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{{Infobox game | colorscheme=blue|bordercolorscheme=blue
Ha! double signature
|name=<span style="color:#FFF">Pokémon Blue Version</span>
|jname=<span style="color:#FFF">ポケットモンスター　青</span>
|boxart=Blue JP boxart.png
|caption=Box art of Pokémon Blue Version, [[Game mascot|depicting]] {{p|Blastoise}}.
|platform=[[Game Boy]] <small>(enhanced for the [[Super Game Boy]] and [[Super Game Boy 2]])</small>
|category=RPG
|players=2 players simultaneous
|link_method=[[Game Link Cable]] <small>(Game Boy)</small><br>3DS Wireless <small>(3DS VC)</small>
|developer=[[Game Freak]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|gen_series=[[Generation I]] [[core series]]
|cero=A <small>(3DS VC)</small>
|gsrr=6+ <small>(3DS VC)</small>
|release_date_ja=December 1996 to January 1997 <small>(Game Boy, mail release)</small><ref name="Lava"/><br>June 13, 1997 to August 31, 1997 <small>(Game Boy, mail re-release)</small><ref name="1997 re-release">[https://web.archive.org/web/19970707185911/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/POKEMON/NEWS/NEWS.HTM ポケットモンスター・ブルーバージョン再販中！！] (Pokémon Blue Version Re-Release!!)</ref><br>October 10, 1999 <small>(Game Boy, {{wp|retail}})</small><ref name="TPC" /><ref name="NoJ" /><br>February 27, 2016 <small>(3DS VC)</small><br><small>(Note: October 15, 1996 is claimed to be Pokémon Blue's Japanese release date according to some official sources,<ref name="TPC" /><ref name="NoJ" /> but this was simply the date when the still unreleased game was announced on {{wp|CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro}} magazine<ref name="Lava"/>)</small>
|release_date_na=N/A
|release_date_au=N/A
|release_date_eu=N/A
|release_date_kr=N/A
|release_date_hk=N/A
|release_date_tw=N/A
|website_ja=[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gb-blue/ The Pokémon Company] <small>(Game Boy)</small><br>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/VCAMAP/ The Pokémon Company] <small>(Virtual Console)</small><br>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/apej/ Nintendo] <small>(Game Boy)</small><br>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000038656 Nintendo] <small>(Virtual Console)</small>
}}
 
'''Pokémon Blue Version''' (Japanese: '''{{j|ポケットモンスター　青}}''' ''Pocket Monsters: Blue'') is the third [[core series]] [[Pokémon games|Pokémon game]] for the [[Game Boy]].
 
This game was announced on October 15, 1996, via the {{wp|cover date|cover-dated}} November 1996 issue of {{wp|CoroCoro Comic}}. It was originally [[#Release|released]] by mail in early December 1996 to those who had requested it using an application form included with this specific issue of CoroCoro.
 
The game was originally released to celebrate 1 million sales of Pokémon Red and Green. It was later re-released (again as mail order) in 1997 to celebrate 4 million sales of Red, Green, and Blue combined, and then was ultimately released to general {{wp|retail}} on October 10, 1999.
 
In Japan, Pokémon Blue is a minor revision of {{game|Red and Green|s}}, which were released earlier in the same year. It was thus the first [[core series|upper version]] in the core series Pokémon games. Fixes in the game include a graphics upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, the pair of games {{game|Red and Blue|s}} was released with the same [[wild Pokémon]] and [[version-exclusive Pokémon]] as Japanese Red and Green, with the graphics and game engine from Japanese Blue.
 
The game was available on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] in Japan between the [[Pokémon 20th Anniversary]] on February 27, 2016, and the discontinuation of the 3DS Nintendo eShop on March 27, 2023.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Much as would become standard for third versions, players, like in the earlier Red and Green, started in [[Pallet Town|Masara Town]] in the [[Kanto|Kanto region]], receiving a [[starter Pokémon]] from [[Professor Oak|Dr. Okido]]. As before, the choices are {{p|Bulbasaur|Fushigidane}}, {{p|Charmander|Hitokage}}, and {{p|Squirtle|Zenigame}}, and the {{ga|Blue|rival}} chooses the starter that weakens the player's choice.
{{spoilers}}
Much as would become standard for solitary versions, {{player}}s follow the plot of the previous two games. Like in Red and Green, the player starts in [[Pallet Town]] in the [[Kanto|Kanto region]], receiving a [[first partner Pokémon]] from [[Professor Oak]]. As before, the choices are {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, and {{p|Squirtle}}, and the {{ga|Blue|rival}} chooses the first partner Pokémon that is super effective against the player's first partner Pokémon.


