Game Freak

Game Freak Co., Ltd.
Type	Private
Founded	26 April 1989
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Industry	Multimedia, primarily Video Game Development
Products	Video Games
Employees	212 (2023)
Website	Game Freak Co., Ltd. (Japanese)
Article on Wikipedia	Game Freak

Game Freak (ゲームフリーク, Game Freak) is a Japanese multimedia company. First starting in the 1980's as the name of a self published video game magazine, founding member Satoshi Tajiri also used Game Freak as a pen name while working as a freelance journalist at the time. The modern Game Freak would officially be founded on April 26th, 1989, with their first game, Mendel Palace, releasing June 27th of that year. While having modest success through the early 1990's, their big break would be their collaboration with Nintendo on the creation of the Pokémon video game and anime series. Pokémon would go on the most profitable media franchise of all time. Game Freak and Nintendo, along with Creatures, would work together to create The Pokémon Company to streamline the licensing proccess for third parties. Game Freak has also worked on other titles, such as Yoshi for the NES, Mario & Wario for the Super Famicom, Drill Dozer for the GBA, HarmoKnight for the Nintendo 3DS, and Little Town Hero for the Nintendo Switch amongst several other titles. While Game Freak does have a close relationship with Nintendo, they are technically a third party company and have worked for other companies before, such as Sega with Pulseman and Tembo the Badass Elephant, Sony with Smart Ball and Click Medic, even self publishing a few titles such as Pocket Card Jockey and Little Town Hero.

In Super Smash Bros.

Several elements from the Pokémon franchise debuted in this game; such as Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Saffron City, two Pokémon music tracks, the Poké Ball item, and several non-playable Pokémon.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Pichu and Mewtwo debut as playable fighters. Along with the new Pokémon that appear in the new stages Pokémon Stadium and Pokéfloats, many more can now come out of a Poké Ball. 4 new Pokémon tracks and numerous Pokémon trophies of also make an appearance. The bucket from Mario & Wario appears as a trophy.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Pichu and Mewtwo do not return and are the first Pokémon characters to be cut from a Smash game. Pokémon Trainer, which includes Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard debuts along with Lucario. Rayquaza appears as a boss character. Pokémon Stadium returns, along with Pokémon Stadium 2 and Spear Pillar. Even more Pokémon can come out of the Poké Ball now. 10 old and new Pokémon tracks appear along with numerous Pokémon trophies and stickers. Brawl would also see the first non-Pokémon Game Freak franchise represented in Smash with an assist trophy of Jill from Drill Dozer and several Drill Dozer stickers.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Greninja appears as a brand new fighter. Squirtle and Ivysaur were cut from the roster, leaving Charizard as a standalone fighter. Mewtwo also returns as the first ever Smash DLC fighter. 24 old and new Pokémon music tracks appear, as well as numerous Pokémon trophies. Several Pokémon can be summoned through a Poké Ball and the debuting Master Ball, which only summons legendary and other special Pokémon.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Prism Tower and Unova Pokémon League, as well as several Pokémon trophies are exclusive to 3DS. Certain Pokémon appear exclusively in Smash Run. Tempo from HarmoKnight also appears as a trophy.

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Kalos Pokémon League and the returning Pokémon Stadium 2 as well as several Pokémon trophies and their corresponding Trophy Boxes are exclusive to Wii U. A few Pokémon appear exclusively in Smash Tour. The NES Yoshi game appears as a Masterpiece.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

All Pokémon fighters return in the base roster, with Incineroar being the only newcomer. All stages, with the exception of Poké Floats return with no new stages. The Poké Ball and Master Ball return with many summonable Pokémon. 33 new and old Pokémon music tracks and numerous Pokémon spirits appear at launch, with more spirits being added in postlaunch updates. A Team Rocket Outfit debuted as a DLC Mii Costume. Wanda from Mario & Wario, Jill from Drill Dozer and Tempo from HarmoKnight also appear as spirits.