Mew was secretly added to the original Pokémon games and helped fuel rumors after their release.
Mew was a last-minute addition to Pokémon Red and Green. It was hidden in the games and could not normally be obtained through ordinary gameplay, making its existence difficult for players to confirm. The mystery encouraged discussion and experimentation among early fans.
Nintendo and Game Freak later used a promotional lottery in CoroCoro Comic to distribute Mew to selected players. This promotion turned an obscure hidden creature into a powerful reason for fans to keep talking about the games and seeking information.
Mew is often confused with Mewtwo, but the two are different Pokémon. Mew is the original species listed as number 151, while Mewtwo is a separate genetically engineered Pokémon associated with the first movie and with the end of the original Pokédex. Their similar names reflect their connected fictional history.