Like before, the eight [[Gym Leaders]] of Kanto are [[Brock|Takeshi]], [[Misty|Kasumi]], [[Lt. Surge|Matis]], [[Erika]], [[Koga|Kyō]], [[Sabrina|Natsume]], [[Blaine|Katsura]], and [[Giovanni|Sakaki]], while the [[Elite Four]] are [[Lorelei|Kanna]], [[Bruno|Siba]], [[Agatha|Kikuko]], and [[Lance|Wataru]], with the rival still in the [[Champion]]'s place.
Once more, the eight [[Gym Leader]]s of Kanto are [[Brock]], [[Misty]], [[Lt. Surge]], [[Erika]], [[Koga]], [[Sabrina]], [[Blaine]], and [[Giovanni]], while the [[Elite Four]] are [[Lorelei]], [[Bruno]], [[Agatha]], and [[Lance]], with {{ga|Blue|the rival}} still in the {{pkmn|Champion}}'s place.


Again, the evil [[Team Rocket|Rocket Gang]] is causing chaos across the region, and it is up to the player to defeat them.
Again, the evil [[Team Rocket]] is causing chaos across the region, and it is up to the player to defeat them.


==Changes from Red and Green==
==Changes from Red and Green==
* [[Cerulean Cave|Hanada Cave]], the game's final dungeon, is redesigned.
* [[Kanto]] is aesthetically redesigned, with the design of doors, signposts, and other tilesets redesigned. [[Cerulean Cave]], the game's final dungeon, receives the most significant overhaul, sporting a completely different layout. These designs would later be reused for the international {{game|Red and Blue|s}}. [[Indigo Plateau]] remains unaltered.
* [[List of in-game trades|In-game trades]] are changed to different Pokémon.
* All Pokémon have new front sprites but retain the same back sprites from Red and Green. [[Pokémon Trainer]]s and the {{OBP|ghost|Pokémon Tower}}s of [[Pokémon Tower]] have the same sprites from Red and Green. The sprites from Blue would later be used in the international Pokémon Red and Blue.
* [[Rocket Game Corner|Game Corner]] prizes are different.
* Pokémon have new [[Pokédex]] entries.
* Pokémon only available through an in-game trade in Red and Green are now found in the wild.
* [[In-game trade]]s are changed to different Pokémon.
* [[Celadon Game Corner|Game Corner]] prizes and slot machine icons are different.
* The introduction of the game features a battle between a {{p|Gengar}} and a {{p|Jigglypuff}}, as opposed to a Gengar and a {{p|Nidorino}}, as it was in {{game|Red and Green|s}}. This change carried on into the localized version of Pokémon Blue, while the original appeared in the localized Pokémon Red.
* The places where some Pokémon are obtainable were changed:
** {{p|Jynx}} and {{p|Lickitung}}, only available through in-game trades in Red and Green, are now found in the wild.
** {{p|Kangaskhan}} and {{p|Tauros}} are now only available through in-game trades.
** {{p|Raticate}}, {{p|Clefairy}}, and {{p|Rapidash}} are now found in [[Cerulean Cave]].
** {{p|Ditto}} is now found in [[Rock Tunnel]].
** {{p|Psyduck}} and {{p|Golduck}} do not appear on land inside the [[Seafoam Islands]], but Psyduck can still be encountered by fishing at various locations.
* [[HP Up]] is now sold at the [[Celadon Department Store]].
* The concept of [[Mythical Pokémon]] was introduced in this game, as seen in {{p|Mew}} and {{p|Dratini}}'s Japanese Pokédex entries. However, Mew is called a "mirage" instead in the English {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, since those games predated the English [[Terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon|separation between Legendary and Mythical]].
* A small number of glitches were fixed:
** A glitch that allows the player to surf from the top of a cliff was removed.
** A glitch where the game mistakenly believes the player has beaten [[Sabrina]] (when they actually lost to her) was removed.
* [[MissingNo.]] was given the placeholder Pokédex entry コメント さくせいちゅう ''Comment to be written.'' and became the ??? species. This was not translated, resulting in a glitched Pokédex entry in the localized {{game|Red and Blue|s}} and the corruption of MissingNo.'s original height and weight (1.0&nbsp;m (3.3&nbsp;ft) and 10.0&nbsp;kg (22.1&nbsp;lb), respectively), showing instead a height of 10.0&nbsp;ft (3.1 m) and a weight of 3507.2&nbsp;lb (1590.8&nbsp;kg).<ref>[https://iimarckus.org/i/missing-number/ Missing Number]</ref>


