Pokemon Franchise: A Niche, An Opportunity?
Pokemon is celebrating its 20th anniversary and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it's still growing year-over-year.
Pokemon: Main Series Video Games
There are many facets to the franchise, some which have declined, others that are growing. There's the main series video games, which is entering it's 7th generation, with the Sun and Moon generation launching next month.
The Main Series games include the following:
- Generation 1: Red, Blue, Yellow (for Game Boy/Game Boy Color)
- Generation 2: Gold, Silver, Crystal (for Game Boy Color)
- Generation 3: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald (for Game Boy Advance)
- Generation 1 Remakes: FireRed, LeafGreen (GBA)
- Generation 4: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum (for Nintendo DS)
- Generation 2 Remakes: HeartGold & SoulSilver (NDS)
- Generation 5: Black, White, Black 2, White 2 (NDS)
- Generation 6: X, Y (Nintendo 3DS)
- Generation 3 Remakes: Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire (3DS)
- Generation 7: Sun, Moon (3DS)
Pokemon: Spin-Off Games
There's also spin-off games that the Pokemon Company launches (excluding third-party titles like Pokemon Go, released by Niantic). Usually these games have been released for the current Nintendo console, this generation that's the Wii U. However, Nintendo is starting to push mobile gaming via iOS and Android (such as Camp Pokemon, Pokemon Shuffle, Pokemon Pixel Art, and more) besides their partnership with Niantic for the successful Pokemon Go.
They also continue to release spin-off games for handheld consoles, the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, like Pokemon Picross and Mystery Dungeon.
Pokemon: Re-Release Video Games
They're also starting to re-release (not remasters) previous games via the Virtual Console, games like the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, now playable on the new Nintendo 3DS.
Of course The Pokemon Company also releases remasters of previous generations for their latest handheld console. Up next is likely a remaster of the 4th generation after the launch of Sun & Moon in November.
Pokemon Trading Card Game
The first set of Pokemon Trading Card Game was released in 1999, with the Base Set, released by Wizards of the Coast. There have been dozens and dozens of expansion sets released, in addition to Theme Decks, Special Sets like Battle Arena Decks, Trainer Kits, and many Promo releases since then.
To celebrate Pokemon's 20th Anniversary, the very original Base Set (from 1999) is being re-released and updated for the new TCG Mechanics, with the very next expansion set, XY-Evolutions, launching November 2, 2016. This set features many of the same card art and designs from the Base Set in 1999, with new attacks, moves, and mechanics, including the powerful Pokemon-EX and Mega Pokemon-EX.
Pokemon Trading Card Game: What Players Buy
Pokemon TCG Cards are primarily sold in Booster Packs (10 cards), Booster Boxes (36 Booster Packs), Elite Trainer Boxes (starter sets with 8-10 Boosters and supplies), Theme Decks (60 card pre-made decks for beginners), Battle Arena Decks (2 60-card decks, pre-made), Blisters (2 or 3 Booster Packs), and many others.
In addition to cards, players also regularly buy binders, pages, coins, dice, deck boxes, card sleeves, card dividers, and many other supplies.
There's so many different products to promote just within the Pokemon TCG segment alone!
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Where Players Buy
The cards and supplies are sold by many different retailers, normally the cheapest online is Amazon.com. There are also many eBay sellers, as well as both physical and online stores like Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Toys R Us, and officially from Pokemon Stores and thepokemoncenter.com website.
The Pokemon Trading Card Game segment is still vibrant and is also releasing yet another expansion set next month--Evolutions (new sets launch quarterly, four a year, sometimes more), along with the next Series launch--Sun & Moon--in February (every year or 2 a new Series launches).
The Pokemon TCG Online
The Pokemon TCG Online (a free MMORPG featuring the Trading Card Game) is also expanding rapidly. (My niche!)
The Pokemon TCG Online allows players to collect, trade, and battle other players worldwide, 24/7! It's very addicting and completely free-to-play.
Many players are always actively searching for codes that are included in physical products (Boosters, Theme Decks, Special Sets, Elite Trainer Boxes) to redeem those cards in-game. Most PTCGO code cards are sold on sites like eBay and Amazon. Some third-party sites exist. The Pokemon Company does not officially sell stand-alone codes.
Many Pokemon TCGO Players also play the physical card game, and promoting those products in addition to PTCGO codes I think will work well.
