Generation I
Generation I, also known as the color generation due to the naming theme of Pokémon games at the time, was the first set of Pokémon games released. The generation consists of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow on the Game Boy and two Pokémon Stadium games for the Nintendo 64 in Japan, and Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow on the Game Boy and only Pokémon Stadium on the Nintendo 64 in the rest of the world.
As revealed by the later remakes, Generation I is contemporaneous with Generation III.
Gameplay
The Generation I games set the precedent for future generations, with the first paired versions, Pokémon Red and Green, being released with complimentary version-exclusive Pokémon, and later, a third version in the form of Pokémon Blue, released with Pokémon missing that appear in the other two. Pokémon Yellow was also released, however, it followed more closely to the Pokémon anime. In the world outside of Japan, only Red, Blue, and Yellow were released, also setting forth the three-version precedent that continues to be followed.
Gameplay elements that were introduced include
- Bill's 12-box, 240-Pokémon storage system.
- A complex stats system, including Attack, Defense, Speed, Special, and HP of each Pokémon.
- 165 unique moves, restricted to four per Pokémon.
- 15 unique types, each with distinct weaknesses and resistances to each of the other types.
- 8 Gyms, each specializing in a different type, the Elite Four, and Pokémon Champion, making up the Kanto region's Pokémon League.
- 151 individual Pokémon species, many of which are related to each other by evolution.
- Trading and battling over Game Link cables between two Game Boy systems.
Starters
The system for starting out a Pokémon journey, with a starter Pokémon, was also introduced in Generation I, with the Grass-Fire-Water trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. As would be repeated in later generations, the rival chooses the Pokémon whose type is super effective against the choice of the player. Choosing Bulbasaur makes it much easier for a player to pass the first few Gyms, while Squirtle fares quite well against them, and Charmander may have a difficult time.
In Pokémon Yellow, however, the starter is always Pikachu, while the rival chooses Eevee.
Gym Leaders
Each of the Pokémon Gyms in the region had their own Gym Leader, which would specialize in a specific type of Pokémon.
Trivia
- Excluding Firered & Leafgreen, as they are remakes, Generation I is the only Generation so far to promote Starter Pokémon instead of Legendaries.
| # | Leader | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock | Rock |
| 2 | Misty | Water |
| 3 | Lt. Surge | Electric |
| 4 | Erika | Grass |
| 5 | Koga | Poison |
| 6 | Sabrina | Psychic |
| 7 | Blaine | Fire |
| 8 | Giovanni | Ground |
Discussion of Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow
The games were revolutionary when they were released and set the mold for future generations to improve upon and by the present games. Pokémon itself evolved into a mainstay in the world of Nintendo.
Pokémon Yellow Version followed the Pokémon anime to the point where the main character started with Pikachu and ended up with Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle over the course of the game, much like the anime's central character, Ash Ketchum did over the first season. The nefarious Team Rocket, while present in the first games, included Jessie and James from the anime as well, complete with their Ekans, Koffing, and Meowth, although in the game, they are left nameless.
This generation started off the world of Pokémon with the Kanto region, introducing the first five HMs, all of which would maintain their HM status until Generation IV when Flash became TM70, and the fifty TM quota, which would also remain the norm until Generation IV, when the TMs listed up to 92. From both the errors made in their development as well as the successes, Pokémon has advanced to its current form while still maintaining the same feel among games.
Things that have their roots in the first generation of games include the Grass-Fire-Water starter Pokémon types, the regional professor's name referencing a tree of some kind, the eight-badge system, and the ever-present numbered routes connecting the cities and towns.
