Pokemon Tropical Mega Battle was the precursor to what is now the World Championships. It was aTCG-exclusive tournamentheld in Honolulu, Hawaii. The format that is used in the current global tournaments, where both the TCG and video games are contested, wasn’t created until 2009.
Exactly 25 years ago in Hawaii,@Pokemonheld its very first “Pokémon World Championship” in this convention room. Today, I went back to see if that room was still there. It is! Incredible how history was made in this very spot and to see how far Pokémon has come.pic.twitter.com/vfKAa0h0E1
“That’s pretty amazing. It must feel surreal being in that same room, even though it’s gone through intensive renovations,” one user commented, “They need some type of plaque or small statue of Pikachu or something commemorating the first event.”
Even The Pokemon Company’s official Twitter/X page commented, saying, “Truly a full circle moment!” But another user was distracted by the image itself, asking, “Wonder who has that poster?” referring to the awesome Exeggutor display in the back of the room.
Those who remember the original PokeMania boom will likely also remember the accusations that the series was a flash in the pan and that no one would care about Pokemon in a few years. While the series had some low years, it grew tobecome the biggest media franchise of all time.
The winners of the Tropical Mega Battle had no idea that they were making history that day, as their card game tournament would help establish one of the biggest competitive gaming events in existence. And now, thePokemon World Championships is returningtwenty years later, bringing the story right back around.
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(If the memories are treasure enough, then they can sell some of theincredibly rare and valuable cardsdistributed at Tropical Mega Battle. Who says fandom doesn’t pay off?)
Scott Baird is a Games Writer on Dexerto’s UK team, specializing in Pokemon, Baldur’s Gate, Dungeons & Dragons, Final Fantasy, and Magic The Gathering, and Nintendo games. He also has bylines at Cracked, Dorkly, Topless Robot, Screen Rant, The Gamer, and TopTenz.
