Pokémon Red and Green were first released for the Game Boy. Nintendo launched the original games in Japan in 1996 for its monochrome handheld console.
The Game Boy’s Game Link Cable was central to Pokémon’s design. By connecting two systems, players could trade Pokémon and battle one another, making communication between consoles part of the game’s core experience.
The original games were designed for the standard Game Boy, although they could also be played on later compatible hardware. Their international successors, Pokémon Red and Blue, were likewise released for the Game Boy before the enhanced Pokémon Yellow became associated more closely with the Game Boy Color.
The console choice helped Pokémon reach a large existing audience. Rather than requiring a home console, the games used a portable system already known for multiplayer connectivity and long battery life.