Changes

|owned_by  = [[Nintendo]], [[Creatures (company)|Creatures]], [[Game Freak]]

|owned_by  = [[Nintendo]], [[Creatures (company)|Creatures]], [[Game Freak]]

|first_game = ''[[Pocket Monsters Red and Green Versions]]'' (1996, Japan)<br>''[[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]]'' (1998, international)

|first_game = ''[[Pocket Monsters Red and Green Versions]]'' (1996, Japan)<br>''[[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]]'' (1998, international)

|latest_game = ''[[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]]'' (2022)

|latest_game = ''[[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]]'' (2022)

|other_media = [[Pokémon (anime)|Anime]], [[Pokémon (manga)|Manga]], [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]]

|other_media = [[Pokémon (anime)|Anime]], [[Pokémon (manga)|Manga]], [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]]

|main_genre  = Role-playing game

|main_genre  = Role-playing game

'''''Pokémon''''' is a highly successful Japanese franchise that was introduced in the 1990s. Owned by [[Nintendo]] and developed by Game Freak, it has risen to become the second most successful video game franchise, behind Nintendo's own ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]''. The main games are of the [[role-playing game|role-playing]] genre.

'''''Pokémon''''' is a highly successful Japanese franchise that was introduced in the 1990s. Owned by [[Nintendo]] and developed by Game Freak, it has risen to become the second most successful video game franchise, behind Nintendo's own ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]''. The main games are of the [[role-playing game|role-playing]] genre.

The series focuses on capturing, training, battling, collecting and trading various monster species, known as Pokémon using a device called a Poké Ball. In the franchise, people who own Pokémon are named Pokémon Trainers. The most famous Pokémon is [[Pikachu]]. Pokémon are cataloged in a [[Pokédex]]. Once a Pokémon is captured, it can battle other wild Pokemon for either [[experience point]]s or to weaken them enough to capture them with a Poké Ball. They can also battle other trainers, as every trainer's goal is to become the champion. Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, and certain ones trump others in a [[Rock-Paper-Scissors]]-type manner. Examples of these are the Starter Pokémon from the main series: Fire trumps Grass; Grass trumps Water; Water trumps Fire. Pikachu, a Lightning-type Pokémon and the starter of ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'', trumps water. In the main ''Pokémon'' series and several spinoffs, the world is explored from an aerial view like with traditional role-playing titles.

The series focuses on capturing, training, battling, collecting and trading various monster species, known as Pokémon using a device called a Poké Ball. In the franchise, people who own Pokémon are named Pokémon Trainers. The most famous Pokémon is [[Pikachu]]. Pokémon are cataloged in a [[Pokédex]]. Once a Pokémon is captured, it can battle other wild Pokemon for either [[experience point]]s or to weaken them enough to capture them with a Poké Ball. They can also battle other trainers, as every trainer's goal is to become the champion. Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, and certain types trump others in a [[Rock-Paper-Scissors]]-type manner. Examples of these are the Starter Pokémon from the main series: Fire trumps Grass; Grass trumps Water; Water trumps Fire. Pikachu, a Lightning-type Pokémon and the starter of ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'', trumps water. In the main ''Pokémon'' series and several spinoffs, the world is explored from an aerial view like with traditional role-playing titles.

In Japan, Pokémon is referred to as ''Pocket Monsters''. The name was changed in North America due to another franchise called Monster In My Pocket. Pokémon is a romanization of Pocket Monster.

In Japan, Pokémon is referred to as ''Pocket Monsters''. The name was changed in North America due to another franchise called Monster In My Pocket. Pokémon is a romanization of Pocket Monster.

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.  

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). ''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.

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. ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Pokémon Violet'' introduce Terastallizing, when Pokemon crystallize and change their type to a Tera type; moves of the same type as this Tera Type become much more powerful.

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.

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.

Prior until ''Pokémon Sword and Shield''{{'}}s release on the Nintendo Switch (which is primarily marketed as a home console device but has handheld capabilities), all titles within the main ''Pokémon'' series were released for handheld devices. In the first four generations, each set of games were released for a different console: Generation I titles were released for the [[Game Boy]], Generation II titles were released for the [[Game Boy Color]], Generation III titles were released for the [[Game Boy Advance]], and Generation IV titles were released for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Generation V titles were also released for the Nintendo DS.

Prior until ''Pokémon Sword and Shield''{{'}}s release on the Nintendo Switch (which is primarily marketed as a home console device but has handheld capabilities), all titles within the main ''Pokémon'' series were released for handheld devices. In the first four generations, each set of games were released for a different console: Generation I titles were released for the [[Game Boy]], Generation II titles were released for the [[Game Boy Color]], Generation III titles were released for the [[Game Boy Advance]], and Generation IV titles were released for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Generation V titles were also released for the Nintendo DS.

The latest game in the main series, ''[[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]]'', was released in January 2022. The next set of main games that will introduce Generation IX - ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' - will be released in November 2022.

The latest games in the main series, ''[[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]]'', were released in November 2022, starting the ninth generation of Pokémon.

==Other media==

==Other media==