The first generation of Pokémon games, also known as the “Gen I” games, was released in 1996 and includes Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. It introduced the concept of catching, training, and battling Pokémon, and established the basic gameplay mechanics that would become a staple of the franchise.
The first generation of Pokémon includes a total of 151 species, many of which are now considered iconic, such as Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Mewtwo. The region in which the games take place is called Kanto, and the player takes on the role of a Pokémon Trainer, traveling through the region to battle other Trainers and Gym Leaders, as well as collecting Gym Badges and eventually challenging the Elite Four and Champion.
The first generation of Pokémon games set the foundation for the franchise and continues to be a beloved and influential part of the Pokémon legacy.