Which Pokémon game introduced Pikachu as the player’s guaranteed starting partner?

Pokémon Yellow introduced Pikachu as the player’s guaranteed starting partner.

Released in Japan on September 12, 1998, Pokémon Yellow was an enhanced version of the first-generation games. Instead of letting the player choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle at the beginning, Professor Oak gives the player a Pikachu that refuses to remain inside its Poké Ball.

The game drew heavily on the television anime. Jessie and James of Team Rocket appear as recurring villains, and the player can obtain the three original starter Pokémon during the adventure. Pikachu also follows the player outside its Poké Ball and reacts to the player’s actions.

Pokémon Yellow is therefore different from Pokémon Red and Blue, even though all four games are based on the same Kanto setting. Its design helped connect the video games more closely to the popular animated series.