Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue were the first Pokémon games released for the Game Boy in the United States. It is necessary to buy both versions and trade between them to collect all the Pokémon. Pokémon Blue is called Pokémon Green in Japan. It is impossible to get any Red/Blue Pokémon to the Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed or LeafGreen versions.

The original games in Japan were Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. Later, Pokémon Blue was released. It was not possible to buy it in stores. The game had to be ordered through children's magazines, which the readers were reluctant to do at first.

Nintendo of America released both Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. Pokémon Green was thus released in America under the title Pokémon Blue.

In Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Trainers can choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as their starter Pokémon from Professor Oak.

The art for the game packaging of Pokémon Red prominently features Charizard, the evolved form of the starter Pokémon Charmander. Pokémon Blue's packaging features Blastoise, the evolved form of Squirtle.

The Pokémon Red and Blue versions have become notorious for having many glitches and errors. The most well-known of these are the Missingno. and Glitch City tricks. There is a form of Pokémon Cloning in Pokémon Red and Blue, though it is error-prone and can result in the saved game being erased. There are also several less notable glitches, like standing on a bush, seeing a man on top of the Cinnabar gym, opening up an invisible PC in Celadon City, and fishing on statues.