"Pokémon Red and Blue," also known as "Pokémon Red and Green" in Japan, were the first pair of Pokémon video games released for the Game Boy. They marked the beginning of the incredibly popular Pokémon franchise. Here are some interesting facts about these iconic games:
Dual Release: "Pokémon Red" and "Pokémon Blue" (or "Green" in Japan) were released for the Game Boy in 1996 in Japan and 1998 in North America. They were released as a pair to encourage trading and interaction between players, as certain Pokémon could only be obtained in one version and not the other.
Legendary Pokémon: These games introduced three legendary Pokémon: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. These three bird-like creatures were among the first legendary Pokémon in the series.
MissingNo Glitch: The "MissingNo" glitch is one of the most famous glitches in video game history. By encountering a specific sequence of actions involving the Cinnabar Island coast, players could trigger a glitchy, pixelated creature called MissingNo. This glitch allowed players to duplicate items and sometimes even encounter high-level Pokémon.
Unintended Features: The games had several unintended features that became iconic, like the ability to capture a level 1 Mew through a glitch, and the "Surfing Pikachu" minigame, which was unlocked by participating in an official Nintendo event.
Pallet Town: The player's journey begins in Pallet Town, which is a reference to the term "pallet," as these games were intended to be a blank canvas onto which players could project their adventures.
Pokémon Evolution: "Pokémon Red and Blue" introduced the concept of Pokémon evolution, where certain species of Pokémon transform into more powerful forms when they reach a certain level or meet specific conditions. This mechanic became a fundamental aspect of the franchise.
PokéRap: The "PokéRap" is a memorable song featured at the end of some episodes of the animated Pokémon TV show. It rapidly lists the names of the original 150 Pokémon and became a catchy and nostalgic anthem for many fans.
Hidden Developer Reference: In Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower, there's a ghost Marowak that you encounter. This was intended to hint at the idea that Cubone is the baby form of the ghost Marowak. This relationship wasn't explicitly explained in the games but was confirmed in later generations.
Nidorino and Gengar Rumor: A popular rumor circulated that by using specific techniques, players could evolve Nidorino into "Nidoking" and Gengar into "King Gengar." These rumors were completely false and resulted from misunderstandings of game mechanics.
Influential Franchise: "Pokémon Red and Blue" started what would become one of the most successful and enduring multimedia franchises in history. It includes video games, a trading card game, an animated TV series, movies, merchandise, and more.
These games hold a special place in the hearts of many gamers and played a significant role in shaping the landscape of both video games and pop culture.