Image source, The Pokémon CompanyImage caption, Battles between rival trainers have always been at the heart of Pokémon gamesByGeorgia Levy-CollinsBBC NewsbeatPublished27 February 2026 It's 30 years since a little game called Pocket Monsters launched in Japan – marking the start of a phenomenon that would evolve into a behemoth. An animated TV series, movies, a trading card game and the mega-hit mobile game Pokémon Go! have all helped to win fans across the globe. Reportedly the highest-grossing media franchise in history, Pokémon is still a cultural phenomenon today, reaching new generations of fans across the world. BBC Newsbeat has been asking some of them why they love the series so much, why it appeals to so many people, and why it continues to prove so popular. Pokémon has always been about playing the part of a trainer, catching and collecting monsters before battling them against others.
Published: February 27, 2026 12:20 am
Source: BBC — Read original