condition.
Shiny: Rare color variant (1/4096 chance); collectors' delight.
IVs (Individual Values): Hidden 0-31 stat 'genes' per Pokémon; determines potential.
EVs (Effort Values): Stat gains from defeated opponents; max 252 per stat / 510 total.
Nature: Personality affecting stats — Adamant (+Attack, -SpAtk), etc.
Ability: Passive battle effect — Intimidate lowers opponents' Attack.
STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus): 50% damage boost when Pokémon uses move of same type as itself.
VGC: Video Game Championship — official competitive doubles format.
Meta: Current dominant strategies + Pokémon choices at competitive level.
Mega Evolution / Dynamax / Tera: Generation-specific battle gimmicks (Gen 6 / Gen 8 / Gen 9).

Major competitions

Pokémon World Championships (VGC)
annual (August) · worldwide · since 2009
Pokémon International Championships
quarterly (Regional/International rotation) · regional (NA, EU, LATAM, Oceania) · since 2013
Pokémon Regional Championships
monthly (annual circuit) · regional (USA, Europe, LATAM) · since 2009
Pokémon Local Championships
weekly-monthly · worldwide · since 2009

Where it is played

Governing bodies

The Pokémon Company (TPCi)
Founded 1998 · Bellevue, Washington + Tokyo, Japan
Official site ↗
Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Founded 1889 · Kyoto, Japan
Game Freak (developer)
Founded 1989 · Tokyo, Japan
Pokémon Championship Series (VGC organizer)
Founded 2009 · USA + Japan

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Ray Rizzo (USA) — 3× consecutive Pokémon World Champion VGC (2010, 2011, 2012); considered GOAT
Wolfe Glick (USA, b. 1995) — 2016 World Champion; popular Pokémon content creator (YouTube)
Sejun Park (South Korea) — 2014 World Champion using Pachirisu team — legendary underdog story
Ryota Otsubo (Japan) — 2013 World Champion; Japanese dominance era
Ryuki Ito (Japan) — 2024 Junior VGC World Champion; competitive prodigy
James Baek (USA) — Multiple International Championships wins
Gavin Michaels (USA) — 2023 Junior VGC World Champion (age 12 winner)
Aaron Zheng (USA) — Popular VGC content creator + Cinderace tournament runner

Records

Best-selling video game franchise
Pokémon (Game Freak/Nintendo) — 440+ million copies sold (2024)
Best-selling media franchise ever
Pokémon — $150+ billion cumulative revenue (2024)
Highest-grossing mobile game (Pokémon GO)
Niantic/Pokémon Company — $6+ billion cumulative revenue since 2016 (2024)
Most Pokémon World Championship wins
Ray Rizzo (USA) — 3 consecutive (2010, 2011, 2012) (2012)
Most Pokémon in a single game
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet + DLC — 1025+ Pokémon across franchise (2023)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Play story mode
Any main-series game — Scarlet/Violet (current) or classic Red/Blue on Switch Online.
2
Learn type chart
18 types + advantages/weaknesses; foundational for all Pokémon play.
3
Watch official tutorials
Pokémon YouTube channel + community guides (Marriland, Aaron Zheng).

intermediate

1
Try VGC online battles
Nintendo Switch Online ranked ladder; free with Switch Online subscription.
2
Learn EV training + IV breeding
Optimize competitive Pokémon; 5-10 hours per Pokémon perfectly bred + trained.
3
Local tournaments
Pokémon Center + local game stores host Championship Series events monthly.

advanced

1
Championship Point (CP) grinding
Earn CP at Regional Championships; top players earn invites to World Championships.
2
International Championships (4 per year)
NA, EU, LATAM, Oceania each; travel required.
3
World Championships (annual)
Top players from each region; approximately 1000 competitors globally each year.

Frequently asked

What is Pokémon?+

Pokémon (short for 'Pocket Monsters') is a Japanese video game franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri (Game Freak) + published by Nintendo/The Pokémon Company since 1996. Players are 'trainers' who catch, train, and battle fictional creatures called Pokémon (1025+ species across generations). Turn-based RPG combat with type-based mechanics. Best-selling video game franchise in history + best-selling media franchise ever ($150+ billion revenue including toys, anime, TCG, movies).

How many Pokémon are there?+

1025+ Pokémon species (Generation 1-9 combined, as of Scarlet + Violet + DLC 2024). Progression: Gen 1 (Red/Blue, 1996) = 151 → Gen 2 (Gold/Silver, 1999) = 251 → Gen 3 (Ruby/Sapphire, 2002) = 386 → Gen 4 (Diamond/Pearl, 2006) = 493 → Gen 5 (Black/White, 2010) = 649 → Gen 6 (X/Y, 2013) = 721 → Gen 7 (Sun/Moon, 2016) = 809 → Gen 8 (Sword/Shield, 2019) = 898 → Gen 9 (Scarlet/Violet, 2022) = 1025+.

What are the 18 Pokémon types?+

Type chart: Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, Fairy. Rock-paper-scissors mechanics — Fire beats Grass, Water beats Fire, Electric beats Water, Grass beats Ground, etc. Understanding type chart = foundational Pokémon strategy. Dark (Gen 2), Steel (Gen 2), Fairy (Gen 6) added later; original 15 types since 1996.

Who is the greatest competitive Pokémon player?+

Ray Rizzo (USA) — 3× consecutive World Champion (2010, 2011, 2012); GOAT of VGC. Modern era: Wolfe Glick (USA, 2016 World Champion + popular content creator), Sejun Park (South Korea, 2014 World Champion with Pachirisu — legendary underdog story), Ryota Otsubo (Japan, 2013). Junior division prodigies emerge each generation. Championship Points accumulate throughout year; top players earn invitations.

How much money does Pokémon make?+

Pokémon is the best-selling media franchise in history — $150+ billion cumulative revenue. Sources: Main video games (440+ million copies), Pokémon GO ($6+ billion since 2016), Pokémon Trading Card Game ($1+ billion annually), anime + movies, merchandise (toys, apparel, home goods), licensing (McDonald's Happy Meals, etc.). Franchise reaches multi-generations — original 1996 players now share Pokémon with their children.

What is Pokémon GO?+

Augmented Reality mobile game (2016) by Niantic Labs (partnership with Nintendo/Pokémon Company). Players walk around real-world locations to find + catch Pokémon overlaid on smartphone camera. 'Gyms' at real landmarks; battles + raids. Cultural phenomenon summer 2016 — 500+ million downloads first year; caused pedestrian traffic + accidents. Still popular 2024; $6+ billion cumulative revenue. Different from main series RPG but shares core catching mechanics.

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Pokémon (video game series)— Wikipedia
The Pokémon Company— The Pokémon Company

Last verified 2026-08-24.community