==Features==
{{youtubevid|azoyziIrwIc|ChickasaurusGL|blue}}
===Gyms===
Much as in Red and Green, there are eight Pokémon Gyms in Kanto, each with their own type affiliation. The Gym Leaders are [[Brock|Takeshi]] ({{t|Rock}}), [[Misty|Kasumi]] ({{t|Water}}), [[Lt. Surge|Matis]] ({{t|Electric}}), [[Erika]] ({{t|Grass}}), [[Koga|Kyō]] ({{t|Poison}}), [[Sabrina|Natsume]] ({{t|Psychic}}), [[Blaine|Katsura]] ({{t|Fire}}) and [[Giovanni|Sakaki]] ({{t|Ground}}).


===Elite Four===
===[[Version-exclusive Pokémon|Missing Pokémon]]===
The Elite Four at [[Indigo Plateau|Quartz Plateau]] also remains unchanged, with [[Lorelei|Kanna]] ({{t|Ice}}), [[Bruno|Siba]] ({{t|Fighting}}), [[Agatha|Kikuko]] ({{t|Ghost}}) and [[Lance|Wataru]] ({{t|Dragon}}). The [[Champion]] is {{ga|Blue|Green}}, who has Pokémon of mixed types.
The following Pokémon could be found in Red and Green Versions but are not obtainable in Pokémon Blue. In order to obtain any of the below Pokémon, they must be traded from one of the paired versions of [[Generation I]], or from [[Generation II]]. The table below indicates which paired Generation I game has that Pokémon available.


===Pokémon===
Note that {{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}} marks the Pokémon obtainable in Pokémon Green, which has the same available Pokémon as {{game|Red and Blue|s|Western Blue}}.
Blue did not introduce any new Pokémon, and so the 151 present in Red and Green are the only ones obtainable. Like Red and Green, some Pokémon are missing from Blue and must be traded from another game to complete the Pokédex or evolved from less powerful forms.
{| style="margin:auto"
 
|-
==[[Version-exclusive Pokémon|Missing Pokémon]]==
|
The following Pokémon are not obtainable in Pokémon Blue. In order to obtain any of the below Pokémon, they must be traded from one of the paired versions of [[Generation I]] which has that Pokémon available, which will be indicated.
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{blue color}}; border:5px solid #{{blue color light}}"
 
