Starter Gift Planner
How to get all starters in Pokemon Yellow
You start with partner Pikachu. The other three Kanto starters are free gifts: Charmander on Route 24, Bulbasaur when Pikachu happiness reaches 147, and Squirtle after the Thunder Badge.
Fast Answer
Three gifts, all level 10
Best order: grab Charmander right after Nugget Bridge, raise Pikachu to happiness 147 for Bulbasaur in Cerulean, then beat Lt. Surge so Officer Jenny offers Squirtle. Leave a free party slot or PC box space open before you accept each gift.
Checklist
Track every starter
Your checks are saved on this device so you can continue later.
Gift 1 · Fire
Charmander — Damian
Lv. 10 · Route 24 · North ledge above Nugget Bridge
Talk to Damian at the top of Nugget Bridge and agree to take care of his Charmander. No badge or happiness requirement—just reach him and accept.
- Need: Reach the north end of Route 24
- Repeat: One-time only
- Level: 10
Gift 2 · Grass / Poison
Bulbasaur — Melanie
Lv. 10 · Cerulean City · Melanie's House
Show Melanie a happy partner Pikachu, then accept the Bulbasaur she nursed. Her house is west of the Cerulean Pokemon Center. Pikachu needs happiness 147 or higher.
- Need: Pikachu happiness 147+
- Repeat: One-time only
- Level: 10
Gift 3 · Water
Squirtle — Officer Jenny
Lv. 10 · Vermilion City · Center of town
Defeat Lt. Surge for the Thunder Badge, then talk to Officer Jenny near the middle of Vermilion City and take the Squirtle.
- Need: Thunder Badge
- Repeat: One-time only
- Level: 10
Pikachu Happiness
Raise happiness to 147 for Bulbasaur
Partner Pikachu starts at happiness 90. Melanie offers Bulbasaur only at 147 or higher. Level-ups, healing items, walking with Pikachu, and gym battles help; fainting, PC deposits, and trading Pikachu away hurt the score.
From the default start you need about +57 before Melanie will offer the gift.
Fast gains
Level-ups and HP restores give the biggest boosts early. Keep Pikachu in the party while you walk and fight gym leaders.
Avoid losses
Do not leave Pikachu in a PC box for long. Avoid knockouts, especially to much stronger foes or field poison.
Still blocked?
If Melanie will not offer Bulbasaur, check the Happiness Lab or import your save. Keep grinding bond until you pass 147.
Route Order
Recommended path
- Charmander — available as soon as you finish Nugget Bridge on Route 24.
- Bulbasaur — raise happiness while you explore Cerulean and nearby routes, then visit Melanie.
- Squirtle — after the S.S. Anne and Lt. Surge, talk to Officer Jenny in Vermilion.
You can delay any gift, but each one is permanent and one-time. Charmander is the earliest free pickup of the trio.
Storage
Party full or box full?
If your party has room (under 6), the gift joins the party. If the party is full, it goes to the current PC box. If that box is also full, free space and talk to the NPC again.