Changes

Many Pokémon, with sufficient training, use of stones, high friendship, or any other requirement depending on the Pokémon, will spontaneously change form, developing into a larger, stronger species. This process is called "evolution", however some Pokémon don't have this. In addition, despite the term's name, 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-evolved 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, use of stones, high friendship, or any other requirement depending on the Pokémon, will spontaneously change form, developing into a larger, stronger species. This process is called "evolution", however some Pokémon don't have this. In addition, despite the term's name, 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-evolved 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|language=English}}</ref>

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

On July 6, 2016, ''Pokemon GO'' was released for iOS and Android devices.  The game has since become a massive hit, essentially breathing new life into the ''Pokemon'' franchise.  The next two games in the main series, ''Pokemon Sword'' and ''Pokemon Shield'' will introduce the eight generation of Pokemon.  The current release date is November 15, 2019.

On July 6, 2016, ''Pokemon GO'' was released for iOS and Android devices.  The game has since become a massive hit, essentially breathing new life into the ''Pokemon'' franchise.  The next two games in the main series, ''Pokemon Sword'' and ''Pokemon Shield'' will introduce the eight generation of Pokemon.  The current release date is November 15, 2019.