Pokemon

It's a good week to be really into Pokémon. Not only have we gotten the news that Pokémon Go, the augmented reality game set to debut on mobile devices next month, will be using local features like historical markers to determine which Pokémon you can catch, we also got a look at a handful of new Pocket Monsters set to make their debuts in this fall's Pokemon: Sun and Moon. And naturally, as is the way of all things, it falls to us to discuss them.

With such rich tapestries to draw from, video games provide cosplayers with incredible creative opportunities. We’ve compiled a massive collection of cosplay inspired by video game characters to celebrate the dedication and passion of these fans, with costumes that runs the gamut from the truly iconic to the downright obscure. Some of these costumes are simple and clean; others are dazzlingly complex; but each cosplayer brings a personal touch to these memorable heroes, villains, and side-characters. These are the best video game cosplays.

Q: Which starter are you going to choose in Pokemon Sun and Moon, and why? -- @MikePogdor A: You know, there's a part of me that really wants to hold off and weigh all the available options equally before I make this decision. Even if I'm not the kind of person to calculate who's going to give me the best type advantage when it comes time to battle my way through the gym leaders and teach the Elite Four a brutal lesson in humility, I should at least wait to see what their final evolutions --- you know, the ones I'm going to be stuck with through about 90% of the game --- are going to be before I commit. But like pretty much everyone else, I've already decided. I mean, there could be one of these things that literally evolved into a hundred dollar bill and somehow popped off the screen and directly into my wallet, but if that thing didn't start out life as a tiny little bird wearing a leaf as a bowtie, then folks, I am never going to know about it.

With Pokémon Sun and Moon set to be released in November, I have been eagerly awaiting news about my next adventure alongside my new partners/best friends/combat proxies. Today, though, the floodgates have opened with a new trailer revealing details about the new region, the new Pokémon Professor, and of course, the new Starters. That's right, y'all: We have now met the three starters for Generation 7: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Check out the video and some snap judgments on your future partners right here!

Usually, when someone takes a poll to find out someone's preferences for Pokémon, they tend to use adjectives along the lines of "favorite," or maybe even "cute." What you do not usually hear is someone asking which Pokémon is the most handsome, which I assume is largely because that's a very difficult standard to apply to, say, a chandelier with a face on it, or whatever Diglett is supposed to be. But that didn't stop someone from asking, and now, we have an answer that I don't think anyone was prepared for.

The Pokémon Company seems to be on a quest to render all furniture obsolete. First, it was the giant, (almost) life-sized Snorlax that can double as a sofa and physical manifestation of my true self, and the trend of giant plush Pokémon has continued with the company's latest release. Soon, all structures will be Pokémon, and we will be living in a finer world for it. According to PokeShopper, which keeps an eye on upcoming Pokémon merchandise, next month will see the release of a giant-sized version of the special Valentine's Day edition of Pikachu, putting an end to the very concept of throw pillows.

It was only a few days ago, when we found out about the upcoming toys being released to celebrate Pokémon's 20th anniversary this year, that I mentioned that my ideal piece of Pokémemorabilia would be a life-sized Snorlax that I could sleep on. Now, on the eve of the Pokéversary, it seems as though the skies have parted and Arceus Himself has descended from His throne in Heaven (and/or a small ball carried by a very determined ten year-old) to grant my wish. That's right, everybody: Throw your armchair in the trash and witness Bandai's greatest creation: A Snorlax plush doll that stands over five feet tall, coming this August to block roads, scarf down berries, and generally be the single greatest thing anyone has ever owned.

On the off chance that you divide all of history into the BP and AB eras (Before Pokémon and Anno Bulbasaur, naturally), you may need a reminder that this Saturday, February 27, marks the 20th anniversary of the release of the very first games. It's a big deal, and it's set to kick off a year-long celebration that's going to feature the release of the Pokémon Go interactive app and, if rumors are to be believed, the announcement of Pokémon Sun and Moon coming shortly. If, however, you want a more tangible representation of the franchise, there's good news on that front, too. Every month, Tomy is going to release a set of special Pokémon toys exclusively through Gamestop and Toys R Us, focusing on the many Legendary Pokémon from the game's 20-year history. Check out the first releases!

2016 sees the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, and the world is geared up for celebration, with digital re-releases of Pokémon Red and Blue, the augmented reality app Pokémon Go, and now, this fan-made art book of all 150 original Pokémon drawn to look like... adorable pugs! The project, by Australian graphic designer and illustrator Sean Dowling, is live on Kickstarter now with a host of rewards including posters, art cards and a softcover book of all 150 titled “The Pugédex”.

Is the world of Pokémon really all about Pokémon? Certainly to an extent it is, but there’s another aspect of each game that’s arguably as important as the pocket monsters themselves. They’re the gates that test your skill at every major turn in a Pokémon game. They’re the focal point of every city and the checkpoints on the way to becoming a true Pokémon master. It’s not just about raising every available critter you like. It’s about building a balanced team that will meet these challenges head-on. Of course, we’re talking about Pokémon gym leaders. Maybe they’re on this list because they were just too ridiculous to forget. Maybe they’re here because they brought something to the table that the other trainers didn’t. Or maybe they’re here because their ridiculously difficult challenge was the stuff of nightmares. Either way, these gym leaders are the boss battles that have made 20 years of Pokémon a worthwhile series of journeys. These are the 20 Best Pokémon Gym Leaders.