Pokemon Celebrates 30 years of Catching them all

 

copyright: Pokemon is property of Nintendo and Gamefreak, all rights reserved.

brevity and ethics: i have no affiliation, im just a fan.

Today, Nintendo celebrates a remarkable milestone: Pokémon, the monster-catching adventure RPG, turns 30. Thirty years of exploring worlds, catching creatures, facing God-like beings, confronting shadowy mafias, and even taking on terrorists a franchise that has truly done it all.

I wanted to take a moment to look back at some of the stories that have stayed closest to my heart over the years, reflecting on the games that shaped my experiences though I’ll be skipping Generation 4, as it doesn’t hold the same personal connection for me as the others.

Pokemon Red:

Growing up without much meant I missed out on experiencing Pokémon at the height of its day-one mania. I wasn’t there for the midnight launches or the playground trading frenzies. But I did grow up watching the Pokémon anime, and I absolutely loved it enough that my brothers took notice.

One day, after my aunt gifted me a Game Boy Pocket, my brother passed along a few hand-me-downs. Among them was Pokémon Red.

At first, I felt a pang of guilt deleting his save file,150 Pokémon, countless items, hours of work gone in an instant. But the moment my own journey began, that feeling faded. I was immediately captivated: the music, the world, the sense of mystery surrounding Pokémon. Choosing my first partner Bulbasaur, whom I named Gaia felt momentous. I learned the rock-paper-scissors logic of battles, how to think ahead, how to adapt, how to overcome the odds.

It wasn’t just a game. It was an introduction to discovery, persistence, and imagination and it became a memory I’ve carried with me ever since.

it was just 

While I will always say the Generation 3 remakes hold an edge (Houndoom alone makes them superior) Pokémon Red ignited a fire in me that went far beyond a single game. It sparked a passion that would expand into a lifelong love for JRPGs, shaping the way I approach stories, strategy, and adventure in games.

Pokemon Crystal:

Generation II felt like Pokémon growing up right alongside us.

It wasn’t just a sequel, it was a huge leap forward. The world expanded from a quiet countryside into bustling cities, the Pokédex got bigger, and everything felt richer and more alive. And then there was Pokémon Crystal the crown jewel. A female protagonist for the first time, brighter colors, little animated sprites, and a deeper story centered around Suicune that made the world feel mysterious in a way Gen I never quite did.

It was an incredible time to be a Pokémon fan.

I dumped hours into Crystal during the summer of 2001. And I mean hours. Training my team, filling out the Pokédex, wandering Johto just to see what I’d stumble into next. I was also stuck going to summer school, trying to catch up on work I missed thanks to the absolute mess that was the California school system at the time. But honestly? That didn’t matter much.

Every afternoon, while waiting for the bus, my Game Boy was on. I was grinding levels with my Houndoom, battling the same trainers, pacing back and forth in tall grass, fully locked into that tiny screen. I waited. And waited.

The bus never came. But Pokémon Crystal did and it stayed with me. It made me miss a day of summer school.

And honestly? 

Worth it. 😌

pokemon emerald:

I've discussed some of my prior past with Pokemon emerald on its anniversary post, so I'll just post it again,

I’ll never forget the Christmas morning I first got my hands on it. I had asked my grandma for a Game Boy Advance but completely forgot to request a game. To my surprise, she not only gifted me the console but also Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku II and Pokémon Emerald. I dove into my new adventure the moment the holiday festivities wrapped up.

I was hooked for hours, exploring Hoenn’s vibrant cities, eerie caves, and sapphire-blue oceans. The crimson ash falling around the volcanoes was mesmerizing, and part of me secretly wished I could join Team Aqua pirates are cool (ORAS Shelly can get it by the way), after all. One of the most thrilling moments was scaling Sky Pillar to awaken Rayquaza and put an end to Groudon and Kyogre's rampage. The epic music and the dive for the Regis made the adventure even more unforgettable.

