Changes

Players take the role of a [[Pokémon Trainer]], seeking to capture wild Pokémon with [[Poké Ball]]s, small spheres in which captured creatures live.  In each game (excluding Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee), the trainer begins by selecting one of three "starter Pokémon" that are either Grass, Fire, or Water types.  These Pokémon 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. The player must also 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 Pokémon deemed "Legendary" have power far superior to other Pokémon, and only appear once in each game. Some Pokémon are only given in [[Nintendo]]-held events, and while most of these events give away "Mythical" Pokémon that cannot be obtained otherwise, there are many exceptions.

Players take the role of a [[Pokémon Trainer]], seeking to capture wild Pokémon with [[Poké Ball]]s, small spheres in which captured creatures live.  In each game (excluding Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee), the trainer begins by selecting one of three "starter Pokémon" that are either Grass, Fire, or Water types.  These Pokémon 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. The player must also 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 Pokémon deemed "Legendary" have power far superior to other Pokémon, and only appear once in each game. Some Pokémon are only given in [[Nintendo]]-held events, and while most of these events give away "Mythical" Pokémon 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 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, nor can they catch another trainer's Pokémon. 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 Pokémon (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). ''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.

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. Several Pokémon in Generation VIII gain new forms when they Gigantamax, Pikachu's Gigantamax form resembling the older art style when Pokémon first came around.

There are also many spinoff games, such as the Pokémon Stadium series for the Nintendo 64, in which players could put their Pokémon cartridges into special adapters and battle Pokémon in 3D. Also for the Nintendo 64 is Pokémon Snap, in which the player is a Pokémon photographer, and travels around through Pokémon's habitats and snaps photos of them. Pokémon Pinball also came out for Game Boy Color, which was a pinball game in which Pokémon could also be caught in order to fill a Pokédex. Pokémon have also appeared in every one of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series. In the same vein as Pokémon Stadium, there are also Pokémon Colosseum (GameCube) and Pokémon Battle Revolution (Wii) There is also Pokémon Red and Blue Rescue Teams for the DS, which are based on a short-lived cartoon series by the same name.

There are also many spinoff games, such as the Pokémon Stadium series for the Nintendo 64, in which players could put their Pokémon cartridges into special adapters and battle Pokémon in 3D. Also for the Nintendo 64 is Pokémon Snap, in which the player is a Pokémon photographer, and travels around through Pokémon's habitats and snaps photos of them. Pokémon Pinball also came out for Game Boy Color, which was a pinball game in which Pokémon could also be caught in order to fill a Pokédex. Pokémon have also appeared in every one of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series. In the same vein as Pokémon Stadium, there are also Pokémon Colosseum (GameCube) and Pokémon Battle Revolution (Wii) There is also Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, a set of spinoff games where a human is turned into a Pokémon and transported to a world of talking Pokémon; the Red and Blue Rescue Team games are based on a short-lived cartoon series by the same name.

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.

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.