|-
{| align="center"
! {{color|FFF|Blue}}
|- align="center" valign="top"
|-
|  
|
{| align="center" style="background: #{{blue color}}; -moz-border-radius: 1em; border: 5px solid #{{blue color light}};"
{| border="1" style="background:white; border:1px solid #{{blue color}}; border-collapse:collapse" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|-
|-
! Blue
{{Moveentry|023|Ekans|1|Poison||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]|gen=1}}
|- align="center"
{{Moveentry|024|Arbok|1|Poison||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]|gen=1}}
|
{{Moveentry|037|Vulpix|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{| border="1" style="border: 1px solid #{{blue color}}; border-collapse: collapse; background: white; margin: auto;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
{{Moveentry|038|Ninetales|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
|- align="center"
{{Moveentry|056|Mankey|1|Fighting||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|023|Ekans|1|Poison||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|057|Primeape|1|Fighting||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|024|Arbok|1|Poison||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|069|Bellsprout|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|037|Vulpix|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|070|Weepinbell|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|038|Ninetales|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|071|Victreebel|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]][[Pokémon Yellow Version|{{color|{{yellow color}}|'''Y'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|056|Mankey|1|Fighting||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|125|Electabuzz|1|Electric||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|057|Primeape|1|Fighting||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|126|Magmar|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]|gen=1}}
{{Moveentry|069|Bellsprout|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}{{Moveentry|070|Weepinbell|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|071|Victreebel|2|Grass|Poison|[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|125|Electabuzz|1|Electric||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{red color}}|'''R'''}}]]}}
{{Moveentry|126|Magmar|1|Fire||[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|{{color|{{green color}}|'''G'''}}]]}}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
|}
==Connectivity==
Players may [[trade]] Pokémon between two cartridges or battle with another cartridge using a [[Game Boy]] [[Game Link Cable]]. To take full advantage of this feature, several Pokémon are exclusive to other Generation I games and others require trading to evolve, making trading necessary to complete the [[Pokédex]]. The game can trade and battle with Japanese versions of {{Game|Red and Green|s|Pokémon Red, Green}}, Blue, and {{v2|Yellow}}. It can also trade with Japanese versions of {{game2|Gold|Silver|Crystal}} via the [[Time Capsule]]. Pokémon Blue is completely incompatible with games from [[Generation III]] onward.
Trades between Pokémon games in different languages are possible; however, a Japanese game cannot connect with a non-Japanese game without causing corruption. This is due to the fact that the games cannot automatically translate the Pokémon data from Japanese to a different language or vice versa, since neither game fully {{OBP|Character encoding|Generation I|encodes}} both {{wp|kana}} and the {{wp|Latin alphabet}} (only encoding one fully and the other partially). If a battle between a Japanese game and a non-Japanese game is attempted, the battle simply does not work, with the save files left unharmed.
Pokémon Blue is compatible with {{jpn|Pokémon Stadium}}, [[Pokémon Stadium|Pokémon Stadium 2]] (released as Pokémon Stadium in English), and {{pkmn|Stadium 2|Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver}} (released as Pokémon Stadium 2 in English). While link battles are not possible directly between Pokémon Blue and the Generation II games, a player may challenge a Generation II game using Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver.
===Virtual Console===
The [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] release uses 3DS wireless communication as a substitute for the Game Link Cable. Japanese and non-Japanese Generation I core series games do not recognize each other when attempting to link them via 3DS wireless communication.
Using [[Poké Transporter]], the entirety of Box 1 can be sent from the Generation I core series games to {{g|Bank}} (regardless of language), from where they can be withdrawn in the [[Generation VII]] core series games.
==Release==
Pokémon Blue was originally announced at the {{wp|cover date|cover-dated}} November 1996 issue of {{wp|CoroCoro Comic}}, which was distributed on October 15, 1996. This CoroCoro issue had an application form to request Pokémon Blue via mail. This was originally the only way to obtain this game. The period to request Pokémon Blue was between October 15 and December 27.<ref name="Lava">[https://lavacutcontent.com/corocoro-comic-pokemon-blue/ Translation: Forgotten Story of Pokemon Blue’s Release - Lava Cut Content]</ref>
This CoroCoro issue could be obtained either via a subscription or by simply being bought from a magazine stand. Each subscription form could be used to purchase two copies of Pokémon Blue. According to the instructions in the magazine, the buyers were expected to send money via bank transfer only after Pokémon Blue arrived.<ref name="Lava"/>
