What feature of the Game Boy inspired Satoshi Tajiri’s idea that Pokémon could be traded between players?

The Game Link Cable inspired Satoshi Tajiri’s idea that Pokémon could be traded between players.

The cable connected two Game Boy systems and allowed compatible games to exchange data or support multiplayer interaction. Tajiri recognized that this communication feature could turn collecting into a social activity rather than a solitary one.

His childhood interest in collecting insects helped shape the creature-collecting concept. Instead of merely finding every creature inside one game, players could discover that some Pokémon were exclusive to one version and trade with another person to complete their collection.

The cable therefore became part of Pokémon’s core design, not just an optional accessory. In the original games, it enabled both trading and player-versus-player battles. Later Pokémon games replaced or supplemented cable communication with wireless connections, infrared links, local wireless play, and online services.