On what date were Pokémon Red and Blue released in North America?

Pokémon Red and Blue were released in North America on September 28, 1998.

These localized Game Boy versions introduced the Pokémon phenomenon to North American players. They were based largely on the Japanese Blue version’s programming and artwork, while retaining the distribution of Pokémon associated with the Japanese Red and Green releases.

The North American launch followed the Japanese debut by more than two and a half years. Nintendo had initially been uncertain whether American audiences would embrace games centered on collecting and battling cute creatures, but the release became a major commercial success.

The date is sometimes confused with February 27, 1996, when Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan. It is also distinct from the later European release, which arrived in October 1999. Red and Blue helped turn Pokémon from a Japanese Game Boy hit into a global entertainment franchise.