Thread: Can Pokemon Ever Regain Iconic Status/Popularity?

So for those of us around as Pokemon fans in the late 90s, we remember how insanely popular Pokemon became here in the West. It was so much more than just a kids video game...it became a societal icon.

Today, it is obviously still popular, but not to the level it once was here in the US.

Do you think things could be done to bring Pokemon back to that level of popularity? What could they do to increase popularity? Make the storylines more adult? Change the anime?Make a full fledged main series Wii game?

Obviously I know it's impossible to duplicate the golden years of Pokemon, but this is more designed to stimulate conversation about what could be done to increase the popularity back in that direction.

I do not live in the US, but I know Pokemon was really popular in my country during the late 90's (I think the Pokemon craze hit here during 2000). The only thing that worries me is what fans at that time think of the franchise now, because there are currently a lot of Pokemon (currently 649 different species), and they might still have the "Gotta Catch 'em All" mindset going.

I believe if Pokemon releases an American movie in CG Animated form, or basically Pokemon that is Americanised, then it might be popular again, because, it is universal that the US is the center of entertainment.

Thanks for reading.

I believe that B/W will raise the popularity of the games, at least a small amount. If any new radical features are implemented, such as augmented reality, that also may cause a boost.

Most series never regain fad status after it loses them. This is the same for ANY series.

Look at what happened with Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers after their heydey. They're still around, but nowhere as popular as they once were.

Originally Posted by winstein

I believe if Pokemon releases an American movie in CG Animated form, or basically Pokemon that is Americanised, then it might be popular again, because, it is universal that the US is the center of entertainment.

Ugh, I personally don't like CG stuff. Somtimes it can be cool, but unless it's done just right CG just looks corny. :/

I like the new, more 3Dis animation style, but I just don't think it would be the same if it was CG.

Regain? 2nd best selling video game franchise of all time. A Macy's parade balloon.

I think it still has iconic status.

Originally Posted by Shaga

Regain? 2nd best selling video game franchise of all time. A Macy's parade balloon.

I think it still has iconic status.

True.

It was once something kids were crazy about though, the demand was so high they'd charge 11 bucks for a TCG pack when it came out. Like all pop culture phenomenons it was overused and eventually people got bored of it, then Magic the Gathering a Yu-Gi-Oh were on the rise.

Pokemon's still doing very well for itself it seems to me.

It hasn't lost it at all, I just think that old fans have decreased in numbers, but there are always new fans.

much as what @Kyuuketsuki has said, pokemon is still very popular and with 3.6 millon with B/W this is a sign that pokemon is GOING TO BE popular for years from now, i'v been a pokemon fan for 10 years now and im happy that pokemon is still so popular

Originally Posted by Shaga

Regain? 2nd best selling video game franchise of all time. A Macy's parade balloon.

I think it still has iconic status.

What he said. Why else would there be a Macy's parade balloon?

It'll probably never be quite as popular as it was in the late 90's in the US, this is due somewhat to to the fact that may kids who used to play pokemon at the time " grew out of it". Id like to see an RPG for the Wii, as that would probabaly help, and i think Black and White will be fairly popular in the US, which will put it on the radar screen again, but not to the level it once was, the plotline of Black and White may help attract some older players who havent played in years back to the game, but i doubt it will have that much of a revival.

It's not the talked about day to day thing it was back when it hit the West because it's not new anymore; it'll never be THE thing again, not like it was at least; but Pokémon is definitely iconic.

Disappear for 10-15 years, return. It's new to the kids, and the adults want to relive their childhoods so they play too.

Never knew it lost its status. It has some serious fans out there, and in my opinion, its getting more popular. I mean, go back in like, 2001 and ask a person about pokemon. They would'nt know much, but if you ask someone now, they'll have something to say about it.

I think its still popular, the Pikachu balloon is still in the Macy parade, and I still see the games at stores and the DVDs and trading cards. Its still popular, even with Bakugan and Beyblade's return