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Red and Blue are paired versions of the same Kanto adventure, with different Pokémon available in each; trading lets players fill the gaps. Pokémon Yellow keeps the broad journey but makes Pikachu your starter and has it follow you. Pick Red or Blue for their version-exclusive Pokémon, or Yellow for its Pikachu-centered presentation and other updates.
What is the difference between Pokémon Red and Blue?
The games share the core Kanto journey: catch Pokémon, challenge Gym Leaders, face the Elite Four and confront Team Rocket. The main practical difference is which Pokémon appear in each version. Nintendo’s Pokémon Blue product listing presents Red and Blue as a pair and notes that trading is needed to collect every Pokémon.
For the western Red/Blue pairing, examples of Red exclusives include Ekans, Oddish, Mankey, Growlithe and Scyther. Blue exclusives include Sandshrew, Vulpix, Meowth, Bellsprout and Pinsir. The full roster is listed by Pokémon Database. These examples apply to the western releases; regional versions can differ.
There are smaller differences, including some Game Corner prize Pokémon and presentation details, but the exclusive Pokémon—and whether you can trade with someone who has the other version—are the most useful factors when choosing between Red and Blue.
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What does Pokémon Yellow change?
Yellow is an updated version of the Kanto adventure, not just Red or Blue with a different label. Instead of choosing Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle at the start, you begin with Pikachu. Nintendo’s Pokémon Yellow product description highlights another distinctive feature: “And in Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu actually follows you around throughout your journey!” Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle can be obtained later through side quests.
Yellow also changes parts of the presentation and play. A detailed version guide documents updated graphics and color palettes, altered story events and dialogue, added Team Rocket characters, different wild encounters and trainer teams, and revisions to some Pokédex entries, moves and in-game trades. The broad Kanto role-playing adventure remains familiar, but the experience is not identical to Red or Blue.
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Which version should you choose?
- Choose Red or Blue based on which exclusive Pokémon you prefer and whether you have someone to trade with who owns the other version. Neither version alone has every Pokémon.
- Choose Yellow if you want Pikachu as your starter and want it to follow you, along with Yellow’s anime-inspired presentation and other revisions.
- If completing the Pokédex is your goal, plan around trading and version-specific availability rather than expecting one cartridge to contain every Pokémon.
Release dates and current purchase context
Nintendo UK lists Pokémon Blue’s Game Boy release date as October 5, 1999, and Pokémon Yellow’s as June 16, 2000. Those are European dates from Nintendo UK’s listings, not global launch dates. The opened official Blue listing presents Red and Blue together but does not give Red a separate release date, so Blue’s date should not be treated as Red’s.
Nintendo UK says purchases through the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family eShops ended on March 27, 2023. That cutoff applies to those storefronts; it does not establish availability on every platform or in resale markets.
Quick Recap
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- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
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- 3 complete Pokémon TCG decks (60 cards each)
- Each deck includes a powerful special Pokémon: Cinderace V, Pikachu V, or Eevee V
- Eevee deck includes 2 copies of an all-new promo card featuring Galarian Obstagoon
- 1 instruction sheet to help you set up to play
- 2 tutorial guides to lead you through the decks
Rank #3
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