On this day 20 years ago, the first two Pokémon games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green were released for the GameBoy in Japan. Since then over 17 core series games, countless spin-offs, 18 movies, various anime series, manga, merchandise and much, much more has been released globally and there’s still more to come.
The series itself has become an icon over the last 20 years and its popularity is still growing to this day, with Pokémon Sun and Moon promised to be the biggest and greatest games to date. So here’s to Pokémon. For the last 20 years and to the next 20. Here’s to the adventure of our lives we’ve taken alone, with friends and with the world. For all the relationships we’ve created and to those we’ve yet to.
Here’s to you Pokémon. Happy 20th Anniversary, from everyone at PokéJungle.net
Happy 20 years Pokémon. <3
First <3
First the worst? Second the best? Third the one with a hairy chest?
This was amazingly written. It’s awesome and you should feel awesome. I could not agree more nor put it in better words. Thank you for helping make this anniversary a bit more special! <3
ps: I'll be back with time after work for more hype and rambling 🙂
Ahaha, it’s nothing really. But thank you, glad you appreciated it.
I’m not sure why I should feel awesome though!
I love what you added about adventures and relationships. I’ve been so in love with Pokémon for nearly its whole existence. It has a very special place in my heart and some of the most important people in my life started bonding with me over Pokémon. It’s also helped me get through so much in my life over the years. Adventures that helped me get into a different reality, an awesome universe with endless possibilities… I don’t know, mate. I just felt like what you said resonated with how I feel about Pokémon and that’s awesome, so yeah you should feel a fair amount of awesome for achieving this, I think. 🙂
Happy 20 years Pokemon, thanks for everything. Soon, I’ll be as old as you are, since we’re only a few days apart 😀
I remember my first Pokémon experience. I was at a family-friend’s house and I found a Gameboy with FireRed in it. I picked it up and played it. I loved it.
My first game that I owned was Explorers of Sky, but main series was Soul Silver.
Mine is hard to remember, but my first game was Yellow, given to me by my brother while he played GSC (can’t remember which one). I never completed the game, since I never knew where to go once I reached Lavender Town, but it was still awesome.
Thank you for everything, Pokemon. I enjoyed all of your 20 years, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings with Sun and Moon in 2016. Please give us a dolphin this time…
Same, I really want a dolphin pokemon so bad!
Yeas
Seeing as how the new region seems to be based on Hawaii, or another tropical setting, a whole new wave of aquatic Pokemon should be on its way.
Yeah, I can’t wait 😀 I just did a quick search of dolphins in Hawaii and there are a good amount of websites about dolphin tours/swims/sightings, so I’m hoping it will happen 😀
I want it to be Spain based so bad.
Oh well, I love the water in Hoenn and a Hawaii based region would be great since there would be tons of it ^_^
I’d like to see either Spain + Mediterranean (similar to how Kanto had the Sevii Islands) or Hawaii 🙂
I would play Pokémon the whole day, but my Mom’s having a party and I have to help with stuff.
Happy 20 years Pokemon <3 I can't believe it has been that long! It feels like yesterday my sister made me play Yellow with her! I'm actually playing it right now 🙂 I'm at the Mt.Moon cave. I believe we might learn more about it in SM.
Happy 20 years! Is Pokémon older than you or did you grow up with Pokémon RBY as a child? Would be interested to hear from you guys :).
Pokemon is older than me. My first game was Ruby and I got it when I was four. I’m sixteen now so that should give you a proper date.
nah im 21 i grew up playing with my mommy!
It’s almost 1 year older than me. Grew up playing every single one of the games and I’ve always loved it, now more than ever!
Older than me, but I did play Red first
I was born in the year that Gold and Silver released in Japan (1999), but I didn’t start playing until Gen 3. The past games still feel just as relevant to me as other over-20 trainers, though 🙂
Pokemon is 7 years older than me. 🙂
AAAAWWWWW!!!! Ur just a tiny baby!!! lol
Lol! 😀
It’s exactly 2 weeks older than me. Started with Leaf Green though so still gen I in a way :p
I am about 4 months older than Pokemon. My first game was Pokemon Gold, and I mean my very first video game.
