Who conceived the main idea for the Pokémon video-game series?

Satoshi Tajiri conceived the main idea for the Pokémon video-game series. His childhood interest in collecting insects inspired the concept of finding and gathering creatures, while the Game Boy link cable suggested a way for players to trade them.

Tajiri pitched the idea to Nintendo around 1990 under the working concept of Pocket Monsters. Game Freak developed the project, with Nintendo publishing it and Creatures later providing important investment and support.

Ken Sugimori illustrated the original Pokémon, and Junichi Masuda became a major composer and programmer on the games. Shigeru Miyamoto mentored Tajiri during development, but Miyamoto was not the person who conceived the Pokémon concept.