When was Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition first released in Japan?

Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition was first released in Japan on September 12, 1998.

It was an enhanced version of the first-generation Pokémon games, built around Pikachu’s role in the animated series. Pikachu followed the player outside its Poké Ball, and the opening sequence gave players Pikachu rather than allowing them to choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle immediately.

The game also incorporated elements associated with Ash’s journey, including the availability of all three original starter Pokémon through gameplay. Its presentation used the Game Boy Color’s palette, although the cartridge remained compatible with the original Game Boy.

Pokémon Yellow was released internationally in 1999. Its design is often described as a bridge between the original games and the anime, but it is not a direct adaptation of the television series. It remains a distinct first-generation game with its own changes to encounters, characters, and progression.