The game was originally released to celebrate 1 million sales of Pokémon Red and Green.<ref>[https://zoidsland.com/1rebyu-/koro96-10.html CoroCoro - October 1996] (specifically the [https://zoidsland.com/1rebyu-/koro96-10-a70.jpg page about 1 million Pokémon sales])</ref> Pokémon Blue was distributed by mail from early December 1996 to January 1997.<ref name="Lava"/> It was later re-released (again as mail order) in 1997 to celebrate 4 million sales of Red, Green, and Blue combined,<ref name="1997 re-release"/><ref>[https://zoidsland.com/1rebyu-/koro97-7b.html CoroCoro - July 1997]</ref> and then was ultimately released to general {{wp|retail}} on October 10, 1999.<ref name="TPC" /><ref name="NoJ" />
October 15, 1996 (the date when the CoroCoro magazine was originally released) is also known as Pokémon Blue's release date according to Pokémon and Nintendo's official Japanese websites.<ref name="TPC">[http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/other/gb-blue/ ポケットモンスター 青 | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref><ref name="NoJ">[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/apej/ ポケットモンスター青]</ref>
==Differences in the Virtual Console release==
The Nintendo 3DS [[Virtual Console]] release can [[#Connectivity|link]] with other Virtual Console Generation I and II core series games via Nintendo 3DS wireless communication, simulating the [[Game Link Cable]]. When initiating a link, the Virtual Console menu on the touch screen replaces the Cable Club attendant's dialogue.
Using [[Poké Transporter]], Pokémon can be sent from the Generation I core series games to {{g|Bank}}, from which they can be withdrawn in the [[Generation VII]] core series games.
The moves {{m|Blizzard}}, {{m|Bubble Beam|BubbleBeam}}, {{m|Confusion}}, {{m|Dream Eater}}, {{m|Explosion}}, {{m|Guillotine}}, {{m|Hyper Beam}}, {{m|Mega Kick}}, {{m|Mega Punch}}, {{m|Psychic}}, {{m|Reflect}}, {{m|Rock Slide}}, {{m|Self-Destruct|Selfdestruct}}, {{m|Spore}}, and {{m|Thunderbolt}} had their animations changed slightly to tone down the flashing.
The game was available on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] in Japan between the [[Pokémon 20th Anniversary]] on February 27, 2016, and the discontinuation of the 3DS Nintendo eShop in March 2023.
==Development==
{{main|Pokémon Red and Green beta}}
An error made during development causes the {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} depicted during [[Professor Oak]]'s introductory lecture to be a {{p|Nidorino}} but with the [[cry]] of a {{p|Nidorina}}. This was already the case in the Japanese {{2v2|Red|Green}} and it was not fixed in {{2v2|Red|Blue}}.
==Soundtrack==
{{main|Game Boy: Entire Pokémon Sounds Collection CD}}
The soundtrack release for {{game|Red and Green|s}} also applies to Pokémon Blue.
==Staff==
{{main|Staff of Pokémon Red and Blue}}
==Gallery==
===Title screens===
<gallery>
File:Japanese BlueTitle GBC.png|Title screen (Game Boy Color)
File:Japanese BlueTitle SGB.png|Title screen (Super Game Boy)
</gallery>
===Flyers===
<gallery>
B retail flyer front.jpg|Front of Japanese flyer
B retail flyer back.jpg|Back of Japanese flyer
</gallery>
===Virtual Console icons===
<gallery>
Blue VC JP icon.png|Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console icon
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Because the script for Pokémon Blue, rather than that of Red and Green, was used for the translation of the Japanese trio into {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, an old man who trades the player an {{p|Electrode}} on [[Cinnabar Island]] claims that the {{p|Raichu}} he received "went and evolved". As Raichu does not have an evolved form, this makes no sense whatsoever. In the context of Pokémon Blue, however, it makes sense, as the player trades away a {{p|Kadabra}}, which evolves through trade, for a {{p|Graveler}} in this game.
* Because Pokémon Red and Blue use a translation of the script of Pokémon Blue but use the [[in-game trade]]s from {{game|Red and Green|s}}, two translation errors related to these trades occur.
* Pokémon Blue, as well as [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|its older, paired counterparts]], are the only Generation I games that don't give a waiting message when the saving process is in course.
** The man who trades the {{player}} an {{p|Electrode}} on [[Cinnabar Island]] claims that the {{p|Raichu}} he received "went and [[Evolution|evolved]]". As Raichu does not have an evolved form, this is not possible. However, in the context of Japanese Pokémon Blue, it makes sense as the player trades away a {{p|Kadabra}}, which evolves through trade, for a {{p|Graveler}}.
** Unlike Red and Green, however, it doesn't inform the player that the saving process will overwrite the previous save file, a situation that carried over into the English versions.
** The old man who trades the player a {{p|Jynx}} in [[Cerulean City]] claims that the {{p|Poliwhirl}} he received "went and evolved". As Poliwhirl cannot evolve via [[trade]] in [[Generation I]], this is not possible. However, in the context of Japanese Pokémon Blue, the old man trades away a {{p|Haunter}} for a {{p|Machoke}}, which does evolve through trade.
* Pokémon Blue (Japanese) and {{game|Yellow}} are the only [[core series]] games where no [[item]] was introduced.
* This is the only [[Generation I]] core series game in which neither {{p|Seel}} nor {{p|Dewgong}} is available through an [[in-game trade]].
* Due to [[List of graphical quirks (Generation I)#Purple Jigglypuff oversight|an oversight]], Jigglypuff appears purple (instead of pink) in the battle against Gengar at the game intro. This is a leftover from the battle between two purple Pokémon (Gengar vs. Nidorino) in the earlier games {{game|Red and Green|s}}.
* Sales of this game combined with {{game|Red and Green|s|Pokémon Green, the Japanese version of Pokémon Red}}, and {{game|Red and Blue|s|the English versions of Pokémon Red and Blue}} exceed 31 million units, making these the highest selling Pokémon games as well as the only games in the series to exceed 30 million units.
 
