Pokemon - Love it, or Hate it

If you've been on social media recently, you've undoubtedly noticed the explosion of people talking about Pokemon thanks to Nintendo's newest creation "Pokemon Go". Notably one of the first games to come out from Nintendo's new focus on the mobile gaming market, this AR (Augmented Reality) game has proven yet again that, love it or hate it, around the world people still have the irresistible urge to "Catch 'em All".

2016 also marks the 20th anniversary of Pokemon or "Pocket Monsters" as it's been known in Japan since it was first released in 1996. Over the next 3 years, the rest of the world would also find themselves madly scrambling through tall grass in the fictional region of Kanto, albeit as it's known internationally: "Pokemon". With a clever mix of Trading Cards, Cartoons, and the games' signature 'trade & evolve' mechanics, the next 2 decades have introduced us to several new regions and over 700 different Pokemon to fill our PokeDex with. (700!) The journey hasn't been all glamour though, as some people held issue with a number of aspects about the franchise. One of particular note is the claims of groups such as PETA that the games encouraged young children to engage in animal abuse. However, most people can't seem to resist the almost magical charm of a simple Pikachu or Togepi... And so, we've been treated to a plethora of Pokemon games on both handheld and console that easily hit the top of many retro-favorite's lists.

MAIN SERIES - The mainline Pokemon handheld series introduced us to the concept of catching, training, and battling Pokemon. It also started the still honored tradition of releasing two games for each version (and often a special third edition that was enhanced in various ways). These games allow you to travel the world and prove that you are the very best... the best there ever was. Notable entries include Red & Blue, Gold & Silver, Ruby & Sapphire, Diamond & Sapphire and many many more including some remakes along the way.

Gameboy Color - Pokemon - Yellow

Serving as the final revision of the original series, Pokemon Yellow brought the series to the Game Boy Color. It also gave you a stubborn Pikachu as your starter, that refused to get in his pokeball; just like Ash's from the show.

Gameboy Color - Pokemon - Crystal

Another special edition, this version based on Gold & Silver, Pokemon Crystal was the first game in the series to allow you to choose a female character. This is also the generation that showed us there was far more than just 151 Pokemon to catch.

Gameboy Advance - Fire Red & Leaf Green

Remakes of the 2 original Pokemon games released for the Game Boy. If you're wondering where Blue is, in Japan Blue was actually a special edition of Red & Green. Green was never brought to America until this version.

CARD SERIES In case you couldn't get your trading card fill playing the physical trading card game... Nintendo released a video game for the Game Boy Color based on the card game that was based on the video game! There was even a sequel titled "Pokemon Card GB2", however it was never officially localized for western audiences.

Gameboy Color - Pokemon - Trading Card Game

This video game is based on the original Pokemon card game! This is not a multiplayer game, you battle against non-player characters. You play as a young boy, Mark, off to start an adventure of card battling. There are a total of 226 cards!

Gameboy Color - Pokemon Card GB2 (Partial English Translation)

The partial English translation of the the sequel that was never officially brought to western shores. A female character called Mint was added to this game. You have to fight 'Team Great Rocket' to get your card collection back.

CONSOLE SERIES - Pokemon has never had a mainline entry on console, instead having various spin-offs and unique takes on the franchise. Notable entries include Pokemon Snap a game where you photograph various pokemon. Pokemon Stadium 1 & 2 are essentially 3D versions of pokemon focusing strictly on battles. Pokemon Collosseum and XD Gale of Darkness which used different takes on collecting pokemon than the usual tall-grass settings. Instead relying on purifying shadow pokemon or stealing from other trainers.

Nintendo 64 - Pokemon Snap

The surprisingly addicting Pokemon photography game was a fantastic idea! When this game was released Nintendo set up various kiosks where you could take N64 Memory Paks and print out stickers of your pictures!

Nintendo 64 - Pokemon Stadium

While actually the second Pokemon stadium game (the first one never left Japan) This game had a full suite of different ways to battle Pokemon in 3D on your TV. If that wasn't good enough, this game also came with the N64 Transfer Pak! This allowed you to play either Pokemon Red, Blue, or Yellow right on the N64 and even trade your Pokemon from the Game Boy games to the N64!

Whether you love it or hate it, there's an almost never-ending plethora of retro-pokemon goodness. So if you're still waiting for "Pokemon Go" to be available in your region, why not dust off the ol' pokedex and kick up some tall grass over at emuparadise?