Which video-game cable inspired Pokémon’s trading concept?

The Game Boy Link Cable inspired Pokémon’s trading concept.

Satoshi Tajiri saw how two Game Boy systems could communicate through the Link Cable and imagined creatures moving between players. He connected that technical possibility with his childhood interest in collecting insects, creating the foundation for Pokémon’s catch-and-trade design.

The Link Cable made Pokémon different from many other role-playing games. Instead of treating the Game Boy as a solitary machine, Pokémon encouraged players to meet, exchange species unavailable in their own version, and battle their trained teams.

This idea also explains why the first games were released in paired versions. Pokémon Red and Green contained version-exclusive Pokémon, making trading necessary for players who wanted to complete the Pokédex. The same connection feature later supported multiplayer battles and became a defining part of the franchise’s identity.