Pokémon Red, Green, Blue & Yellow Walkthrough
A shared Kanto walkthrough for Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow with step-by-step objectives, key Pokémon, key items, version notes, Yellow callouts, and related guide links.
The main route, Gym order, badge flow, and Elite Four progression are stored once. Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow differences are shown as notes under each milestone.
Choose your starter, deliver Oak's Parcel, receive the Pokédex, and begin basic team building.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Pokédex
- Town Map
- Poké Ball
Important battles
- Rival battle near Pallet Town
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Red, Green, and Blue use the standard Bulbasaur / Charmander / Squirtle starter choice.
- Green is Japan-only; use Green notes for original Japanese context, not English Blue assumptions.
Yellow notes
- Yellow gives Pikachu as the fixed starter.
- Pikachu follows the player, so Yellow routing should account for partner Pikachu rather than a normal starter choice.
Important item notes
- Buy Poké Balls once they become available.
Common mistakes / tips
- Do not train only one Pokémon before the first Gym.
Related links
Stock up, learn the early route layout, and prepare for Viridian Forest.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Potion
- Antidote
- Poké Ball
Important battles
- Optional early rival battle depending on route choices
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Use this section to start thinking about version exclusives and trade planning.
Yellow notes
- Pikachu is useful early, but it cannot solve every matchup on its own.
Important item notes
- Carry Antidotes before entering Viridian Forest.
Common mistakes / tips
- Skipping supplies before the forest can make poison pressure annoying.
Related links
Cross the first major wild area and build enough levels for Pewter City.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Antidote
- Potion
Important battles
- Bug Catcher trainers
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Encounter details can vary by version context, but the broad forest role is shared.
Yellow notes
- Yellow's early availability and Pikachu-centered team building make support catches more important.
Important item notes
- Poison recovery matters more here than raw damage items.
Common mistakes / tips
- Ignoring poison damage while walking can cost unnecessary knockouts.
Related links
Defeat Brock and earn the Boulder Badge.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Boulder Badge
Important battles
- Brock
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Bulbasaur and Squirtle are direct answers; Charmander teams need support.
Yellow notes
- Pikachu struggles because Electric attacks do not affect Ground-type Pokémon.
- Yellow Brock should be planned as a team-support check, not a Pikachu sweep.
Important item notes
- Stock Potions before entering the Gym if your team is underleveled.
Common mistakes / tips
- Relying on Normal attacks against Rock-type Pokémon.
Related links
Cross Mt. Moon, fight Team Rocket, choose a fossil, and reach Cerulean City.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Dome Fossil
- Helix Fossil
- Moon Stone
Important battles
- Team Rocket grunts
- Super Nerd fossil battle
Red / Blue / Green notes
- The fossil choice is permanent for the save file and matters for Pokédex planning.
Yellow notes
- Yellow adds more anime-flavored Team Rocket context later, so track Rocket appearances as version flavor.
Important item notes
- Moon Stones are limited and should be planned before use.
Common mistakes / tips
- Choosing a fossil without knowing which restored Pokémon you want later.
Related links
Defeat Misty and earn the Cascade Badge.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Cascade Badge
Important battles
- Misty
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Charmander-led teams need Electric or Grass support for Starmie.
Yellow notes
- Pikachu gives Yellow players a natural answer to Misty, but levels still matter.
Important item notes
- Bring healing before fighting Starmie.
Common mistakes / tips
- Assuming Brock's answer also solves Misty without type coverage.
Related links
Clear the bridge, meet Bill, and open the route toward Vermilion City.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Nugget
- S.S. Ticket
Important battles
- Nugget Bridge trainers
- Rival battle
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Version exclusives begin to matter more for team planning around this point.
Yellow notes
- Yellow gift starter routing begins around this phase, including Charmander near Route 24.
- Rival Eevee outcomes start to matter for later battles.
Important item notes
- The S.S. Ticket is required to access the S.S. Anne.
Common mistakes / tips
- Missing gift or route-planning opportunities before leaving Cerulean.
Related links
Board the S.S. Anne, obtain Cut, and defeat Lt. Surge.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- HM01 Cut
- Thunder Badge
- Bike Voucher
Important battles
- S.S. Anne rival battle
- Lt. Surge
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Diglett's Cave is the practical answer to Electric-type pressure.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Lt. Surge uses a single higher-level Raichu instead of the Red/Blue trio.
- Squirtle is available as a Yellow gift during main story progress around Vermilion.
Important item notes
- HM moves cannot normally be forgotten in Generation I, so teach Cut carefully.
Common mistakes / tips
- Leaving the S.S. Anne before collecting Cut.
Related links
Navigate the dark cave route toward Lavender Town and mid-game Kanto.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- HM05 Flash
Important battles
- Long cave trainer gauntlet
Red / Blue / Green notes
- The broad route is shared, but encounter assumptions should stay version-aware.
Yellow notes
- Yellow players should keep team balance in mind because Pikachu is not ideal into every cave matchup.
Important item notes
- Flash is optional but makes Rock Tunnel much easier.
Common mistakes / tips
- Entering without enough healing or escape planning.