From my experience, a very large percentage of PTCGO players spend money on this game, either by buying codes, physical TCG products, or both. (There's no in-app or in-game purchases, so all purchases are done through third parties, mostly eBay, Amazon, Walmart, and some smaller sites).
Unlike Pokemon Go (and games whose primary source of revenue is from Google/Apple), almost all revenue is through sites that have affiliate programs, like eBay and Amazon.
The Pokemon Anime and Movie Series
The anime is also continuing with yet another new Season featuring Sun & Moon. The movie series is also expecting to launch more titles.
The anime and movie series have declined somewhat in popularity (except in Japan, where it remains a huge success), but some avid fans love purchasing DVD and Blu-Ray sets for their collection.
In fact, there's also a new mini series now available on YouTube, Pokemon Generations (3-5 minute episodes).
Official Pokemon Merchandise
Don't forget about Merchandise! The Pokemon Company sells millions of dollars worth of Pokemon-branded collectibles, plushies, figurines, clothing & apparel, and more each year (excluding the TCG).
And... Pokemon Go
Pokemon GO is just one tiny facet of Pokemon. Pokemon Go is undoubtedly a huge success (though primarily for Niantic, not really Nintendo or the Pokemon Company).
I personally don't know how long Pokemon Go will remain popular, or even how to monetize it successfully. Yes, many players make in-app purchases, either through Google Play or iTunes/Apple App Store, but can those purchases be easily monetized? Not really.
The only optional accessory is the Pokemon Go Plus, a $35 wearable now available. Also coming soon is the Pokemon Go app for the Apple Watch (some time in 2017). Again, how to monetize?
The Future of Pokemon
Pokemon is here to stay, even though some facets may fade, Pokemon itself will flourish and remains a very valuable niche for affiliate marketing. Pokemon is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year, and I'm sure it'll be celebrating its 30th down the line.
The question is what niche out of the many would be the most successful? Which Pokemon-related niches have been neglected and whose fans would love to have a content-centric website?
Pokemon-Related Resources
Pokemon TCGO hub
If you're interested in Pokemon, there's some sites I'd like to bring to your attention.
First, please do check out my recently established website, http://ptcgohub.com, which focuses on the Pokemon TCG Online.
I just started this website on October 4, and have been trying to add some content each day. I've already included some great resources, including very in-depth getting started guides, if you're interested and would like to learn the rules and basics of the Pokemon TCG, and the Pokemon TCG Online. [/shamelessplug]
BulbaPedia / BulbaNews
Also check out other resource sites (non-affiliate), such as BulbaPedia http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mo... (an information Wiki that can help jump-start any Pokemon niche) and it's cousin BulbaNews http://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Front_page.
Serebii
Also Serebii.net http://www.serebii.net/ is a fantastic resource, full of Pokemon-related information, and continuous updates, which focuses on the main series video games, spin-off games, the anime, and to an extent, the Trading Card Game.
Pokebeach (TCG)
There's also Pokebeach http://www.pokebeach.com/, which is focused on the Trading Card Game.
The official subreddits for /r/ptcgo and /r/pokemontcg can very valuable resources, too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonTCG/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ptcgo/
Official Website
Don't forget the official Pokemon website, which posts news articles regularly.
What do you Think?
Is Pokemon still a valuable opportunity for affiliate marketing? Which niches would be best?
Are you familiar with the Pokemon franchise? Have a Pokemon-related site of your own? Please share!
Recent Comments
4
Thanks for the share Lincoln.
From what you have here there is so much to this!
There should be an opportunity here.
I think it would be a great niche site, they have been around a long time and will probably be around for many years to come.
"Gotta catch em all"
I think (and hope) so, too!
Still not sure about Pokemon GO, but at least the app has gotten a lot of people interested in Pokemon again.
For me, I was playing Pokemon GO, but I had to stop due to my limited mobility (walking is mostly out of the question for me most days). I just wish there was a way for the disabled to play that game... At least Pokemon GO got me reintroduced to the Pokemon TCG Online. :D
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Wow, I thought Pokemon is history but I was wrong! I was really surprised by the explosive growth of Pokemon Go. Great to hear that you have your own Pokemon site and I wish nothing but the best of luck. Please share to us when you reach good success with your Pokemon site Lincoln :-)