Dedicated fans of Pokemon will remember that 25 years ago this month, Pokemon Gold and Silver made their debut in Japan before arriving in the U.S. almost a year later. These games introduced over 100 new Pokemon to the series and are widely considered one of the best entries in the franchise. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokemon Gold and Silver, The Pokemon Company has released new merchandise that might just inspire fans to 'catch 'em all.'
The announcement was made on the official Pokemon website, and for the time being, the merchandise appears to be exclusive to the Japanese Pokemon Center. Among the most notable items are plush toys of the games' mascots, Ho-Oh and Lugia, along with stylish jackets featuring reversible designs that showcase the Johto region, which was introduced in Pokemon Gold and Silver. Other items include picture-changing cups, plates, backpacks, bookends, and more.
Unfortunately, there are no current plans for Nintendo or The Pokemon Company to bring this merchandise to the U.S., despite the strong fanbase here. It's likely that scalpers will seize these items and resell them on American auction sites at inflated prices. Until Pokemon's parent companies decide to address this issue, fans outside of Japan have limited options.
Pokemon was recently overlooked for inclusion in America's Toy Hall of Fame, but it's widely expected that the franchise will eventually earn its place. Its enduring popularity is evident in the 30 million downloads of the mobile game Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket on the App Store and Google Play within its first week alone. This doesn't even account for the 99 million units sold on Nintendo Switch. Even nearly a decade after its release, Pokemon Go continues to be a favorite among mobile gamers.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