Related links
Use Celadon as a mid-game hub, collect evolution options, and defeat Erika.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Rainbow Badge
- Evolution stones
- Tea
Important battles
- Erika
- Game Corner Rocket sequence
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Eevee evolution choice should fit your team coverage and version-availability plan.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Erika has a different team than Red/Blue, so check the Gym page before assuming the matchup.
- Jessie and James-style Rocket flavor becomes part of Yellow's identity around Rocket events.
Important item notes
- Evolution stones are important but should not be spent casually.
Common mistakes / tips
- Evolving Eevee without considering late-game coverage.
Related links
Resolve Lavender Town's tower sequence after obtaining the Silph Scope.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Silph Scope
- Poké Flute
Important battles
- Ghost encounters
- Team Rocket sequence
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Ghost identification depends on story progress, not just team strength.
Yellow notes
- Yellow's anime-inspired Rocket identity can make these story beats feel more distinct.
Important item notes
- Poké Flute unlocks Snorlax routing and later route access.
Common mistakes / tips
- Trying to clear the tower before having the Silph Scope.
Related links
Earn the Soul Badge, collect Surf and Strength routing items, and plan rare catches.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Soul Badge
- HM03 Surf
- Gold Teeth
- HM04 Strength
Important battles
- Koga
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Red/Blue Koga is built around Koffing, Muk, and Weezing.
- Safari Zone captures use special rules and can affect completion planning.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Koga is a major team change: Venonat, Venonat, Venonat, and Venomoth.
Important item notes
- Surf and Strength are both major progression unlocks.
Common mistakes / tips
- Leaving Safari Zone without the HM and Gold Teeth rewards.
Related links
Clear Silph Co., obtain the Master Ball, and defeat Sabrina.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Master Ball
- Marsh Badge
Important battles
- Rival battle
- Giovanni
- Sabrina
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Psychic-type pressure is a defining Generation I challenge.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Sabrina uses the Abra evolutionary line at high levels, making the fight feel more focused.
- Rival Eevee path can affect later team planning.
Important item notes
- The Master Ball is best saved for a difficult legendary if you want the safest capture.
Common mistakes / tips
- Entering Sabrina underprepared for fast Psychic attackers.
Related links
Restore fossils, explore Pokémon Mansion, unlock the Gym, and defeat Blaine.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Secret Key
- Volcano Badge
Important battles
- Blaine
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Fire-type availability differs by version, so team planning can change here.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Blaine uses a compact, higher-level Fire team with Ninetales, Rapidash, and Arcanine.
Important item notes
- Restore fossils at the Cinnabar Lab once you have the required fossils.
Common mistakes / tips
- Entering Blaine without Water, Rock, or Ground coverage.
Related links
Return to Viridian City, defeat Giovanni, and earn the Earth Badge.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Earth Badge
Important battles
- Giovanni
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Water and Grass attacks are excellent into Giovanni's Ground-heavy structure.
Yellow notes
- Yellow Giovanni is higher level and adds Persian, so do not assume the Red/Blue roster.
Important item notes
- Restock before this Gym because Victory Road follows soon after.
Common mistakes / tips
- Bringing fragile Electric Pokémon into Ground attacks.
Related links
Clear the final dungeon, solve Strength puzzles, encounter Moltres, and reach Indigo Plateau.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Strength puzzles
Important battles
- Final cave trainers
- Moltres encounter
Red / Blue / Green notes
- The route is shared, but version-specific team availability affects your final coverage.
Yellow notes
- Yellow teams may have different coverage because of gift starters and Pikachu's fixed role.
Important item notes
- Save before Moltres if you intend to catch it.
Common mistakes / tips
- Entering without enough healing items for a long dungeon.
Related links
Defeat Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, Lance, and the Champion.
Key Pokémon / encounters
Key items
- Champion title
Important battles
- Lorelei
- Bruno
- Agatha
- Lance
- Champion
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Champion team structure changes with starter context.
Yellow notes
- Yellow's rival team is shaped by Eevee's evolution path rather than a standard starter-counter setup.
Important item notes
- Buy enough healing and status recovery before entering; you cannot casually leave mid-gauntlet.
Common mistakes / tips
- Building for only one Elite Four member instead of broad coverage.
Related links
Enter the post-game cave and challenge Mewtwo.
Red / Blue / Green notes
- Post-game access is broadly shared, but completion planning still depends on version exclusives and trades.
Yellow notes
- Yellow's different team-building path can affect your safest Mewtwo capture setup.
Important item notes
- Save before Mewtwo and bring status support if not using the Master Ball.
Common mistakes / tips
- Using the Master Ball earlier without a plan for Mewtwo.
Related links
More Gen I Guide Sections
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.
FAQ
Can one walkthrough cover Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow?
Yes, as long as the walkthrough uses version notes. The broad Kanto route is shared, but Yellow teams, gift Pokémon, wild encounters, and Japanese Green context need clear callouts.
Should English Blue players follow Green notes?
No. English Blue belongs to the international Red/Blue guide flow and should not be treated as the same as Japanese Green.
Does Yellow need separate walkthrough notes?
Yes. Yellow changes the starter, gift starters, rival Eevee path, Jessie and James events, several Gym teams, and some encounter planning.
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