Pokémon.com: Difference between revisions

'''Pok{{tt|é|Officially uses regular &quot;e&quot;}}mon.com''', known as ''Pokémon World'' prior to 2002, is the official international [[Pokémon]] website, which was first created on January 8, 1998.<ref>[https://www.whois.com/whois/pokemon.com WHOIS information for Pokémon.com]</ref> The website has gone by many different names and used many different Internet addresses throughout its history, such as ''Pokémon-games.com'' and ''Go-Pokemon.com'', though [[The Pokémon Company International]] has finally settled on the simple ''"Pokémon.com"'' nominer. Four [[#Website versions|full versions]] of the official Pokémon.com website are maintained, each focusing on a specific language, country, or region. Several other partial websites are also maintained. The current version of the website, introduced on January 27, 2014, saw a complete reorganization of website content and visual design, as well as seeing the prominent return of the ''"[[Gotta catch 'em all!]]"'' slogan.

With the official launch of the Pokémon.com website on January 8, 1998,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19981202180143/http://pokemon.com/ Archive of the original 1998 Pokémon.com website]</ref> it was little more than a repository for [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]] about the then current [[#Video Games|Pokémon video games]], [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]], and [[#Attend Events|organized Play! Pokémon events]]. While using the ''"Pokémon.com"'' web-browser address, the website was referred as ''Pokémon World'' or the ''Pokémon Times''.

Between May 4, 1999 and November 29, 1999,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19991129051351/http://www.pokemon.com/ Archive of the 1999 Pokémon.com website update]</ref> the Pokémon.com website underwent its first redesign. This update introduced new content such as the first version of [[#Play Games|Pokémon browser-based online games]] and an [[#Online Pokédex|Online Pokédex]] in which users could look up information on then current Pokémon video game versions of specific [[Pokémon]] as well as information about [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes and movies.

Between September 9, 2001 and January 24, 2002,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20020124015326/http://www.pokemon.com/ Archive of the 2001 Pokémon.com website update]</ref> the website underwent a minor overhaul of its design. The only significant changes were the introduction of the [[#Pokémon Center|Pokémon Center]] as a separate online store for purchasing [[Pokémon merchandise]] and the relabeling of the Pokémon.com website itself from ''"Pokémon World"'' to just ''"Pokémon.com"''.

In mid-2002, sometime between June 4 and July 22,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20020604143445/http://www2.pokemon.com/ Archive of the 2002 Pokémon.com website update]</ref> the website underwent a complete overhaul of its design but largely left the content in place.

Between June 19, 2003 and July 19, 2003,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030719005154/http://www.pokemon.com/ Archive of the 2003 Pokémon.com website update]</ref> the website underwent a complete overhaul of its design and content. Content was separate into separate websites. Pokémon.com retained [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]].  The separate sites were ''Pokémon-games.com'' for the [[#Video Games|Pokémon video games]] (March 2003 at least to January 2009) and ''Go-Pokemon.com'' and ''Pokemon-tcg.com'' for the [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] (from May 2003 to January 27, 2014).

On January 11, 2010,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20101230035810/http://www.pokemon.com/us/ Archive of the 2010 Pokémon.com website update]</ref> the website underwent its next major overhauled of content and design. Each section utilized a similar layout with a uniquely identifiable color scheme. To users familiar with the current website, this update seems familiar even though the layout is different due to the primary elements of the current website existing very close to their current forms. The [[#Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]] section included the addition of a [[#Trading Card Database|Trading Card Database]] allowing users to search for specific Pokémon cards and [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansions]] and the ability to [[#User profile|centrally manage user Pokémon accounts]] and view organized [[#Attend Events|Play! Pokémon]] information through Pokémon.com. This update also introduced [[Trainer Token]]s and an early version of the [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] system, the ability to watch select [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes as well as the ability to look up information about them, and the initial set of three, current [[#Play Games|Pokémon browser-based online games]]. Prior to the 2010 update, only six online games were available (four being accessible directly and two hidden). These initial three online games were adaptations of games originally distributed on the Japanese [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] website (as was the original Trainer avatar system). The six previous online games were briefly made available on an archive site, which has since been removed.

On January 27, 2014, the website experienced yet another major overhaul of content and design. The basic layout was "simplified" along with the full incorporation of what had also been separate [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] websites, including the incorporation of the current user customizable [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] system that allows users to define their owner visual look and style. The update also updated the [[#Online Pokédex|Online Pokédex]] by implementing a similar ''Basic'' and ''Advance'' search criteria and browsing options that were originally introduced in the 2010 [[#Trading Card Database|Trading Card Database]]. The update additionally expanded the ability to centrally manage all user Pokémon accounts through Pokémon.com as well as children accounts under the [[#User profile|User profile]]. Later incremental updates also introduced the ability to add and follow ''"Friends"'' and earn additional rewards through the [[#Stamp|Stamp]] reward system.

