In Japan, what was the Pokémon game released alongside Pocket Monsters Red in 1996?

Pocket Monsters Green was released alongside Pocket Monsters Red in Japan in 1996.

The pair formed the first Pokémon games, giving players different Pokémon available in each version and encouraging trading through the Game Boy link cable. A revised Blue version was released later in Japan, and the international releases were based on that improved version.

This history creates one of Pokémon’s most persistent naming mix-ups. Japan’s original pair was Red and Green, whereas North America and Europe received Red and Blue. The original Japanese Green was not released overseas in its initial form.

The green version’s legacy continued through Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes of the original adventures. “Green” therefore belongs to the Japanese launch history, while “Blue” is the familiar partner version for many international players.