Pokemon Yellow Version Celebrates 25th Anniversary

gameranx.com:

It’s hard to believe that the Pokemon franchise is well over 25 years old and that we’ve gone from the original 150 Pokemon to now over 1000. There have been many highs and lows for the series, yet it has endured. Many would agree that it being around so long has been a boon for many things, not the least of which is The Pokemon Company and Nintendo. But being around so long also means there will be some key anniversaries to celebrate. Today is the anniversary of the Pokemon Yellow Version, a game that would set the trend for many generations to come.

For those who don’t remember, the franchise started out in Japan with their Pokemon Green and Red Versions, and they brought in the Pokemon Blue Version for the US. However, after those games were released, the Pokemon anime arrived, which starred Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu. Pikachu was not an option for players in those three titles, and yet the Pokemon easily became the most popular around, save for maybe Charizard. So, The Pokemon Company decided to make the game to capitalize on that popularity.

Today is the 25th anniversary of Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, first released in Japan for the Nintendo Game Boy on September 12, 1998!

The fourth Pokémon game released and second solitary version, it was inspired by the anime.https://t.co/YSTRiOZ54w pic.twitter.com/zFhGHigcCY

Pokemon Yellow Version had many gameplay differences from the original titles, not the least of which was that Pikachu would walk around with you as you traveled the world. That referenced how Pikachu didn’t like its Pokeball in the anime and thus would just “be around” with Ash all the time. That feature wouldn’t be every game later on, but when it did return, gamers knew what