Pokémon banks an insane amount every year, so it can afford to splash some cash from time to time. If you are wondering how much yesterday’s Super Bowl LX commercial might have cost, according to reports, it’s estimated to have required “at least $16 million” for just a single minute.
As noted by ScreenRant, this likely doesn’t even factor in the “price of the ad itself, filming, and animating the Pokémon”. And then there were mega stars such as Lady Gaga on display, who probably cost an arm and a leg to hire.
While this amount of coin might not seem like a big deal in the context of the Super Bowl (or modern marketing budgets), this estimate has led to speculation and debate about how much this single ad spot might cost compared to the development costs of the mainline video game entries. Although, as mentioned by the source, these same comparisons are based on “unconfirmed leaks for the budget” of the latest game.
But hey, keep in mind, Pokémon seemingly remains out in front as the highest-grossing media franchise of all-time, with the series transcending the video games. And this is the 30th anniversary we’re talking about here, so it’s not necessarily a surprise to see The Pokémon Company spending big on the brand.
The Pokémon Company has already announced it will be celebrating this milestone anniversary in many different ways, including the release of a brand-new LEGO line later this month. Heck, TIME Magazine is even releasing a special trio of Pokémon covers, and we’re sure we’ll see some exciting announcements on Pokémon Day this year.
What did you think of Pokémon’s Super Bowl commercial? Do you think it was worth the potential cost? Let us know your own thoughts in the comments below.