Celebrating Pokémon Day: NPR Staff Picks Their Favorite Pocket Monsters, Past and Present

Image Source: Instagram Pocket Monsters Past And Present: NPR Staff Reflects On Their Favorite Pokémon On Pokémon Day

[{"selector":"#anim-54b1974a-af5c-44fa-ab01-4fe94cc50e15 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2c2c4da-08f2-493f-8ddf-a429ffe929cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4515e3e4-542e-406f-a369-c924609b2db0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.21549%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Today is Pokémon Day when fans across the globe celebrate the day the first Pokémon games were released in Japan in 1996.

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[{"selector":"#anim-7d9eb25e-4890-433c-8a29-f53222d13951 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-31eec735-54c1-45c1-bf9b-e70c3434c378","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bca9ccda-2f26-4f2a-80be-aa3fa46713ff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Fans recall the Atomic Purple Game Boy Color and Pokémon Blue that started their love for the franchise.

[{"selector":"#anim-91b05daa-13de-4305-be07-bd4d60f049c4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26e62af4-f15c-499b-ae0a-9efc3d2b4412","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-246be1ef-bccd-427c-be66-9eed58773689","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Despite Blastoise gracing the cover of the original title, many fans have put the competing Charizard in nearly every one of their Hall of Fame teams since.

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[{"selector":"#anim-11b8bfcd-58a8-4d50-a226-311fcea31f16 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fef92f4-d09c-4226-929e-ea5479348609","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-843d949b-ea10-4f9b-82db-97fb06634601","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Pokémon Snap for the Nintendo 64 is a favorite game for many fans.

[{"selector":"#anim-a0784cc4-e858-4e16-9cfd-89106dd7ab0a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7555ca0-de69-4ff1-b279-5343adb5def5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79fd5388-34c4-4f3c-af87-1159bb88e506","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Mimikyu is an absolute favorite Pokémon for some fans, but they nearly missed the boat when they didn't have a 3DS.

[{"selector":"#anim-b69bce92-2bfa-4792-86a3-00daa3f302a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-233514f6-5b99-4d60-a628-425d970acf77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-075d57ce-2bc7-444e-a8bf-00ac069f39b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Even though water and psychic Pokémon were favored, Pidgeot was always the ride-or-die for one fan.

[{"selector":"#anim-d861eeba-0772-46fa-a25c-e0b8bb943810 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d08df58-65d8-4104-8a9f-7bea0d2f7d7b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87081a0e-3d47-4141-b371-2c569b5a45d5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram For some fans, Pokémon GO was their favorite game, but they also like the card game and the original set of Pokémon.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce99eeea-59d7-4cbb-b74e-9b87eb1386d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1c21161-b36f-43c6-8e8c-b7dceac57846","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13bfb820-fc5d-4890-9f00-6354b82477b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Totodile is a fan favorite for some since the Johto league.

[{"selector":"#anim-7a6d5b98-8177-422b-86eb-6b1f2f1287a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2e83e58-8f47-4ef7-9dcc-d30c77df02cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df72b351-168e-41a6-91a0-221cb6a9b52c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram A family fought over their favorite Pokémon, Charizard, which led to the Christmas debacle of 2001.

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[{"selector":"#anim-4f04e6d8-fbc8-4356-8ffd-368c2105ccde [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6313d84a-0a01-4557-aca5-814ebf9e84fb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ca29784-e00d-4e40-9a65-6b126ca78a07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Pokémon Battle Revolution on the Wii is a favorite game for some fans.

[{"selector":"#anim-7ef7c571-063d-4043-8f82-8f0118248465 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6cfbb5be-23fc-43b9-91f3-8bdd3bd2782b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2595f633-717d-4bf0-ae2d-1beba5fcdf19","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Pokémon Stadium on the N64 was a delightful masterpiece for others, with loads of fun battles and tournaments.

[{"selector":"#anim-77c821ea-50f8-4f84-9978-fefb0685a3d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87146904-0621-4e99-9885-5778cd885b81","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3bd39787-eef2-44d2-b8dc-c7a61cfe5d5e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Flamigo from Scarlet & Violet is a Pokémon that some fans didn't expect to love but ended up loving.

[{"selector":"#anim-aab187a5-fce7-4552-91dc-82562e022839 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9347c5b8-20a6-4266-ae44-b09c2a0808c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-986f4905-11bd-46a9-9efc-0fd081618d8c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Fans find the open world that enables Pokémon to chase you down in Scarlet & Violet interesting and thrilling.