Changes

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 all of the opponent's Pokémon. If the player encounters a wild Pokémon, they can choose to attempt to capture it or run away, rather than knocking it out. Players cannot run-away from a trainer battle. A captured Pokémon joins the player, and this is the entire premise behind the series. However, this is not the only way a trainer can have Pokémon on his team. Pokémon can be given by in-game events (such as Eevee in the original games), an in-game trade (such as Mr. Mime) or can be hatched from an egg. Pokémon can also be bred, in specialized day care centers.  

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 all of the opponent's Pokémon. If the player encounters a wild Pokémon, they can choose to attempt to capture it or run away, rather than knocking it out. Players cannot run-away from a trainer battle. A captured Pokémon joins the player, and this is the entire premise behind the series. However, this is not the only way a trainer can have Pokémon on his team. Pokémon can be given by in-game events (such as Eevee in the original games), an in-game trade (such as Mr. Mime) or can be hatched from an egg. Pokémon can also be bred, in specialized day care centers.  

Originally, Pokémon could  be classified in one or two of 15 types.  This number was expanded to 17 in Generation II. This is later increased in Generation VI to 18 with the introduction of the Fairy type. Pokémon moves are further subdivided into physical and special moves each of which is controlled by a specialized attack and defense stat. Prior to the introduction of Generation IV, this split was originally based upon the moves type; however in Generation IV it became based upon developer designation. Most moves are mono-type; however, Generation VI introduced a dual type move, which deals different damage, than a move of its two constituent types. Generation 7 introduced Z Moves, moves that can be used once a battle (twice after using a Roto-Power in ''Ultra Sun'' or ''Ultra Moon'') and unleash devastating damage. To use a Z Move, a Pokémon is equipped a Z-Crystal, and several unique Z-Crystals are used for certain species of Pokemon (like Pikachu, Lycanroc, and Mimikyu).

Originally, Pokémon could  be classified in one or two of 15 types.  This number was expanded to 17 in Generation II. This is later increased in Generation VI to 18 with the introduction of the Fairy type. Pokémon moves are further subdivided into physical and special moves each of which is controlled by a specialized attack and defense stat. Prior to the introduction of Generation IV, this split was originally based upon the moves type; however in Generation IV it became based upon developer designation. Most moves are mono-type; however, Generation VI introduced a dual type move, which deals different damage, than a move of its two constituent types. Generation 7 introduced Z Moves, moves that can be used once a battle (twice after using a Roto-Power in ''Ultra Sun'' or ''Ultra Moon'') and unleash devastating damage. To use a Z Move, a Pokémon is equipped a Z-Crystal, and several unique Z-Crystals are used for certain species of Pokémon (like Pikachu, Lycanroc, and Mimikyu).

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. 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 Pokémon can evolve in more than one different path instead of the linear evolutionary path most Pokémon take, and a good number of Pokémon 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 Pokémon must be holding its respective "Mega Stone". This process typically results in the increase in all of the Pokémon'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 Pokémon on their team at a time and the Pokémon 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. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield added "Dynamaxing" and "Gigantmaxing", which makes the Pokémon grow to gigantic size and battle as a giant for a few rounds.

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. 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 Pokémon can evolve in more than one different path instead of the linear evolutionary path most Pokémon take, and a good number of Pokémon 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 Pokémon must be holding its respective "Mega Stone". This process typically results in the increase in all of the Pokémon'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 Pokémon on their team at a time and the Pokémon 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. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield added "Dynamaxing" and "Gigantmaxing", which makes the Pokémon grow to gigantic size and battle as a giant for a few rounds.

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>

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, ''Pokémon GO'' was released for iOS and Android devices.  The game has since become a massive hit, essentially breathing new life into the ''Pokémon'' franchise.  The latest two games in the main series, ''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Pokémon Shield'' introduced the eight generation of Pokémon, later producing two DLCs called "Isle of Armor" and "The Crown Tundra".

On July 6, 2016, ''Pokémon GO'' was released for iOS and Android devices.  The game has since become a massive hit, essentially breathing new life into the ''Pokémon'' franchise.  The latest two games in the main series - ''Brilliant Diamond'' and ''Shining Pearl'' (remakes of the 2007 games ''Diamond'' and ''Pearl'' - will be released in late 2021.

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==Other Media==