Pokemon Red & Blue Game Boy Games Top 10 Christmas Toys 1999

Pokemon Red & Blue Game Boy Games Top 10 Christmas Toys 1999

The Pokémon Red & Blue Game Boy Games of 1999 ignited a phenomenon that swept across the globe, turning a clever RPG into one of the biggest franchises in history. These cartridges introduced children to the world of Kanto, where they could catch, train, and battle their very own Pokémon. For kids unwrapping them on Christmas morning, it wasn’t just a video game—it was the start of an adventure that defined their childhood.

1999: A Year in Context

1999 in the UK was a year filled with excitement and change. The millennium was approaching, technology was booming, and Pokémon mania was at its peak. The TV series, trading cards, toys, and games combined into one unstoppable craze, with Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue at the heart of it all.

Catch ’Em All

The premise was simple yet addictive: players explored the Kanto region, captured Pokémon, and trained them to battle rivals and gym leaders. With 151 Pokémon to collect, the challenge of “catching them all” became a global obsession. Red and Blue encouraged social play too, with players trading exclusive creatures via the Game Boy Link Cable (see Pokémon Red & Blue history).

Christmas Morning Excitement

Parents recall children switching on their Game Boys the moment they unwrapped their games, lost in the adventure for hours. Siblings compared their starter Pokémon—Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur—while friends traded creatures during family get-togethers. For many, Christmas Day 1999 was defined by long hours battling through Viridian Forest or taking on Brock in Pewter City.

The Craze

Pokémon mania dominated playgrounds in 1999. Alongside the trading cards and TV show, Red and Blue gave kids a way to live out their Pokémon dreams. The games sold millions worldwide and became a cultural milestone, cementing Pokémon as more than just a fad—it was a lifestyle.

Price Then and Now

In 1999, Pokémon Red & Blue retailed for around £29.99 each, or about £55 today. While the price was steep for a Game Boy game, the endless hours of gameplay made it worth every penny. Today, original boxed copies are highly prized by collectors, often fetching hundreds of pounds, especially with manuals intact.

Why Kids Loved It

Children loved Red and Blue because they offered freedom, challenge, and the thrill of collecting. Every Pokémon captured felt like an achievement, and the chance to trade with friends made the experience deeply social. The blend of strategy and imagination kept kids hooked for months, not just days.

Nostalgia and Legacy

For many who grew up in the late nineties, Red and Blue were their introduction to RPGs and one of the most important games of their lives. Adults today remember battling Team Rocket, discovering Mewtwo, and endlessly arguing about which starter Pokémon was best. The legacy of these games lives on in the Pokémon franchise, which continues to thrive more than two decades later.

1999 Christmas Memories

Families remember children disappearing into their Game Boys for hours after unwrapping Red or Blue. Parents recall the beeping soundtrack filling the house, while children remember proudly showing off their latest captures. For many, Christmas 1999 was when the Pokémon obsession truly began.

Conclusion

The Pokémon Red & Blue Game Boy Games of 1999 were more than just cartridges—they were cultural milestones that defined a generation. With their addictive gameplay, social features, and connection to a global craze, they became the standout toys of Christmas 1999. If you remember battling through the Elite Four on holiday mornings, revisit the nostalgia in our Top 10 Christmas Toys 1999 archive. See how they compare with the most popular Christmas toys, and explore how Pokémon continues to thrive in our Top 10 Christmas Toys 2025 guide. Red and Blue will always be remembered as the games that started it all.

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