The Nuzlocke Challenge originated in 2010 when creator Nick Locke posted a webcomic titled 'Pokemon: Hard Mode' on 4chan, featuring a Nuzleaf and characters inspired by the show Lost. The challenge introduces self-imposed rules to make Pokemon games more difficult, most notably that any Pokemon that faints is considered dead and must be released. It evolved from a niche comic into a massive internet phenomenon, spawning thousands of 'Let's Play' series and fan-made comics. The meme typically focuses on the extreme emotional distress players feel when losing a beloved team member to a random critical hit, turning a children's game into a high-stakes survival drama.