It was 1996 when the game first hit the stores of Japan. Over ten years later, we're still obsessed with it. The concept wasn't all that new, battle partner games are a common thing in the land of the rising sun, but this was something special - as the billions of dollars generated from the franchise and the armies of fans worldwide soon proved. It wasn't until 1999 when America recieved their first copies, and equally fell in love.

You play the young boy in the region of Kanto who recieves his first Pokemon off of Prof Oak. This character resembles a certain Ash Ketchum because the anime loosley follows the game. After recieving this Pokemon he aims to complete the Pokedex Prof Oak has handed him and his neighbour Gary. He just happems to aim to compete in the Pokemon League whilst doing this and also doing it faster than his now rival Gary. In Red, Blue and Green (Only released in Japan) you are given the choice of three pokemon to start with; Bulbasaur, the grass type, Charmander, the fire type, and Squirtle, the water type. As you make your way around the game, your initial choice in starter pokemon may or may not effect your game play- but for example, the first gym battle you face is that of Brock, the rock type user, so if you choose charmander you may want to catch a grass type pokemon and train it up fast.
In Yellow because it was made to follow the Anime you have no choice as to which pokemon you recieve, as your rival steals the only other Pokémon that the good professor has on him at the time. So, you're stuck with the loveable Pikachu as your companion, who goes through a stage of refusing to stay in his pokeball, ignoring you, and slowly, if you get on his good side, will learn to live with you and become your friend. See, you're not so annoying, are you?

Fight the evil Team Rocket, collect all eight badges in the Kanto region, and move up to the indigo plateu- The Pokemon League headquarters- to prove your worth of becoming the champion, and a Pokemon Master. Good luck on your journey to be the best!