Changes

Many Pokémon, with sufficient training, will spontaneously change form, developing into a larger, stronger species. This process is called "evolution", though it more closely resembles growing up and maturing, or the metamorphosis of insects, and has little to nothing to do with the [[Theory of Evolution]]. Many Pokémon species can evolve multiple times, and many species can only be obtained by evolving more basic ones. In addition, some Pokemon can evolve in more than one different path instead of the linear evolutionary path most Pokemon take, and a good number of Pokemon have gained the ability to evolve in a game after their introduction. Generation VI introduced a special form of evolution called "Mega Evolution". In order to "Mega evolve" a Pokemon must be holding its respective "Mega stone". This process typically results in the increase in all of the Pokemon's stats other than HP. Some stats may be lowered, such as in the case of Mega Garchomp, which suffers a drop in speed, in exchange for a large increase ,in most of its other stats. However,there are restriction on this, Players can only have a single Mega- volved Pokemon on their team at a time and the Pokemon also loses the ability to hold other items, which may be more useful due to certain effects such as healing. This restriction  , however, is not held by Mega Rayquaza, which only has to know a certain move to Mega Evolve. Players may also breed their Pokémon with each other by leaving them in a daycare, where the player can eventually obtain an egg. Eggs eventually hatch into Pokémon, giving the player another option for acquiring new Pokémon.

Many Pokémon, with sufficient training, will spontaneously change form, developing into a larger, stronger species. This process is called "evolution", though it more closely resembles growing up and maturing, or the metamorphosis of insects, and has little to nothing to do with the [[Theory of Evolution]]. Many Pokémon species can evolve multiple times, and many species can only be obtained by evolving more basic ones. In addition, some Pokemon can evolve in more than one different path instead of the linear evolutionary path most Pokemon take, and a good number of Pokemon have gained the ability to evolve in a game after their introduction. Generation VI introduced a special form of evolution called "Mega Evolution". In order to "Mega evolve" a Pokemon must be holding its respective "Mega stone". This process typically results in the increase in all of the Pokemon's stats other than HP. Some stats may be lowered, such as in the case of Mega Garchomp, which suffers a drop in speed, in exchange for a large increase ,in most of its other stats. However,there are restriction on this, Players can only have a single Mega- volved Pokemon on their team at a time and the Pokemon also loses the ability to hold other items, which may be more useful due to certain effects such as healing. This restriction  , however, is not held by Mega Rayquaza, which only has to know a certain move to Mega Evolve. Players may also breed their Pokémon with each other by leaving them in a daycare, where the player can eventually obtain an egg. Eggs eventually hatch into Pokémon, giving the player another option for acquiring new Pokémon.

Additionally, other video games featuring the Pokémon characters have been released, including ''Pokémon Pinball'' and the ''Pokémon Ranger'' series.<ref name="offwev">{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/#videogames_1|title=Pokemon.com|work=The Official Pokémon Website|format=HTML|language=English}}</ref>

Additionally, other video games featuring the Pokémon characters have been released, including ''Pokémon Pinball'' and the ''Pokémon Ranger'' series.<ref name="offwev">{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/#videogames_1|title=Pokemon.com|work=The Official Pokémon Website|language=English}}</ref>

==Other Media==

==Other Media==

The Pokémon video game franchise has been adapted into various other media. In 1997, it was adapted into a cartoon show for children which follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends, as well as their Pokémon. The program is notable for an episode aired only in Japan in which flashing lights caused by one monster's attack induced seizures in hundreds of viewers. Several films based on the series have been produced and released worldwide.<ref>Pokemon.com, The Official Pokémon Website [http://www.pokemon.com/#tvmovies]</ref> <ref> [http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/18/world/tv-cartoon-s-flashes-send-700-japanese-into-seizures.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 The New York Times; TV Cartoon's Flashes Send 700 Japanese Into Seizures]</ref>

The Pokémon video game franchise has been adapted into various other media. In 1997, it was adapted into a cartoon show for children which follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends, as well as their Pokémon. The program is notable for an episode aired only in Japan in which flashing lights caused by one monster's attack induced seizures in hundreds of viewers. Several films based on the series have been produced and released worldwide.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/#tvmovies Pokemon.com, The Official Pokémon Website]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/18/world/tv-cartoon-s-flashes-send-700-japanese-into-seizures.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 The New York Times; TV Cartoon's Flashes Send 700 Japanese Into Seizures]</ref>

The franchise also spawned a collectible "trading card game", where players duel using special decks consisting of cards representing different Pokémon species, as well as energy cards, which allow Pokémon to use their battle techniques, and trainer cards, which have special effects that influence the flow of battle. The game uses mechanics adapted from the video game, and features characters from the video game and from the cartoon.<ref name="cardgame">{{cite web|url=http://www.go-pokemon.com/|title=Go-Pokemon.com|work=The Official Pokémon TCG and OP Website|format=HTML|language=English}}</ref>

The franchise also spawned a collectible "trading card game", where players duel using special decks consisting of cards representing different Pokémon species, as well as energy cards, which allow Pokémon to use their battle techniques, and trainer cards, which have special effects that influence the flow of battle. The game uses mechanics adapted from the video game, and features characters from the video game and from the cartoon.<ref name="cardgame">{{cite web|url=http://www.go-pokemon.com/|title=Go-Pokemon.com|work=The Official Pokémon TCG and OP Website|language=English}}</ref>

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

==External Links==

==External links==

#[http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Website]

#[http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Website]

#[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page Bulbapedia, wiki with extensive franchise information]

#[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page Bulbapedia, wiki with extensive franchise information]

[[Category: Games]]

[[Category:Games]]

[[Category: Nintendo Franchises]]

[[Category:Nintendo Franchises]]