The Original Pokémon Game: A Journey to Begin
What was the original Pokémon game? For any Pokémon fan, this is a question that ignites nostalgia and a sense of belonging to a community that has been enjoying the franchise for decades. On February 27, 1996, two Game Boy titles, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, were released in Japan, marking the inception of the beloved franchise that has gone on to become one of the most iconic and successful video game brands in the world.
Creating a Masterpiece
The birth of the franchise can be attributed to the genius minds of Satoshi Tajiri and Junichi Masuda. Satoshi Tajiri, a passionate entomologist and video game enthusiast, imagined a game where players would explore various environments, collect insects, and learn about their habitats and characteristics. Similarly, Junichi Masuda was inspired by his passion for computer programming and his interest in collectible card games.
In
1993
, the duo left their respective companies, Toshiba and Japan Media Programming Co., Ltd. (JMPC) Ltd., and created Game Freak**, their own independent video game developer. The company set out to realize Tajiri’s childhood dream with Pokémon, a fusion of insects collecting and role-playing game (RPG) elements.
Birth of Poké Balls and Pokémon Battles
As developers, Tajiri and Masuda were heavily influenced by earlier RPG titles, such as Elec-trionica Senki Voltron (1989), Dragon Warrior (1989), and Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Tactics (1994). They recognized the importance of creating unique selling points (USPs) and crafted bold concepts to captivate fans.
Pokémon Red, the first game to feature red-colored creatures with red Pokedex entries (see tables below), introduced innovative battle strategies, including the use of Pokedex entries and battling rivals. This pioneering design introduced the concept of breeding for specific traits, building on fan-favorite attributes, and giving players a sense of depth in the early stages of the series.
| Entry # | Pokémon Species | Pokémon Number |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur (#1-3) | Bug/Pois | 004-106 |
| Charmander (1-3) | Lizard (Fire) | 110-122 |
**Unique Gameplay**
The original game also distinguished itself with distinct elements **like the item catalog,** where players managed inventory (Poké Balls and potions,) and the **environment’s complexity**, featuring both 16-bit graphics (the precursor to 3D visualization) and top-down exploration perspectives. Combat, in particular, emphasized close-range battles that leveraged **the special bonds established between trainers** and wild Pokémon.
**The Release of Pokémon Gold and Silver**
< h 3 > After a limited release in Japan of the first batch of Pokémon games** **in
September 1997, **Pokémon Gold Version** and **Pokémon Silver Version were released worldwide in July 1998
. Introduced **shiny Pokémon,** 103 new species, an updated leveling system, and multi-route linking, the sequel bolstered what made the game exceptional but also added complexities. Enhanced graphics, new trainers, and game mechanics further bolstered these games.
< **Comparison of Pokémon Games (Generations 1, 2-3)** >
**Item Cataloge** PokémonGen1 RBYFRRLG
inventory 80+ Pokedex entries