After playing the original Pokémon games 20 years ago, I never thought that I would be sat here today writing this article with my phone out next to me, Pokémon Go app running, waiting for my Lure Module to beckon in a rare Pokémon, only to actually get angry when another f***ing Zubat appears. Who am I? I’m the spawn of the original Pokémon generation that’s who.

It isn’t hard to believe that in 20 years Pokémon has taken over, it’s bloody everywhere, but it hasn’t happened by accident. Some very smart decisions have been made in terms of how to develop
and keep improving this phenomenon for every generation. These are some of the ways in which they have done it.

Bringing People Together – There is incentivised trading. This has happened since the beginning, it encourages people to play the games together by only making certain Pokémon evolve when they have actually been traded from console to console and literally MAKING you do it. You can even battle friends and prove to them who the real Pokémon master is, this could be done on consoles or by the unbelievably popular trading card game.

Pokémon brings people together, young and old, by holding events around the globe and even stores that can offer the promise of new, exclusive Pokémon if you attend their event. What a way to bring people in. Come to our unique event and get something you can’t get elsewhere. Brilliant!

Cross Media Perfection – Pokémon has video games on Gameboy, Gamecube, N64, DS and 3DS. It has a TV series and even multiple movies across each new generation. It has trading cards and dozens of toys. You can’t escape it. Covering this many platforms means there is something for every age and every budget, meaning it can get as many people involved as possible, helping create the widespread joy of Pokémon.

Gotta Catch ‘Em All – This sentence perfectly encapsulates everything there is about Pokémon. Its addictive nature means you simply must have them all.  It encouraged you to play more and made catching them all seem so doable. It’s also a badge (no pun intended) of honour! Do you have them all? Hell yeah I do!

Every Game Has A New Unicorn – Each new instalment has that one glorious, shiny, rare creature that you simply must have. Every game has one and it keeps players of all ages coming back for more and wonder what will make this new Pokémon so different and what it can add to the game and, once caught, their roster!

It Gives Respect To Players – So many games either talk down to you or make objectives beyond complicated. Pokémon seems to have mastered the happy medium. It gives you advice about what type of Pokémon to use in battle, but it never blocks your progress. It wants you to learn as you play and that’s one of the reasons this game has been so accessible for gamers of all ages.

Pokémon seems to be churning out game after game and they keep adding to the roster of Pokémon you can catch. As it stands there are 726 Pokémon available. Are you kidding? But one thing that has never changed is the game’s formula. You start your journey as a child/teenager, get your first Pokémon, leave home, make friends and eventually become the ultimate Pokémon master. This is one of the most important aspects of the franchise. You know what to expect. There aren’t any nasty surprises and they don’t suddenly change how it works. This is why I can’t wait for the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon and set off on another unforgettable adventure.