The Ultimate Pokemon Blue Red & Yellow Graded Variant Guide
The Ultimate Pokemon Blue Red & Yellow Graded Variant Guide [GameBoy]
With the release of Pokemon Blue & Red in 1998 in North America few could have predicted the overwhelming popularity and longevity that have maintained the Pokemon franchise for decades to come. As with most video games, a best selling game usually means multiple print runs and therefore multiple varieties of game components. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow are no exception with multiple known variants for each title. One such variant is an interesting but quickly remedied misprint on the first production of Pokemon Blue, leading to an “extra” variant for that title alone.
Certified sealed and complete in box (CIB) copies of these first three Pokemon titles are always in demand. Whether a seasoned collector or just getting started, it's important to be able to spot and understand the multiple different variants of these titles as currently recognized by the grading service WATA and CGC.
Pokemon Red - Three Major Variants
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First Print - Sandshrew Screenshot, Pixelated ESRB Variant
Often referred to as the “first production” or “early production” of Pokemon Red, the first print of this title features a relatively substantial variant. On the reverse of the game box the image of two Pokemon battling features Sandshrew facing off against Meowth. This image was quickly changed to Rattata battling Pidgey, creating a clear first print for Pokemon Red.
With sealed copies of this first print of Pokemon Red routinely fetching in excess of $20,000 in higher sealed grades, finding a nice complete in box (CIB) copy of this print may be the best bet for newer collectors of graded video games. Additionally, this version is also often referred to as a “Pixelated ESRB” variant. It does indeed have a pixelated ESRB but ALL Sandshrew copies have a pixelated ESRB logo, so referring to this variant as such is superfluous.
Second Print - Rattata Screenshot, Pixelated ESRB Variant
Sometimes referred to as an “early production” of Pokemon Red, the second print of this title features a relatively substantial change from the first print. On the reverse of the game box the image of two Pokemon battling which previously featured Sandshrew has been changed to instead depict Rattata battling Pidgey. While also possessing a pixelated ESRB, we can be confident that this is indeed the second print of Pokemon Red.
Third Print - Rattata Screenshot, Solid ESRB Variant
The third print, often referred to as a “later production” or “last production” of Pokemon Red, thankfully features another noticeable change that allows us to easily differentiate among print runs. The reverse maintains the image of Rattata battling Pidgey, but the ESRB rating on the front of the box has been switched from a pixelated E to a solid E.
All third prints contain both Rattata and the solid E and there is no fourth print known, so it isn’t necessary to mention the Rattata screenshot when describing this variant, but it is common practice to do so.
Pokemon Blue - Four Major Variants
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First Print - Sandshrew Screenshot, Pixelated ESRB, “Red” text Variant
Considered both the “first production” and an “early production”, the first print of Pokemon Blue features an interesting typo which was quickly fixed in later production runs. On the reverse of the game box the first bullet point inadvertently reads “Collect up to 139 different Pokemon playing the Red version.” This should instead read “Blue version”. This error was quickly corrected, but not before creating an interesting and unique variant.
Additionally, like the first print of Pokemon Red, this box also features Sandshrew prominently on the reverse and has a pixelated ESRB logo.
This misprinted first print variant is highly sought after by collectors and demand for this print only appears to be growing with time as collectors realize just how truly rare this variant is. Finding a nice complete in box (CIB) copy of this print may be the best bet for newer collectors of graded video games. Lastly, this version is often additionally referred to as a “Pixelated ESRB” variant. It does indeed have a pixelated ESRB, but ALL Sandshrew copies also have a pixelated ESRB logo, so referring to this variant as such is superfluous.
Second Print - Sandshrew Screenshot, Pixelated ESRB, corrected “Blue” text Variant
Referred to as an “early production” of Pokemon Blue, the second print of this title simply corrects the “Red” misprint on the reverse of the game box. The Pixelated ESRB logo remains on the box front, as does the image of Sandshrew on the back of the game box.
Again, this version is often additionally referred to as a “Pixelated ESRB” variant. It does indeed have a pixelated ESRB but ALL Sandshrew copies also have a pixelated ESRB logo, so referring to this variant as such is superfluous.
Third Print - Rattata Screenshot, Pixelated ESRB Variant
Sometimes referred to as an “early production” of Pokemon Blue, the third print of this title features a relatively substantial change from the first and second prints. On the reverse of the game box the image of two Pokemon battling which previously featured Sandshrew has been changed to instead depict Rattata battling Pidgey. While also possessing a pixelated ESRB, we can be confident that this is indeed the third print of Pokemon Blue.
