On 27 February 1996, gamers were first introduced to characters Pikachu, Eevee, and Charmander when the first Pokémon games were released in Japan.

Known as Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green, the games were released simultaneously on the Nintendo Game Boy hand-held console.

In a matter of years the franchise would make the leap from an ageing games console to television animation and beyond, making it a worldwide pop culture powerhouse.

Kurt Brookes speaks to game developer Akihito Tomisawa about the development, release, and success of the game series.

A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service.

(Photo: Pikachu. Credit: Made in Manchester)