I’ve been playing Pokemon since I was four when I got Pokemon Ruby. I’ve enjoy it ever since. Now were at Sun & Moon and it’s amazing to see how much the series has progressed.
Also, I’m now quite sure that the game is based in Hawaii. After looking at the other chat and seeing everyone’s theory makes it for me. The trucks have a rainbow license plate, the yellow fire trucks, the cardinal, the Strange Souvenir, and the overall tropical feel. I seriously cannot wait for the next CoroCoro!
That’s probably why the code name for these games was Pokemon Rainbow 😉
Hawaii’s football team is the rainbow warriors lol
There were known as “Niji” which translates to “Rainbow”. GameFreak was sneaky af. I did not even see some of those details and I was thinking that the game was based on Spain!
Happy 20 years Pokemon!, You’ve made it really far, and I am glad that you are in my life!efinitely will stay in my heart forever 😀
Happy 20 years of Pokemon everyone! I can remember the first time I played Pokemon Silver version and since then, I haven’t looked back lol.
Pokemon Sun and Moon Animal Starter Predictions:
Grass – Bear, Koala, or Bison
Fire – Tiger or Snake
Water– Dolphin or Seal
What do you guys think the starters would be?
For the Grass-type, I would LOVE a bison Pokemon! Grass/Ground? Or even Grass/Fighting if it’s a bipedal Pokemon! Fire, a tiger Pokemon that’s Fire/Electric or even just Fire would be awesome! Although I easily foresee a Fire/Fighting route, God bless us and hopefully Fire/Fighting starters are no longer a thing. For the Water-type, I actually want a dolphin that is Water/Psychic or a manta-ray Pokemon that is pure Water.
“For the Water-type, I actually want a dolphin that is Water/Psychic or a manta-ray Pokemon that is pure Water.” http://33.media.tumblr.com/c2a5d941214c8ecc9b54fac7af01e001/tumblr_n8hcqgO43X1sfvh8co1_500.gif
One of the most forgotten pokemon seriously
There are several Pokemon based on the same species of animal in the real world. Also, there are several species of manta ray and the one we already have is based on just one of those several species.
I want a Water Flamingo pokemon!
Pokemon Red was not only my first pokemon game, but my first video game!
I played my older brother’s cartridge. I wasn’t very good at it and didn’t know what I was doing (Because I was like two) but it was great. I accidently left my gameboy in the rain though and never got another. Pokemon was still part of my life.
I loved looking through my sibling’s pokemon card collection. I didn’t know how to play so I made up my own rules and played by myself. I also remember watching the show while I was sick from school on the day of a field trip.
Even still though, I consider Pokemon Soul Silver to be the game that really captured my love for this series. Seeing the trailer on my grandad’s TV during a trip to his house and I knew I wanted it. My dad said he would buy it if I made a goal in my soccer game one weekend. And….. I didn’t. But he still was awesome and got it for me. I loved it. Started out with Totodile and only used him. I swept through the game and enjoyed every minute of it.
Then I got to the elite 4 and got destroyed. So I spent a ton of time gathering a team together. I had Feraligatr, Gyrados, Onix, what ever pokemon I could get my hands on that were decently leveled. After lots of catching and grinding, I made my way into the hall of fame.
Through pokemon I found my love of music, hatred for dunsparce and it led me to many other games like Zelda and Smash Bros.
The impact of Pokemon is something I can’t describe and I love it for that. Something simple, yet it feels complex. It’s my favorite game series of all time and it will always have a place in my heart
Happy twenty bountiful years of Pokemon! I cannot believe the the majestic and awe-inspiring legacy Pokemon has managed to create! Yes, the series has had its ups and downs but somehow, it has always managed to rebound tenfold! Pokemon Sun and Moon hark the beginning of a new era in Pokemon’s history and I’m certain it will be one where much change occurs and here’s to twenty more amazing and splendid years! As most of you know, I began my journey as a Pokemon trainer with Platinum in the region of Sinnoh and have loved Pokemon ever since! No matter how old I get or times change, Pokemon will always hold a special place in my heart and the same principle applies to many of you as well! <3
At 5:30 PM PST, they’ll be discussing the “future of Pokémon” on the stream.