Fourth Print - Rattata Screenshot, Solid ESRB Variant
The fourth print, often referred to as a “later production” or “last production” of Pokemon Blue, thankfully features another noticeable change that allows us to easily differentiate among print runs. The reverse maintains the image of Rattata battling Pidgey, but the ESRB rating on the front of the box is switched from a pixelated E to a solid E.
All fourth prints contain both Rattata and the solid E and there is no fifth print known, so it isn’t necessary to mention the Rattata screenshot on this variant, but it is common practice to do so.
Pokemon Yellow - Four Major Variants
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First Print - Pixelated ESRB Variant
Often referred to as the “first production” or “early production” of Pokemon Yellow, the first print of this title features a relatively simple variant. The front of the game box features the pixelated ESRB that’s also seen on early production copies of both Pokemon Red and Blue.
No additional identifying factors need to be mentioned, as all pixelated ESRB Pokemon Yellow copies are considered first print.
Second Print - No ESRB logo Variant
Sometimes referred to as a “mid-production” variant of Pokemon Yellow, the second print of Pokemon Yellow is best known for what it omits, rather than what it includes. The ESRB logo is conspicuously absent from the front of this box, thought to be an oversight during the production process as they hurriedly manufactured more copies after quickly selling out the first print run.
No additional identifying factors need to be mentioned, as all Pokemon Yellow copies missing an ESRB logo entirely are considered first print.
Third Print - Solid ESRB, 100% Fiber Variant
The third print, often referred to as a “later production” of Pokemon Yellow, includes three changes that allows us to easily differentiate it from other variants. The first and most noticeable change is the readmission of an ESRB logo on the box front, this time being of the solid E variety. Additionally this box was manufactured with 100% fiber composition and is a double-ended box. These final two features regarding the box's composition and shape do not differentiate the third print from earlier prints, but they do differentiate it from the fourth print.
All third prints are both 100% fiber and a double-ended box, so notating this variant as having a double-ended box is not necessary for diagnostic purposes.
Fourth Print - Solid ESRB, 83% Fiber Variant
The fourth and final print, often referred to as a “later production” of Pokemon Yellow, includes two more changes that allow us to easily differentiate among variants. The box composition changes from 100% fiber to 83%, an unusual phenomenon as it’s widely believed that in most other instances 83% fiber variants typically are produced prior to 100% fiber variants. This oddity further lends to the notion that Pokemon Yellow boxes were hastily made to meet fervent collector demand.
This variant also sees its boxes switch from a double-ended box to a Y-fold box. But since all fourth prints are both 83% fiber and a Y-fold box, it’s unnecessary to mention the Y-fold when determining the variant.
For an in-depth analysis on the four major Pokemon Yellow variants, see this excellent infographic from WATA: Pokemon Yellow Guide Link
More About Pokemon Red Blue & Yellow
A mega franchise that spans across every pocket and crevice of popular culture including video games, trading cards, movies, and merchandise, the Pokemon series got its start domestically in 1998 with the dual release of Pokemon Red and Blue. Originally released in Japan as Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, this overhead perspective RPG challenged players to collect and do battle with 151 unique original Pokemon. Pokemon Yellow followed soon thereafter in North America in 1999 and included the ability to pick the lovable Pikachu as your starter Pokemon. Selling a staggering forty-six million copies worldwide, the original entries into the Pokemon franchise are without a doubt among the most popular video games of all time.
Collectors hoping to pick up graded copies of Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow have a multitude of options and price points due to each game having 3-4 different variants, which vary in scarcity and availability. An ideal starter set of Pokemon games means simply acquiring one of each of the three games, although many advanced collectors seek to collect every known major variant. Whether just getting into video game collecting or building an advanced collection, Pokemon games have universal appeal and are likely to remain some of the most sought after video games ever produced.
The contents of this guide were made in an effort to provide up-to-date information for popular certified retro video games. New variants of video games are discovered nearly every day. If you see any errors in this guide or have any information regarding additional possible variants of this game, please reach out at Info@StandardGaming.com.
Looking For More General Information on Graded Games?
· If any of the terminology used in this guide was confusing or new to you, please refer to our convenient Glossary of terms here.
· Need more information about graded games in general? Check out this intro to the different types of certified video games here.
