It's the game that started a revolution, but it's not just the fad that convinced gamers to catch 'em all. This deceptively simple and child-friendly roleplaying game design is a far deeper game design than it looks. Pokemon features way more strategy and gameplay than it leads on, offering gamers almost infinite gaming possibilities even after the main adventure ends. Initially released in Japan as Pocket Monster Red and Green in 1996 (and later Red), the franchise arrived in the west in 1998 as Pokemon Blue and Red. The games could be linked up with each other and with the N64's Pokemon Stadium titles for creature trading.