The year was 1996.
Satoshi Tajiri’s 7 year vision came into fruition on the Game Boy with the introduction of Pokémon Red and Green, introducing Japan to the craze that would soon sweep the world.
I was 9 years old at the time (September 1997) that Pokémon made its way to the United States in the form of the anime that we now refer to as Pokémon: Indigo League. Growing up with the adventures of Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Misty and Brock, I fondly remember the weekday and Saturday mornings that I would spend watching Pokémon on WPIX 11 in Brooklyn, New York, playing Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition and collecting the original trading card game set.
Fast forward to January 12, 2016, and we’re now celebrating 20 years of success and smiles, both from children and adults. Enter #Pokemon20!
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company International will be celebrating 20 years of the iconic franchise, by releasing several new products, along with Pokémon distributions for X, Y Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, a special expansion to the Pokémon TCG, a brand spanking New Nintendo 3DS bundled with Pokemon Red and Blue pre-loaded on to the system, and lots more.
Check out snippets of the press release that was sent our way:
To kick start the celebration, The Pokémon Company International announced today that it will air a new ad during Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7, which will encourage fans to Train On. In that spirit, fans are encouraged to share their favorite Pokémon memories on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube using the hashtag #Pokemon20. On Pokémon Day, February 27, fans can join in on the fun at special events at participating retail locations across the country. More details can be found at Pokemon.com/20. Fans visiting the site throughout the year will find information about monthly Mythical Pokémon character distributions, retail events, special products, messages from some of Pokémon’s biggest fans, and the upcoming Pokémon Photo Booth app.
VIDEO GAMES
In a fitting tribute to where it all began, Pokémon Red Version, Pokémon Blue Version and Pokémon Yellow Version will be released as digital downloads on the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on February 27 . Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version will also be included in a New Nintendo 3DS bundle. The New Nintendo 3DS Pokémon 20th Anniversary bundle will come with Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version pre-installed, two unique cover plates featuring artwork from the original Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version game boxes and the Pokémon 20th logo, and a download code for an exclusive Nintendo 3DS Pokémon HOME Menu theme. The commemorative New Nintendo 3DS bundle will be available on February 27 at retail locations.POKÉMON TCG
Pokémon TCG fans can celebrate 20 years of Pokémon with the Pokémon TCG:Generations expansion Pokemon.com/20. This special expansion covers every stage of a Trainer’s journey, from the choice of a first partner Pokémon to the most elite of Trainer battles. Featuring Pikachu, Snorlax, Ninetales-EX, and Jolteon-EX, plus Mega Charizard-EX, Mega Blastoise-EX, and Mega Venusaur-EX, the Generations expansion will be available in February. Generations booster packs will be available within specially labeled and designed Pokémon TCG products released as part of the Pokémon 20th celebration, starting with the first Pokémon TCG: Mythical Pokémon Collection coming in late February. A total of 11 Mythical Pokémon Collections will be released throughout 2016, each containing two Generations booster packs. In addition, four Pokémon TCG: Red & Blue Collections focused on the original superstars of the Pokémon world, each containing four Generations booster packs, will be released in 2016.RETAIL
The celebration continues with special retail events. Four Mythical Pokémon video game character distribution events will take place at participating GameStop locations throughout 2016, with one being distributed each quarter. Fans will need to have Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon X, or Pokémon Y, and a system from the Nintendo 3DS family to receive Mew, Darkrai, Arceus, and Genesect.On Pokémon Day, February 27, at participating Toys“R”Us locations, fans can receive special foil Pokémon TCG cards featuring Pikachu and Magikarp from the Generations expansion, a Pokémon activity book, and a poster of the original 151 Pokémon, while supplies last. Toys“R”Us will also have an exclusive Generations-themed folio available for purchase to collect the new expansion.
ANIMATION
Beginning in January and continuing throughout the year, 12 full-length Pokémon feature films will be available for digital download from iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon. The first two releases will be Pokémon: The First Movie and Pokémon the Movie 2000, both digitally remastered. In addition, Pokémon TV, available on Pokemon.com, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire platforms, will feature one film title per month to align with other Pokémon brand activities. The first three Pokémon films will also be available in both DVD and Blu-ray formatted bundles from licensee Viz Media.A 48-page interactive digital reader will accompany Pokémon: The First Movie and can be viewed on any device that supports iBooks, including Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.
MERCHANDISE
Fans can celebrate 20 years of Pokémon in style with new apparel, accessories, and souvenirs available only at PokemonCenter.com. They can find everything from a special Pokémon 20th baseball cap by New Era to a commemorative pin and lanyard set. Pokémon 20th TCG accessories, such as card sleeves, deck boxes, playmats, and much more, are available for fans of all ages. Limited-edition Pokémon 20th figures and plush items from TOMY International, Pokémon’s master toy licensee, will also be available at participating retail locations.
