Pokémon at 30: from Red and Green to cards, consoles and global pop culture

Pokémon began with Red and Green in Japan in 1996. Thirty years later, its world stretches far beyond handheld games: trading cards, animation, films, merchandise, competitive events and new ways to discover familiar creatures.

The different doors into Pokémon

Some people remember the Game Boy adventures; others came through the anime, the trading card game, Pokémon GO or a newer Nintendo release. The Pokémon Company's own history records the international arrival of the games and cards as separate milestones, not a single worldwide launch.

2026 is a whole-year celebration

The official anniversary campaign is called What's Your Favourite? and invites fans to share the Pokémon that means the most to them. Alongside that, the TCG has marked the anniversary with 30th Celebration and additional releases across the year.

Remember the difference between nostalgia and collecting

A favourite Pokémon is personal; a valuable card is a separate question about print, condition, demand and verified sales. You can enjoy the franchise without chasing the most expensive pull. For collecting, compare sealed product contents and look up recent completed sales before paying a premium.

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