Which 1998 Pokémon game made Pikachu the player's starter?

Pokémon Yellow made Pikachu the player's starter Pokémon. Released in Japan in 1998, it was an enhanced version of the first-generation games inspired by the television anime.

Unlike Red, Green, and Blue, Yellow begins with Professor Oak giving the player a Pikachu that refuses to remain inside its Poké Ball. Pikachu follows the player on screen, reflecting Ash Ketchum's relationship with Pikachu in the animated series.

Yellow also changed the early rival setup and made all three original starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—obtainable during the adventure. These changes helped connect the game more closely to the anime while preserving the core role-playing structure.

Pokémon Yellow is sometimes mistaken for a simple remake of the anime. It remains a game built on the first-generation engine, with its own locations, battles, and gameplay differences.