Catching Latias was another highlight. I remember feeling like Ash Ketchum, imagining her as the cutest new member of my team. After countless chases across Hoenn, finally capturing her felt like a huge victory.

Speaking of captures, taking down Rayquaza with an Ultra Ball and making him my team captain was legendary. My dream team Rayquaza, Sceptile, Houndoom, Gardevoir, Armaldo, and Latias carried me through every inch of Hoenn, and eventually, to victory against the Elite Four.

One memory that still cracks me up involves a wild rumor a classmate told me during summer school the next year. Apparently, if five people with Jirachi stood in a pentagram, Deoxys would appear. It was ridiculous, but that’s the charm of Pokémon the rumors that made your imagination run wild. I could almost picture kids across the world standing in pentagrams, hoping to summon Deoxys. Sadly, I never got to see his Jirachi or battle a Deoxys.

I also fell for the infamous space exploration rumor to find Deoxys it made sense! Deoxys was an alien, so naturally, Pokémon’s equivalent to NASA had to be involved. But even I didn’t believe Mirage Island was real. A location that only appeared once in a blue moon? It seemed too far-fetched, even for Pokémon.

These quirky moments are what make Pokémon Emerald so special, and why, 20 years later, it still holds a place in the hearts of fans everywhere.

pokemon black 2:

Unfortunately, I didn’t experience Generation 4 Pokémon on release. While I appreciate and enjoy it immensely, my personal connection is closer to Generation 5, so I hope fans of Gen 4 can forgive my bias.

Between Gen 4 and the early days of Gen 5, I drifted away from Pokémon entirely. Life was overwhelming, and the games and anime didn’t cross my mind much. My friends, however, were still fully immersed, and they encouraged me to jump back in. So, for Christmas, I asked for a Nintendo DSi and Pokémon Black 2. The moment I started playing, I was hooked.

The story immediately drew me in: Team Plasma’s return, the journey to N’s castle, the delicate balance of stopping him while still understanding his cause. The Faris Wheel, the epic encounters, the thrill of rescuing Reshiram and Zekrom, and the chaotic unraveling of Ghetsis’ schemes.. it was unforgettable. Every narrative twist and legendary encounter felt cinematic and alive.

Of course, I loved grinding through the game and immersing myself in the story, but the absolute best part was playing online with friends. Getting utterly demolished in battles, laughing through mistakes, staying up late to trade for new Pokémon, those shared experiences are what made it truly special. Every single moment, from the adventure to the camaraderie, was unforgettable.

Also Lenora is prettier than Cynthia i said what i said. 

pokemon sun and moon:

Sun and Moon marked a second return to the Pokémon franchise for me. After X and Y, which didn’t quite capture my attention, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to dive back in. Something about Sun and Moon, however, piqued my curiosity—though I approached it with hesitation. My wife, on the other hand, had no reservations.

During our dating years, I had visited her family for Christmas. It was a warm, cozy day full of laughter, cheer, and hot cocoa when she handed me a few gifts. Among them was a copy of Pokémon Moon. She knew me well enough to pick the game that would resonate with my slightly “edgy” tastes—and she was absolutely right. Pokémon Moon was a delight: vibrant scenery, immersive island adventures, playful joy, and a roster of captivating Pokémon.

Houndoom was there, securing an instant perfect score in my book—but beyond that, I was drawn in by the rich lore and storytelling. I even broke my longstanding rule of always choosing the Grass starter—Bulbasaur, Chikorita, and Snivy will always hold a special place in my heart—but Incineroar was impossible to resist. A tiger-masked companion by my side? Absolutely.

I found myself equally invested in the other elements of the game: helping Nebby evolve into its own unique form, navigating the drama with the female protagonist’s mother, and uncovering her dark, abusive past. Experiencing her downfall was strangely satisfying, and the story struck a nostalgic chord for me—a reminder of why I fell in love with Pokémon in the first place.

Also, He's literally me