Which Game Boy game gave Pikachu to the player as the first Pokémon?

Pokémon Yellow gave Pikachu to the player as the first Pokémon. Unlike Pokémon Red and Blue, Yellow begins with Pikachu rather than letting the player choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle from Professor Oak.

The game was released in Japan in 1998 and later internationally. It was designed as an enhanced version of the first-generation games, with presentation and story elements influenced by the Pokémon anime. Pikachu follows the player outside its Poké Ball and reacts to the player’s treatment.

Team Rocket members Jessie and James also appear in roles modeled on their anime counterparts. The game therefore connected the established Game Boy mechanics with characters and ideas familiar from the television series.

Pokémon Yellow still uses the Kanto region and the first-generation Pokémon roster, so it is not a new generation. Its special starting Pikachu is also different from the partner choices in the original Red, Green, and Blue releases.