Pokémon Yellow: How to Get Every Starter

One of the most exciting differences in Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition compared to Pokémon Red and Blue is the ability to obtain all three original Kanto starters — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle — in a single playthrough. This feature was a game-changer for players who wanted to build a versatile and powerful team early on, without needing to trade with friends. Yellow also introduced a variety of gameplay tweaks that brought it closer to the anime, setting it apart as more than just a re-release.

This guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to obtain each starter Pokémon and highlight the key ways in which Yellow improves upon its predecessors.

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Table of Contents

How Do You Get Charmander in Pokémon Yellow?

Charmander Can Be Found on Route 24

Unlike in Red and Blue, where players must choose Charmander at the beginning of the game or trade for it, Pokémon Yellow allows you to receive Charmander from an NPC on Route 24, just north of Cerulean City.

Here’s how to get it:

After defeating Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, head north past the Nugget Bridge.
Continue along Route 24 until you find a Trainer standing alone near a small hill.
Speak to him, and he’ll mention that he can no longer take care of his Charmander. Feeling guilty and overwhelmed, he’ll offer it to you if you say yes.
No special requirements are necessary — you’ll receive Charmander simply for progressing past Misty and exploring the route.

Charmander starts at Level 10, giving you a Fire-type early enough to train and evolve into Charmeleon and eventually Charizard.

How Do You Get Squirtle in Pokémon Yellow?

Squirtle Is Gifted in Vermilion City

Obtaining Squirtle involves a little more progression, but it’s still straightforward. Here’s how you do it:

First, you’ll need to travel south from Cerulean City, through Diglett’s Cave or via Route 5 and Route 6, depending on your route.
Upon reaching Vermilion City, challenge and defeat Lt. Surge, the Electric-type Gym Leader, to earn the Thunder Badge.
Once you’ve done that, head over to Officer Jenny, who stands near the Pokémon Center.
Impressed by your battling skills and your Thunder Badge, she’ll decide that you’re capable enough to handle a particularly mischievous Squirtle she’s had trouble with.
She’ll then offer you the Squirtle, no strings attached.

The Squirtle will be Level 10, ready to evolve at Level 16 into Wartortle and then into Blastoise. This helps you round out your team with a solid Water-type Pokémon.

How Do You Get Bulbasaur in Pokémon Yellow?

Bulbasaur Is Given to Trainers with a Happy Pikachu

The final member of the trio, Bulbasaur, requires you to demonstrate kindness and consistency in caring for your partner Pikachu. Here’s what to do:

Return to Cerulean City after beating Misty.
In the northwest corner of the town, you’ll find a small house near the Pokémon Center.
Inside lives a woman who is taking care of a Bulbasaur. She’ll offer it to you only if your Pikachu is happy.

Here’s how to raise Pikachu’s happiness:

Avoid letting Pikachu faint in battle.
Keep it as the active party member (don’t box it).
Use healing items frequently and avoid status conditions.
Talk to Pikachu by turning to face it and pressing “A” — if it smiles, jumps, or displays hearts, you’re in good shape.

Once its affection level is high enough, the woman will happily entrust you with Bulbasaur, who comes at Level 10.

How Else Is Pokémon Yellow Different From Pokémon Red & Blue?

Pokémon Yellow Features Several Gameplay Changes

Aside from the ability to collect all three starter Pokémon, Pokémon Yellow introduced a host of gameplay improvements that made it feel fresh and aligned more closely with the anime:

Pikachu follows the player on the overworld, giving visual feedback on its mood and forming the basis for the later “friendship” system.
Trainer teams are redesigned to reflect those seen in the Pokémon anime. Jessie and James from Team Rocket make appearances with their usual Pokémon.
Pokémon sprites were revamped — most notably, front-facing sprites were completely redesigned to look more polished and consistent with anime artwork.
The game supports full Game Boy Color compatibility, meaning Yellow displays with a full color palette compared to the monochrome Red and Blue.
The move sets of various Pokémon were updated to improve balance and make certain Pokémon more useful.
Multiplayer battles and trades were enhanced through the “Cable Club,” making linked battles and trades smoother than before.

Conclusion

Pokémon Yellow isn’t just a nostalgia trip — it’s a refined version of the original games with thoughtful design updates and quality-of-life improvements. The ability to obtain all three starters — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle — without trading was a huge bonus for solo players and a perfect tribute to the anime’s story arc. Combined with visual upgrades, smart rebalancing of move sets, and the charming Pikachu companion mechanic, Yellow carved out its own legacy as the definitive Gen 1 experience.

If you haven’t played Pokémon Yellow yet, it’s more than worth revisiting — not just as a collector’s piece, but as a cornerstone of the Pokémon franchise’s evolution.