Sun and Moon news maybe?
MAYBE this is the big news?
That is about 7:30 AM in Japan….. It’s possible
You’re grasping at air. I highly doubt we’ll get any fresh news any time soon.
Let them grasp whats life without risk?
I hope so!
Hopefully! I need more information! My thirst for information cannot be quenched by just a few pictures and a teaser at one of the new Pokemon.
so i mean that would be the last half hour of the gameplay soo maybe
so fire rock
water fighting
grass flying
i want double effective against the starters and the only land mammal native to Hawaii is the hoary bat so make that the grass one
I thought of an idea a few years ago. A water fighting Jellyfish line. A BOX Jellyfish and a Man’o WAR Jellyfish.
We really need more jellyfish Pokemon tbh! 😀
Yeah. Tentacool and Tentacruel don’t have the best designs.
Is… Is it okay if i draw that?
Sure! Go ahead man!
Since each generation has introduced at least one Pokemon inspired from a species of bat (excluding Hoenn), I hope this generation either gives us a Hawaiian Hoary bat or a fruit bat! 😀
like I said below the hoary bat is the only native land mammal in Hawaii ill be disappointing if there’s not a bat Pokemon no matter what its based on!
There’s a theory that the diamond-shaped items in the logos of Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon are similar to the ones used in the manga for Pokemon/human hybrids. Could we be seeing this in the new titles?
This is kind of a stretch, I know, but I think it’s something to mention.
Hmm. That could be possible. This could fit like so, The evil team does not use Pokémon, they instead combine their own grunts’ DNA with Pokémon DNA.
thx for sharing. ^^
I almost didn’t, since I wasn’t sure what the reactions would be. 🙂
Eh. That’s a stretch with knowing how old Pokemon Reburst is. Still, this is an interesting theory but I heavily doubt it.
Agreed. but I also doubt those little diamonds are there for style. Guess we’ll find out.
True the first trailer also showed the Mega Evolution symbol and at the time we didn’t know what it was
Hmm, a neat concept but I wouldn’t be that compelled to use it. Maybe the diamond is the “Soul Heart” or whatever the Pokemon equivalent of a philosopher’s stone.
Interesting. Perhaps that will be explored in M19 and further in Pokemon M/S.
Hopefully! The previous theories on alchemy, Norse/Shinto mythologies, and much more seem to point towards Sun/Moon being HEAVILY influenced by religion, myths, and the likes which I always love because it truly shows the beauty of Pokemon best.
Hm. That’d be interesting for sure.
Quite interesting indeed!
Please No!
No please never
and idk if you saw but the way to get the Challenge mode key is to beat Iris
Thank you for answering my previous question, haha.
I realized I hadn’t beat Iris because my team was underleveled and I couldn’t get past Victory Road. My team is in the early 40s so I need to get back to grinding before I challenge the Elite 4. 🙂
Ay you are replaying a game too
I am replaying Y, and the game is so much harder without EXP. Share, I almost lost to Lysandre, I am struggling in the team Flare Cafe hideout XD
What’s your team?
I’m using Krookodile, Lucario, Samurott, Emboar, Ampharos and Unfezant.
Not bad team!, I am using Greninja vivillon tyrantrum Flareon Hawlucha and Dedenne
Instant upvote. <3
Lol Dedenne is the cutest pokemon IMO
I’m……not sure if I’m ready for people and Pokemon to become one yet……..I’d much rather this not b a thing…….
And I agree with you and the others who feel similarly. People and Pokemon do have a special bond, but taking it to the fusion level would honestly ruin it.
Yeah I feel like ti would change the game too much and on top of that I’m not too much of a fan of fusions between humans and animals. At least not like this lol
I think a villainous team using the fusion concept wouldn’t be the worst idea, but giving trainers the ability to fuse with their Pokemon would be horrible.
