Pokémon Blue Classic
Game Boy · RPG
Pokémon Yellow
Certified classic
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1999 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Game Freak |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Pokémon |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 37 |
Pokémon Yellow is a role-playing game released in 1999 for the Game Boy, developed by Nintendo and published by Game Freak. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Pokemon: Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition.
It landed about 10 years into the Game Boy's life. Among the 25 Game Boy RPGs in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Pokémon series; on the Game Boy you can also try Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Red. The series also appears on other systems with Pokémon Emerald (GBA) and Pokémon Crystal (GBC). Nintendo also made Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Game Boy.
Pokémon Yellow 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 Yellow 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 Yellow cheats & codes
338 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Every Character/Trainer/Walking Pokémon In The Game Is Ash | 01A-11B-XXX |
|---|---|
| Control Other People! | 111-119 |
| Awesome Music (But Soon Locks Up) | 001-11A |
| Infinite Health | 003-849-F77 |
| Full Data On Pokemon, And Badges Set 2 | FFA-8AD-E6A
77A-8BD-C4C |
| People Randomly Disappear And Walk Around! | 000-1AA-355
323-45B-223
456-E6D-421 |
Pokémon Yellow walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pokémon Yellow.
If you like Pokémon Yellow, 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 Yellow FAQ
When did Pokémon Yellow come out on the Game Boy?
Pokémon Yellow was released for the Game Boy in 1999.
Who made Pokémon Yellow?
It was developed by Nintendo and published by Game Freak.
Is Pokémon Yellow multiplayer?
Yes. Pokémon Yellow supports up to 2 players.
How long does Pokémon Yellow take to play?
As a role-playing game, Pokémon Yellow 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 Yellow 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.