 

The current version of the Pokémon.com website was implemented on April 26, 2019,<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-features-retiring/ 2019 retired features announcement]</ref> when several features on the website were discontinued: the "Play Minigames!" section and its score leaderboards; several Pokémon Trainer Club features such as Stamps, Pokédex Summary, Collectible Gallery, and Pokémon TV friend activity; and Trainer customization features including Trainer Builder, Trainer Store, and Trainer Tokens. Trainer Tokens already owned in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online were not affected.

Pokémon.com is split into multiple different websites for countries around the world that all share a common design. There are three versions of these sites:

* The full website which includes the [[Pokémon Trainer Club]], a [[Pokédex]], information on the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}} (including a database), information on the {{pkmn|games}} and [[:Category:Mobile games|Apps]], [[Pokémon TV]], events listings for [[Play! Pokémon]] and a news section.

* A single page that gives some broad information about Pokémon and sometimes provides links to other websites.

 

The following are the current Pokémon.com country websites, and the local domains that redirect to them:

{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"

! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | Full Websites

|-

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''The Americas'''''

|[[Pokémon in the United States|United States]] & [[Pokémon in Canada|Canada]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/us/ English] || pokemon.com<ref group="note">By default [https://www.pokemon.com pokemon.com] redirects to [https://www.pokemon.com/us/ pokemon.com/us/]. However, if any of the other country sub-websites are visited, a {{wp|HTTP cookie|cookie}} is set meaning that pokemon.com then redirects there instead.</ref> <br/>pokemon.ca

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''Europe'''''

| [[Pokémon in France|France]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/fr/ French] || pokemon.fr

| [[Pokémon in Germany|Germany]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/de/ German] || pokemon.de

| [[Pokémon in Italy|Italy]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/it/ Italian] || pokemon.it

|-

| [[Pokémon in Spain|Spain]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/es/ Spanish] || pokemon.es

| [[Pokémon in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] & [[Pokémon in Ireland|Ireland]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/uk/ English] || pokemon.co.uk

{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"

|-

! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Partial Websites

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''The Americas'''''

| [[Pokémon in Brazil|Brazil]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/br/ Portuguese] ||  pokemon.net.br

| [[Pokémon in Latin America|Latin America]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/el/ Spanish] || 

 

pokemon.com.{{tt|ar|Argentina}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|bo|Bolivia}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|cl|Chile}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|co|Colombia}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|cr|Costa Rica}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|do|Dominican Republic}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|ec|Ecuador}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|sv|El Salvador}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|gt|Guatemala}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|hn|Honduras}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|mx|Mexico}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|pa|Panama}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|pe|Peru}} <br/>pokemon.com.{{tt|py|Paraguay}} <br/>pokemon.{{tt|uy|Uruguay}}

|-

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''Europe'''''

| [[Pokémon in Denmark|Denmark]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/dk/ Danish] ||  pokemon.dk

| [[Pokémon in Finland|Finland]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/fi/ Finnish] ||  pokemon.fi

| [[Pokémon in the Netherlands|The Netherlands]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/nl/ Dutch] || pokemon.nl

| [[Pokémon in Norway|Norway]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/no/ Norwegian] || pokemon.no

|-

| [[Pokémon in Russia|Russia]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/ru/ Russian] || pokemon.ru

| [[Pokémon in Sweden|Sweden]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/se/ Swedish] ||pokemon.se

{| class="wikitable" style="display: inline-table;"

! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Single Pages

|-

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''Europe'''''

|-

| Austria || [https://www.pokemon.com/at/ German] || pokemon.at

| [[Pokémon in Belgium|Belgium]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/be/ French & Dutch] || pokemon.be

| [[Pokémon in the Czech Republic|Czechia]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/cz/ Czech] || <ref group="note">The website at [http://pokemon.cz/ pokemon.cz] is owned and operated by ConQuest Entertainment Inc, the official distributer of Nintendo games in Czechia (aka The Czech Republic), and thus does not redirect to pokemon.com.</ref>

| [[Pokémon in Greece|Greece]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/gr/ Greek] || pokemon.gr

| [[Pokémon in Portugal|Portugal]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/pt/ Portuguese] || pokemon.pt

| Switzerland || [https://www.pokemon.com/ch/ French & German] || pokemon.ch

|colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|'''''Oceania'''''

| [[Pokémon in Australia|Australia]] || [https://www.pokemon.com/au/ English] || pokemon.com.au

The Landing page is the initial page users see when they enter ''"Pokémon.com"'' into their web-browser. It is regularly updated to highlight various website content and news. Users may always return to the Landing page by clicking on the "Pokémon" graphic on the left side of the website's primary ''navigation menu'' located at the top of each Pokémon.com page.

