Pikachu is the player’s starter partner in Pokémon Yellow.
Unlike Pokémon Red and Blue, which let players choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, Pokémon Yellow gives the player Pikachu at the beginning of the adventure. The design was influenced by Pikachu’s prominent role alongside Ash in the Pokémon anime.
Pikachu follows the player outside its Poké Ball and reacts to the player through a friendship feature. It also refuses to evolve with a Thunder Stone during the story, reflecting the anime’s version of Pikachu and its reluctance to change form. The player can still obtain the three traditional starter Pokémon later.
Pokémon Yellow was released in Japan in 1998 and internationally in 1999. Its full title, Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, signals the game’s emphasis on Pikachu. It is an enhanced version of the first-generation games, not a wholly new generation.