Expanded Game

Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition

1998 · Nintendo 3DS · Game Boy · Role-playing (RPG) · Turn-based strategy (TBS) · Adventure

81IGDB player score
535 ratings

Previously Take

An 81 average from 535 ratings. Does what it sets out to do, no more and no less. An RPG that understands the assignment: fantasy, kids, meaningful choices, and combat with actual teeth. Play it solo first. The multiplayer will still be there when you're done. A 1998 original that still holds up — they don't make them like this anymore, literally.

About this game

Pokémon Yellow is an enhanced version of Pokémon Red and Blue that allows you to start the game with your very own Pikachu following you around on-foot and collect the 3 other starters from strangers you meet around the region. However, your goal remains the same: catch them all and become the ultimate Pokémon Master.

Like Pokémon Red and Blue, Yellow takes place in the region of Kanto, which features habitats for 151 Pokémon species. The objectives remain the same as well, though some differences exist along the way. For example, in the beginning, the player is not given an option of choosing one of three starters. Instead, a wild Pikachu that Professor Oak catches becomes player's Pokémon, while the rival character takes an Eevee that was intended for the player. The plot takes from the anime, and features characters that were not featured in the game or have been enhanced to resemble their anime characters, including Jessie, James, Meowth, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. Similar to the anime, Pikachu refuses to evolve. Players are also given the opportunity to obtain the original three starters. As players quest on, they collect more Pokémon and use them to defeat the eight Gym Leaders and eventually the Elite Four, all the while battling Team Rocket, a gang devoted to using Pokémon in order to make themselves more powerful.