On February 27, 1996, the first two original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green were released in Japan to moderate success. Two years later, the games would find their way to America where the concept of training super-powered monsters to fight against each other became a huge phenomenon, attracting kids and adults alike. The games only grew in popularity and content from there with the original number of 151 Pokémon growing to the massive number of 718 Pokémon today. As the franchise grew along with the fan base while marketing to youth, Pokémon was able to bridge a multi-generational gap that many franchises of the sort wish they could cross. Today, Pokémon is one of the most recognizable and beloved franchises in the video game industry and media as a whole.

Every game of Pokémon begin with a small, yet impactful choice. The player, or trainer as the game decrees, is given the choice between three Pokémon, each representing a different natural element of the Earth: fire, grass, and water. These Pokémon, called starters, grow with the trainer, getting better and better abilities as the trainer gets better at controlling them. With just one Pokémon, one trainer has the ability to catch a myriad of diverse and powerful Pokémon which inspired Pokémon’s once iconic phrase, “Gotta catch em’ all!” Over the years, this catchphrase became an almost impossible demand, and the slogan was dropped because of this. For the twentieth anniversary, the slogan returns along with new releases of old games, celebrating the legacy the video game has led.

On February 27, exactly twenty years after the original release, the first two games, Pokémon Red and Green, Red and Blue for America, were re-released on the Nintendo e-shop for the 3DS. So far millions are re-living their old or making new childhood memories with this classic games, but the festivities do not stop there. Two more Pokémon games, Detective Pikachu and Pokken Tournament, are to be released in the near future to help celebrate the anniversary. But more importantly, the main series is to be pushed further with the seventh generation of games, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, releasing later this year. Not much is known about the game as of yet, but many fans are already excited for what’s to come

Each generation of games adds more and more gameplay features and Pokémon to the already massive wealth that is currently present. I, for one, cannot wait for the newest iteration of games to hit the shelves. As a longtime fan, a new Pokémon game is always something to get excited for. Considering the amount of work they’re putting in just to celebrate the 20^th anniversary, what comes next must be truly spectacular.