Pokemon Yellow

Introduction: Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition is an official Game Boy game released in 1998 (Japan) and 1999 (international). It is an enhanced version of Pokémon Red and Blue, set in the Kanto region. While playable on the Game Boy Color hardware, it is not a native GBC title; it uses a limited color palette when played on the newer system. The story closely follows the anime, with the player's rival named Gary Oak and a starter Pikachu that follows the player outside its Poké Ball.

Gameplay & Mechanics: The player begins with a Pikachu that cannot evolve and refuses to stay in its Poké Ball, mirroring Ash's partner from the anime. The game's difficulty is nearly identical to Red and Blue, making it standard for a first-generation game. Key mechanical changes from the original pair are minimal and based on the anime integration. For instance, you can obtain all three Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—as gifts from NPCs at specific points. The battle system uses the original Physical/Special system tied to move types, not the later split.

Key Features:

• Anime-Inspired Story and Characters: Team Rocket members Jessie and James appear as bosses, and gym leaders like Brock and Misty have teams updated to better match their anime counterparts.
• Pikachu's Friendship System: Your starter Pikachu has a rudimentary friendship mechanic; its mood, shown on the status screen, changes based on how you treat it in battle.
• Updated Pokémon Sprites: All 151 Pokémon feature new, colorized sprites that are animated when played on a Game Boy Color or later system, a visual upgrade over the static sprites of Red and Blue.

This version serves as a direct bridge between the original games and the popular anime series.