A Look at Video Game Ads of the Past: Pokémon

Hello and welcome back to another installment of retro game ads. I was excited to put this segment together, as Pokémon was such a big part of my childhood. While I’ve separated other entries based on consoles, this segment will be unique in that it focuses on a single property through the years. So, in this segment, you’ll find ads from 1998 through around 2005 for the Pokémon franchise, though much of it focuses on the earlier generations.

As popular as Pokémon was in the late 90’s, I found many ads unrelated to the actual games. These ads instead focused on merchandise, films, and, of course, Pokémon cards. Looking back, it was crazy just how quickly Pokémon grew into a juggernaut franchise. I flipped through the issue of Nintendo Power that introduced the franchise and it was amusing reading how the basic aspects of the game were explained for the first time. Today, we know all about Pokémon, how evolutions and types work and how to create the perfect teams. Yet, it all had to be explained at some point. I hope you enjoy this blast from the past.

Games

Fat Pikachu is best Pikachu.

That's what Pokémon is all about: adventure and exploration.

Though I collected Pokémon cards as a kid, I had no idea how the game worked. The cards looked cool, though.

Sign me up.

Sorry about the neck, Lugia.

An interesting ad campaign catered around trainers that look like their Pokémon. I especially like the Don Knotts-esque guy in the bottom left. So, if you were a Pokémon trainer, which Pokémon would you resemble?

I'm not big into pinball games, but I love the art style used here.

Did anyone here take part in one of these bundles back then?

I love the subtle green color used here. Plus, I love ads like this. Mysteries abound in an unknown land where new challenges arise. Who wouldn't go?

I know that sign on the right is supposed to be partially covered by the one in front, but that is some weird text formatting. Is there something hidden there, or is it just awkward white space?

This one seriously freaked me out when I was younger. How did that happen? How painful must that have been? The line down the middle just makes it worse; it looks like undoing the laces would make some gross wound open up. Who thought this was a good idea?

Cards

That looks like a dream come true, if for nothing more than the art. If Nintendo ever released an official artbook of early Pokémon artwork, I would buy it in an instant.

Wow, this screams 'late 90's', at least how I remember it. Be sure to get all the new Beanie Babies; they're sure to be valuable collector's items. That was also when I was first obsessed with Dragon Ball Z as a kid. I couldn't get enough of it. Also, you can get all this stuff "On-Line"? A dream come true.

Prepare for trouble and make it double.

Merchandise 

This is absolutely beautiful. I found a copy at a Goodwill a few years back, but was crushed to find the case empty. Gotta have that PokéRap.

One of everything, please.

I think you meant to say "Pika Pika-Pi."

I asked my parents to go to Burger King a ton when this promotion was going on. I still have a bunch of these toys in a box somewhere. I think I have all of the gold plate Pokémon cards as well.

I think I have the two on the bottom left. Looking at all the others, I'm a little jealous. Mine just sort of shook around, while the others lit up and made noise. Off to eBay, I guess.

Proof there was Pokémon everything back then.

Electric Pikachu Boogaloo. That sounds amazing. Hey, I'd buy it based on the title alone.

I still have the cards they handed out in the movie theater for this. They were a Mew and a Mewtwo, I think.

LOOK WHO CAME:

Bardley   

Dreamweaver   1

Retrofraction   1

Roberto Plankton   1

nanashi   1

Oridan   1

Whispering Willow   1

Gajknight   1

Luna Sy   1

Luckrequired   1