Pokémon’s original Japanese games debuted on the Game Boy.
Pocket Monsters Red and Green were role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The handheld hardware was especially important because its Link Cable allowed two players to connect their systems and trade Pokémon.
That trading feature was a major part of the original concept. Satoshi Tajiri imagined creatures moving between connected Game Boys, transforming the console’s communication accessory into a way to share collectibles rather than merely compete.
The games were later adapted for international audiences as Pokémon Red and Blue. Pokémon Yellow followed as an enhanced version with features inspired by the animated series. Although Pokémon later appeared on the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and many newer systems, the franchise began on the original monochrome Game Boy.