The first Pokémon games, Red and Green, launched in Japan in 1996.
Game Freak developed the role-playing games for Nintendo’s Game Boy. They were released on February 27, 1996, beginning the franchise that would later expand into anime, films, trading cards, toys, and many more games.
The original Japanese releases were called Pocket Monsters Red and Green. Outside Japan, the games were reworked and released mainly as Pokémon Red and Blue, which can cause confusion when people discuss the franchise’s starting pair. Pokémon Blue first appeared in Japan as a special version before its code and artwork helped form the international releases.
The 1996 launch introduced the original 151 Pokémon, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Mew. It also established core ideas such as catching, training, battling, trading, and completing a Pokédex. The date is therefore both the beginning of the Pokémon video-game series and the foundation of its 30-year anniversary in 2026.