On what date did the original Pokémon video games debut in Japan?
Answer
February 27, 1996
The original Pokémon video games debuted in Japan on February 27, 1996.
Pocket Monsters Red and Green were released for Nintendo's Game Boy. They were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, beginning the Pokémon video-game series and the wider franchise.
The Japanese versions were followed by an enhanced Blue version. For international releases, Nintendo used the names Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version; the original Green version was not released outside Japan. The date is often treated as Pokémon Day and is central to anniversary celebrations.
These games introduced the core activities that became Pokémon trademarks: capturing, training, battling, trading, and completing a Pokédex.