The ''Pokémon Trainer Club'' contains website user account information. This section is not easily identifiable under the name ''"Pokémon Trainer Club"''. However, it is easy to locate. It is the ''[[#Side navigation bar|Side navigation bar]]'' on the left side of all Pokémon.com webpages. It provides a means for Pokémon.com users to ''"Sign In"'' if they already have an existing account, ''"Join"'' to create an account, and also contains a website ''"Search"'' interface. By creating an account, users are able to friend other users and centrally manage other Pokémon accounts. Prior to April 26, 2019, users were also able to earn [[Trainer Tokens]] and [[#Stamps|Stamps]], and keep track of [[#Play Games|online browser-based game]] scores.

Once logged into with a user account, a "picture" appears at the top of the left ''Side navigation bar''. This picture represents the user's current [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] if they have set one in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. The Side navigation bar provides access to the following information:

* A ''"[[#User profile|User profile]]"'' section where users may adjust settings, add and manage accounts for their children, and centrally manage other Pokémon accounts,

* A ''"Friends"'' section for locating and finding "friends" and following their activities online (added on July 9, 2014),<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/connect-with-friends-in-the-ptc-now/ Connect with Friends in the PTC Now! — July 9, 2014]</ref> and

* ''"PGL Settings"'' allows users to adjust their [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] settings for the [[#Pokémon Global Link|Pokémon Global Link]].

[[File:Online English Pokédex.png|thumb|300px|[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/ The Online Pokédex prior to the 2019 overhaul]]]

===Pokédex===

Formerly known as ''Explore Pokémon'' prior to the 2019 overhaul, this section features the '''[[National Pokédex|Online Pokédex]]''' with the Pokémon updated for each new [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video game]] release, currently [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]].

Like other [[Pokédex]]es, it allows the user to search for Pokémon by either ''[[List of Pokémon by name|Name]]'' or ''[[Index number|Number]]'' in "Basic Search Mode". "Advanced Search Mode" allows searched by ''[[Type]]'', ''[[Weakness]]'', ''[[Ability]]'', ''[[List of Pokémon by height|Height]]'', and ''[[List of Pokémon by weight|Weight]]''. The 2014 overhaul redesigned the Pokédex with a browse-able grid-like structure. Without any search criteria, users may scroll through the grid-like list of Pokémon by either ''Name'' or ''Number'' (currently 1 to 905). Selecting a given [[Pokémon]] brings up details on that given Pokémon, with two versions tied to the current video game release. Details include a picture, brief description, height, weight, gender, category, abilities, type, weaknesses, basic stats bar chart showing relative strength ({{DL|Stats|Hit Points|HP}}, [[Move|Attack]], {{DL|Stats|Defense}}, [[Special move|Special Attack]], {{DL|Stats|Special Defense}}, and {{DL|Stats|Speed}}), and [[Evolution]] chart (if any).

===Video Games & Apps===

{{main|Pokémon games}}

Formerly known as simply ''Video Games'', this section provides information about various Pokémon video games and apps.

Before the 2014 overhaul, most of the [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] had their own mini-sites and sub-sites section with information and other materials about a given video games. While the newest video game release often still have their own mini-sites, this section of the Pokémon.com website highlights information about all current video games in one location and acts as a central repository of game information, announcements, and news on all currently available video games, including links to the individual game mini-sites. This section's [[#News and announcements|news articles and announcements]] date back to November 2013.

*A step-by-step "How to Play" set of tutorials with [[Professor Holly]], and

===Animation===

This section offers a "''Pokémon the Series'' Episode Encyclopedia", a "Pokémon Movie Encyclopedia", and a "Where to Watch Pokémon Episodes & Movies" guide.

 

Formerly known as ''Watch Pokémon TV'' and then as ''Pokémon TV'' until late 2023, it offered a selection of [[Pokémon anime]] episodes to watch before this service was eventually gradually moved to its later introduced [[Pokémon TV|own website]].

