Pokemon games are playable on a ton of different Nintendo platforms, ranging from the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow on the Game Boy all the way up to the most recent releases like Pokemon Legends Z-A on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. However, there are also unofficial ways to experience the Pokemon series outside of Nintendo consoles, including the ability to play a version of the series on directly on YouTube.
As the Pokemon franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have been going all out with fun collaborations and new releases in honor of this historic milestone. From highly-anticipated Pokemon TCG set release like 30th Celebration to the official announcement of Pokemon Winds and Waves as the Gen 10 games, and even a re-release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Switch, 2026 has already been an exciting year for Pokemon fans. And some fans are even getting in on the celebration, like a pair of creative YouTubers who have made a playable Pokemon game directly on the platform.
Pokemon Has a Playable YouTube Version
Created by YouTubers Atlas Arcade and Firerama, this impressive YouTube video allows viewers to directly control their Pokemon adventure. Players take control of Ash Ketchum and have the ability to explore several different biomes by copying and pasting a timestamp indicator into the video URL with the number of the zone they want to explore. The map itself is split into a grid, with art based on the Gen 3 and Gen 4 Pokemon games.
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Image via Atlas Aracade and Firerama -
Image via Atlas Aracade and Firerama -
Image via Atlas Aracade and Firerama
Within each area, a variety of different events can happen, such as encountering a wild Pikachu or Charmander that players can catch. Other times, players will be required to battle a wild Pokemon like Pidgey or Bulbasaur, with battles playing out as a timing minigame where players need to stop the video at just the right moment to deal damage. Perhaps the most impressive part of this playable video is the fishing rally minigame, where players need to cast a line and reel it in at the right time to catch one of several different Water-type Pokemon:
- Magikarp
- Corphish
- Seaking
- Octillery
- Gyarados
Once players complete the events in a given area, they can return to the start of the video and select a new area to explore. Catchable Pokemon include fan-favorites like Pikachu, Eevee, and Charmander. Rare items from the Pokemon games such as a Pearl can also be found while exploring one of the eight areas included in this interactive video.
While this playable YouTube version of Pokemon is impressive, it is unfortunately limited in what it offers players due to the constraints of the platform. However, new official Pokemon releases may be on the way soon, as Pokemon recently teased Switch ports of Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. After FireRed and LeafGreen were released back in February, it seemed like only a matter of time before the other Gen 3 games hit the console. With this latest tease, it seems like fans won’t have to wait long to get that burst of Game Boy Advance nostalgia from more than just a YouTube video.
