Which Pokémon is the mascot of Pokémon Yellow?

Pikachu is the mascot and central partner Pokémon of Pokémon Yellow. The game was released in Japan in 1998 as Pokémon Yellow: Pikachu Edition and was designed to resemble elements of the popular anime.

Unlike Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Yellow begins with the player receiving Pikachu rather than choosing Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Pikachu follows the player outside its Poké Ball and reacts to the player’s actions, echoing the anime’s portrayal of Ash’s partner.

The game also allows players to obtain all three original starter Pokémon during the adventure, although they do not choose them at the opening. Team Rocket’s Jessie and James appear as recurring opponents, another feature influenced by the television series.

Pikachu had already appeared in the original games, but the anime made it the best-known Pokémon worldwide. Yellow therefore occupies a transitional place in franchise history: it uses the first-generation game world while adapting characters, presentation, and story details from the early anime.