|caption3=A group of Pokémon parodying ''Mario'' series characters and enemies
}}
'''Pokémon''' are a non-''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' species, which is currently made up of 807809 members, in the ''[[bulbapedia:Pokémon|Pokémon]]'' series, that each have unique abilities. There are eighteen different [[bulbapedia:type|elemental types]] of Pokémon; each type affects the Pokémon's attacks, abilities, and weaknesses. For example, [[Pikachu]], being an [[bulbapedia:Electric (type)|Electric]] Pokémon, specializes in electrical attacks, which is effective against [[bulbapedia:Flying (type)|Flying]] and [[bulbapedia:Water (type)|Water]] Pokémon, but in turn are weak against [[bulbapedia:Grass (type)|Grass]] Pokémon and ineffective against [[bulbapedia:Ground (type)|Ground]] Pokémon. Another factor that separates Pokémon from traditional animals is that after meeting certain conditions, the Pokémon will [[bulbapedia:evolution|evolve]] into a different Pokémon. For example, a [[Pichu]] can evolve into a [[Pikachu]] with high friendship, and a Pikachu can then later evolve into its final form [[bulbapedia:Raichu (Pokémon)|Raichu]] with a [[bulbapedia:Evolutionary stone#Thunder Stone|Thunder Stone]]. Pokémon live in the wild but are caught by Pokémon Trainers to have as pets or to battle with other Pokémon competitively.
Some select Pokémon have interacted with characters in the [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'']] franchise, most notably in the ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' competitions. Not only are some competitors, but if a player throws a [[Poké Ball]], then a random Pokémon comes out and affects the gameplay in some way. These Poké Ball Pokémon don't directly hurt the player who sent them out, with the exception of [[bulbapedia:Electrode (Pokémon)|Electrode]] and [[bulbapedia:Wobbuffet (Pokémon)|Wobbuffet]].
