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Development:Pokémon Yellow

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This page details development materials of Pokémon Yellow.

How about a nice leek in this trying time?
This page or section details content from the April 2020 Nintendo Leak.
Check the April 2020 Nintendo Leak category for more pages also sourced from this material.
How about a nice leek in this trying time?
This page or section details content from the October 2024 Game Freak Leak.
Check the October 2024 Game Freak Leak category for more pages also sourced from this material.

Pokémon Pink

The leaked source code for Yellow includes a few mentions of a seemingly never made companion version that would've been called Pokémon Pink. This includes "Pocket Monsters Pink & Yellow", as well as pokemon_type in PM_DEBUG.DEF having the options "yellow package" and "pink package" (although the "pink package" only has a minor effect on the game tied the original Red/Green such as the gender of a Nidoran NPC.).

While it is not certain which Pokémon would have been the mascot of Pink, Clefairy appears to be the most likely candidate, given its coloration and the fact it was originally intended to be the franchise's mascot. An image of a frame that was included in the Japanese release of the Game Boy Camera appears to corroborate this.

Early Sprites

GS Source Files

These sprites were found at the very end of a list containing several sprites for an early version of Pokémon Gold and Silver, which itself was found within leaked material for that game. This isn't surprising, as Yellow was being developed around the same time as Gold and Silver. These sprites are labeled with the filename format "PMYF_" ("Pocket Monsters Yellow Front") followed by the corresponding Pokémon's Pokédex number. Worth noting is that Squirtle and Kakuna are also found within this listing, but weren't included in this table due to them already being finalized.

Pokémon Name Early Sprite Final Sprite Notes
Charmander PMYF 004.png Pokémon Yellow 004.png Similar sprite, albeit with a different facial expression, and some missing detailing. This early sprite is directly based on this artwork of Charmander from the original series anime, whereas the final sprite made it more unique.
Caterpie PMYF 010.png Pokémon Yellow 010.png Totally different sprite, which is based on this artwork of Caterpie, whereas the final sprite instead used this one as a base.
Butterfree PMYF 012.png Pokémon Yellow 012.png Similar sprite, albeit with less dynamically posed feet, a narrower body and face, and a slightly less refined left eye and mouth. This early sprite is directly based on this artwork of Butterfree, whereas the final sprite made it more unique.
Weedle PMYF 013.png Pokémon Yellow 013.png Similar sprite, albeit quite rougher and larger than the final one. Both based on the same piece of artwork.
Rattata PMYF 019.png Pokémon Yellow 019.png Totally different sprite, which is based on this artwork of Rattata, whereas the final sprite went with a unique pose.
Raticate PMYF 020.png Pokémon Yellow 020.png Totally different sprite, which is rather rough, and appears to be based on Ratticate's Red and Green artwork. The final sprite instead uses this artwork as a base.
Spearow PMYF 021.png Pokémon Yellow 021.png Totally different sprite, which is based on this artwork of Spearow, whereas the final sprite went with a unique pose.
Arcanine PMYF 059.png Pokémon Yellow 059.png Similar sprite, albeit flipped horizontally and less refined. Both based on the same artwork.
Farfetch'd PMYF 083.png Pokémon Yellow 083.png Similar sprite, albeit with less dynamically posed feet, and with Farfetch'd holding the leek in one of its wings, instead of with its beak. This early sprite is directly based on this artwork of Farfetch'd, whereas the final sprite made it more unique.
Dodrio PMYF 085.png Pokémon Yellow 085.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of missing shading and detailing. Both are based on the same artwork.
Jolteon PMYF 135.png Pokémon Yellow 135.png Totally different sprite, which appears to be based on Jolteon's Red and Blue artwork, albeit with a different facial expression. The final sprite instead uses this artwork as a base but with a face reminiscent of the early sprite.


Scratchpad Files

A set of .CBB files from the 2024 Game Freak data breach, found in HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt under the pokemon yellow directory, which is split into two folders:

