Pokémon: Yellow Version

Pokémon: Yellow Version
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Game Boy, 3DS Virtual Console
Release Date	Game Boy JP September 12, 1998 US October 25, 1998 EU June 15, 2000 3DS Virtual Console All Regions: February 27, 2016
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon: Yellow Version was the fourth and final version of tthe "first generation" Pokémon games, following the Red, Green and Blue Versions. Unlike the previous versions (where the main differences between each version were the types of Pokémon that could be caught and graphical differences), the Yellow Version made more significant changes to the characters featured in the game, many of which were based on the Pokémon anime series. All releases of this game save for the original Japanese release also featured compatibility with the Game Boy Color's color effects.

Plot

The game follows the story of a young trainer from Pallet Town who aspires to become a Pokémon master. To do so, this trainer must defeat eight Pokémon gym leaders and collect their badges in order to reach the Pokémon League Headquarters in Indigo Plateau, where the Elite Four stand as the final challenge for championship. Along the way, this trainer has to compete with his rival, foil the nefarious plans of Team Rocket and catch as many of the 151 Pokémon hidden throughout the land as he can.

Gameplay

The gameplay scheme is identical to that of the previous versions, as is the connectivity.

Version Differences

In the Yellow version, several changes were made to the game, mostly story-related, which usually incorporated elements from the Pokémon anime series. Most noticeably, the game features Pikachu as the only starter Pokémon. The Pikachu is also rebellious and will follow the trainer around instead of staying in its Pokéball, and will refuse to evolve into a Raichu. All of this is taken from the personality of the anime's Pikachu. As for the rival, his starter Pokémon is an Eevee which evolves into either a Flareon, Jolteon or Vaporeon depending on how well the player fares against him in battle.

It is also still possible to gain not only one but all three of the original starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle) at early points in the game. They are practically given away by trainers in scenarios reminiscent of how Ash Ketchum gained them in the Pokémon anime. There are also several characters from the Pokémon anime present, with the most notable additions being the bumbling Team Rocket agents Jessie and James. The rosters of several Pokémon trainers are altered to match their Pokémon used in the anime.

There are also several differences that do not have to with the anime. One is the addition of a special minigame that can be played using a Pikachu that knows the "Surf" maneuver. The graphics of each Pokémon are again redesigned, and the movesets of various Pokémon have been altered, with some Pokémon learning new attacks or learning attacks at different levels.

Legacy

Yellow Version set a precedent that has carried on throughout the franchise: after each new generation begins with two or three versions, another version would be released that is mostly similar to the first versions but with some alterations and new content. The games following this precedent in later generations were Pokémon: Crystal Version, Pokémon: Emerald Version and Pokémon: Platinum Version. However, every generation since then has had some variation on the precedent. The fifth generation featured a pair of sequel versions instead of a remake version, while the sixth generation stands as the only generation that did not receive any extra versions beyond the two that were initially released. The seventh generation then featured a pair of extra versions that acted partly as remakes while vastly changing some parts of the other games' structure/storyline.

Additionally, some later games (primarily HeartGold/SoulSilver) would use the mechanic introduced in this game of one of the player's Pokémon following the player around. While only Pikachu could follow the player in Yellow, the other games instead allowed the player to choose which Pokémon would follow them.

Sequels

The first generation games were followed up by the second generation games, which started with Pokémon: Gold and Silver Versions. These games expanded the world of Pokémon and added one hundred new creatures while also revisiting the characters and locations from the Red/Green/Blue/Yellow games (including Red himself). In a nod to the Yellow Version, the first Pokémon Red used in battle in these games was an unevolved Pikachu.

Remakes/Rereleases

• The first generation games were later remade as Pokémon: FireRed and LeafGreen Versions for the Game Boy Advance. However, not much influence from the Yellow Version made it into these versions, as they were based on the previous versions.
• In 2016, the Yellow Version was released for download through the Nintendo 3DS's eShop as part of the 3DS Virtual Console. It was classified as a Game Boy Color game outside of Japan. This version was only slightly modified - some of the flashier animations were toned down, and the Nintendo 3DS wireless communication was used for connectivity in place of the Link Cables. It also became possible to play the Pikachu's Beach minigame with the starter Pikachu, rather than requiring the promotional Surfing Pikachu. The Poké Transporter app could also be used to transfer Pokémon caught in this version to the Poké Bank, from which they could be brought to other Pokémon games.
• In 2018, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! were released for the Nintendo Switch. These games were based on the first generation games, but with some new characters and gameplay alterations. It was specifically based on the Yellow Version, reusing elements such as Pokémon following the player around and the available starter Pokémon being Pikachu and Eevee. It even included Jessie and James.