TIME Pokémon: 30 Years

When Pokémon was released in Japan in 1996, intrepid gamers picked up copies and discovered delightful monster-catching adventures in the world of Kanto. Two years later, when the game came stateside, scores of fans rallied to embrace the universe already beloved across the Pacific. The franchise now features more than 1,000 critters, ranging from cuddly to formidable to downright scary. Chief among them is Pikachu, whose popularity is as strong as ever. This special edition of TIME explores the power of the Pokémon franchise, discussing the history and influences behind the iconic video games. It documents the surge around Pokémon GO and highlights tips and tricks for mastering the game. Plus, learn about Pokémon trading cards and how to explore that lucrative market (and not get scammed).