Yeah I’d agree with that sentiment lol
Ehhh, maybe like what you said, the villain team trying to experiment with this, but not as an actual thing in the game.
I really wouldn’t like this. The pokemon/human fusion has always struck me as something weird and anime/manga exclusive
It is quite strange, and I’m really holding onto the hope that GF knows we wouldn’t like that either, despite the similarities between the diamonds in the logo and that manga stone.
Interesting.
I was thinking about this http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/ao9WGOg_460sv_v1.mp4
Speaking about the graphics in Pokemon Sun & Moon. The 3D is said to be exactly the same to Pokemon X/Y and OR/AS. So, 3D will only be activated in special areas (caves, buildings), cut-scenes, and battles. Honestly, the lack of the overworld 3D would make the graphics better. I wonder how the game will ultimately look. With the concept art, I guess their going with the miniature style again. I hope they keep the vibrant colors of Pokemon OR/AS!
Vibrant colors with a painterly style would be simply exquisite!
I’m glad they are making use of cel-shading. I would love to see a paint-like (water-colour like) style such as Skyward Sword or Zelda Wii U. That would be amazing!
Yes! I would love any Pokemon to have the artistic aesthetics of Skyward Sword or Wind Waker HD… SUCH BEAUTIES!
I’m use they’ll keep the colors. If they could smooth out the graphics a little more I’d be fine with ORAS graphics.
Yeah, same, I don’t usually have 3D on anyways anymore. If they smooth out the 3D in battles (no lag), then I’ll be content.
And if the region is Hawaii, I’m really hoping they keep the vibrant colors of ORAS, it would make it more realistic.
I’m a huge contrast compared to that. I love using the 3D in all of my games. It’s why I got a New 3DS XL was for the super-stable 3D. I hope they use the system’s power more and allows for a smooth 3D experience as you stated.
Yeah, I also have a New 3DS XL, and I admit the 3D is a lot less annoying now, since it tracks where your head is at. But I normally don’t use it, but for SM, I might first play it with it on so I can see the areas that are 3D pop out.
Anyone who is playing RBY right now, what is your team?
Right now I have
Jet the Squirtle
Jay the Pidgey
Grape the Nidoran (Male)
Lol Watt the Pikachu (Temporary until I can get myself a jolteon)
Wartortle
Pikachu
Clefairy
(Not big on nicknames lol)
I’m playing Yellow. Currently only have 2 Pokemon bc I’m being picky and just catching what I want to be on my team.
Pikachu (of course haha)
Nidoran male ( needed him for double kick to beat Brock lol)
What level did he learn double kick?
It learns double kick at level 12.
I guess that’s a yellow exclusive move? Didn’t get it in red version
Yeah, in Yellow it learns at level 12. In RB I believe it learns around level 40.
I’m playing Yellow! Right now I have Pikachu, Nidorino and Bulbasaur 🙂
I might get it later, since Yellow was my first game, but right now I’m focusing on getting a shiny Cranidos (one of my dream shinies)
I’m currently waiting on my XL transfer to finish. Until then… I can’t play. 🙁
Six ways to improve Pokemon Sun & Moon:
1. Similar to Fire Emblem Fates, I believe the game should have an Easy, Normal, and Hard Mode. Easy Mode would lower the AI, decrease important trainer’s Pokemon by one, and give more Money and EXP. Normal Mode would raise the AI and give a traditional experience. Hard Mode would increase the AI again, increase the number of Pokemon a trainer uses, and reduces the amount of EXP and Money you earn slightly.
2. EXP. Share (EXP. All) should allow you to pick which Pokemon it could be used on. By the EXP. Share working on all of the Pokemon on a team, it causes the game to be extremely easy. It would improve grinding if you could select which Pokemon it could work on.
3. A classic mode without Mega Evolution. To further the challenge of the game, there should be a classic mode to where you cannot use Mega Evolution. Again, this is similar to Awakening and Fates with Classic Mode and permanent death. This would appeal to the people who dislikes Mega Evolution completely.
