On what date did the first Pokémon video games debut in Japan on the Game Boy?

The first Pokémon video games debuted in Japan on February 27, 1996, for the Game Boy.

The games were Pocket Monsters Red and Green, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Their launch began a franchise that later expanded into animation, films, trading cards, manga, merchandise, and mobile games.

The release was delayed from its originally planned date of December 21, 1995, because related products were not ready. Although the Game Boy was already an older system, the games gradually became major successes through collecting, battling, trading, and word of mouth.

Outside Japan, the original Green version was replaced by Blue in the international releases. The overseas games were titled Pokémon Red and Blue, while Japan later received an enhanced Blue version. The February 27 anniversary is now celebrated annually as Pokémon Day, making the date especially significant for the franchise’s 30th anniversary.