Which Nintendo mentor helped Satoshi Tajiri develop the original Pokémon concept?

Shigeru Miyamoto helped mentor Satoshi Tajiri during the development of the original Pokémon concept.

Miyamoto was a major Nintendo designer known for creating or leading series such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda. When Tajiri presented his ambitious creature-collecting idea, Miyamoto recognized its potential and advised him during development.

One important suggestion associated with Miyamoto was creating multiple game versions containing different Pokémon. That structure gave players a reason to connect their Game Boys and trade creatures, turning the link cable into a central part of the experience rather than a simple competitive accessory.

Miyamoto did not create Pokémon, and he was not the project’s main developer. Satoshi Tajiri conceived the idea, Game Freak developed the games, and Ken Sugimori led much of the original Pokémon artwork. Miyamoto’s role was influential guidance within Nintendo’s support of the project.