What Game Boy feature inspired Pokémon’s creature-trading idea?

The Game Boy’s Game Link Cable inspired Pokémon’s creature-trading idea.

Satoshi Tajiri learned that the Game Boy could connect two systems through a link cable. He imagined players exchanging creatures between separate cartridges, turning a limitation of solo portable gaming into a social feature.

The idea also connected to Tajiri’s childhood interest in collecting insects and small animals. Instead of simply defeating enemies, players would search for creatures, capture them, train them, and trade with friends to complete their collections.

The original Pokémon games used two versions partly to make trading meaningful. Some Pokémon were exclusive to Red while others were exclusive to Green or Blue, so players needed a physical connection with another game cartridge to collect every species through normal methods.