It’s not exaggerating to say that when Pokémon GO was first released in 2016, it shook up the gaming—and non-gaming—world. By combining the magic of Pokémon with the technology of augmented reality, the company behind Pokémon GO, Niantic, achieved something that had never been seen before. Millions of people were out hunting for Pokémon in real life for the first time, flooding nearby parks and landmarks. Companies were using Lure Modules just to attract more players to the businesses near PokéStops. Even people who knew nothing about Pokémon were playing. In many ways, Pokémon had become real. While the hype around Pokémon GO has died down a bit, it’s still one of the most popular mobile games available. All because the game really does make you feel like a real Pokémon trainer. With the addition of gyms, you can even act as a Gym Leader—kind of. Fans of the anime series or the original games know that the Gym Leaders are some of the most iconic characters in the entire franchise. If Pokémon GO allowed you to act as a full-fledged Gym Leader, what kind would you be?
History Lesson
The Creator of Pokemon
Drawing from the rich tapestry of his childhood, Satoshi Tajiri, the mastermind behind the Pokémon phenomenon, wove a world that has captivated millions. Growing up in Machida, a part of Tokyo that retained a quaint, almost rural charm during the 1960s and 1970s, Tajiri was enamored with the local insect life. This passion was so pronounced that his peers affectionately dubbed him “Mr. Bug.” Envisioning a career as an entomologist, Tajiri's dreams took a detour as he transitioned from bug collecting to the allure of arcade games, notably Space Invaders. This newfound obsession led him to dissect the workings of the Famicom, Japan's version of the NES, to understand its mechanics and eventually craft his own games.
Tajiri's journey into the gaming world wasn't a solo endeavor. He initiated a modest video game fanzine titled Game Freak, which, although rudimentary in its design, attracted the attention of like-minded enthusiasts, including Ken Sugimori. Their camaraderie blossomed into a professional partnership, culminating in the establishment of Game Freak as a game development company. The duo's first creation, Mendel Palace, graced the Famicom in 1989. However, it was Tajiri's epiphany upon seeing two Game Boys connected via a link cable that set the stage for Pokémon. Merging his childhood love for insect collecting with this innovative technology, he envisioned a game where creatures could be amassed and pitted against each other. With the backing of Nintendo and guidance from Shigeru Miyamoto, the Pokémon series was born in 1996, forever altering the landscape of handheld gaming.
Despite the global acclaim and success of Pokémon, Tajiri remains an enigmatic figure. Described by Nintendo representatives as "reclusive" and "eccentric," he eschewed traditional academic paths, opting instead for a technical college in Tokyo. His dedication to his craft and unique vision, rooted in his personal experiences, underscores the profound impact one's passions can have when channeled creatively. The world of Pokémon, with its emphasis on collection, exploration, and camaraderie, is a testament to Tajiri's enduring legacy.
Quiz Writer
Joselyn wasn’t too keen on multiple choice in high school. She vividly remembers the first biology exam she passed by only the skin of her teeth, which dragged her overall average down into the embarrassingly low 90s (she doesn’t want to talk about it). After swearing off any high school or university courses that required multiple choice tests, Joselyn managed to get an English degree by sweet-talking her professors into offering only essay-style exams. Needless to say, this did not exactly endear her to her peers. This rocky start smoothed out in time, though, and after tumbling down a black quiz hole one day while putting off job hunting, Joselyn realized her hatred of all things a-b-or-c had faded and she actually enjoyed dreaming up new ideas for questions and dangerously correct-sounding answers. You won’t find her quizzes an easy ride, but Joselyn just wants to make sure you’re really testing your knowledge.
Did you know?
Pokémon GO caused an even bigger Pokémon craze?
Pokémon GO is not just popular. It broke basically every record for popularity and player count in a matter of days upon its initial release. The game even increased cell phone sales because people were desperate to play. Even people who had never touched another video game were getting involved with Pokémon GO.
However, it doesn’t stop there. This newbie boom even affected the main titles, especially those that came out shortly after Pokémon GO launched. Pokémon X and Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and Pokémon Sun and Moon all became the best-selling core games within record time. While the Nintendo 3DS was a bit expensive for the casual player base who was just getting into the games, Pokémon GO did lead to a massive amount of sales for the then-underperforming 2DS, which had a much more approachable price tag.
Pokémon GO even led to developers adding its capturing mechanics to upcoming games like Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! And, while it may be a coincidence, the Detective Pikachu film was fast-tracked into production shortly after Pokémon GO’s massively successful launch.
How to Play?
Our personality quizzes are set up a little differently than your basic trivia quiz, but you’ve probably seen their kind around. Rather than having to choose the right answer from a list of multiple choice options, in this case, there is no “right answer”! (Two plus two will always be four, but every Golden Girls character is equally awesome.)
So, stop stressing. Just click on the answer that suits you best, and enjoy the ride. These quizzes are just for fun but who knows – you might just learn something about yourself along the way!
About Heywise
Get knOwledgeable! Heywise is where entertainment and trivia meet, like a turducken of fun. Anytime. Anywhere. Since 2017, Heywise has been a leader of quizzes on the web, on mobile devices, and across social media.
We explore a broad range of topics – from sports to history, language to pop culture, personality to health. Our quizzes motivate readers to test their knowledge and learn new and exciting facts.
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