
A lot has happened in the past 20 years of Poké-history, and now we have it conveniently summarized for us in nine info-packed minutes.
Can you believe that it was 20 long years ago when RPG sensation Pokémon first came out? Just take a second to work out how old you would have been on the day it launched. The beauty of Pokémon, however, is that it is a true trans-generational favorite—nowadays it wouldn’t be out of the question to see a parent and their child chatting away about the finer details of the game/anime/world-power, as if the two of them got into it at the exact same point.
Producer FootofaFerret and YouTuber The Game Theorists break down the history of the world’s most popular video game starting with its creators, Game Freak, when it was still a magazine about video games.
▼Pre-video game production “Game Freak”.
The video moves through the released games one by one (or really two by two, as they’re usually released in pairs), including interesting facts and special releases along the way.
▼ Can you believe that there have been 25 games released so far, not even considering the infinite amount of spin-offs?
▼ Brace yourself for Pokemon overload (in the best way).
Here’s to many more years of Pokémon!
Source/Images: YouTube/The Game Theorists h/t Laughing Squid



Pokémon’s full minute-long version of epic Super Bowl ad streamed to celebrate 20th anniversary
24-karat gold Pikachu card released to celebrate Pokémon card game’s 20th anniversary
To celebrate Pokémon anime’s 20th anniversary, superfan redoes his fan art from 20 years ago
First-generation Japanese Pokémon trading cards to be reissued for the game’s 20th anniversary
Almost everyone thinks Pokémon is made by Nintendo, and almost everyone is wrong, says producer
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Osaka icon loses legs, restaurant says famous crab is exhausted
Daiso’s 100-yen ramen egg makers even better in smaller sizes
Pro gamer has perfect comeback to Sega exec’s “He looks like he eats cheese beef bowls” insult
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Visiting the Kikyoya Shingen Mochi theme park takes some planning–but it’s a stop worth making!
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Osaka establishes first designated smoking area in Dotonbori canal district to fight “overtourism”
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Pokémon chooses Katy Perry for 25th anniversary celebration song teased in awesome Poké Ball video
Creators of Pokémon Go apologise for game’s late arrival in video address to players in Japan
Nintendo announces new Switch RPG from the developers of the world-famous Pokémon series
The best, most adorable “Pokémon 20th anniversary” artwork shared online by fans
Pokémon fans around the world distraught at the limited number of Pokémon in upcoming games
Pokémon game developer Game Freak is now hiring, holding online interviews for new jobs
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon revealed to be the last Pokémon RPGs for the Nintendo 3DS
Pokémon is going open-world with brand-new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games【Video】
Pokémon video game developer will allow employees to choose four-day work week
Gigantic, kaiju-class Pokémon battles are part of the new Pokémon Sword and Shield games【Video】
Hands on with New Pokémon Snap! Is the Poké-photo game fun to play with your kids?
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Pokémon Prism is the latest Pokémon fan game, but how long does it have to live? 【Video】
PS4 20th Anniversary edition console sells at auction for jaw-dropping price
Mobile release of Pokémon Quest celebrated with “Real Pokémon Quest” events and Twitter campaign
Casio Baby-G teams up with Pokémon for special, limited-edition, anniversary Pikachu watch