Pokemon Toys

History

Originally developed as a Nintendo Game Boy video game in 1995, Pokemon took on a life of its own in merchandising possibilities. With books, movies, a television series, toys, trading cards, and games, there was no shortage of Pokemon items available. The name Pokemon came from the shortened version of its original name, "Pocket Monsters."

A Boy and His Pikachu

The main character in the series is a boy named Ash Ketchum, who is on a quest to become the best Pokemon Master. His first Pokemon, Pikachu, along with his friends Brock, Misty (and sometimes others), have many adventures together discovering different species of Pokemon. Players catch and train Pokemon creatures and use them in competitions. Each character has certain powers which the Pokemon trainer can use to battle other characters.

Of course, there is always a visit from the bad guys, Team Rocket (consisting of Meowth, Jessie and James), who try to steal Pikachu in a variety of unsuccessful ways. Interestingly, Meowth is the only Pokemon character, aside from the humans, who can talk. All of the other Pokemon only speak their name.

Pokemon Types

Each Pokemon character is classified by type, and that, in turn, identifies their strength. For instance, there are electric, fire, grass, ice, water, and other types. As they build strength, the Pokemon evolve into other creatures and increase their strengths. This accounts for why there are so many Pokemon in existence – presently, there are 386 different Pokemon characters! And, of course, there are plenty of Pokemon toys to represent the many species that the series has created.

Pokemon Toys

• Pokedex – the tool for any good Pokemon trainer is the Pokedex, a talking encyclopedia of all of the Pokemon characters, including their type, height, weight and strengths.
• Pokeball – a ball that is used by trainers to capture and store their Pokemon until it’s time for a competition.
• Action Figures – a variety of action figures are available, with some toys including several figures that represent the evolution of a character.
• Plush characters – many of the characters are inherently cute, so why not have a plush Pokemon to snuggle up with your child.

Trading Cards

While not usually considered Pokemon toys, the trading cards are a must have for any serious Pokemon trainer. Here’s where the choices can run the gamut, as there are a variety of card packs available for purchase. Most standard decks include a variety of Pokemon, with nine cards typically in each pack. There are also special sets that feature more cards or come in collector’s tins. Trading cards typically cost between $4 and $5, although the larger decks can cost $15 and the collector’s tins cost upwards of $30 or more. The cards also serve as a game, where players use cards to knock out their opponent’s cards using "hit points."

Other Pokemon Toys

• Pokemon Talking Pokedex
• Pokemon Battle Trainer with ThinkChip
• Pokemon Battle Dome Game
• Pokemon Master Trainer Game
• Pokemon Virtual Trainer Master Quest: #1
• Pokemon Mini Figure Battle Pack Fire Type Vs Water Type
• 8" Pokemon Super Action Blastoise Kamex Action Figure
• Yahtzee Jr. Game Pokemon Edition
• Pokemon 10th Anniversary Top 10 Favorites

Parent Concerns

As with many boys’ toys on the market, there is always a concern about how much of a violent element is involved. In the case of Pokemon, there are battles, but no weapons are used and the characters apply their inherent energy, such as fire, water, grass, lightning, or electricity to fight. The good news is that there is no bloodshed or death as a result of the competitions. At most, Pokemon faint from their defeat. The movies and television show incorporate a lesson for the characters, including friendship and kindness.

Online Resources

• The Official Pokemon Website
• Pokemon Games
• Pokemon Center