Pokémon Yellow Classic
Game Boy · RPG
Pokémon Red
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 9 |
Released for the Game Boy in 1998, Pokémon Red is a role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Pokemon: Red Version.
It landed about 9 years into the Game Boy's life. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1998 include Pokémon Blue, Frogger and FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. Among the 25 Game Boy RPGs in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
It is part of the Pokémon series; on the Game Boy you can also try Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Blue. 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 Red 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 Red 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 Red cheats & codes
501 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:
| Have All Badges | 01FF56D3 |
|---|---|
| Protect Status | 010018D0 |
| Never Miss & Have More Criticals | 01FFD6CF |
| No Random Battles | 01033CD1 |
| Infinite Time [Safari Zone] | 01F00ED7 |
| Infinite Safari Balls | 016447DA |
Pokémon Red walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pokémon Red.
If you like Pokémon Red, the Matrix also picks…
Pokémon Blue 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 Red FAQ
When did Pokémon Red come out on the Game Boy?
Pokémon Red was released for the Game Boy in 1998.
Who made Pokémon Red?
It was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo.
Is Pokémon Red multiplayer?
Yes. Pokémon Red supports up to 2 players.
How long does Pokémon Red take to play?
As a role-playing game, Pokémon Red 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 Red 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.