I think adorable little creatures that battle each other is just a unique concept thats fun for every generation.
Pokemon timeline
1st generation (1996-1999)1996: “Pokemon Red/Green” (Game Boy — Japanese premiere)1997: “Pokemon” animated TV series begins (Japanese premiere)1998: “Pokemon Red/Blue” (Game Boy — North American premiere); “Pokemon” animated TV series begins (North American premiere)1999: Pokemon Trading Card Game premieres; “Pokemon Yellow” (Game Boy), “Pokemon: The First Movie” in theaters2nd generation (2000-2002)2000: “Pokemon Gold/Silver” (Game Boy Color); “Pokemon: The Movie 2000” in theaters2001: “Pokemon Crystal” (Game Boy Color); “Pokemon 3: The Movie” in theaters; Pikachu balloon featured in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade for the first time2002: “Pokemon 4Ever” in theaters3rd generation (2003-2006)2003: “Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire” (Game Boy Advance); Heroes” in theaters (last American theatrical release); “Pokemon: Advanced Generation” TV series begins2004: “Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen” (Game Boy Advance); first Pokemon Trading Card Game World Championships held in Orlando, Fla.2005: “Pokemon Emerald” (Game Boy Advance)2006: First Pokemon Video Game National Championships held in New York City4th generation (2007-2010)2007: “Pokemon Diamond/Pearl” (DS); “Pokemon: Diamond & Pearl” TV series begins2008: 10th film “Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai” releases on DVD2009: “Pokemon Platinum” (DS); Pokemon World Championships held in San Diego combines trading card and video game tournaments for the first time2010: “Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver”5th generation (2011-2012)2011: “Pokemon Black/White” (DS); “Pokemon: Black & White” TV series begins2012: “Pokemon Black 2/White 2”; 15th film “Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” releases on DVD6th generation (2013-present)2013: “Pokemon X/Y” (3DS); “Pokemon: XY” TV series begins2014: “Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire” (3DS)2016: “Pokemon Z” (3DS — rumored)
By the numbers
68: Pokemon titles, including variants and re-releases, have been published.277 million: worldwide sales of all Pokemon video games.21.5 billion: Pokemon Trading Card Game cards shipped worldwide$25,000: Prize awarded to the winner of the 2015 Pokemon Trading Card Game World Championship in Boston.$40.1 billion: Value of the Pokemon franchise.718 Different Pokemon have appeared in the series.171: Number of potential Pokemon type-combinations.133: Types-combinations that have actually been used.19: Seasons in the ongoing Pokemon animated TV series.93: Countries and regions in which the animated series has aired.18: Number of Pokemon movies released.70 million: Tickets sold to Pokemon movies (as of September 2014).$645 million: Gross ticket sales for the Pokemon films (as of September 2014).900: Approximate number of episodes in the ongoing TV series.Sources: The Pokemon Co., Pokemon.com, ulbapedia, IGN.com
Monsters in your pocket
There are several Pokemon smartphone and tablet apps, including:› “Pokemon Shuffle” (iOS/Android), a matching puzzle game.› “Pokemon Jukebox” (Android), a library of music from the TV show and video games.› “Camp Pokemon” (iOS), a collection of videos, games and activities designed to familiarize newcomers to the mechanics of the Pokemon universe.› “Pokemon TV” (iOS/Android/Kindle), catch up with the TV series by watching dozens of episodes for free.› “Pokemon Trading Card Game Online” (iPad only), earn, buy or trade to build a collection of digital cards before battling human or computer-controlled opponents.
Types
The hundreds of Pokemon are classed according to 18 “types,” which reflect their nature, determine what abilities they have and their effectiveness against other kinds of Pokemon. Some Pokemon are hybrids of two or more types.› Bug› Dark› Dragon› Electric› Fairy› Fighting› Fire› Flying› Ghost› Grass› Ground› Ice› Normal› Poison› Psychic› Rock› Steel› Water