I started playing pokemon when I was 5 years old. I started with Pokemon Pearl on an R4 and DS that my cousin let me borrow! I chose Piplup as my starter because it was my favorite pokemon from the anime. I got excited at the idea that I was able to catch/collect/battle with these creatures I've only seen on TV! I was hooked! I've bought/played almost every main series game (haven't played Emerald, Let's Go or Gold/Silver), and a big chunk of the spinoffs since then. I consider it the thing I'm most knowledgable about, I can name/recognize all 1000+ species of pokemon, decipher all type matchups off the top of my head, name how they all evolve, etc. yea I know a lot XD!!
At this point it's been a lifelong interest. I'm not sure why I like it as much as I do when there are objectively better games out there, like Red Dead Redemption or The Last of Us. It's probably a nostalgia/pride thing, I suck at every other game in existence! In my honest opinion I think pokemon fell off after ORAS.