I use the phrase codified. For example Ocarina of Time and Mario 64 didn’t invent fighting or exploring in 3D, but both established a baseline of what it should feel like.
Pokemon took what SMT/Dragon Quest/Mother was putting down, simplified and refined the vibe and made it more accessible.
Fair.
I suppose it is groundbreaking in the same way as World of Warcraft and League of Legends are groundbreaking.
Neither of them actually introduced new concepts. But they put them together in a way that no one else had before.
I use the phrase codified. For example Ocarina of Time and Mario 64 didn’t invent fighting or exploring in 3D, but both established a baseline of what it should feel like.
Pokemon took what SMT/Dragon Quest/Mother was putting down, simplified and refined the vibe and made it more accessible.