==In other languages==
{{langtable|color={{Blue color}}|bordercolor={{Blue color light}}|textcolor=fff
|ja={{tt|ポケットモンスター　青|Pocket Monsters Ao}}
|fr=Pokémon Version Bleue
|de=Pokémon Blaue Edition
|it=Pokémon Blue Version <!-- from http://archive.is/pepJU -->
|ko={{tt|포켓몬스터 블루|Pocket Monsters Beullu}}
|es=Pokémon Edición Azul}}
 
==External links==
* [https://miiverse.nintendo.net/titles/6437256808907399718/6437256808907399721 Pokémon Generation I (Virtual Console) Miiverse Community]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
{{Core series}}


{{Main series}}
{{Project Games notice}}
{{Project Games notice}}
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:Third versions]]
[[Category:Upper versions]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Nintendo 3DS games]]


[[de:Pokémon Blau (Japan)]]
[[de:Pocket Monsters Ao]]
[[ja:ポケットモンスター青]]
[[fr:Pokémon Version Bleue (Japon)]]
[[it:Pokémon Blu (Giappone)]]
[[ja:ポケットモンスター 青]]

Latest revision as of 12:48, 11 September 2024

Pokémon Blue Version
ポケットモンスター　青
Blue JP boxart.png
Box art of Pokémon Blue Version, depicting Blastoise.
Basic info
Platform: Game Boy (enhanced for the Super Game Boy and Super Game Boy 2)
Category: RPG
Players: 2 players simultaneous
Connectivity: Game Link Cable (Game Boy)
3DS Wireless (3DS VC)
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Part of: Generation I core series
Ratings
CERO: A (3DS VC)
ESRB: N/A
ACB: N/A
OFLC: N/A
PEGI: N/A
GRAC: N/A
GSRR: 6+ (3DS VC)
Release dates
Japan: December 1996 to January 1997 (Game Boy, mail release)[1]
June 13, 1997 to August 31, 1997 (Game Boy, mail re-release)[2]
October 10, 1999 (Game Boy, retail)[3][4]
February 27, 2016 (3DS VC)
(Note: October 15, 1996 is claimed to be Pokémon Blue's Japanese release date according to some official sources,[3][4] but this was simply the date when the still unreleased game was announced on CoroCoro magazine[1])
North America: N/A
Australia: N/A
Europe: N/A
South Korea: N/A
Hong Kong: N/A
Taiwan: N/A
Websites
Japanese: The Pokémon Company (Game Boy)
The Pokémon Company (Virtual Console)
Nintendo (Game Boy)
Nintendo (Virtual Console)
English: N/A

Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese: ポケットモンスター　青 Pocket Monsters: Blue) is the third core series Pokémon game for the Game Boy.

This game was announced on October 15, 1996, via the cover-dated November 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic. It was originally released by mail in early December 1996 to those who had requested it using an application form included with this specific issue of CoroCoro.

The game was originally released to celebrate 1 million sales of Pokémon Red and Green. It was later re-released (again as mail order) in 1997 to celebrate 4 million sales of Red, Green, and Blue combined, and then was ultimately released to general retail on October 10, 1999.

In Japan, Pokémon Blue is a minor revision of Pokémon Red and Green, which were released earlier in the same year. It was thus the first upper version in the core series Pokémon games. Fixes in the game include a graphics upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, the pair of games Pokémon Red and Blue was released with the same wild Pokémon and version-exclusive Pokémon as Japanese Red and Green, with the graphics and game engine from Japanese Blue.

The game was available on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Japan between the Pokémon 20th Anniversary on February 27, 2016, and the discontinuation of the 3DS Nintendo eShop on March 27, 2023.

