What were the two original Pokémon games released in Japan in 1996 called?

The two original Pokémon games released in Japan in 1996 were Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green.

These Game Boy role-playing games introduced the first generation of Pokémon, the Kanto region, and the goal of completing a Pokédex while challenging the region’s Gym Leaders. Their paired-release structure encouraged trading because each version contained Pokémon that could not be found in the other.

Many international players know the first pair as Pokémon Red and Blue. That naming difference is a common source of confusion: Japan’s original Green version was not initially exported, and the overseas Blue version was based on a later Japanese release with revised graphics and programming.

The games were created by Game Freak from a concept associated with Satoshi Tajiri and published by Nintendo. Their February 27, 1996 Japanese launch is regarded as the beginning of the Pokémon video-game franchise, which expanded into animation, cards, films, merchandise, and mobile games.