4. DexNav should become a regular PokeDex feature.
5. Amazing story about the lore of the Pokemon. The Evil Team, Gym Leaders, Elite Four, Rivals, and Champion should all be involved similar to B/W. This would create a strong story where that you feel the power of the legendaries.
6. Having a smooth frame-rate during battles. I love using the 3D with my New 3DS XL, but it’s annoying the frame-rate dips. I hope that GameFreak figures out a way to keep it smooth.
This.
While these have varying levels of hopes for me (like number 2 and 3 is meh but 1, 4, 5, and 6 are high hopes), these are awesome suggestions that I really hope get added.
Your #3 will likely not happen if Mega Evolution is connected to the storyline. I remember back when it was first announced I was completely against it, but it’s grown on me so much that I can’t ever see it going away. I would also like to see Gym Leader rematches, an actual postgame, and more side-quests away from the main goal of beating the Elite 4. 🙂
Same, I used to not like Megas, but then I experienced them and was like ‘….ok, they’re fine’. I’m used to them now. And those are some things I want too 😀
Would love this! I would also like to add: a stronger post-game. I would love if Sun/Moon does what many games are doing with missions and such when the main story is finished. We could have a regular, story-based post-game but once that is over, we can get missions and earn in-game rewards for doing so. During the post-game, we can also learn more about the villainous team’s backstory as there’ll probably be rogues after the team is disbanded. I loved the Looker and Emma post-game but it was just REALLY SHORT and could have been tied into the main game story. I also want a Battle Frontier equivalent.
PS: A sick soundtrack and score wouldn’t hurt! 😀
Honestly, the two most important things I look for in a Pokemon game are:
1. The storyline
2. The world
B2/W2 rank pretty high in my favorite games, along with Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, because I think that Unova is an amazing region, in terms of how it was built. The same goes for Hoenn, along with the storyline.
Kalos, to me, felt like it had a lackluster world and a rushed story, without proper development.
Unova is probably the most memorable region for me. Mostly because of the bridges, diversity, N, Ghetsis, the sages, the gym leaders, Bianca and Cheren, and SO MUCH MORE!
Honestly I like how the EXP. Share how it is, it makes Grinding much less of a hassle, I understand it makes the game easy if you keep it on, but it’s your own fault if you keep it on. Maybe when they give it to you, it starts out off rather than on.
Also I like the habitat list/ Dex Nav feature, and I hope it stays every game. And I would LOVE the return of challenge mode, and not only the return on it, make it an option at the beginning, The “Beat the game, and get it” was so stupid. Also don’t make challenge mode and easy mode version exclusive. thats so stupid, it just needs to be a simple option when you start the game if you want it challenge mode or easy mode.
I don’t know but I really feel like you felt the power of the legendaries in platinum.
But BW2 is my favorite.
I have just successfully caught the glitch Mew, perfect way to celebrate Pokemon day.
No I will not use it as that’s cheating and Psychic type is way too powerful in Gen I
My Yellow Team as of now is
Pikachu (lvl 22)
Charmeleon (lvl 19)
Ivysaur (lvl 19)
Nidoking (lvl 20)
Clefairy (lvl 14)
Eventually I’ll get Squirtle and round off with Snorlax. Wanted to use ‘king and ‘lax cause I’ve never used them in a play though before.
Then I’ll either get Red or Blue which I’ve got some ideas of what I’ll use. Exciting times!
We may not have gotten any news about Sun and Moon, but there is a bit of excitement in my life given that I’m setting up a saltwater aquarium right now!
Honestly, if Sun/Moon can make me care for the characters and the world, it would be an instant hit for me! Black and White, now that Nintendo Chip brought it up is so memorable because of how ambitious it was for a Pokemon game. It showed the world that even when the DS was at its life expectancy, it could still deliver a stellar closing performance. As the 3DS nears its expected end as well, Sun/Moon could give the handheld device an amazing legacy! Biance, Cheren, N, and even Professor Juniper, they all seemed SO HUMAN and the world of Unova seemed so… simple yet layered in many ways and that’s why it’s one of the best Pokemon games in my opinion. The story, the ambitiousness, the depth, the character development, and much more is why the game got a perfect score from so many critics.
