Pokémon Yellow was released in Japan on September 12, 1998, with Pikachu as its signature character.
The game is commonly known as Pokémon Yellow Version: Pikachu. It is an enhanced version of the first-generation games, built around Pikachu following the player rather than being selected as one of the standard Red and Green starters. Pikachu also refuses to evolve while it remains with the player in the usual way.
Pokémon Yellow incorporated ideas associated with the television anime. The player can obtain all three original starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—during the adventure, while Team Rocket characters Jessie and James appear as recurring opponents.
Pokémon Yellow is not the same as the Japanese Pokémon Blue released earlier as an improved version of Red and Green. Yellow later reached North America and Europe in 1999, helping connect the games more visibly with the anime's popular Pikachu-centered presentation.