if you're already familiar with the red & blue versions, the first

thing you will have noticed in yellow is that you begin with Pikachu as

your starting pokémon, just like in the cartoon, and he follows you

around everywhere. The best thing about this is that you can check his

attitude from time to time and he ACTUALLY SAYS HIS NAME! Even though

there's a bit of static, the fact that you can create sound like this

on a gameboy is a remarkable achievement! Even more surprising is that

there are at least twenty different ways Pikachu can say his name

whether he's happy, sad, scared, confused, poisoned, etc. etc.

Another

difference to this version is that all the Pokemon have been re-drawn

to look exactly like they did in the cartoon and the pokédex data has

been changed. Jessie and James also make a guest appearence a few times

(too few in fact) and recite their horribly corny motto as they attack

you with Ekans/Arbok, Koffing/Weezing, and Meowth. Other nice touches

are that Brock and Misty have also been re-drawn too look like the

cartoon and the other gym leaders have different pokémon. Also, the

yellow version sports an excellent "Surfing Pikachu" mini-game which

can only be reached if you own Pokemon Stadium (or a Gameshark). The

unknown dungeon has been redesigned and the Pokemon present in this

version are different from red & blue. You can even get Bulbasaur,

Charmander and Squirtle all at once!

Now the downside to this

version is that the replay value has been diminished a little because

you ALWAYS start off with Pikachu instead of having the choice between

three pokémon. Gary is also stuck with Eevee (which evolves into

Jolteon) for the entire game, so there's a little less variety in

gameplay. Plus, the infamous Missingno. pokémon has sadly been removed

preventing you from duplicating rare candies a hundred fold. But if you

don't mind playing pokémon the honest way, then this isn't much of a

problem.

Now the question is, do you really want this game if you

already own the red and/or blue versions? If you do, the minor changes

to this version probably aren't enough to justify the purchase as it's

basically the same game. If you don't already own red or

blue, then this game is a must-have as it's the best of the three!

Besides, where else can you get Oddish and Bellsprout in the same game?

Pokemon yellow is a great game for everyone. you start out in pallet

town, receive your first Pokemon, Pikachu, meet and battle your rival, Gary, then set off. your first goal is to catch and raise Pokemon so you

can defeat the eight gym trainers and their Pokemon. your second is to

defeat the elite four, the most powerful Pokemon trainers in the

world!