 

Before the 2010 overhaul, the television section simply provided a synopsis of Pokémon anime episodes. After the overhaul, a continuously cycling selection of episodes, which may be viewed online, are interspersed with synopsis summaries and screenshots for every episode and movie.

 

Previously, rather than separating the episodes by seasons, the episodes were instead categorized under a special 'theme' such as a specific [[Pokémon]] and also by '[[region]]' — the 'Kanto Channel', the 'Johto Channel', the 'Hoenn Channel', the 'Sinnoh Channel' and the 'Unova Channel'. There was also an option to 'Explore All Seasons' at the bottom of the page, if a traditional season by season search was preferred.

===Play! Pokémon Events===

Formerly known as ''Attend Events'', this section acts as a central repository of information related to [[Play! Pokémon]] organized play Events, Rules and Resources for [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] and the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] in the organized play setting, and Parent Guides. This section also allow users to locate local Pokémon events and clubs, as well as [[#News|News and announcements]] dating back to August 2014.

===News===

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Users were able to earn [[Trainer Tokens]] from doing various activities on the site, including playing games in the Play Games section, reading news articles, and earning Stamps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

====Stamps====

Stamps represent an additional means of rewarding users for using the website and its various contents. The system was initially introduced on August 28, 2014<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/begin-your-stamp-collection/ Begin Your Stamp Collection! — August 28, 2014]</ref> and substantial expanded on March 30, 2015.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/more-stamps-to-mark-your-way/ More Stamps to Mark Your Way! — March 30, 2015]</ref> Stamps may be earned by reading [[#News and announcements|news articles]], looking up [[Pokémon]] in the [[#Online Pokédex|Online Pokédex]], watching [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes, playing [[#Play Games|browser-based mini-games]], and for viewing [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] cards, as well as by participating in official [[#Attend Events|Play! Pokémon events]]. As Stamps are awarded, 6 [[Trainer Token]]s are earned. Some Stamps are one-time events only. Other Stamps increase in level (1 to 10). The more Stamps earned and the more Stamps with higher levels contribute to the assignment of a user's account level (1 to 20). This feature was retired in the April 26, 2019 revision of the site.

* '''Make a Splash!''' (Level 1 to 20) — View the Magikarp entry in the Pokémon.com [[#Online Pokédex|online Pokédex]] once per day. ''(NOTE: Stamp image becomes a silhouette of {{p|Gyarados}} at Stamp Level 20, rather than the previous {{p|Magikarp}} silhouette and the user’s Stamp Level number.)''

* '''All Eyes on Espurr!''' — Take a good, long look at Espurr in the Pokémon.com online Pokédex.

Throughout Pokémon.com's lifespan, it has been notorious for errors. Some of these are as minor as referring to [[Team Galactic]] as [[Team Rocket]], others as important as stating that {{p|Phione}} was a [[Legendary Pokémon]] (although this is a subject of debate). Other errors are stated below. This list is not exhaustive.

* After the 2010 overhaul, in ''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]'''s overview in the animation section, [[Mt. Coronet]] was noted. However, Mt. Coronet is in [[Sinnoh]], and is in ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]''. This was later fixed, with [[Mt. Chimney]] being noted instead.

*** Similarly, a comment for an image on [[Pokémon Emerald Version]]'s subpage states "The [[Kanto]] region has never looked better!". Pokémon Emerald took place in [[Hoenn]]. This comment was later removed.

* In the Video Games Strategy ''Get Smart with Gummis'' they erroneously claim that {{DL|Gummi|Yellow Gummi}} is preferred by {{t|Psychic}} types when it is preferred by {{t|Electric}} types.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20120203013821/http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-strategy/vg_strategy-get-smart-with-gummis Get Smart with Gummis! - Video Game Strategy - Pokémon.com]</ref>

* Several (but not all) Pokémon namespaces (such as "bulbasaur.com") redirect to either Pokémon.com or [http://www.nintendo.com/ Nintendo.com], and others, such as Manaphy.com and Darkrai.com, redirected to their respective mini-sites. After the update in January 2010, many links became broken as the respective pages no longer exist at the same location. Such namespaces have since been changed to redirect to the website's Pokédex page on that Pokémon.

** A mini-site about {{p|Darkrai}} which originally appeared in 2008 was located at http://origin2.pokemon.com, but has since been taken down.

* The Pokédex on the Russian website states that it can sort Pokémon by Cyrillic letters А-Я though the Pokémon in the Pokédex are written in Latin letters.

* [https://www.pokemon.com/us Official website of Pokémon.com for the United States]

* [https://www.pokemon.com/uk Official website of Pokémon.com for the United Kingdon]