You can hear it, can't you? The theme song is beginning. I want to be… the very best! If it wasn't already playing in your mind before, it probably is now. It may be hard to imagine, but that music was written and released in 1999, just a couple of years after the video game hit the stands! Ash and his Pikachu pal have been going on adventures for so long, they're even competing with the Simpson family!

While Ash might not achieve his goal of catching them all, you and yours can still celebrate all your favorite moments by collecting the very best Pokémon gifts out there! Whether decking yourselves out in exclusive costumes for the ultimate movie montage experience or looking to throw an amazing birthday bash with your favorite starters, this guide is your one-stop shop for Pokémon perfection!

The world of Pokémon isn't just all about catching the brand-new critters on each route. It is also about how much people love their mysterious friends. That's why any time you visit a cool pad, PokéCenter, strange cavern, or mad scientist's lab, you'll find all sorts of neat Nintendo and Pokémon décor! So, don't slack on making your place look just as awesome!

Start your day right when you grab your Pokémon Coffee Mug and get energized for the day. Rock out to your favorite tunes or cook up a tasty dish with Home and Office treasures. Finally, ensure you're always keeping cozy when you decry out your bedroom or living space with our Pokémon Blankets! A Nintendo throw blanket or a big Sherpa is great for gaming or sleeping the night away.

Before we dive into the fun of our Pokémon presents, there may be a few questions you've been curious about. While the franchise has been around for a while, it isn't as well-known as Super Mario and the adventures the trainers take aren't always as profound as Link and Zelda's exploits. There are a lot of different opinions out there, especially with no less than three different wikis devoted to a franchise that includes a ton of games, movies, comic manga, and several seasons of the TV series. How is anyone supposed to know all the details of the mysterious powers the Pokémon employ? We've brought some of the prime information together to help you stay on top of the lingo, whether you're a longtime fan, a new friend to Pokémon, or just trying to keep up with the kiddos.

What is Pokémon?

Pokémon is considered the most successful media franchise of all time! It is known as "Pocket Monsters" in Japan, managed by The Pokémon Company of Nintendo and GameFreak. It is set in a fictional world where humans and an ever-growing variety of monsters live symbiotically in cities and where countless wild Pokémon live (especially in the tall grass). Several Pokémon are elemental or stylized animals while others are themed off iconic monsters from different cultures. Most of the stories of Pokémon relate to young trainers going out in the world and establishing friendships while learning all about their magical world and the power inside themselves—just like the song says!

How many Pokémon are there?

Trying to answer how many Pokémon actually exist is sometimes a really difficult question! That's because there are many generations of the series that offer up 2-4 video games and a whole new season to the manga and TV series. As of Generation VII, there are 807 unique Pokémon, but Generation VIII's Sword & Shield will bring that number closer to 900! Some say that the only true Pokémon are the original 151 that began in the first generation of Pokémon games, but around 100 more have been introduced with each generation.

When did Pokémon come out?

The world of Pokémon began in 1996 with the first Generation games. They were released in Japan as Pokémon Red and Green, though they're more commonly called Red and Blue in the West. The spin-off games, manga, anime, and the increasingly popular Pokémon trading card game all evolved pretty soon after and get new updates with each new generation. Almost all of the games have been on handheld systems like the Gameboy and Nintendo DS, but Pokémon worlds are expanding to the Switch with the Let's Go games and the new eighth generation!

What is the strongest Pokémon?

Trying to rank Pokémon can be really challenging because there are so many factors that go into their strength. This isn't just a question of the cutest character, after all. (Otherwise, Pusheen would quickly join the ranks!) If we're talking cosmic power, Arceus is the literal god that created all Pokémon. Legendary or Mythical Pokémon actually often top the charts. Maybe we're talking about types, in which case Dragon-type Pokémon usually have very high statistics, but they get easily defeated by Fairy types! If we're just talking about tough guys, Slaking is strong enough to give even Snorlax a good shove! (But, really, the answer is just Mewtwo.)

What is the rarest Pokémon?

Figuring out which one is the rarest is hard to say. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are unique creatures so, in the story, only one can ever exist. That's not especially true in the video and trading card games, though! Mew, an adorable pink ball of psychic kitten cuteness, is an incredibly rare mythical Pokémon that is virtually impossible to find without special events. Let's just say it isn't Rattata, a purple mouse that fills the extra boxes of every game, everywhere.