If a grandchild keeps saying words like "evolve" and "Trainer", you are not alone. Pokémon has been around for 30 years, since the first games came out in 1996. This page explains what it is in plain words, then gives you some easy ways to join in. It stays short on purpose. The longer version, with ratings, spending and safety, is in the parents' guide to Pokémon.
What it is
Pokémon (short for "Pocket Monsters") is a world of creatures that live alongside people. In the stories, a young person called a Trainer catches Pokémon, looks after them and takes part in friendly battles. Wikipedia credits the idea to Satoshi Tajiri, and the first games, Pokémon Red and Green, came out in Japan on the Game Boy on 27 February 1996.
The Pokémon Company's parents site describes Trainers forming lasting friendships with their Pokémon partners and going on adventures together. There are 1,025 kinds of Pokémon in our data, spread across 9 "generations", and each has its own name, picture and type. Pikachu is number 25, an Electric type, 0.4 m tall, and the Mouse Pokémon.
Three ways children meet it
It is one thing in three forms, and your grandchild may mean any of them.
| Form | What it is | When it started |
|---|---|---|
| Video games | Adventure games on Nintendo consoles where you collect and train Pokémon | Japan, 27 February 1996 (Red and Green). Red and Blue reached North America on 28 September 1998 |
| Trading cards | Collectable cards you swap and play a card game with | First set released on 20 October 1996 |
| TV show and films | An animated series and films about Trainers and their Pokémon | Japan, 1 April 1997 |
The dates come from Wikipedia. There is also an app for phones, and The Pokémon Company lists plush toys, books and other products as well. If you want to watch an episode, where to watch Pokémon lists the options.
Why children love it
The pull is easy to see. There is collecting, with 1,025 creatures to find. There is the pleasure of knowing a lot about one subject, from names to types. And underneath is a rock-paper-scissors idea: each Pokémon has one of 18 types, and types beat each other. Water moves hit Fire types for double damage, and Fire moves hit Grass types for double damage. A child who explains that to you has just taught you the heart of the battle system.
Five words you will hear
| Word | What it means | A good thing to say |
|---|---|---|
| Trainer | The person who catches and looks after Pokémon. The player is a Trainer | "Who is your favourite?" |
| Pokédex | The in-game encyclopedia that records each Pokémon you have met. It has 1,025 entries here | "Show me one from your Pokédex." |
| Type | A Pokémon's element, such as Fire, Water or Grass. There are 18, and each has strengths and weaknesses | "What is it strong against?" |
| Evolve | Some Pokémon change into a bigger, stronger form. Charmander (Fire) becomes Charmeleon and then Charizard (Fire/Flying) | "What does it turn into?" |
| Legendary | A rare, powerful Pokémon, usually met in a game's main story. There are 71 Legendary and 23 Mythical Pokémon, 94 in all | "Which is your favourite Legendary?" |
Say the names
The names are the part adults trip on. Try these five. Each has a spelled-out version and a button to hear it.
| Pokémon | Say it | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Pikachu | PEE-kuh-choo | Hear it |
| Bulbasaur | BUL-buh-sor | Hear it |
| Charizard | CHAR-ih-zard | Hear it |
| Snorlax | SNOR-laks | Hear it |
| Squirtle | SKWUR-tul | Hear it |
The capital letters show where to put the stress. How to pronounce Pokémon names covers more.
Easy ways to join in
- Ask a child to introduce their favourite Pokémon. They will tell you its name, its type and why it is the best.
- Look it up on pokee.si and listen to the name together. Then say it back.
- Play a round of the Pokémon quiz as a team.
- Watch an episode side by side, and ask them to explain who is who.
- Ask them to show you how a battle works on their screen.
- Ask which type is their favourite, then look it up together on the type chart for kids to see what it beats and what beats it.
- Keep it light. You do not have to learn all 1,025. Knowing a handful of names, and asking about the rest, is plenty.
What to be aware of
The video games are fantasy battles in which Pokémon "faint" and nobody is hurt. Ratings, online chat and in-app spending vary by game, and the app version is different from the console games. The parents' guide covers age ratings and spending in full, and The Pokémon Company's parents site has a section on its commitment to safety and links to internet-safety resources for families.