Which paired Pokémon games were released internationally in North America in 1998?

Pokémon Red and Blue were released internationally in North America in 1998.

The North American versions launched on September 28, 1998, more than two years after Pokémon Red and Green debuted in Japan. The international games used the name Blue instead of Green, reflecting the Japanese Blue version’s updated programming, artwork, and dialogue.

The games preserved the first-generation structure: players explored the Kanto region, collected Pokémon, challenged Gym Leaders, and attempted to complete the Pokédex. Red and Blue also encouraged trading because each version contained Pokémon that were unavailable in the other version.

This release history explains why many international players remember Red and Blue as the original pair, even though Japan’s first pair was Red and Green. Pokémon Yellow followed later and featured Pikachu as the player’s companion, drawing more directly on the popular animated series.