Who created the original Pokémon video games for the Game Boy?

Satoshi Tajiri created the original Pokémon video games for the Game Boy.

Tajiri conceived Pokémon after seeing the Game Boy's link cable and imagining creatures moving between connected systems. His childhood interest in collecting insects also influenced the idea of discovering and collecting creatures.

Tajiri founded Game Freak, first as a video-game magazine and later as a development company. Artist Ken Sugimori became an important collaborator, while Nintendo supported the project and Shigeru Miyamoto advised during development.

The first Pokémon games took about six years to complete and nearly bankrupted Game Freak. They were released in Japan as Pocket Monsters Red and Green in 1996. The games later became the foundation of a much larger franchise spanning animation, cards, films, merchandise, and mobile games.

Tajiri is sometimes confused with Sugimori, who designed and illustrated many early Pokémon, or with Masuda, who composed music and later directed games. Tajiri is credited as the creator of the original concept and games.