Pokémon Named 15th Recipient of Prestigious Andrew Yoon Legend Award by NYVGCC

The New York Videogame Critics Circle has announced Pokémon as the 15th recipient of the esteemed Andrew Yoon Legend Award. According to the NYVGCC, Pokémon is an "iconic and enduring part of global pop culture, having successfully bridged the gap between the gaming and mainstream audiences since the mid-1990s with its distinctive blend of collectibility, engaging RPG elements, and memorable character designs." The Andrew Yoon Legend Award is presented to industry professionals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional artistic innovation and achievement through their body of work. Past recipients include notable figures such as Sam Lake, Neil Druckmann, and Hideo Kojima. With over $12 billion in global retail sales in 2024 and more than 489 million game copies sold since 1996, Pokémon is regarded as one of the highest-grossing media franchises worldwide. The NYVGCC stated, "The legend of Pokémon continues to grow in strength as new generations discover its vast array of video games, animated series, movies, trading card games, mobile apps, and more." Harold Goldberg, president and founder of the NYVGCC, commented, "The impact of a cultural phenomenon like Pokémon is difficult to put into words; 'legend' is the only term that does it justice. For three decades, the franchise has become the most recognizable game series globally, beloved by players of all ages for its unique monster designs and the timeless appeal of catching them all." The NYVGCC's Reggie Fils-Aimé, former president of Nintendo of America, added, "The Pokémon Company has created an unparalleled gaming franchise that has left an indelible mark on the history of gaming. Having witnessed the dedication and care that went into each Pokémon game, I am thrilled to see the franchise being honored with the Andrew Yoon Legend Award." Pokémon will be recognized at the New York Game Awards on January 18, 2026.