The Best Idea Yet 🐲 Pokémon: The Little Monsters that Played Their Cards Right | 41
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Jul 22, 2025 Discover the fascinating journey of Satoshi Tajiri, who turned his bug-collecting passion into a $92 billion media franchise. Dive into the evolution of Pokémon from its Game Boy roots to a global sensation, complete with trading cards and TV shows. Learn about the initial skepticism in America and how character charm won over critics. Explore the viral success of Pokémon Go and its innovative use of augmented reality. Plus, uncover the unique card game honoring community service and a surprising link between Pokémon and insects!
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Satoshi's Bug Collecting Roots
- Satoshi Tajiri's childhood love for bug collecting inspired Pokémon's concept of collecting and trading.
- Watching his environment change, he channeled his nostalgia into crafting a game centered on trading creatures.
Trading Idea Sparks Gameplay
- Satoshi and illustrator Ken Sugimori played Dragon Quest and wished they could trade rare items.
- They realized the Game Boy's Link Cable could enable in-game trading between players.
Miyamoto Saves Capsule Monsters
- Game Freak pitched Capsule Monsters concept to Nintendo but was initially rejected.
- Shigeru Miyamoto championed the project, leading to Nintendo greenlighting it.