Camera facts: • Released in 1999 during peak Pokémania • Made by Tiger Electronics, the same company that made the iconic Pokémon handheld toys • Officially licensed Pokémon merchandise • Uses standard 35mm film
Design details: • The lens sits right in the Pokéball • Bright yellow plastic body shaped like Pikachu’s face • Designed to be super simple to use
Specs / features: • Fixed focus lens • Built in flash for indoor photos • Uses AAA batteries for the flash • Point and shoot operation • Takes 24 or 36 exposure film rolls
Fun nostalgia facts: • Released the same year Pokémon exploded worldwide • Originally marketed as a kids novelty camera • Now considered a collectible Pokémon item • A favourite for toy camera and lomography style photos
How it works: Inside the camera there is a small plastic mask in front of the film frame. When you take a photo, that mask partially blocks the light hitting the film and creates a printed Pokémon border directly onto the photo. So the overlay is not digital and not added later. It is physically burned onto the film during exposure.
