Changes

Pokémon was originally released in [[Japan]] in 1996 as a pair of cartridges, ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Green'', for the original [[Game Boy]] system. Three years later, the games were released as ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Blue'' in the United States and worldwide. The games feature similar gameplay, differing primarily in what monsters are available in each version. New versions of the game are released periodically, normally in pairs, to introduce new monsters and to take advantage of improving hardware technology. As of the release of ''Pokémon Black'' and ''Pokémon White'' in 2011 (2010 in Japan), there are 649 species of Pokémon available.

Pokémon was originally released in [[Japan]] in 1996 as a pair of cartridges, ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Green'', for the original [[Game Boy]] system. Three years later, the games were released as ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Pokémon Blue'' in the United States and worldwide. The games feature similar gameplay, differing primarily in what monsters are available in each version. New versions of the game are released periodically, normally in pairs, to introduce new monsters and to take advantage of improving hardware technology. As of the release of ''Pokémon Black'' and ''Pokémon White'' in 2011 (2010 in Japan), there are 649 species of Pokémon available.

Players take the role of a Pokémon trainer, seeking to capture wild Pokémon with "Pokéballs", small spheres in which captured creatures live. The player travels across the region challenging other trainers while raising their own Pokémon and capturing new ones. The games normally feature a sub-plot where the player, with the help of their Pokémon, foil the schemes of a criminal organization or terrorist group trying to use a "legendary" Pokemon to take over the world. The player must challenge eight advanced trainers known as "gym leaders" before they can challenge the "Elite Four" and the "League Champion", five of the strongest trainers in the region. The games also challenge the player to see and capture as many species as possible. However, this is made difficult due to different game versions having exclusive Pokémon, requiring the player to trade with other people who have the opposite game version. Certain Pokemon deemed "legendary" have power far superior to other Pokemon, and only appear once in each game. Some Pokemon are only given in [[Nintendo]]-held events, and while most of these events give away legendary Pokemon that cannot be obtained otherwise, there are many exceptions.

Players take the role of a Pokémon trainer, seeking to capture wild Pokémon with "Pokéballs", small spheres in which captured creatures live.  In each game (excluding Pokemon Yellow), the trainer begins by selecting one of three "starter Pokemon" that are either grass, fire, or water types.  These Pokemon each evolve twice. The player travels across the region challenging other trainers while raising their own Pokémon and capturing new ones. The games normally feature a sub-plot where the player, with the help of their Pokémon, foil the schemes of a criminal organization or terrorist group trying to use a "legendary" Pokemon to take over the world. The player must challenge eight advanced trainers known as "gym leaders" before they can challenge the "Elite Four" and the "League Champion", five of the strongest trainers in the region. The games also challenge the player to see and capture as many species as possible. However, this is made difficult due to different game versions having exclusive Pokémon, requiring the player to trade with other people who have the opposite game version. Certain Pokemon deemed "legendary" have power far superior to other Pokemon, and only appear once in each game. Some Pokemon are only given in [[Nintendo]]-held events, and while most of these events give away legendary Pokemon that cannot be obtained otherwise, there are many exceptions.

In a battle with a wild Pokémon or a match against a trainer, the player's Pokémon and the foe alternate using up to four learned moves, with the ultimate goal being to knock out the opponent. If the player encounters a wild Pokémon, they can choose to attempt to capture it, rather than knocking it out. A captured Pokémon joins the player, and this is the entire premise behind the series and the only way a trainer can have Pokemon on his team besides his starter.

In a battle with a wild Pokémon or a match against a trainer, the player's Pokémon and the foe alternate using up to four learned moves, with the ultimate goal being to knock out the opponent. If the player encounters a wild Pokémon, they can choose to attempt to capture it, rather than knocking it out. A captured Pokémon joins the player, and this is the entire premise behind the series and the only way a trainer can have Pokemon on his team besides his starter.