Pokémon Yellow Classic
Game Boy · RPG
Pokémon Blue
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1998 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Pokémon |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 10 |
Pokémon Blue is a role-playing game released in 1998 for the Game Boy, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Pokemon: Blue Version.
It landed about 9 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1998 include Pokémon Red, Frogger and FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. Among the 25 Game Boy RPGs in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
It is part of the Pokémon series; on the Game Boy you can also try Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Red. The series also appears on other systems with Pokémon Emerald (GBA) and Pokémon Crystal (GBC). Game Freak also made Yoshi for the Game Boy.
Pokémon Blue supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the Game Boy's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Pokémon Blue is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Pokémon Blue walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pokémon Blue.
If you like Pokémon Blue, the Matrix also picks…
Pokémon Red Classic
Pokémon Emerald Classic
Pokémon Crystal Classic
Pokémon Platinum Classic
Pokémon FireRed Deep cut
Pokémon LeafGreen Deep cut
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Pokémon Blue FAQ
When did Pokémon Blue come out on the Game Boy?
Pokémon Blue was released for the Game Boy in 1998.
Who made Pokémon Blue?
It was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo.
Is Pokémon Blue multiplayer?
Yes. Pokémon Blue supports up to 2 players.
How long does Pokémon Blue take to play?
As a role-playing game, Pokémon Blue typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Pokémon Blue on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.