Video Games

Ever since the launch of the “Pokémon Red” and “Pokémon Green” versions in 1996, the basic aspects of “Pokémon” video games remain unchanged: players collect Pokémon, engage them in battles, raise them to progressively higher levels, and trade them with others. When collecting new Pokémon during adventures, players undertake intuitive battles between types – water types being strong against fire types, for example; when they engage Pokémon in battle, they can raise them to higher levels; and when they communicate with other players in the course of trading, everyone derives great pleasure. Another totally absorbing element of “Pokémon” video games is the excitement of collecting from among more than 1,000 different Pokémon, and then combining one’s holdings to engage in strategic battles. The video games’ combination of easy approachability and strategic depth may be why they continue to be loved by players of all ages – kids and adults alike. And while the fundamental elements of “Pokémon” remain unchanged, as Nintendo game consoles continuously evolve and incorporate new advances in graphics, sound effects and game systems, players are always excited by the new adventures awaiting them.

Pokédex, a comprehensive encyclopedia of all the many Pokémon that exist, can be freely accessed on the Official Pokémon Website. Information is provided on each Pokémon, including its height, weight, and so on. Pokémon are intriguing creatures harboring many mysteries. Some live harmoniously among humans, while others live off in the wild: in grasslands, caves or the sea, for example. And just as humans each have their own personality, so too Pokémon differ one from another. Even within the same species, Pokémon can have individual natures: naughty, lonely, brave or adamant, to name just a few. There are also Pokémon that change in appearance depending on where they live or what season it is; Pokémon that transform according to the weather; and even mythical and legendary Pokémon that are seldom encountered. On extremely rare occasions, Pokémon can be found in a color different from usual; these are like mutants, and their differences from other Pokémon, in terms of abilities and behavior, have yet to be fully unraveled.

Besides the “Pokémon” series, we also offer a variety of other game titles. In the “Detective Pikachu” series, players go on adventures unlike any experienced before. Here, Pikachu takes the role of a detective. He can talk, and together with Tim, the protagonist of the series, Pikachu solves incidents that occur around him, relying on other Pokémon to help gather evidence and testimonies. Among the most endearing traits of detective Pikachu are his speech and behavior, which are very much like those of any average guy of middle age. The “Detective Pikachu” video game has been adapted into a Hollywood film, and here Pikachu kept audiences enthralled with his cute demeanor mixed with occasional sarcastic remarks. Another of our popular video games is “New Pokémon Snap.” Here, the aim is to create a unique photo version of Pokédex. Players undertake research into the ecology of Pokémon who live in habitats of natural beauty untouched by human intervention: an overgrown jungle, for example, or a vast empty desert. Their goal is to capture definitive photos of Pokémon wherever they happen to be: whether hiding inconspicuously to avoid detection or appearing in a sudden moment out of the sky. Players need to keep a sharp lookout in every direction, 360 degrees!

The “Pokémon” video game series serves as the basis of all other Pokémon content – TCG, anime, etc. – so whenever translations and localization of the original game software are undertaken, excellence in execution, including strict avoidance of ethically or culturally insensitive content, is of prime importance. To retain original Japanese nuances, translators of nine other languages understand the world of Pokémon and game play deeply. Moreover, translators are given opportunities to meet with the original developers to ascertain precise intent. With some Pokémon – Pikachu, for example – we elect to use one name exclusively worldwide. But with other Pokémon, we opt for localization into names derived intuitively for easy understanding. Whenever a new Pokémon is created, its proposed names are always checked for trademark compliance and to ensure that the names will have no negative connotations in the various regions where they will be introduced. In these ways, we go beyond simple translation and pay meticulous attention to details so that people everywhere, no matter what their language or culture, will derive equal enjoyment of the myriad pleasures of the original works.