Which Pokémon was the Fire-type starter option in Pokémon Red and Blue?

Charmander was the Fire-type starter option in Pokémon Red and Blue.

At the beginning of the first-generation adventure, Professor Oak offers a choice among Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Charmander is the Fire-type choice, Bulbasaur is Grass and Poison, and Squirtle is Water.

Charmander evolves into Charmeleon and then Charizard. Its final evolution became one of the most recognizable Pokémon in the franchise, appearing in games, animation, merchandise, and competitive battles. The starter choice also affects the early adventure because each option has different strengths and weaknesses against the first Gym challenges.

Pokémon Yellow changed this opening structure by giving the player Pikachu instead of allowing a choice among the original three starters. However, players can still obtain Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle later in that game. Pikachu is therefore strongly associated with the anime and Yellow, but it was not one of Red and Blue’s three opening choices.