Why Pokémon Dual Versions Exist: Insights from Shigeru Miyamoto and Satoshi Tajiri

The enduring popularity of Pokémon’s dual-version releases—beginning with Pokémon Red and Green on the Nintendo Game Boy—remains a hallmark of the franchise’s sales strategy.

Developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company, these twin versions have long been synonymous with the brand, inviting millions of players to trade and collect every unique creature since the games’ initial launch in Japan in 1996.

While many have speculated on the roots of this two-title format, a compelling account from legendary Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto provides a direct answer, illuminating the business thinking behind one of the industry's most successful franchises. During a revealing interview, Shigeru Miyamoto recounted an exchange with Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri that shaped the series' approach to game releases.

Miyamoto explained that, well before the first Pokémon games were finalized, Tajiri had humorously posed the challenge of outpacing Nintendo's iconic Mario franchise in sales.

According to Miyamoto’s retelling, Tajiri reasoned, “If you want to overtake Nintendo’s Mario, it’s only possible if you sell two versions of the game to every customer.” This playful observation laid the foundation for the launch of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan, a strategy that fundamentally influenced the franchise’s success worldwide. Pokémon Red and Green debuted in Japan for the Nintendo Game Boy on February 27, 1996, and were later adapted as Pokémon Red and Blue for international audiences.

These dual versions encouraged players not only to choose their starter Pokémon but also to trade creatures exclusive to each game—a fundamental aspect that fostered the global community Pokémon is known for today.

The combined sales of the original games ultimately exceeded 31 million copies, establishing the Pokémon series as one of the most lucrative and recognized franchises in gaming history. The tradition of dual releases persists with each mainline installment, including the record-breaking Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield for the Nintendo Switch, which together surpassed 25 million units sold as of March 2023.

This pattern has been credited with fueling ongoing engagement, community interaction, and impressive software milestones for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. As both Miyamoto and Tajiri’s anecdote highlights, strategic creativity—and a touch of rivalry—can redefine an industry.

Pokémon’s dual-version concept not only elevated the franchise beyond a simple game release, but pioneered a community-driven model that resonates from Game Boy cartridges to the modern Nintendo Switch era, through the Nintendo Direct announcements and the Nintendo eShop. For historical context, The Pokémon Company continues to be a driving force in the industry, consistently setting new sales records and engaging fans across generations, underscoring just how powerful a simple idea—born from friendly competition between legendary developers—can be in shaping the course of gaming history.

Pokémon Nintendo Shigeru Miyamoto Miyamoto Satoshi Tajiri The Pokémon Company Nintendo Switch Pokémon Red Pokémon Green