  • The first is called "送信済み" (sent) and ranges from 1998/04/07 to 1998/06/03 according to file modified dates. Worth noting is that Zubat, Golbat, Magneton and Zapdos are also found within this listing, but weren't included in the table below due to them already being finalized.
  • The second is called "更新" (update) and ranges from 1998/04/28 to 1998/06/05 according to file modified dates. Unique to this later folder are already-finalized Geodude, Graveler and Electabuzz sprites. All other sprites were finalized, aside from a few outliers, noted further down.
Pokémon Name Early Sprite
(送信済み)
Final Sprite Notes
Ivysaur PKMNYellow 002 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 002.png Similar sprite, albeit flipped horizontally and less refined.
Venusaur PKMNYellow 003 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 003.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing on the main body.
Wartortle PKMNYellow 008 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 008.png Totally different sprite, which is rather rough, and appears to be based on Wartortle's Red and Blue artwork.
Blastoise PKMNYellow 009 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 009.png Totally different sprite, which is rather rough, and is reminiscent of Blastoise's Red and Blue artwork.
Nidorino PKMNYellow 033 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 033.png Similar sprite, only less refined.
Nidoking PKMNYellow 034 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 034.png Totally different sprite, with Nidoking seen from the back, not unlike its early Capumon sprite funnily enough.
Meowth PKMNYellow 052 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 052.png Similar sprite, only much rougher, with a smaller head and one paw raised, instead of having both arms crossed.
Persian PKMNYellow 053 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 053.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing around the face area, and being flipped horizontally.
Poliwhirl PKMNYellow 061 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 061.png The main body is identical, but the legs were redrawn, and the right arm and eye were touched-up to balance the pose.
Poliwrath PKMNYellow 062 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 062.png Totally different sprite.
Kadabra PKMNYellow 064 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 064.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from the head and some overall detailing, and being flipped horizontally.
Alakazam PKMNYellow 065 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 065.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some detailing around the shoulders and knees, and being flipped horizontally.
Golem PKMNYellow 076 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 076.png An unfinished Golem sprite. What's there is close to the final sprite, aside from the right arm being out-stretched instead of bent.
Magnemite PKMNYellow 081 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 081.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from the position of the screws.
Shellder PKMNYellow 090 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 090.png Totally different sprite.
Gastly PKMNYellow 092 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 092.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from a portion of the darker smoke shade.
Haunter PKMNYellow 093 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 093.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher, and flipped horizontally.
Gengar PKMNYellow 094 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 094.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing.
Drowzee PKMNYellow 096 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 096.png Lacks shading, and has a slightly different pose.
Hypno PKMNYellow 097 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 097.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from a missing ear and some detailing.
Kingler PKMNYellow 099 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 099.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher, and flipped horizontally.
Voltorb PKMNYellow 100 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 100.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing.
Electrode PKMNYellow 101 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 101.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from the angle of the face.
Exeggcute PKMNYellow 102 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 102.png Sprite is similar to final, only rougher, and with the central egg being smaller. The sprite is also flipped horizontally.
Hitmonlee PKMNYellow 106 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 106.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher, and flipped horizontally.
Hitmonchan PKMNYellow 107 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 107.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher, and flipped horizontally.
Rhydon PKMNYellow 112 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 112.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher, and with a slightly different pose.
Horsea PKMNYellow 116 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 116.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing, and being flipped horizontally.
Starmie PKMNYellow 121 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 121.png Sprite is almost identical to the final, aside from some of the detailing.
Scyther PKMNYellow 123 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 123.png Totally different sprite, which is rather rough.
Magmar PKMNYellow 126 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 126.png Similar sprite, albeit rougher.
Gyarados PKMNYellow 130 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 130.png Totally different sprite, which is rather rough, and is reminiscent of Gyarados' Red and Blue artwork.
Ditto PKMNYellow 132 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 132.png Similar sprite, albeit quite larger than the final one. The early sprite is directly based on this Ditto artwork.


Every sprite in "update" is finalized, aside from Venusaur (unchanged from "sent"), and the following three Pokémon (which are close to final).

Pokémon Name Later Sprite
(更新)
Final Sprite Notes
Exeggcute PokémonYellow 2024Leak 102 Later.png PKMNYellow 102.png The right eye's pupil was shifted by one pixel.
Rhydon PokémonYellow 2024Leak 112 Later.png PKMNYellow 112.png The base of the tail was very slightly tweaked.
Gyarados PokémonYellow 2024Leak 130 Later.png PKMNYellow 130.png One black pixel in the left eye was replaced with light grey.


Early Final
PKMNYellow 063 送信済み.png PKMNYellow 063.png

For some reason Abra's sprite in "sent" (dated 1998/04/28) is finalized, but the version in "update" (dated 1998/05/30) has a noticeably rougher head and different torso detailing.


Yellow Source Files

These sprites, meanwhile, were found within the Yellow source code leak:

Early Final
Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite PMYF DMY.png Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite PMYF 025.png

An early sprite of Pikachu, which is more directly based on this artwork from the original anime series. Labeled here as PMYF_DMY.DAT (the used sprite instead known as PMYF_025.DAT), likely standing for "Pokémon Yellow Front Dummy", this was likely just a scrapped early sprite the devs decided to keep for some reason.

