Pokémon Red, Green, Blue & Yellow Walkthrough
A shared Kanto walkthrough with version-aware notes for Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow.
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.
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.
Cerulean City and Nugget Bridge
Defeat Misty, clear Nugget Bridge, and open the route toward Vermilion.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Cascade Badge
S.S. Ticket
Tips
- Electric or Grass coverage helps against Starmie.
- Nugget Bridge is a strong training route.
Misty is a major early-game check, especially for Charmander-led teams.
Red
- Red players can plan around Red-side exclusives for team building.
Green
- Green players should use Japanese Green availability, not international Blue assumptions.
Blue
- Blue-side availability affects early Grass and Fire planning.
Yellow
- Yellow starts diverging more clearly through gift starter opportunities and trainer changes.
Vermilion City and S.S. Anne
Board the S.S. Anne, get Cut, and defeat Lt. Surge.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
HM01 Cut
Thunder Badge
Bike Voucher
Tips
- Teach Cut carefully because HMs cannot be forgotten in Red and Blue.
Diglett's Cave provides excellent answers to the Electric Gym.
Yellow
- Yellow includes anime-inspired rival and Pikachu context around the early Kanto flow.
Rock Tunnel
Navigate the dark cave route toward Lavender Town and Celadon City.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
HM05 Flash
Tips
- Carry Repels if your team is already trained.
- Prepare for long cave routing without a nearby Pokémon Center inside.
Flash is optional but makes Rock Tunnel much easier to navigate.
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.
Celadon City
Explore the department store, defeat Erika, and prepare for mid-game progression.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Rainbow Badge
Evolution stones
Tea
Tips
- Pick Eevee's evolution based on your team's missing type coverage.
Celadon gives access to several evolution stones and one Eevee.
Green
- Green retains original-version presentation differences, including early sprite style.
Yellow
- Yellow changes some availability and presentation details compared with Red/Green/Blue.
Pokémon Tower
Resolve the Lavender Town tower sequence after obtaining the Silph Scope.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Silph Scope
Poké Flute
Tips
- Psychic-type attacks are strong into the Gastly line.
Ghost Pokémon require the Silph Scope to be identified in the tower.
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.
Saffron City and Silph Co.
Clear Team Rocket from Silph Co. and challenge Sabrina.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Master Ball
Marsh Badge
Tips
- Save the Master Ball for a difficult legendary if you want the safest capture.
Silph Co. is a large dungeon and leads into one of the hardest Gyms in Generation I.
Blue
- Japanese Blue's enhanced release context is most relevant when comparing technical and presentation differences.
Yellow
- Yellow updates several trainer and story presentation details around the mid-game.
Fuchsia City and Safari Zone
Earn the Soul Badge, get Surf, and collect key Safari Zone rewards.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Soul Badge
HM03 Surf
Gold Teeth
HM04 Strength
Tips
- Safari Zone catches use special rules, so rare Pokémon may take patience.
Surf and Strength unlock major route and dungeon progression.
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.
Cinnabar Island
Explore Pokémon Mansion, unlock the Gym, and defeat Blaine.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Secret Key
Volcano Badge
Tips
- Restore fossils at the Cinnabar Lab once you have the items.
Water and Ground coverage are strong for Cinnabar's Fire-focused battles.
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.
Viridian City Gym
Return to Viridian and defeat Giovanni for the Earth Badge.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Earth Badge
Tips
- Water and Grass Pokémon are excellent here.
This is the final Gym and checks whether your team can handle strong Ground-type Pokémon.
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.
Victory Road
Clear the final dungeon, encounter Moltres, and reach Indigo Plateau.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
- Strength puzzles
Tips
- Save before Moltres if you plan to catch it.
- Stock healing items before entering.
Victory Road is a resource check before the Elite Four.
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.
Elite Four and Champion
Defeat Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, Lance, and the Champion.
Important Pokémon
Key Items / HMs
Champion title
Tips
- Once you enter, you must clear the gauntlet or lose to exit.
A balanced team with Electric, Ice, Water, Psychic, and strong physical damage is helpful.
Red
- Champion team composition depends on starter choice.
Green
- Champion team composition depends on starter choice.
Blue
- Champion team composition depends on starter choice.
Yellow
- Yellow's rival team structure differs because Pikachu is the player's fixed starter.
Post-game: Cerulean Cave and Mewtwo
Enter Cerulean Cave and challenge Mewtwo.
Cerulean Cave opens after becoming Champion and contains the strongest standard encounter in Red and Blue.
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.
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
Is the Gen I walkthrough mostly the same across versions?
Yes. The main route, Gym order, badges, Elite Four flow, and core Kanto progression are mostly shared, with important version-specific notes for encounters, gifts, and Yellow changes.
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