Editing List of Pokémon (section)

==Concept==
{{See also|Gameplay of Pokémon{{!}}''Gameplay of'' Pokémon}}
[[Satoshi Tajiri]]—who later founded [[Game Freak]]—conceived the premise of ''Pokémon'' in general in 1989, when the [[Game Boy]] was released. The creatures that inhabit the world of ''Pokémon'' are also called Pokémon.<ref name="TIME">{{cite magazine |first=Satoshi |last=Tajiri |subject-link=Satoshi Tajiri |date=22 November 1999 |title=The Ultimate Game Freak |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2040095,00.html |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |location=New York, New York |access-date=11 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201213811/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C2040095%2C00.html |archive-date=1 February 2016}}</ref> The word "Pokémon" is a [[Romanization of Japanese|romanized]] [[contraction (grammar)|contraction]] of the Japanese brand {{nihongo|Pocket Monsters|ポケットモンスター|Poketto Monsutā}}.<ref name="NYT1">{{cite news |first=Sharon R. |last=King |date=26 April 1999 |title=Mania for 'Pocket Monsters' Yields Billions for Nintendo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/26/business/mania-for-pocket-monsters-yields-billions-for-nintendo.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location=Langhorne, Pennsylvania |access-date=11 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224234820/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/26/business/mania-for-pocket-monsters-yields-billions-for-nintendo.html |archive-date=24 December 2016}}</ref> The concept of the Pokémon universe, in both the video games and the general fictional world of Pokémon, stems most notably from Tajiri's childhood hobby of [[insect collecting]]. Other influences on the concept include [[Ultraman (1966 TV series)|Ultraman]], [[anime]], and playing video games in general. Throughout his early life, Tajiri saw his rural, nature-filled hometown ([[Machida, Tokyo]]) transform into an urban centre. The urbanization of his town drove away wildlife, and he and others living in the area were eventually unable to collect insects. Through Pokémon, Tajiri sought to bring back this outdoor pastime and share it with the world.<ref name="TIME"/> The first games in the franchise, [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Red'' and ''Green'']], were released on 27 February 1996 in Japan for the [[Game Boy]].<ref>{{cite web |year=2017 |title=ポケットモンスター レッド・グリーン |language=ja |trans-title=Pocket Monsters Red and Green |url=http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gb-rg/ |publisher=[[The Pokémon Company]] |access-date=13 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701104457/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gb-rg/ |archive-date=1 July 2017}}</ref> The games were internationally released as ''Red'' and ''Blue'' in September 1998.<ref>{{cite press release |date=28 September 1998 |title=Game Boy's Pokémon Unleashed on September 28! |url=https://www.nintendo.com/corp/press/100298.html |publisher=Nintendo |location=Redmond, Washington |access-date=13 July 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990501171038/http://www.nintendo.com/corp/press/100298.html |archive-date=1 May 1999}}</ref> The ability to capture, battle, trade, and care for numerous creatures catapulted Pokémon to international popularity,<ref name="NYT1"/> and it has become a multibillion-dollar franchise and the second-best selling video game series after the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Matthew |last=Jarvis |date=2 December 2014 |title=Margin Makers: Guide to Pokémon merchandise |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/margin-makers-guide-to-pok-mon-merchandise/0142211 |magazine=[[MCV (magazine)|MCV]] |access-date=11 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127162649/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/margin-makers-guide-to-pok-mon-merchandise/0142211 |archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref>

At the start of a main series ''Pokémon'' game, the [[player character]] receives one of three "starter" Pokémon, with which they can battle and catch other Pokémon. Each Pokémon has one or two "[[Gameplay of Pokémon#Pokémon types|types]]", such as Fire, Water, or Grass. In battle, certain types are strong against other types. For example, a Fire-type attack will do more damage to a Grass-type Pokémon—rather than a Water-type attack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Type Matchup Chart |url=http://www.pokemonxy.com/_ui/img/_en/art/Type-Matchup_chart_EN.pdf |website=PokemonXY.com |access-date=7 January 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215181310/http://www.pokemonxy.com/_ui/img/_en/art/Type-Matchup_chart_EN.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2017}}</ref> This form of gameplay is frequently compared to that of [[rock-paper-scissors]], though players have to strategize which Pokémon and which of their attacks to use against various opponents.<ref>{{cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=25 July 2016 |title=Pokémon Go Types explained: how to win Pokémon Go Gym battles |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/pokemon/feature/a802461/pokemon-go-types-explained-how-to-win-pokemon-go-gym-battles/ |work=[[Digital Spy]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225042359/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/pokemon/feature/a802461/pokemon-go-types-explained-how-to-win-pokemon-go-gym-battles/ |archive-date=25 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Julien-Rohman |first=Damion |date=24 November 2014 |title='Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby' deliver |url=http://www.statepress.com/article/2014/11/pokmon-alpha-sapphire-and-omega-ruby-deliver/ |work=[[The State Press]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224234114/http://www.statepress.com/article/2014/11/pokmon-alpha-sapphire-and-omega-ruby-deliver/ |archive-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

