Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Better than Red and Blue
If you're going to buy one of the three, I would recommend this one. Even if you have played Red or Blue, I would still buy it, if you want to play another Pokemon game (also consider Gold, Silver, Crystal, of course). Yellow doesn't enjoy some of the upgrades that G/S have, but it does have its advantages. You start out with Pikachu, and Pikachu follows you everywhere unless it is fainted or you don't have it with you (but that's not a good idea because it hates being in the computer). You can talk to Pikachu to check on its mood, and it will vocalize. So if you like Pikachu, this is the version for you. In other games, you can't catch Pikachu very early in the game. When I first played another version, it was very odd not to have Pikachu following me around. Anyway, another advantage of Yellow is that you can obtain all THREE of the Red/Blue starter pokemon in a single game, without trading or resetting in any way. Just make sure Pikachu is happy and people will give them to you along the way. Also, the graphics in this game are much better in my opinion than the graphics in R/B. The graphics were probably influenced by the anime, as the storyline was in regards to Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. It is a great improvement in my opinion.Summary: Get Pikachu fast, it talks, it looks cute. Get all the starter Pokemon without resetting or trading. Better graphics than Red or Blue.
Rating: - Better than red & blue?
First of all, I would like to point out that I'm way over the 5-12 age average for pokémon, but I just can't refuse a good game when I see one. The pokémon rage has dominated the games market by using the same urge to collect technique that powered other rages like Magic cards and Pogs. Unlike the previous two, pokémon has managed to sustain its popularity through toys, cards, a feature-length movie and a top-rated cartoon. It's this specific cartoon that pokémon yellow is based on.If you're already familiar with the red & blue versions, the first thing you will have noticed in yellow is that you begin with Pikachu as your starting pokémon, just like in the cartoon, and he follows you around everywhere. The best thing about this is that you can check his attitude from time to time and he ACTUALLY SAYS HIS NAME! Even though there's a bit of static, the fact that you can create sound like this on a gameboy is a remarkable achievement! Even more surprising is that there are at least twenty different ways Pikachu can say his name whether he's happy, sad, scared, confused, poisoned, etc. etc. Another difference to this version is that all the pokémon have been re-drawn to look exactly like they did in the cartoon and the pokédex data has been changed. Jessie and James also make a guest appearence a few times (too few in fact) and recite their horribly corny motto as they attack you with Ekans/Arbok, Koffing/Weezing, and Meowth. Other nice touches are that Brock and Misty have also been re-drawn too look like the cartoon and the other gym leaders have different pokémon. Also, the yellow version sports an excellent "Surfing Pikachu" mini-game which can only be reached if you own Pokémon Stadium (or a Gameshark). The unknown dungeon has been redesigned and the pokémon present in this version are different from red & blue. You can even get Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle all at once! Now the downside to this version is that the replay value has been diminished a little because you ALWAYS start off with Pikachu instead of having the choice between three pokémon. Gary is also stuck with Eevee (which evolves into Jolteon) for the entire game, so there's a little less variety in gameplay. Plus, the infamous Missingno. pokémon has sadly been removed preventing you from duplicating rare candies a hundred fold. But if you don't mind playing pokémon the honest way, then this isn't much of a problem. Now the question is, do you really want this game if you already own the red and/or blue versions? If you do, the minor changes to this version probably aren't enough to justify the purchase as it's basically the same game. Instead, you should really save your money for the gold/silver versions this Fall. If you don't already own red or blue, then this game is a must-have as it's the best of the three! Besides, where else can you get Oddish and Bellsprout in the same game?
Rating: - Good, but not perfect.
Pokemon Yellow is basically the same game as Red and Blue. Starting with Pikachu makes the game more difficult, especially at the start. Considering that Pikachu is not a very strong Pokemon, and that you can catch him early on in the older games (look in Viridian Forest), I don't think this is a very useful feature. It could appeal to younger kids who like Pikachu from the cartoons, I suppose. You can catch all three of the starting Pokemon from Red and Blue in this game, but there are better pokemon out there. If you are going for all 150, I guess this would be the game to get, though. Once you defeat the first gym leader, the game is actually slightly easier than Red and Blue. In conclusion, I really don't think Yellow is worth it for experienced Pokemon fans. If you are just starting out, however, you might want to consider it.
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