When Pokémon Yellow arrived in North America in October 1999, the cartoon was already a hit. Kids wanted the game to feel like the show, and Yellow delivered: your Pikachu walks behind you, reacts when you talk to it and refuses to go in its Poké Ball. Underneath, it is still the Kanto adventure from Red and Blue, but enough changed to make it a different experience.
Quick answer
The biggest Pokémon Yellow differences are that you start with a Pikachu that follows you around, you can obtain Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle in one game, Jessie, James and Meowth appear as rivals, gym leaders use different teams, and several Pokémon (including the Weedle, Ekans, Meowth and Koffing lines, Electabuzz, Magmar and Jynx) cannot be caught.
Key takeaways
- Yellow follows the cartoon: Pikachu first, Team Rocket's trio and anime-style events.
- You can collect all three Kanto starters in one save file.
- Your Pikachu will not evolve.
- Some Pokémon must be traded in from Red or Blue.
Yellow vs Red and Blue at a glance
| Feature | Red and Blue | Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Choose Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle | Pikachu, given by Professor Oak |
| Partner on screen | No | Pikachu walks behind you |
| Other starters | Only by trading | All three obtainable in-game |
| Team Rocket | Generic grunts | Jessie, James and Meowth appear |
| Early difficulty | Depends on your starter | Harder early on, since Pikachu struggles against the first gym |
| Rival's starter | The one strong against yours | Eevee, which evolves based on early battles |
| Sprites | Original art | Updated, more colorful sprites on Game Boy Color |
Pikachu, your walking partner
The headline feature is Pikachu following you on the overworld. You can turn around and talk to it, and its reactions change depending on how it feels: happy if you have been battling and leveling it, unhappy if it keeps fainting or you trade it away. It was the first time a Pokémon game showed a creature outside battle in such a personal way, and it made Pikachu feel like a real companion.
Pikachu also refuses to evolve. Using a Thunder Stone on it does nothing, mirroring a famous episode of the cartoon where Pikachu chooses to stay as it is. If you want Raichu, you need to trade for one.
How to get all three starters
Bulbasaur
A girl in Cerulean City offers Bulbasaur, but only if your Pikachu is happy with you. Keep it in your party and avoid letting it faint too often.
Charmander
A trainer on the route north of Cerulean, near the bridge, gives you a Charmander.
Squirtle
After you defeat the Vermilion City gym, the police officer in town gives you Squirtle.
Squirtle and Bulbasaur make the early game much easier, because they handle the Rock and Water gyms that give Pikachu trouble.
Team Rocket's famous trio
In Red and Blue, Team Rocket is a faceless gang of grunts. In Yellow, you repeatedly battle Jessie and James, complete with Meowth, just like in the cartoon. Their teams are themed around the show too, with the Ekans and Koffing lines.
Why the first gyms feel harder
Starting with Pikachu changes the difficulty curve. The first gym in Pewter City uses Rock and Ground Pokémon that Electric attacks cannot hurt, so Yellow players have to train other Pokémon early. Catching a Mankey or Nidoran, or picking up Bulbasaur in Cerulean, makes the early badges much easier. Some trainers and gym leaders in Yellow also use different Pokémon than in Red and Blue, so veteran players should not assume the same teams.
Pokémon you cannot catch in Yellow
| Missing from Yellow | How to get them |
|---|---|
| Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill | Trade from Red or Blue |
| Ekans, Arbok | Trade |
| Meowth, Persian | Trade |
| Koffing, Weezing | Trade |
| Electabuzz, Magmar, Jynx | Trade |
| Raichu | Trade (your Pikachu will not evolve) |
This is another nod to the cartoon: many of the missing Pokémon belong to Team Rocket's characters. See the full original 151 Pokémon list.
Extras: Surfing Pikachu and the Pikachu printer
Yellow included a hidden surfing mini-game for Pikachu and supported a small Game Boy printer accessory, which let players print stickers of their Pokédex entries. Both features made Yellow feel like a special edition.
Fun fact: Pokémon Yellow was released in Japan in September 1998, the same month the original games and cartoon arrived in the US. American players waited until October 1999.
Then (90s)
A special edition that brought the cartoon to the Game Boy, released at the height of Pokémania.
Now (2027)
A collector favorite and a popular replay, especially for fans of the anime.
Related reading: Pikachu also starred in the N64 photo game Pokémon Snap.
Conclusion
Pokémon Yellow is the closest the original games came to the cartoon: Pikachu by your side, Jessie and James in your way, and all three starters on one team. It is a great choice for fans of the show. Compare it with the original versions in Pokémon Red and Blue differences, and see the full Pokémon US timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference in Pokémon Yellow?
Your starter is a Pikachu that walks behind you outside its Poké Ball, and the story follows the cartoon more closely, including battles with Jessie, James and Meowth.
Can you get Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle in Pokémon Yellow?
Yes. All three original starters can be obtained in Yellow at different points in the story, which was not possible in a single copy of Red or Blue.
Can Pikachu evolve in Pokémon Yellow?
Your starter Pikachu refuses to evolve with a Thunder Stone. Raichu can still be obtained by trading.
Which Pokémon are not in Pokémon Yellow?
Several Pokémon cannot be caught in Yellow, including the Weedle, Ekans, Meowth and Koffing lines, plus Electabuzz, Magmar and Jynx. They must be traded in from Red or Blue.
When did Pokémon Yellow come out?
Pokémon Yellow launched in Japan in September 1998 and in North America in October 1999.
Is Pokémon Yellow harder than Red and Blue?
The early game can feel harder, because the first gym leaders' Pokémon resist or counter Pikachu's Electric attacks.
How do you check Pikachu's happiness in Yellow?
Turn around and talk to Pikachu. Its expression and reaction show how it feels about you. Keeping it happy matters for at least one starter gift.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.