What was the first Pokémon game released internationally under the names Red and Blue?

Pokémon Red and Blue was the first Pokémon game pair released internationally under those names.

Japan originally received Pocket Monsters Red and Green in 1996. For overseas markets, Nintendo used Pokémon Red and Blue, with the international Blue version based on the updated Japanese Blue release rather than simply reproducing the original Green version.

The games retained the core first-generation structure: players explored Kanto, captured Pokémon, battled Gym Leaders, fought the Elite Four, and traded species between different versions. The version split also encouraged trading because certain Pokémon appeared only in one title.

North America received the games in 1998, followed by Europe in 1999. This localization helped turn a successful Japanese handheld series into a global phenomenon. Pokémon Yellow later offered a revised first-generation experience centered on Pikachu and influenced by the television anime.