On what date were the first Pokémon games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, released in Japan?
Answer
February 27, 1996
The first Pokémon games, Pocket Monsters Red and Green, were released in Japan on February 27, 1996.
That Game Boy launch is the starting point used for Pokémon anniversaries, including the franchise’s 30th anniversary in 2026. The games introduced the central idea of catching, training, battling, and trading fictional creatures.
Outside Japan, the original pair received different version names. North America and other international markets got Pokémon Red and Blue, rather than the Japanese Red and Green pairing. This regional difference is a frequent source of confusion when people compare release histories.
The games were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Their success eventually expanded Pokémon into animation, trading cards, films, manga, merchandise, and mobile games, making the 1996 release one of the most influential Game Boy launches ever.