Who created the original Pokémon concept that became the 1996 video-game franchise?

Satoshi Tajiri created the original Pokémon concept that became the 1996 video-game franchise.

Tajiri founded Game Freak, which began as a video-game fanzine before becoming a development company. His childhood interest in insect collecting inspired the idea of creatures that players could find, collect, raise, and exchange with one another.

The Game Boy’s link-cable feature was especially important to the concept. Tajiri imagined that creatures could travel through the cable between systems, turning a hardware connection into a trading mechanic. This helped distinguish Pokémon from many other role-playing games of the period.

Ken Sugimori illustrated the Pokémon, while Nintendo published the games and Creatures later became involved in the franchise. Those collaborators were essential, but Tajiri is credited as the creator of the original concept. Satoshi Tajiri’s role is therefore different from that of the franchise’s later managers and designers.