Which Pokémon game was the first to feature Pikachu as the player’s constant companion?

Pokémon Yellow was the first Pokémon game to feature Pikachu as the player’s constant companion.

Released in Japan in 1998, Pokémon Yellow was an enhanced version of the first-generation games. It drew inspiration from the anime by giving the player a Pikachu that followed the protagonist rather than remaining inside a Poké Ball. Pikachu also refused to evolve with a Thunder Stone in the usual way, echoing its television characterization.

The game adjusted the opening so the player received Pikachu instead of choosing Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Those three Pokémon could still be obtained during the adventure, allowing Yellow to reflect elements of the anime while retaining the original Kanto setting and basic story.

Pokémon Yellow is sometimes mistaken for a simple remake of Red and Blue, but it is better described as an enhanced version with revised character encounters, graphics, and anime-inspired details. Its later Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release preserved the special Pikachu-following feature.