In 1996, Nintendo and Game Freak launched Pokémon Red and Green (later Red and Blue in the West) for the Game Boy, introducing a revolutionary concept that would become one of gaming’s most successful franchises. Players took on the role of a young trainer, embarking on a journey to catch and train creatures called Pokémon while battling gym leaders and working to complete the Pokédex. The original 151 Pokémon, combined with the games’ perfect blend of RPG elements, collecting mechanics, and trading features, created an unprecedented social gaming phenomenon that transcended cultural boundaries.
The success of Red and Blue led to Pokémon Yellow, which more closely followed the popular anime series and featured Pikachu as a starter that would follow the player character. As the Game Boy Color arrived, Pokémon Gold and Silver built upon the original games’ foundation, adding 100 new Pokémon, a day/night cycle, breeding mechanics, and two new types (Dark and Steel). These sequels also introduced features that would become series staples, such as Pokémon holding items and the ability to breed new creatures, while also allowing players to return to the original Kanto region after completing the main story.
The Game Boy Advance era ushered in a new generation of Pokémon games with Ruby and Sapphire, showcasing dramatically improved graphics and introducing double battles, Pokémon abilities, and natures that affected stat growth. This generation also saw the release of FireRed and LeafGreen, enhanced remakes of the original games that introduced a new archipelago called the Sevii Islands. The GBA era concluded with Emerald, an enhanced version of Ruby and Sapphire that added the Battle Frontier and expanded upon the storyline involving the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza. These games established many of the core mechanics and features that would define the series for years to come.
