(1997)1997 - Pokг©mon

: By late 1997, Game Freak was already deep into development for the "Generation II" sequels, which were showcased at Nintendo Space World '97 (featuring many "beta" designs that never made the final cut). 3. The Trading Card Game (TCG)

: The series introduced Ash Ketchum (Satoshi in Japan), a young boy from Pallet Town with dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master. PokГ©mon (1997)1997

Following the 1996 release of Pocket Monsters Red and Green , 1997 saw the continued dominance of the Game Boy titles in Japan. : By late 1997, Game Freak was already

: Initially a mail-order exclusive, it became more widely available, featuring updated graphics and dialogue. Following the 1996 release of Pocket Monsters Red

: These expansions were released in Japan during this year, introducing iconic cards like the holographic Scyther and Flareon.

: While Clefairy was originally considered for the role, Pikachu was chosen as Ash's starter, a decision that would eventually make it one of the most recognized fictional characters in history.

The Pokémon TCG, which launched in late 1996, saw its first major expansions in 1997.