Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri, a childhood insect collector, create Pokémon (originally called Capsule Monsters). Tajiri is currently the CEO of Game Freak, the Japanese video game developer that works solely for Nintendo.
The Japan release of Pocket Monsters Red and Green for Game Boy. On Oct. 15, Nintendo introduces Pokémon Blue, a Japan-exclusive, less glitchy merging of the original Red and Green. Thus begins a long history of releasing sister versions of updated games in the same carefully coordinated color family.
Three years later, Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition for Game Boy comes out, and in 2004, U.S. fans see the release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen for Game Boy Advance.
The first Pokémon trading cards -- 102 of them -- are published in Japan by Media Factory. They become wildly popular for both collectible and competitive play.
The cards become available in the U.S. three years later, and Nintendo takes over publishing in 2003. Nearly 15 billion cards have been produced to date, featuring all Pokémon species.
The Pokémon cartoon TV show airs in the U.S.
On Dec. 16, Japan’s 38th Pokémon episode, "Electric Soldier Porygon,” causes more than 700 children to experience epileptic, seizure-like symptoms as a result of the show's flashing lights. The episode is never shown again, and we don’t see much of Porygon after that.
The second, third and fourth anime series -- Advanced Generation, Diamond and Pearl and Best Wishes, respectively -- air in the U.S. in 2003, 2007 and 2011.
The anime is now broadcasted to more than 70 countries, and you can watch old episodes online.
U.S. release of Pokémon: The First Movie -- Mewtwo Strikes Back. The first-ever, G-rated Pokémon film debuts at No. 1 at the box office on opening day.
Pokémon releases a new movie -- sometimes two -- every year after, excluding 2010. Most of the movies feature one or more legendary Pokémon that don’t otherwise get much screen time on the TV show.
The U.S. release of Pokémon Gold and Silver for Game Boy Color. One hundred new Pokémon in the Johto Region add up to a grand total of 251. The game introduces a time system, Shiny Pokémon, and most notably, both male and female Pokémon. Hello, breeding.
Pokémon Crystal for Game Boy Color becomes available the following year. It lets players select their trainer’s gender for the first time.
Saudi Arabia bans Pokémon on the grounds it promotes Zionism and gambling.
U.S. release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire for Game Boy Advance. The games take place in the Pokémon world’s Hoenn Region, with 135 new Pokémon to catch and train.
Special edition Pokémon Emerald comes out two years later. Together, this Advanced Generation trio represents the best-selling Game Boy Advance games to date.
Pokémon celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The Pokémon themselves have also gotten significantly less cuddly since the days of Squirtle and Bulbasaur.
U.S. release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo DS. Critics love the Wi-Fi capabilities, but fans aren't satisfied with the graphics.
The game is set in the Pokémon world’s Sinnoh Region, based mostly on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, and introduces more than 100 new Pokémon.
We see the U.S. release of Pokémon Platinum for Nintendo DS in 2009.
U.S. release of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, enhanced versions of the original Gold and Silver games. They come with Poké Ball-shaped pedometers that connect with the game via infrared signals.
HeartGold and SoulSilver are some of the best-selling Nintendo DS games, with over 12.5 million copies to date.
Cumulative sales of the Pokémon video games reach more than 200 million copies -- and that's not including the Game Boys kids bought specifically for the games.
U.S. release of Pokémon Black and White for Nintendo DS, set in the New York City-inspired Unova Region. The game introduces 156 new Pokémon, the largest new generation yet, as well as Professor Araragi, the first female Pokémon expert.
The following year sees Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 for Nintendo DS in the U.S.
Pokémon X and Y for Nintendo 3DS will launch worldwide. Mega evolution, 3D graphics and the first Nintendo-published retail games to be released simultaneously across different continents -- the latest game versions are bringing big changes to the world of Pokémon.
The game takes place in the Pokémon world’s Kalos Region, inspired by France.
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon, originally called Capsule Monsters and Pocket Monsters, is one of the world’s most beloved and far-reaching franchises in the history of beloved and far-reaching franchises. With undeniable staying (and playing) power since its creation 17 years ago, it has since become the second-most successful and lucrative video game-based media franchises in the world, behind only Nintendo's own Mario empire.
See also: 10 Questions With the Director of 'Pokémon X' and 'Y'
And Pikachu isn’t showing any signs of slowing down — Nintendo will release the latest versions of its video game, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Saturday.
At this rate, even our children’s children will train to become Pokémon masters. In the gallery above, see how far Pokémon has come since the simpler, forgotten era of just 150 monsters.

Homepage image: Stand Honda/AFP/Getty Images