Pokemon Yellow is a role-playing game released by Nintendo in 1998 for the Game Boy, with full color support added for the Game Boy Color. Game Freak built this title as a special edition of the original Red and Blue games, taking direct inspiration from the popular animated television series. Players step into the shoes of a young trainer who receives Pikachu as their starting partner from Professor Oak. The most notable change from earlier versions is that Pikachu refuses to stay inside its Poke Ball and instead follows the player around the world map. This creates a closer bond between the trainer and the iconic electric mouse. The game keeps the core formula of catching wild Pokemon, training them through battles, and challenging eight Gym Leaders across the Kanto region. Team Rocket members Jessie and James also make appearances as recurring villains, pulling more story elements straight from the anime. The result feels personal and warm compared to the original pair of titles.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

1 MB · GB / GBC ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | GB / GBC ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | RPG |
| File Size | 1 MB |
| Release Year | 1998 |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Pokemon Yellow is a role-playing game released by Nintendo in 1998 for the Game Boy, with full color support added for the Game Boy Color. Game Freak built this title as a special edition of the original Red and Blue games, taking direct inspiration from the popular animated television series. Players step into the shoes of a young trainer who receives Pikachu as their starting partner from Professor Oak. The most notable change from earlier versions is that Pikachu refuses to stay inside its Poke Ball and instead follows the player around the world map. This creates a closer bond between the trainer and the iconic electric mouse. The game keeps the core formula of catching wild Pokemon, training them through battles, and challenging eight Gym Leaders across the Kanto region. Team Rocket members Jessie and James also make appearances as recurring villains, pulling more story elements straight from the anime. The result feels personal and warm compared to the original pair of titles.
Players journey across Kanto to collect badges, beat the Elite Four, and become the Pokemon Champion. The game features over 150 creatures to catch, trade, and train, with each having unique types and movesets. Pikachu can express moods through small sprite animations, and trainers can check its happiness level by speaking to it directly. Players can obtain all three original starters during the adventure, which was not possible in Red or Blue without trading. Link Cable support lets two players battle or trade Pokemon between cartridges, and trading remains the only way to complete the full Pokedex. The Kanto region includes diverse locations such as Viridian Forest, Mount Moon, Lavender Town, Celadon City, and the Pokemon League at Indigo Plateau. Hidden items, secret techniques, and optional side areas add depth for curious explorers. Pokemon Yellow stands as a fan favorite among classic handheld titles and remains a perfect starting point for newcomers to the long-running franchise.