This two-part episode features both a post mortem of PRGE 2026 (Portland Retro Gaming Expo) and a recording of our panel chat with Gail Tilden, formerly of Nintendo of America (NOA), about launching Pokémon in the U.S.
Part One: Guests Steve Lin, founding board member, and Chris Kohler, Editorial Director of Digital Eclipse, noticed a quieter sales year filled with prized collections, a surge in card sellers, very few standard consoles for sale, and a fully booked kitten cuddle tent.
Part Two: Gail Tilden, formerly at Nintendo Power and NOA, broke down the massive undertaking of localizing the franchise, managing the fallout from Japan’s infamous Porygon anime episode, and turning a simple Game Boy title into a multi-billion-dollar cultural phenomenon. Gail and Frank discuss where retro gaming is heading and how a pocket-sized phenomenon conquered America.
You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.
See more from Chris Kohler:
Bluesky: @kohler.bsky.social
Website: www.chriskohler.biz
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Kohler/e/B001IOFJPI%3F
See more from Steve Lin:
Bluesky: @stevelin.bsky.social
Video Game History Foundation:
Email: podcast@gamehistory.org
Website: gamehistory.org
Support us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg