The minute-long Pokémon ad that aired during Super Bowl LX has become a hot topic. Foreign media outlets report that the airtime alone cost "at least $16 million," a figure that might even eclipse the development budget for Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A, sparking discussions among players and industry observers.
According to reports, a 30-second Super Bowl ad typically runs between $8 million and $10 million, meaning a full minute starts at a minimum of $16 million. Foreign media further noted that this estimate doesn't even cover the actual filming, animation production, or post-production for the Pokémon characters. Plus, with heavy-hitting celebrities like Lady Gaga reportedly involved, their fees would undoubtedly push the overall expenditure even higher.
In contrast, various reports have suggested that the development budget for Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A was around $13 million. When the game launched in October 2025, it faced criticism for technical issues and graphical performance. However, by December 31, 2025, global sales had already hit 12.3 million units, demonstrating its strong commercial success and quick recouping of development costs.
That said, the figures concerning the game's budget originate from unconfirmed leaked information, so whether the ad cost truly exceeded the development budget remains speculative. Even so, this comparison highlights player concerns about resource allocation and reignites the debate between marketing investment and product quality.
From an industry perspective, Pokémon, as one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, has long transcended the video game realm. This year marks the series' 30th anniversary, and The Pokémon Company is actively rolling out celebratory plans, including new LEGO collaborations. TIME magazine is also set to release three special covers. With Pokémon Day just around the corner, the market widely anticipates even more major announcements.
via： Screenrant