Pokemon 30th Anniversary Recap: When, Where, & What Happened

Pokemon fans, are you ready to catch them all? The 30th Anniversary hype is officially here! Nintendo dropped a high-energy teaser featuring commemorative logos and a look back at the icons that started it all. With a milestone this massive, you know that there’s going to be some legendary announcements. Check out the trailer!📽️👇

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Whether you’re diving into the new Winds and Waves region or hitting the nostalgia trail with the FireRed and LeafGreen digital rereleases, there’s so much to look forward to. 2026 is the ultimate year to be a Pokemon trainer! Grab your Poké Balls, the journey is just getting started! 🎒🎈

WHEN WAS THE POKEMON 30TH ANNIVERSARY? 

Nintendo celebrated 30 years of catching them all on Pokemon Day last Friday, February 27, 2026. On this exact same day in 1996, the biggest adventure in the gaming world began with the release of the very first Pokemon games, Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green. This year, Pokemon fans get to continue their amazing journey with brand new games and a new generation of Pokemon!

WHERE WAS THE POKEMON 30TH ANNIVERSARY? 

Everything happened online with the livestream program, Pokemon Presents. The event started with The Pokemon Company's president reflecting on the past and noting how there were only 151 Pokemon when Pokemon Red and Green were released. 😳

Now, 3 decades later, we have more than 1025 Pokemon including a brand new generation making its way together with the new games Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves. Check out the teaser down here📽️👇: 

Set in a brand new tropical island region surrounded by sun and sea, the new games tease fans with open-water battles and vacation vibes. They also feature 3 adorable new island-based starter Pokemon for fans to choose: the leaf-type bird Pokemon Browt, the fire-type puppy Pombon, and a water gecko named Gecqua.  

Here are some other Pokemon updates to take note of✅: 

• Pokemon Red & Blue Game Music Collection release

• PokemonXP and 2026 Pokemon World Champions taking place in San Francisco August 28-30

• Pokemon TCG 30th anniversary products dropping worldwide

• Pokemon Go: some Pokemon returning to the game

• Pokemon Masters EX sees Red & Pikachu, Florian & Ogerpon, and Juliana & Terapagos arriving

• Pokemon Cafe Remix to get first partner Pokemon in special outfits

• Pokemon Sleep gets new missions 

• Pokemon Unite sees the arrival of Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres 

• Pokemon TCG Pocket gets 30 days of gifts for 30 years of Pokemon

• Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness drops on Nintendo GameCube Classics this March

• Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen dropped 

• Pokemon Champions releasing on Nintendo Switch in April, mobile later this year

• Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimensions DLC gets Mega Garchomp Z

• Pokemon Pokopia will have a Rotom stereo where you can play different CDs and Greedent who will teach you how to cook different meals

WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT FROM THE POKEMON 30TH ANNIVERSARY? 

Besides the gaming announcements, Pokemon also got a ton of special collabs to mark 30 years of battling, training, and catching them all! That includes mashups with LEGO, Adidas, and Uniqlo. Serious Pokemon lovers better get ready to catch the latest Pokemon Lego sets, sneakers, and apparel.  

Speaking of merch, Nintendo also has a line of special 30th anniversary Pokemon goodies. You'll find special apparel, stationery, home goods, and all sorts of special items to add to your gaming room. There are also a couple of sparkly new “Pika Pika! Pikachu” plushies made especially for the anniversary! ✨

Trouble choosing a starter for your collection? Then catch them all with the Pokemon Lucky Bags. You’ll get everything you need to begin your own awesome Pokemon adventure! 

Alright, folks, that’s our rundown on the Pokemon 30th Anniversary from Nintendo. Are you hyped for Pokemon Winds and Waves? Which Winds and Waves Pokemon do you choose? Have you decided which 30th Anniversary merch you’re getting? 😍

With Pokemon, the adventure never ends! Share your own exciting Pokemon stories in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you, whether you’re a seasoned Pokemon trainer or a newbie to the franchise, hyped to start your Pokémon adventure. Happy 30 years of Pokemon, everyone! ⚡️

Can't wait to try the new games? Skip the wait—bring the adventure home! Our new Pokémon Lucky Bags are the ultimate mix of mystery, fun & awesomeness! Perfect for fans on a mission to "catch 'em all." Level up your collection instantly with curated toys & goodies delivered straight to your door.

Grab a bag and start your journey today!