Which came first Pokémon Yellow or Red?

Which Came First: Pokémon Yellow or Red?

The Pokémon franchise has been a beloved part of many people’s childhoods, with the first games, Pokémon Red and Green, released in Japan in 1996. However, the question remains: which came first, Pokémon Yellow or Pokémon Red? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the Pokémon games and provide a definitive answer to this question.

The Origins of Pokémon

The concept of Pokémon was created by Satoshi Tajiri, a Japanese video game designer, in the early 1990s. Tajiri was an avid insect collector and enthusiast of video games, and he wanted to combine these two passions to create a game where players could collect and trade virtual creatures. The first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green, were released in Japan in 1996 for the Game Boy handheld console.

Pokémon Red and Green: The Original Games

Pokémon Red and Green were the first games in the Pokémon franchise, and they introduced the concept of catching and training Pokémon to battle against other trainers. The games were released in Japan in 1996 and were later released in North America and Europe as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.

Pokémon Yellow: The Enhanced Version

Pokémon Yellow, also known as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, was released in Japan in 1998 and in North America and Europe in 1999. This game was an enhanced version of Pokémon Red and Green, with several new features and improvements. Pokémon Yellow was designed to be a more beginner-friendly version of the game, with a focus on Pikachu, the iconic Pokémon mascot.

The Timeline: Which Came First?

So, which came first, Pokémon Yellow or Pokémon Red? The answer is Pokémon Red and Green, which were released in Japan in 1996. Pokémon Yellow was released two years later, in 1998.

Key Differences Between the Games

Here are some key differences between Pokémon Red and Green and Pokémon Yellow:

• Pokémon Yellow features Pikachu as the starter Pokémon, while Pokémon Red and Green feature Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle as the starter Pokémon.
• Pokémon Yellow has a more beginner-friendly difficulty level, with easier battles and more guidance for new players.
• Pokémon Yellow includes several new features, such as the ability to have Pikachu follow the player character and the addition of new Pokémon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pokémon Red and Green were the original Pokémon games, released in Japan in 1996. Pokémon Yellow, an enhanced version of the game, was released two years later in 1998. While Pokémon Yellow may have been designed as a more beginner-friendly version of the game, it is still a significant part of the Pokémon franchise and has its own unique features and improvements.

Timeline of Pokémon Games

Here is a timeline of the Pokémon games, including the release dates for each game:

References

• Pokémon Official Website
• Game Freak Official Website
• IGN
• The Verge
• Polygon