What were the first Pokémon video games called when released in Japan?

The first Pokémon video games released in Japan were Pocket Monsters Red and Green.

They launched for the original Game Boy and established the series' paired-version structure. Each version contained Pokémon that could not be found in the other, encouraging players to connect two systems and trade creatures to complete their collections.

Outside Japan, the games were renamed Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version. Japan received a revised Blue edition later in 1996, and that version's improved artwork, script, and programming became the foundation for the international releases. As a result, many players worldwide know the first games as Red and Blue rather than Red and Green.

The Japanese Green version was not released internationally in its original form. This is why anniversary discussions may mention both titles: Red and Green describe the original Japanese launch, while Red and Blue describe the familiar overseas release.