Early Final
Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite ROCKET1.png Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite ROCKET2.png Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite ROCKETS.png

Separate sprites for Jessie and James, found, respectively, under ROCKET1.DAT and ROCKET2.DAT. The final game instead combined them into a single sprite, known as ROCKETS.DAT. Instead of both being fought individually, it's more likely the artist just kept the individual sprites in case they wanted to change their arrangement. The sprites are nearly identical to the final, with only a straighter leaf on James' rose; Jessie's left eye has one less pixel, while the heel of her back leg is angled further out.

Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite Magby Test.png

A cropped sprite of Magby's early design from Gold and Silver's Spaceworld '97 demo. Given how it is known as TEST.DAT, it was likely used as some sort of placeholder.

Pokémon Yellow Development Sprite NidoranF.gif

A sprite of Nidoran taken from the old official Game Freak website, down to using the same filename, 029NIDO.GIF. Likely used as reference for Nidoran♀'s updated sprite.

Sounds

(Headphone warning: these audio clips are loud and harsh!)

Found in the SOUND folder of the leaked source code. As it turns out, 74 of the original 151 Pokémon had their Japanese anime cries or sound effects digitized, but none of them made it into the final game besides Pikachu's. This is likely due to the poor quality of the converted clips, the fact many of them are harsh on the ears, and the lack of space to fit them all in. Moreover, since many Pokémon have different names and/or cries between languages, this also means they'd need different voice clips for all the languages they wanted to release Yellow in.

Small wonder the idea was scrapped!

Pokédex 001-050

Dex # Japanese
Name
English
Name
Voice Clip
001 Fushigidane Bulbasaur
002 Fushigisou Ivysaur
004 Hitokage Charmander
007 Zenigame Squirtle
010 Caterpie Caterpie
011 Toranseru Metapod
012 Butterfree Butterfree
013 Biidoru Weedle
014 Kokuun Kakuna
015 Supiaa Beedrill
016 Poppo Pidgey
017 Pijon Pidgeotto
019 Koratta Rattata
020 Ratta Raticate
021 Onisuzume Spearow
023 Arbo Ekans
024 Arbok Arbok
026 Raichu Raichu
027 Sando Sandshrew
035 Pippi Clefairy
036 Pikushii Clefable
037 Rokon Vulpix
041 Zubat Zubat
042 Golbat Golbat
043 Nazonokusa Oddish
044 Kusaihana Gloom
046 Paras Paras
048 Konpan Venonat
049 Morufon Venomoth
050 Diguda Diglett

Pokédex 051-100

Dex # Japanese
Name
English
Name
Voice Clip
051 Dugtrio Dugtrio
052 Nyaasu Meowth
053 Persian Persian
054 Kodakku Psyduck
056 Mankey Mankey
057 Okorizaru Primeape
063 Keshi Abra
064 Yungeraa Kadabra
066 Wanrikii Machop
069 Madatsubomi Bellsprout
070 Utsudon Weepinbell
072 Menokurage Tentacool
073 Dokukurage Tentacruel
074 Ishitsubute Geodude
075 Goroon Graveler
079 Yadon Slowpoke
080 Yadoran Slowbro
081 Koiru Magnemite
082 Reakoiru Magneton
085 Dodrio Dodrio
086 Pauwau Seel
088 Betobeta Grimer
089 Betobeton Muk
092 Goosu Gastly
093 Goosuto Haunter
094 Gengar Gengar
095 Iwaaku Onix
096 Suriipu Drowzee
097 Suriipaa Hypno
098 Kurabu Krabby
100 Biriridama Voltorb

Pokédex 101-151

Dex # Japanese
Name
English
Name
Voice Clip
104 Karakara Cubone
106 Sawamura Hitmonlee
107 Ebiwaraa Hitmonchan
109 Dogaasu Koffing
110 Matadogasu Weezing
113 Rakkii Chansey
114 Monjara Tangela
116 Tattsuu Horsea
118 Tosakinto Goldeen
120 Hitodeman Staryu
121 Starmie Starmie
129 Koiking Magikarp

Title Screen Mockup

PokemonYellowTitleMockup.png

Hidden in /yellow/Document/pika.bmp is a mockup image of the English Pokémon Yellow title screen. Pikachu's sprite, while blocky, appears to have been scaled through an algorithm other than nearest neighbor, as color blending can be seen along its edges.