The exhibit, stocked by the collection of local YouTuber Leonhart, shows off memorabilia from the video game sensation’s 28-year history.
FRISCO, Texas — Have you ever wanted to be the very best? Like no one ever was? If so, you’re probably one of the millions of Pokémon fans around the world.
Fortunately, there’s a brand new exhibit for the game franchise that has just opened at the National Videogame Museum in Frisco.
The exhibit was put together in large part with the help of Lee Steinfeld, better known as Leonhart — he’s a DFW-based YouTuber who quit his job as an attorney to focus on his YouTube channel where he opens packs of Pokémon cards. The 37-year-old has been collecting Pokémon games, cards and other memorabilia since he was 11-years-old, and it’s all on display now at the museum and will be for about the next year.
That collection includes the original games, Pokémon Red and Blue, as well as other games in their original boxes. As well as vintage toys from Hasbro like plushies and smaller items like pencils and erasers.
The museum has also set up the original Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Stadium for visitors to play with their friends in the exhibit.
“Just the fact that people really do love to try to catch ’em all — catch the cards, games,” Steinfeld said about why Pokémon’s popularity has persisted so long. “It’s a great way to bond with your kids, have fun with your friends. It’s an IP available for all ages. Because they keep coming out with new content, it keeps you coming back.”
Pokémon has also had an incredibly popular anime for more than 25 years, with the museum showcasing autographs from the voice actors of the original 1997 TV series. The walls around the exhibit also include fun facts regarding the original creators of Pokémon, as well as photos statistics and other information about the franchise.
Steinfeld talks more about opening the exhibit in a video on his YouTube channel: