For over 30 years, Pokémon have had a stranglehold over virtual pet owners. 

And we like it that way.

Ever since my first Tamagotchi, I have been fascinated with virtual pets. Neopets, Tamagotchi, and Pokémon became my obsession at an early age. As a kid who was always denied the puppy in the window, a Pokémon gave me, and every other entry-level anime lover, a new creature to tie our entire personality to. Was it a water Pokémon or a fire Pokémon? It didn’t matter because our obsession evolved faster than a Caterpie in a lush green meadow. Like every one with a Gameboy Color, the starter Pokémon fascination started a lifetime of merch purchases, gaming investments, and really cool real life video game applications.