Pokémon Red and Blue created a global phenomenon through monster collection, trading via link cable, and version exclusives that made social play essential.
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A bug-collecting hobby became a worldwide obsession. Satoshi Tajiri’s vision of trading creatures between Game Boys created something unprecedented: a game that required social interaction to complete. Version exclusives meant trading wasn’t optional—it was the point. The 151 original Pokémon launched a franchise that would outlast the hardware it debuted on.