The original Pokémon Red and Green games were released for the Game Boy.
Nintendo’s handheld system was central to Pokémon’s design because its Game Link Cable allowed players to connect two consoles. That connection made it possible to trade Pokémon and battle another player, turning the idea of collecting creatures into a social experience.
The original games used the Game Boy’s limited hardware and monochrome display. Later versions, including Pokémon Yellow, were compatible with the Game Boy Color and used its color capabilities, but the first releases belonged to the original Game Boy era.
A common mix-up is naming the Game Boy Color as the original platform. The Color supported later Pokémon releases and enhanced versions, but the franchise began on the standard Game Boy.