On which video-game system did the original Pokémon games debut?

The original Pokémon games debuted on the Game Boy.

Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan for Nintendo’s handheld Game Boy in 1996. The system’s link cable was central to the concept because it allowed players to trade Pokémon and battle with another player’s team.

The games were designed for the original monochrome-compatible Game Boy, although they could also be played on later compatible hardware. Pokémon Blue followed in Japan, and international versions were released as Red and Blue.

Pokémon Gold and Silver later became associated with the Game Boy Color, but the franchise itself began on the earlier Game Boy. That distinction matters because the first games’ trading mechanic was built around a physical cable rather than wireless connectivity.