Plot

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Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
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Much as would become standard for solitary versions, players follow the plot of the previous two games. Like in Red and Green, the player starts in Pallet Town in the Kanto region, receiving a first partner Pokémon from Professor Oak. As before, the choices are Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, and the rival chooses the first partner Pokémon that is super effective against the player's first partner Pokémon.

Once more, the eight Gym Leaders of Kanto are Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, Blaine, and Giovanni, while the Elite Four are Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, and Lance, with the rival still in the Champion's place.

Again, the evil Team Rocket is causing chaos across the region, and it is up to the player to defeat them.

Changes from Red and Green

  • Kanto is aesthetically redesigned, with the design of doors, signposts, and other tilesets redesigned. Cerulean Cave, the game's final dungeon, receives the most significant overhaul, sporting a completely different layout. These designs would later be reused for the international Pokémon Red and Blue. Indigo Plateau remains unaltered.
  • All Pokémon have new front sprites but retain the same back sprites from Red and Green. Pokémon Trainers and the ghosts of Pokémon Tower have the same sprites from Red and Green. The sprites from Blue would later be used in the international Pokémon Red and Blue.
  • Pokémon have new Pokédex entries.
  • In-game trades are changed to different Pokémon.
  • Game Corner prizes and slot machine icons are different.
  • The introduction of the game features a battle between a Gengar and a Jigglypuff, as opposed to a Gengar and a Nidorino, as it was in Pokémon Red and Green. This change carried on into the localized version of Pokémon Blue, while the original appeared in the localized Pokémon Red.
  • The places where some Pokémon are obtainable were changed:
  • HP Up is now sold at the Celadon Department Store.
  • The concept of Mythical Pokémon was introduced in this game, as seen in Mew and Dratini's Japanese Pokédex entries. However, Mew is called a "mirage" instead in the English Pokémon Red and Blue, since those games predated the English separation between Legendary and Mythical.
  • A small number of glitches were fixed:
    • A glitch that allows the player to surf from the top of a cliff was removed.
    • A glitch where the game mistakenly believes the player has beaten Sabrina (when they actually lost to her) was removed.
  • MissingNo. was given the placeholder Pokédex entry コメント さくせいちゅう Comment to be written. and became the ??? species. This was not translated, resulting in a glitched Pokédex entry in the localized Pokémon Red and Blue and the corruption of MissingNo.'s original height and weight (1.0 m (3.3 ft) and 10.0 kg (22.1 lb), respectively), showing instead a height of 10.0 ft (3.1 m) and a weight of 3507.2 lb (1590.8 kg).[5]
By ChickasaurusGL
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Missing Pokémon

The following Pokémon could be found in Red and Green Versions but are not obtainable in Pokémon Blue. In order to obtain any of the below Pokémon, they must be traded from one of the paired versions of Generation I, or from Generation II. The table below indicates which paired Generation I game has that Pokémon available.

Note that G marks the Pokémon obtainable in Pokémon Green, which has the same available Pokémon as Western Blue.

Blue
0023 Ekans Ekans
 Poison R
0024 Arbok Arbok
 Poison R
0037 Vulpix Vulpix
 Fire GY
0038 Ninetales Ninetales
 Fire GY
0056 Mankey Mankey
 Fighting RY
0057 Primeape Primeape
 Fighting RY
0069 Bellsprout Bellsprout
 Grass Poison GY
0070 Weepinbell Weepinbell
 Grass Poison GY
0071 Victreebel Victreebel
 Grass Poison GY
0125 Electabuzz Electabuzz
 Electric R
0126 Magmar Magmar
 Fire G

Connectivity

Players may trade Pokémon between two cartridges or battle with another cartridge using a Game Boy Game Link Cable. To take full advantage of this feature, several Pokémon are exclusive to other Generation I games and others require trading to evolve, making trading necessary to complete the Pokédex. The game can trade and battle with Japanese versions of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. It can also trade with Japanese versions of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal via the Time Capsule. Pokémon Blue is completely incompatible with games from Generation III onward.

Trades between Pokémon games in different languages are possible; however, a Japanese game cannot connect with a non-Japanese game without causing corruption. This is due to the fact that the games cannot automatically translate the Pokémon data from Japanese to a different language or vice versa, since neither game fully encodes both kana and the Latin alphabet (only encoding one fully and the other partially). If a battle between a Japanese game and a non-Japanese game is attempted, the battle simply does not work, with the save files left unharmed.

