Pokémon Gold and Silver/Pallet Town

Humble beginnings
This is where it all begins, Pallet Town, home to you and your mom, your rival and his sister, and the Pallet Town Pokémon Research Lab. The head of this research lab is none other than the world renowned Professor Oak, who happens to be your rival's grandfather. But don't worry, he doesn't play favorites. In fact, he will give you first choice in Pokémon when the time comes.

This day may start out like any other, but this is a special day for you. This is the day that you get to embark on your own Pokémon adventure. You'll travel the world, see lots of interesting places, and meet lots of interesting people. But most of all, you will set out to become one of the greatest Pokémon trainers the world has ever known. After saying good morning to your mom, you step out the door to find the one man who can start you on your journey: Professor Oak.

Choose your Pokémon
You start off your task by looking in the obvious place: the research lab. But oddly enough, he isn't there. So you check your rivals home, but you only find his sister. Professor Oak seems to have left town. Maybe you should head out in search of him. But the moment that you set one foot outside of town, someone calls to you and warns you not to go. It's Professor Oak!

Professor Oak brings you back to the lab and, after assembling together with your rival, provides you with a Pikachu as your first Pokémon if you are playing the Yellow version. Otherwise he offers you the choice of three Pokémon from which you will select your very first. Choose carefully: Not only will the Pokémon you pick be your strongest ally for the next few hours, it will also determine which Pokémon your rival picks as well. In the Yellow version, your rival is given an Eevee.

Your rival awaits...
With your first Pokémon in hand, and an eagerness to start your journey, you head for the exit. But before you can leave, your rival decides that he wants to test his mettle against you and challenges you to a duel which you can not refuse.

While Pikachu vs. Eevee is an even fight in the Yellow version, people playing Red or Blue will have a tougher match ahead of them, since your rival has shrewdly chosen the Pokémon that has an advantage over yours. Fortunately, your rival isn't much of a fighter, and wastes time with defensive techniques like Growl and Tail Whip instead of just choosing the attacks and going for the quick K.O.

If you lose, though, no big deal: All you miss out on is your rival's 175 and a bit of EXP. And you'll get plenty of opportunities for a rematch. Once the fight is complete, you're ready to leave town and travel along Route #1.