Skip to content

Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition

Game Freak · Feb 27, 2016

3DS

Everyone

About

Set out on your adventure together with your friend Pikachu, complete with monochromatic pixel art, 4-bit background music and, for the first time in the series, enhanced color elements. You'll take on the role of a Pokémon Trainer and travel across the land searching for Pokémon with Pikachu. Catch, battle, and trade as you work to become the best Pokémon Trainer! If you want to catch all of the Pokémon, you'll need to trade wirelessly with your friends who have Pokémon Red or Pokémon Blue Version.

Trailers & screenshots

Scores by platform

Nintendo 3DS

Critic 8.3 (9 critics) · Gamer 9.0

8.3

Critic reviews

  • Nintendo Insider

    Alex Seedhouse · Mar 29, 2016

    8.0
    Much is already known about Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, so there’s no surprises here. I’m glad to see that all three games have finally made their way to the Virtual Console service, especially with Local Play support. This is a welcome emulation that has given me chance to re-spark many childhood memories and sits as a worthy purchase for anyone that wishes to similarly reminisce.
    Read review
  • Nintendo World Report

    Bryan Rose · Mar 21, 2016

    8.0
    Yellow is the most refined version of the Kanto experience, barring the GBA remakes, and has a Surfing Pikachu mini game. What more could you ask for? The story is kind of linear, but then again Pokémon has always been about the adventure and the charm, not so much dialogue and engaging characters. Pokémon Yellow has aged wonderfully since it’s release in 1999, and sets the tone for future Pokémon games with it’s pleasant atmosphere, charming music and addicting gameplay.
    Read review
  • Destructoid

    Laura Kate Dale · Feb 29, 2016

    7.0
    Still, I'm very excited about getting a chance to take Pikachu and pals to the next convention I attend, anticipating the chance at crossing paths with other trainers to compete with.
    Read review
  • NintendoLife

    Dave Frear · Apr 30, 2016

    9.0
    Whichever version you pick up, the original Pokémon titles remain an enjoyable gaming experience. Simple in appearance and lacking the bells and whistles of later games, they nevertheless engross from start to finish. Wireless link play is a welcome addition and attempting to "catch 'em all" and complete your Pokédex will keep you busy for some time. Compared to the other versions there's a few extras here; the splash of colour works well and the mini game is a lot of fun. Pokémon Yellow was a great game for the Game Boy/Color, and is now a recommended download for the 3DS.
    Read review
  • Game Reactor

    Clover Harker · Mar 06, 2016

    9.0
    The highly successful signature grind of Pokémon has proven to be both fun and challenging enough to remain unchanged for twenty years. Pokémon Blue, Red and Yellow have definitely stood the test of time - whether you're a veteran player looking for a pleasant trip down memory lane or an entirely new (aspiring) Pokémon Master, these games will provide you with hours of fun. Although some people might think the price of £8.99 is too much (via Nintendo's Eshop), there are still plenty of reasons to (re)visit the Kanto region!
    Read review
  • God is a Geek

    Chris White · Mar 01, 2016

    9.5
    One of the best JRPGs of all time and just as good as ever, this release cements its place in the pantheon of video game history.
    Read review

See all critic reviews

Gamer reviews

  • Irfan Hamzic

    Sep 23, 2023 · 3DS

    9.0

    A true jrpg classic

    I love pokemon and i always will so when i tried this game now for the first time now in 2023, i know its a bit late, i have to say it did not dissapoint but while the battles and catching pokemon is great the rest of the gameplay has not aged as well which can sometimes feel a bit dated and frustrating but its still a great jrpg for new and old pokemon fans alike and i love it.

    Read review by Irfan Hamzic
  • Michelle Bryant

    May 11, 2021 · 3DS

    9.0

    a solid port of an amazingly well done game. It's probably the most difficult of all of the gameboy Pokemon games I played as a kid, and this is a really well done and nostalgic time. Highly recommend playing it if you get the chance.

    Read review by Michelle Bryant

Read all gamer reviews

Rate this game

Contains spoiler

to rate this game.