What was the original Japanese name of the Game Boy game pair that launched Pokémon?

The original Japanese game pair that launched Pokémon was Pocket Monsters Red and Green.

These role-playing games were released for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996. International versions used the names Pokémon Red and Blue, which can cause confusion because “Green” is often associated with later fan discussions or regional releases rather than the first Western pair.

The two versions were designed to encourage communication between players. Each version contained Pokémon that could not be obtained in the other, so players had to trade using the Game Boy Link Cable to complete their collections.

An enhanced Pokémon Blue was released in Japan after Red and Green. That version was later reworked as the basis for the international Red and Blue releases. Pokémon Yellow followed as an enhanced edition influenced by the animated series.