Overview
From fanzine to phenomenon. Game Freak began as a handmade video game magazine created by Satoshi Tajiri, evolved into a development studio, and created Pokémon—inspired by Tajiri’s childhood insect collecting. The Game Boy title’s six years of development nearly bankrupted them; its success created the most profitable media franchise in history.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1989.
- Origin: Fan magazine (1983).
- Founders: Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori.
- Key franchise: Pokémon.
Origins
| Phase |
Period |
| Fanzine |
1983-1989 |
| Company |
1989 |
| First game |
Quinty/Mendel Palace (1989) |
| Pokémon dev |
1990-1996 |
Pokémon development
| Challenge |
Reality |
| Development time |
Six years |
| Financial strain |
Nearly bankrupt |
| Staff departure |
Many left |
| Persistence |
Tajiri’s vision |
Key people
| Person |
Role |
| Satoshi Tajiri |
Creator, director |
| Ken Sugimori |
Art director, Pokémon designs |
| Junichi Masuda |
Composer, director |
Pre-Pokémon games
| Title |
Year |
Publisher |
| Quinty |
1989 |
Namco |
| Yoshi |
1991 |
Nintendo |
| Pulseman |
1994 |
Sega |
| Mario & Wario |
1993 |
Nintendo |
Pokémon success
| Metric |
Achievement |
| Sales |
Hundreds of millions |
| Franchise value |
Highest-grossing ever |
| Cultural impact |
Global phenomenon |
| Ongoing |
Continuous releases |
Nintendo relationship
| Aspect |
Detail |
| Publisher |
Nintendo |
| IP ownership |
Shared (The Pokémon Company) |
| Exclusivity |
Primary platform partner |
Beyond Pokémon
| Title |
Year |
| Drill Dozer |
2005 |
| HarmoKnight |
2012 |
| Tembo |
2015 |
| Little Town Hero |
2019 |
See also