Pokémon Red, Green, Blue & Yellow Guides
A complete Generation I Kanto guide hub covering Japanese Red/Green, Japanese Blue, international Red/Blue, and Pokémon Yellow.
Start Here
New to Gen I?
Start with the shared Red/Blue/Yellow walkthrough.
Open guideWant differences?
Compare release history, encounters, and version roles.
Open guideCurious about Green?
Open the Japan-only Pokémon Green differences.
Open guidePlaying Yellow?
Review Pikachu, gift starters, and trainer changes.
Open guideRed and Green are the original Japanese pair. Pokémon Green is Japan-only and should not be treated as an international English release.
Japanese Blue was an enhanced release, and the international Red/Blue versions were based largely on that improved technical and content foundation.
Yellow is the anime-inspired Special Pikachu Edition. Most English walkthrough users should follow the Red/Blue/Yellow guide flow unless they specifically want Japanese Green differences.
Guide Sections
Shared Walkthrough
Follow Kanto from Pallet Town to Champion with version notes.
Version Differences
Compare release history, starters, encounters, and presentation.
Exclusive Pokémon
Check version availability and trade-planning targets.
Pokémon Green Differences
Understand Japan-only Green without confusing it with Blue.
Yellow Differences
Pikachu starter, gift starters, encounter, and trainer changes.
Gym Leaders
Badge order, type specialties, key Pokémon, and counters.
TM & HM Locations
Find Cut, Fly, Surf, Strength, Flash, and key battle TMs.
Legendary Pokémon
Plan Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, and event-only Mew.
Elite Four
Prepare for Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, Lance, and Champion.
- Region
- Kanto
- Generation
- I
- Platform
- Game Boy
- Versions covered
- Japanese Red/Green, Japanese Blue, international Red/Blue, and Pokémon Yellow
- Main goal
- Collect eight Gym Badges, defeat the Elite Four, become Champion, and complete the Kanto Pokédex through catching, evolving, events, and trading.
- Historical context
- Red and Green were the original Japanese pair. Japanese Blue was an enhanced release and became the technical/content basis for international Red/Blue. Yellow is the anime-inspired Special Pikachu Edition.
Version Landing Pages
Part of the original Japanese Red/Green pair and later one of the international launch versions.
The standard Kanto adventure with Red-side encounter availability and the same core Gym and Elite Four progression.
Open Red landing pageJapan-only original version released as the counterpart to Japanese Pokémon Red.
A historically important Japan-only original with Green-side encounter availability, original sprites, and early Generation I quirks.
Open Green landing pageJapanese Blue was an enhanced release; international Red/Blue were based largely on that improved version.
For English-language players, Blue usually refers to the international counterpart to Red, with Blue-side version exclusives and the improved release base.
Open Blue landing pageSpecial Pikachu Edition inspired by the Pokémon anime and released after Red/Green/Blue.
A revised Gen I Kanto adventure with Pikachu as the starter, anime-inspired events, changed encounters, and updated trainer teams.
Open Yellow landing pageShared Walkthrough Preview
The full walkthrough is stored once and annotated with Red/Green/Blue/Yellow notes.
Pallet Town and Route 1
Choose a starter, receive the Pokédex, and begin the Kanto journey.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Pokédex
Town Map
Tips
- Buy Poké Balls once they become available.
- Train more than one Pokémon before Pewter City.
Build a small team before pushing through Viridian Forest and toward the first Gym.
Red
- Red uses the standard three-starter choice.
Green
- Green uses the original Japanese three-starter opening and should be treated as Japan-only.
Blue
- International Blue uses the standard three-starter opening; Japanese Blue has enhanced-release context.
Yellow
- Yellow gives Pikachu as the fixed starter instead of choosing Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.
Viridian City and Viridian Forest
Pass through the early Bug-type route and prepare for Pewter City.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Antidote
Potion
Tips
- Carry Antidotes.
- Pikachu is rare but valuable later against Misty.
Viridian Forest introduces poison pressure and gives Charmander teams time to train support options.
Yellow
- Yellow's early-game availability and Pikachu progression differ from Red/Green/Blue.
Pewter City Gym
Defeat Brock and earn the Boulder Badge.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Boulder Badge
Tips
- Avoid leaning on Normal attacks against Rock Pokémon.
Bulbasaur and Squirtle have direct advantages. Charmander teams should use careful training and support.
Yellow
- Yellow Pikachu struggles into Brock, so early support and careful leveling matter more.
Mt. Moon
Cross Mt. Moon, choose a fossil, and reach Cerulean City.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Dome Fossil
Helix Fossil
Moon Stone
Tips
- Moon Stones are limited and valuable.
- Bring healing items before entering the cave.
The fossil choice determines whether this save file can later restore Kabuto or Omanyte.
Red
- Core route progression is shared with the other Gen I versions.
Green
- Core route progression is shared, but Green-specific encounter and presentation details are Japan-only.
Blue
- Core route progression is shared, with Japanese Blue and international Blue context separated where needed.
Yellow
- Core route progression is shared, but Yellow may change encounters, gifts, or trainer details.
Related Guides and Research
Kanto Pokédex
Browse Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
Pokémon Evolution Guides
Find evolution chains, methods, and item requirements.
Type Chart
Check type matchups and weaknesses.
Weakness Finder
Search defensive weaknesses by Pokémon or type.
Red Walkthrough Landing
Version-specific Red context without duplicated walkthrough text.
Green Walkthrough Landing
Japan-only Green context and differences.
Blue Walkthrough Landing
Blue context for Japanese and international releases.
Yellow Walkthrough Landing
Special Pikachu Edition differences and shared walkthrough entry.
Japanese Blue vs International Blue
Version research on how Japanese Blue influenced international Red/Blue.
Red/Green vs Red/Blue Differences
Comparison notes for original Japanese releases and international paired versions.
FAQ
Why include Pokémon Green in a Generation I guide?
Pokémon Green was one of the two original Japanese releases alongside Pokémon Red. It was never released internationally, but it is important for historical accuracy and version-difference coverage.
Which guide should most English players use?
Most English walkthrough users should use the shared Red/Blue/Yellow flow unless they specifically want Japanese Green or Japanese Blue differences.
Is Japanese Blue the same as international Pokémon Blue?
No. Japanese Blue was a revised Japanese release after Red/Green. International Pokémon Blue shares much of that improved foundation, but it is not simply the same release with English text.
Is Pokémon Green the same as international Pokémon Blue?
No. Japanese Green is the original counterpart to Japanese Red. International Red/Blue were based largely on the improved Japanese Blue release.
Should beginners care about Pokémon Green differences?
Usually no. Beginners should follow the Red/Blue/Yellow walkthrough. Green differences are mainly useful for historical context, original Japanese version research, and version-comparison details.
Does this guide duplicate the walkthrough for every version?
No. The main Kanto walkthrough is shared, with version-aware notes for Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow.
NationalDex.io is an independent fan-made Pokédex and game guide. Pokémon and related names are trademarks of their respective owners.