Pikachu is the player’s partner at the start of Pokémon Yellow.
Released in Japan in 1998, Pokémon Yellow is an enhanced version of the first-generation games. It was designed to resemble the television anime more closely, so Professor Oak gives the player Pikachu instead of allowing a choice among Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
Pikachu follows the player outside its Poké Ball and can express reactions to the player’s actions. The game also places the rival with an Eevee, creating a contrast with the anime-inspired partnership between the player and Pikachu.
This arrangement differs from Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue, where the player chooses one of the three traditional Kanto starters. It also differs from Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu!, which is a later Nintendo Switch remake inspired by Yellow and was released in 2018.