Pokémon Officially Returns To Kanto For New 30th Anniversary Release

Published Nov 2, 2026, 6:18 AM EST

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Pokémon's 30th anniversary has been anything but predictable, and throughout 2026, the franchise has celebrated with a dizzying assortment of releases. These include a stunning gold Pikachu statue, an extensive Adidas crossover featuring fan-favorite Pokémon, and even a ColourPop makeup collection inspired by the adorable and beloved Eeveelutions.

From fashion and cosmetics to premium collectibles, the anniversary has seen plenty of surprises beyond the games and trading cards that built the franchise, though there was no shortage of TCG and video game announcements either. That said, with the year still underway, Pokémon clearly isn't finished finding new ways to celebrate.

For all those unusual collaborations, there's something especially appealing about revisiting the adventure that started it all. Three decades ago, Pokémon Red and Green introduced Japanese players to the Kanto region, setting the foundation for a phenomenon that would span across generations. Now, the franchise has announced another unexpected anniversary release inspired directly by those original games, putting its earliest adventures back in the spotlight in a way few fans could have predicted.

Pokémon is officially returning to where it all began with two unexpected 30th anniversary releases inspired by the original Pokémon Red and Green games. In collaboration with legendary guitar manufacturer Fender, The Pokémon Company has announced a pair of special-edition electric guitars celebrating the franchise's earliest adventures in the Kanto region.

The collection includes the Made in Japan Pokémon Red Version Stratocaster and Pokémon Green Version Telecaster, two premium instruments featuring designs inspired by the original 1996 Game Boy releases. Both guitars incorporate classic Pokémon pixel art across their bodies, including familiar characters and imagery from the games, alongside specially designed pickguards that create a fluorescent-like visual effect depending on the viewing angle.

Both instruments feature a unique 8-Bit Sound System, activated by pressing the volume knob, which blends retro electronic sounds inspired by the original Pokémon games with the guitars' natural tones. It's a nice touch that will allow musicians to capture the atmosphere of the earliest adventures while playing their own music and maybe even take a shot at nailing the original theme song.

Each guitar also features custom-developed single-coil pickups, with the Red Stratocaster offering a more powerful, high-output sound and the Green Telecaster hitting the crisp high-end tones.

The anniversary releases come with several additional collectibles, including a special 30th anniversary neck plate, an illustrated certificate of authenticity, a dedicated hard case, and a collectible tin containing 11 guitar picks. Ten picks feature classic Pokémon pixel art, while the final pick commemorates the franchise's milestone anniversary.

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Both guitars are scheduled for release internationally in 2027, with Pokémon promising additional preorder information soon. Meanwhile, fans in Japan can enter a special lottery through Pokémon Center Online between November 19 and November 24, 2026, with each instrument priced at ¥396,000 (or roughly $2500). The Japanese lottery is restricted to domestic shipping, and international pricing has not yet been confirmed.

For longtime fans, hardcore collectors, and Pokémon gamers who also happen to be gear heads or musicians, the collaboration offers an entirely different way to revisit Pokémon's beginnings, making it one of the more unusual and unique anniversary releases announced all year.