I feel the way with Barry, Silver, and a couple of other characters in the Pokemon world. I’m hoping for characters that change, learn, and grow. It makes them relateable and human to me. I’m with you, really hoping SM makes a world/characters that I can identify and relate to.
I think a big part of why XY was so notably lacking in that was all the work put into the graphics. They had to create a whole new system to make pokemon games for the 3DS. Hopefully now that they already have some major components created they can focus more on the characters and story
Exactly, I could sorta tell, since the rivals were lacking any sort of growth/character. I only really liked Callum, but even then he only had slight change and that was at the very end. And I only really liked Lysandre because of his gray villain-ness.
I completely agree. Black and White, for me, displayed a sense of love and warmth for the characters Pokemon created. You could relate to them and they were dynamic and were not just black or white but an array of colors. Team Plasma is probably better than Rocket for that reason: they weren’t just bad guys who wanted world domination, they truly thought what they were doing was for the BETTERMENT of the Pokemon world. That ambition alone and that mindset made them that much more terrifying.
Well, for most of Team Plasma. Ghetsis used N’s dream and twisted it for his own purposes. I really like Ghetsis’ plan from BW and not BW2 for that reason. Making something innocent and twisting it for power.
But yeah, and I like how N had said Bianca and Cheren were black and white, that they represented one or the other, when in reality, they had become more grey. I give credit for that. (even though I don’t care for Cheren)
What you said reminds me of a quote I read (can’t remember the author now). It said that the most dangerous people are not the ones who are evil on purpose but those who firmly believe that what they’re doing is the right thing.
Exactly! I think GameFreak should prioritize the story again similar to B/W. I actually felt for the characters. Personally, my favorite Pokemon game is B2/W2 and I hope S/M is as good as those!
Bianca and her dad ;(
Cheren saying his wishes while Route 10 music plays ;(
N and him releasing his Pokemon ;(
I could relate with Bianca and her dad so much because of my personal ambitions and sexuality. It honestly made me cry so much!
I feel the same with the BW characters and other characters from older games. Honestly I liked the designs of the XY rivals but I have to agree that they were one dimensional. It’s so sad that they had no character development. Trevor stayed the same, so did Tierno. Shauna who? They were too stereotypical to me. I could kinda relate to Serena/Calem but that’s it. I’m hoping SM makes more relatable/humane characters.
This. I haven’t enjoyed a Pokémon game as much as BW since BW came out
Pokemon designs aside, Gen 5 is probably number 2 on my favorite generation list. If Gen 4 wasn’t my first, It would definitely be my #1
Generation 5 had the worst designs. A garbage bag and gear is what you consider the best? The order honestly goes chromatically, excluding the 5th generation > 1-2-3-4-6-5
I completely agree, and I feel like black and white presented us with a very unique approach to the game, but it was a great one. The story was so developed, and made the game extremely memorable!
Pokemon Black and White had a connection with trainers that has been very difficult to match with recent games, and as many mentioned, the way its plotline was carried out was absolutely exceptional. Once I bank my Pokemon from Black, I’ll be sure to give it one more playthrough. My only question is, why hasn’t GF mimicked its amazing BW plot structure with titles like XY? They don’t have to try new things as much as they are, because BW was perfect the way it was. I’m afraid that storytelling in Pokemon games is going in the wrong direction, and I really don’t want to put it that way. I might be stuck in the past, but to hope that something once done will be done again isn’t too ridiculous. I don’t want to be a pessimist, so I’ll await Sun and Moon with an open mind, seriously, seriously hoping that the depth of the characters in terms of the story is on par with BW.
I like the fact that new themes are being explored and there’s nothing wrong with that, but for me it’s the lasting impact that makes a Pokemon game memorable. I can remember every single part of BW’s storyline, even if the last time I fully played through Unova was years ago. And I can’t say that about a lot of games.
One thing I’ve always wanted in a Pokemon game is being able to have more than one profile so that I don’t have to restart the game just to do a Nuzloke or something. I hope we get that with Sun and Moon