Pokémon Blue is compatible with Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Stadium 2 (released as Pokémon Stadium in English), and Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver (released as Pokémon Stadium 2 in English). While link battles are not possible directly between Pokémon Blue and the Generation II games, a player may challenge a Generation II game using Pokémon Stadium Gold and Silver.

Virtual Console

The Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release uses 3DS wireless communication as a substitute for the Game Link Cable. Japanese and non-Japanese Generation I core series games do not recognize each other when attempting to link them via 3DS wireless communication.

Using Poké Transporter, the entirety of Box 1 can be sent from the Generation I core series games to Pokémon Bank (regardless of language), from where they can be withdrawn in the Generation VII core series games.

Release

Pokémon Blue was originally announced at the cover-dated November 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic, which was distributed on October 15, 1996. This CoroCoro issue had an application form to request Pokémon Blue via mail. This was originally the only way to obtain this game. The period to request Pokémon Blue was between October 15 and December 27.[1]

This CoroCoro issue could be obtained either via a subscription or by simply being bought from a magazine stand. Each subscription form could be used to purchase two copies of Pokémon Blue. According to the instructions in the magazine, the buyers were expected to send money via bank transfer only after Pokémon Blue arrived.[1]

The game was originally released to celebrate 1 million sales of Pokémon Red and Green.[6] Pokémon Blue was distributed by mail from early December 1996 to January 1997.[1] It was later re-released (again as mail order) in 1997 to celebrate 4 million sales of Red, Green, and Blue combined,[2][7] and then was ultimately released to general retail on October 10, 1999.[3][4]

October 15, 1996 (the date when the CoroCoro magazine was originally released) is also known as Pokémon Blue's release date according to Pokémon and Nintendo's official Japanese websites.[3][4]

Differences in the Virtual Console release

The Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release can link with other Virtual Console Generation I and II core series games via Nintendo 3DS wireless communication, simulating the Game Link Cable. When initiating a link, the Virtual Console menu on the touch screen replaces the Cable Club attendant's dialogue.

Using Poké Transporter, Pokémon can be sent from the Generation I core series games to Pokémon Bank, from which they can be withdrawn in the Generation VII core series games.

The moves Blizzard, BubbleBeam, Confusion, Dream Eater, Explosion, Guillotine, Hyper Beam, Mega Kick, Mega Punch, Psychic, Reflect, Rock Slide, Selfdestruct, Spore, and Thunderbolt had their animations changed slightly to tone down the flashing.

The game was available on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Japan between the Pokémon 20th Anniversary on February 27, 2016, and the discontinuation of the 3DS Nintendo eShop in March 2023.

Development

Main article: Pokémon Red and Green beta

An error made during development causes the Pokémon depicted during Professor Oak's introductory lecture to be a Nidorino but with the cry of a Nidorina. This was already the case in the Japanese Red and Green and it was not fixed in Red and Blue.

Soundtrack

Main article: Game Boy: Entire Pokémon Sounds Collection CD

The soundtrack release for Pokémon Red and Green also applies to Pokémon Blue.

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Red and Blue

Gallery

Title screens

  • Title screen (Game Boy Color)

    Title screen (Game Boy Color)

  • Title screen (Super Game Boy)

    Title screen (Super Game Boy)

Flyers

  • Front of Japanese flyer

    Front of Japanese flyer

  • Back of Japanese flyer

    Back of Japanese flyer

Virtual Console icons

  • Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console icon

    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console icon

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Japan Flag.png Japanese ポケットモンスター　青
France Flag.png French Pokémon Version Bleue
Germany Flag.png German Pokémon Blaue Edition
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokémon Blue Version
South Korea Flag.png Korean 포켓몬스터 블루
Spain Flag.png Spanish Pokémon Edición Azul

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Translation: Forgotten Story of Pokemon Blue’s Release - Lava Cut Content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 ポケットモンスター・ブルーバージョン再販中！！ (Pokémon Blue Version Re-Release!!)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 ポケットモンスター 青 | ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 ポケットモンスター青
  5. ↑ Missing Number
  6. ↑ CoroCoro - October 1996 (specifically the page about 1 million Pokémon sales)
  7. ↑ CoroCoro - July 1997
Core series games and DLC
Pokémon games

Core series • Side series • Spin-off series • Pokémon mini • Individual spin-offs • Betas • Demos


Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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