Many species of Pokémon can [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Pokémon evolution|evolve]] into a larger and more powerful creature. The change is accompanied by [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Stats|stat changes]]—generally a modest increase—and access to a wider variety of attacks. There are multiple ways to trigger an evolution, including reaching a particular level, using a special stone, or learning a specific attack. For example, at level 16, [[Bulbasaur]] can evolve into [[Ivysaur]]. Most notably, the Normal-type [[Eevee]] can evolve into eight different Pokémon: [[Jolteon]] (Electric), [[Flareon]] (Fire), [[Vaporeon]] (Water), [[Umbreon]] (Dark), [[Espeon]] (Psychic), [[Leafeon]] (Grass), [[Glaceon]] (Ice), and [[Sylveon]] (Fairy). In generation VI, the games introduced a new mechanic called [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Mega Evolution|Mega Evolution]], as well as a subset of Mega Evolution called [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Mega Evolution|Primal Reversion]]. Unlike normal evolution, Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion last only for the duration of a battle, with the Pokémon reverting to its normal form at the end; as of the release of [[Pokémon Sun and Moon|''Sun'' and ''Moon'']], 48 Pokémon can undergo Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion. In contrast, some species such as [[Castform]], [[Rotom]], [[Unown]], and [[Lycanroc]] undergo form changes, which may provide stat buffs or changes and type alterations but are not considered new species. Some Pokémon have [[Sexual dimorphism|differences in appearance due to gender]]. Pokémon can be [[male]] or [[female]], male-only, female-only, or of an unknown gender.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mulkerin |first=Tim |date=20 January 2017 |title='Pokémon Go' Update: The definitive guide to gender politics in the new Pokémon universe |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/166038/pokemon-go-update-news-gender-male-female-pokemon-guide-sexism |website=[[Mic (media company)|Mic]] |access-date=28 March 2018 |archive-date=27 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727234231/https://mic.com/articles/166038/pokemon-go-update-news-gender-male-female-pokemon-guide-sexism |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''Pokémon'' franchise is primarily intended for younger players. However, each Pokémon has various complex attributes such as natures, characteristic traits, Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs). These are intended for people "who enjoy battling and want to go more in depth", according to Game Freak Board Director [[Junichi Masuda]]. These individual statistics were also included, because the basic concept of the franchise is to train one's Pokémon. Designer Takeshi Kawachimaru stated that IVs and EVs "help to make each Pokémon in the game individual", as it adds unique aspects to them.<ref name=GamesRadar>{{cite web |last=Grimm |first=Michael |date=20 March 2009 |title=How Pokemon are born |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-pokemon-are-born/ |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310172238/http://www.gamesradar.com/how-pokemon-are-born/ |archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> Each ''Pokémon'' game introduces a few "Legendary" and "Mythical" Pokémon that are powerful, rare, and hard to catch.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Phillips |date=18 November 2016 |title='Pokemon Sun And Moon': How To Catch Every Legendary In Alola |url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/pokemon-sun-and-moon-how-catch-every-legendary-alola-569291 |work=[[iDigitalTimes]] |access-date=24 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224234220/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/pokemon-sun-and-moon-how-catch-every-legendary-alola-569291 |archive-date=24 December 2016}}</ref> ''Pokémon Sun'' and ''Moon'' introduced "Ultra Beasts", which are described as "beings from another dimension" that appeared in the Alola region, and are similarly powerful and rare.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Phillip |date=18 November 2016 |title='Pokémon Sun And Moon' Ultra Beasts: Everything You Need To Know |url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/pokemon-sun-and-moon-ultra-beasts-everything-you-need-know-569276 |work=iDigitalTimes |access-date=24 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224233412/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/pokemon-sun-and-moon-ultra-beasts-everything-you-need-know-569276 |archive-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>