Red's Pikachu (game)

Red's Pikachu is the sole starter Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow, it is based on Ash's Pikachu from the Pokémon anime which Yellow version is loosely based on. This Pikachu first appears along the outskirts of Route 1, where Professor Oak will encounter it and catch it. The player receives this Pikachu after they go into Professor Oak's laboratory and attempt to take the starter Eevee, which Blue will take instead.

Pikachu replaces all of the other usual starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. However these three other Pokémon can be received during in-game events over the course of the game, which reflects how Ash Ketchum gotten all three starters in the anime. This Pikachu is also the sole Pikachu in all of Pokémon Yellow, more Pikachu cannot be caught.

After battling against Blue for the first time, the Pikachu will choose to stay out of its Poké Ball and follow the player around everywhere, unless it faints, if its put into storage or traded. If the player decides to speak to Pikachu, a small image of Pikachu's current emotion will pop up. The image also shows how much the Pikachu likes the player, this makes Pokémon Yellow the first game to show Pokémon happiness, which would become more prominent in Generation II. Pikachu's happiness doesn't have many uses in the game, however it is vital if the player wishes to receive a Bulbasaur in Cerulean City. Besides showing Pikachu's emotions and happiness, the image can also show several other 'events' such as when Pikachu learns Thunderbolt it will shock the player.

It is a notable fact that this Pikachu will never evolve into a Raichu, if it is offered a Thunderstone it will refuse it. If the player wishes to own a Raichu for either their Pokémon team or completion of the Pokédex, the player will have to trade for a Raichu in another Generation I game. If Pikachu is traded to another game, evolved and traded back it will no longer follow the player.

Pikachu is also able to learn Surf, and will be able to participate in the Surf Minigame if it does know the move.

In Generation II

In Mt. Silver, Red can be battled. Oh his team is a level 81 Pikachu that knows Charm, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt and Thunder. This makes it the highest leveled Pokémon that can be battled in the game series, it is one level higher than the wild Arceus in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This Pikachu is likely to have been based on Red's Pikachu from Pokémon Yellow.

If Red's Pikachu from Yellow is traded to a Generation II game, it will be holding a Light Ball.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Special manga, the Yellow chapter is based off of Pokémon Yellow. The character, Yellow, owns a female Pikachu named Chuchu.