Summary

• An interview with former Nintendo of America marketing boss Gail Tilden reveals that Pokemon’s Western release was almost very different.
• The American division had considered giving the game a more gritty aesthetic, even contemplating changing it to a baseball RPG.
• However, Pokemon’s initial success in Japan deterred any changes, leading to its global success.

Pokemon’s original games in the West could have been drastically different at launch due to ideas discussed by Nintendo. Over the years, the franchise has expanded into various genres and spin-offs, such as racing and strategy games, as well as lifestyle-focused titles like Pokemon Sleep.

Despite initial doubts about its appeal in the West, the franchise’s explosive success established it as a significant cultural phenomenon nearly three decades after its debut. Today, its main-series games continue to perform exceedingly well, indicating the lasting popularity of Pokemon.