Satoshi Tajiri Reflects on Pokémon's Role in Shifting Societal Views on Gaming

Satoshi Tajiri, the founder of Game Freak and the creative force behind the Pokémon franchise, recently offered insights into how societal perceptions of gaming have evolved over the years.

As the mastermind behind Pokémon, Tajiri has witnessed the transformation of video games from being seen as child's play to becoming a medium warmly embraced by all ages.

Before the 1996 launch of Pokémon Red and Blue, Tajiri aspired to normalize the idea of adults engaging with video games in Japan.

Reflecting on his middle school days during the height of the arcade era, Tajiri recalled that gaming was often viewed negatively, with concerns that it might lead young people toward delinquency.

"Gaming wasn’t always considered appropriate for adults, and playing video games could often carry a social stigma," Tajiri summarized to NintendoSoup in a recent interview. However, following the global success of the Pokémon series—which debuted on the Nintendo Game Boy and has since become one of the best-selling video game franchises in history—the long-standing perception that games are exclusively for children began to crumble.

Home and handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch are now fixtures in households worldwide, and a diverse range of acclaimed titles cater to gamers of all ages.

Tajiri emphasized that gaming today is widely recognized as a positive force, enriching lives and offering engaging experiences for everyone. Tajiri also commented on the unprecedented success of Pokémon GO, the mobile game launched in 2016 by Niantic and The Pokémon Company.

Hailing it as a groundbreaking achievement, he observed that Pokémon GO fundamentally challenged the belief that video games are detrimental to physical health.

By encouraging players to explore their real-world environments and interact with others, Pokémon GO expanded the concept of play well beyond traditional boundaries.

Tajiri noted that he and the development team were gratified to hear how many people found Pokémon GO to be a catalyst for increased activity and improved wellbeing. Turning to the franchise’s creative roots, Tajiri explained that the idea for Pokémon originated in his childhood passion for collecting insects.

As he shared this inspiration with staff at Game Freak, he discovered that many colleagues held similar childhood memories.

This mutual nostalgia formed the foundation for Pokémon’s focus on exploration, trading, and friendship—gameplay elements that have come to define the series globally. Since its inception, Pokémon has reshaped the landscape of interactive entertainment, helping video games gain acceptance across generations.

As the Nintendo Switch era continues to flourish and new innovations appear on the horizon, Tajiri’s vision for inclusive, life-enriching gaming remains as relevant as ever.

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