Japanese Pokémon Green, released alongside Aka in February 1996. Never sold internationally (replaced by Blue worldwide). Roster identical to other Japanese versions with a few exclusives. A franchise cornerstone of major historical value.
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Category
RPG1 player7+
Description
First Japanese Pokemon version, released simultaneously with Aka in February 1996, Japan-exclusive and never distributed internationally. Published by Nintendo/Game Freak, released in Japan in February 1996. Same Kanto region, 151 Pokemon, slightly different visuals from the international version, and 8 gyms.
Pocket Monsters - Midori review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
From the quiet of Pallet Town to the supercharged battle themes, Junichi Masuda's compositions have etched a whole universe into collective memory. The chilling Lavender Town melody and the victory fanfares alike remain indelible. This foundational soundtrack, of rare evocative power, has marked entire generations.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Catching a creature, leveling it up then completing your Pokédex weaves a loop of short-term goals that never truly stops. Each battle yields experience, each route hides an unseen species and trading between versions pushes you to explore further. The pacing shows its age and the grind makes itself felt, but this collecting quest stays irresistibly gripping.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
The very first incarnation of the phenomenon, this Japanese version launches the hunt for a hundred and fifty-one Pokémon across Kanto, from the gyms to the champion's title. Beyond the story, completing the Pokédex requires repeated trading and exploration, in an endless collection loop. A piece of history as much as a generous game, it keeps a special aura among devotees.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Japanese half of the launch pairing with Aka, kept strictly local and never released outside the country in this form. Venusaur cover by Atsuko Nishida on a green sleeve, and a regional exclusivity that defines its collector identity, since the original sprites were swapped for Ao's on the international releases. Historical piece sought after by Pokemon fans aiming to close the three first generation Japanese versions.
A cult cover
Venusaur strides forward, the flower on its back in full bloom, against a leafy green that radiates nature: alongside Red, this Japanese Green edition forms the series' true original pairing. The creature's massive calm and forest tones evoke rootedness and growth. Never released in the West, its cover remains an emblem for devotees.
A questionable morality
Becoming the greatest trainer relies on a routine no one questions mid-game: bumping into wild creatures out in nature, wearing them down through fights, then sealing them in a ball to complete a collection. Sold as a grand friendly adventure, the pastime amounts to assembling a team of captured brawlers, which somehow never stops anyone from adoring it.
Is Pocket Monsters - Midori still worth playing in 2026?
The mother of the entire franchise, the first Pokemon generation remains a fascinating object to study today. One hundred and fifty-one creatures to catch, evolve, trade and battle, a clever cartridge economy between versions, and turn-based fights of surprising readability. The pacing is slow by modern standards, the balance occasionally rough and the interface dated, yet the writing is mature for a Game Boy title and the freedom to explore still holds. For game design enthusiasts, collectors or the simply nostalgic, it stays a historical source in its own right.
