You live in a world inhabited with creatures known as Pokémon. These creatures live in the wild but can be tamed by Pokémon trainers for use in battles. It is your first day as a Pokémon trainer, and you have the ambition to catch every Pokémon in the world. Luckily, Professor Oak, the local Pokémon expert, is willing to give you your very first Pokémon from his personal collection.

You soon acquire Poké Balls with which you catch more of the creatures by weakening them with your own Pokémon's attacks. You can hold up to six Pokémon at once, but you can catch dozens more and store them away until you need them. Your main task is to travel across land and sea to cities where Pokémon Gyms can be found. Beat each Gym Leader in a Pokémon Battle for a badge, and once you have them all you can face the final challenge - the Elite Four.

Across the way you will meet people who want to battle you, including Team Rocket who use Pokémon for evil. Train your Pokémon, catch more Pokémon, and trade with other players using the Link Cable. Some Pokémon can only be gotten by trading with other versions of the game.

Pokémon Red was released in two forms. The original Japanese version and the Western version. The western version used the same graphics as Japan's special edition Pocket Monsters Blue.

A special edition remake of the Red/Green/Blue games. The graphics have been updated, and some Pokémon learn new attacks, or learn their attacks in a different order. There have been various additions made to the lay of the land, such as the new surfing shack minigame.

The game heavily borrows from the animated Pokémon show. You start with Pikachu, who now follows you when you choose to have him in your team. You can see how happy he is, but he does not let you evolve him. You can acquire all three of the original starter Pokémon somewhere in the game. You also face Jesse and James of Team Rocket, who first appeared in the animated series.

The Japanese version of this game was released with Super Game Boy enhancements, but in the west the game was released with those same colour enhancements available on the Game Boy Color - despite the boxart suggesting it is not a Game Boy Color enhanced game.