Pokemon Yellow Version is a 1998 role-playing video game developed by Game Freak, published by Nintendo, and released for Game Boy.  It is an enhanced version of Pokemon Red Version and Pokemon Blue Version, and follows the player who controls the protagonist and navigates him throughout the fictional region of Kanto in a quest to master Pokemon battling while battle the gang Team Rocket.

Positives:

• Lots of replayability
• Extensive gameplay
• Fun gameplay
• Great soundtrack

Negatives:

• Dated graphics
• Lacks content
• Lacks a story

Campaign: There two main objectives; catching, evolving, and trading Pokemon to complete the Pokedex and training to defeat the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and your rival, Gary. Also, there is the subplot where the criminal organization Team Rocket is trying to take over the Kanto region.  The campaign is quite extensive but linear and unfortunately lacks any kind of story or side stories. Like its predecessor, it lacks any kind of memorable characters. Yeah, there are the main stream characters Oak, Gary, Jesse, James,  and the gym leaders but no one interesting. (3 out of 5)

Gameplay: Pokemon Yellow features the same gameplay mechanics as Red and Blue.  Players take on the challenge of exploring the Kanto region, capturing, training, and evolving their Pokemon while battling other trainers to become the Pokemon Master. At the beginning of the game players are given Pikachu and can attain Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle without trading (a plus in my book).  Winning battles results in gaining experience points in which Pokemon level up increasing their stats, gain new moves, and evolve. It’s cool to have Pikachu follow you around but it’s doesn’t really serve a purpose. (3 out of 5)

Graphics: Unfortunately for Pokemon Yellow Version it does little to improve upon the graphics having a very dated look. Cough…cough…And by dated I mean blurry and near comical.  Pikachu following you around is just adorable though. The level designs are decent enough but compared to today’s standards aren’t bare bones. (2 out of 5)

Score: The music is pretty catchy and for fans of the previous two, will definitely enjoy thanks again to Junichi Masuda.  There are some originals from the show though modified.  Gotta point out that the lack of actual Pokemon noises outside of the weird high pitch screeches or low rumbling.  The sound effects are pretty solid. (3 out of 5)

Replay Value:  With the large roster of different Pokemon for players to attempt to catch and train there is a lot of replayability as game play style can change with the different Pokemon teams. However, the gameplay will largely be the same with little to no deviation depending on how the players explore, train, capture, and battle. Of course, players must trade with other players to acquire certain Pokemon in the game. (3 out of 5)

The Verdict: In the end, Pokemon Yellow Version is as good as its predecessors but that’s about it. Yeah, the gameplay can still be repetitive, lacks any kind of story, linear campaign, and the graphics dated. However, the game does allow a lot of variety when it comes to the replayability, fun gameplay, extensive campaign, and a decent soundtrack. Pokemon Yellow Version gets 3 out of 5.