10 Video Game Cash Cows The Industry Can’t Stop Milking
9. Pokémon
Pokémon is one of the biggest selling game series of all time. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, who used to love collecting bugs as a child, the Pokémon name is a global phenomenon and one of the most profitable intellectual properties on the planet. The first games came out back in 1996, and Nintendo continues to invent increasingly ludicrous pocket monsters on a regular basis.
There have been seven different generations of Pokémon so far, with a total of more than 800 different creatures, with the eighth generation of Pokémon set to be unveiled in an upcoming game for the Switch.
As well as the individual handheld releases, Nintendo has also come up with countless spin-offs like the excellent Stadium and Snap games on the N64, as well as Pokémon Rumble, Pokkén Tournament, Pokémon Go, and plenty more.
Many people in their twenties and thirties grew up with Pokémon and are still interested in the games, while young children are also drawn to the exciting and addictive nature of the 'Gotta Catch 'Em All' gameplay, so we can't expect Pokémon to go away anytime soon.