Who created the original Pokémon video games, Pokémon Red and Green?

Satoshi Tajiri created the original Pokémon video games, Pokémon Red and Green.

Tajiri founded Game Freak, which began as a video-game magazine before becoming a development studio. His childhood interest in collecting insects inspired the central idea of finding, collecting, and exchanging creatures. He presented the concept to Nintendo, where it developed into the Pokémon project.

Tajiri served as the game director for Pokémon Red and Green, while other major contributors shaped the project’s art, music, programming, and battle systems. Ken Sugimori designed the original Pokémon artwork, and Junichi Masuda worked on programming and music.

A common mix-up is crediting Nintendo alone. Nintendo published the games and helped finance and market them, but Game Freak developed them, with Tajiri leading the original creative concept. The games eventually turned Pokémon into a major multimedia franchise spanning animation, cards, films, toys, and later mobile games.