How To Get Bulbasaur In Pokémon Yellow: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Bulbasaur in Pokémon Yellow PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Making Pikachu Happy 2 Getting Bulbasaur Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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This article was reviewed by Ishrak. Ishrak is a Gaming & Video Expert specializing in sharing Pokémon and Minecraft videos. With over eight years of gaming and streaming experience, Ishrak has a follower base of over 35,000 YouTube subscribers and over 8 million views. He is also a Pokémon ROM-Hacker and some of his most popular videos highlight tips and advice for people learning how to play Pokémon games. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 537,989 times.

In Pokémon Red and Blue, the player has the opportunity to choose Bulbasaur as their starter Pokémon, but in Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu is your only option. Luckily, the character, Melanie, in Cerulean city will give you a Bulbasaur for free as long as your Pikachu is happy enough and you have the space in your party. You can manage Pikachu’s happiness with items and proper care. Don’t forget, you can always trade for Bulbasaur if you find a willing friend.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Making Pikachu Happy

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  1. Step 1 Understand Pikachu’s happiness rating. 1 Understand Pikachu’s happiness rating. Pikachu’s happiness is measured by an invisible scale depending on how you treat him. The number is invisible but is rated from 0 to 255. Keeping your Pikachu with you and safe will increase the number, while stowing it away and losing it in battle will lower the number.
    • You can hit the “A” button when facing Pikachu and his response will help reveal how happy it is.
  2. Step 2 Use items on Pikachu. 2 Use items on Pikachu. This is the fastest way to increase happiness (though perhaps also the most tedious). Health potions can be purchased from the store and used repeatedly on Pikachu to increase happiness.
    • Potions will increase happiness even when Pikachu is at full health.
    • Different items will increase happiness by the same amount.
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  3. Step 3 Level up Pikachu. 3 Level up Pikachu. Pikachu will become happier anytime it levels up. This can be from combat out in the world or from using rare candies.[1]
  4. Step 4 Identify when Pikachu is happy enough. 4 Identify when Pikachu is happy enough. Pikachu much have at least 1 heart hovering above its head (a happiness rating above 145) when you interact with it. This indicates high happiness and will be enough to get Bulbasaur.[2]
  5. Step 5 Use Pikachu in battle against gym leaders. 5 Use Pikachu in battle against gym leaders. Using Pikachu during these battle is enough to get a happiness bonus. However, gym leaders are finite and it’s difficult to find enough to consistently increase happiness.[3]
    • You can put Pikachu and the head of your party then immediately swap it out at the start of the fight and still receive the bonus happiness.
    • The happiness increase from this method is slightly lower than using items or leveling up.
  6. Step 6 Avoid making Pikachu unhappy. 6 Avoid making Pikachu unhappy. Pikachu’s happiness rating will be lowered if it faints in battle or is stored at a Pokémon center in town. Leave it in your party and keep it safe to prevent lowering his happiness.[4]
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Getting Bulbasaur

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  1. Step 1 Ensure that you have space in your party. 1 Ensure that you have space in your party. You cannot carry more than 6 Pokémon with you at once, but you will need at least one free space to get Bulbasaur. You can go to a Pokémon center in any city and deposit one of your Pokémon if you need to make room.[5]
    • You must also make sure Pikachu is in your party when you speak with Melanie.
  2. Step 2 Travel to Cerulean City. 2 Travel to Cerulean City. This is the first town you reach after travelling through Mt. Moon, and the gym-leader is Misty.[6]
  3. Step 3 Go to Melanie's house. 3 Go to Melanie's house. Her house is located next to the Pokémon Center. You will see Melanie and a Bulbasaur standing by the back wall.[7]
  4. Step 4 Speak to Melanie. 4 Speak to Melanie. She will notice that you look after Pikachu well and will ask if you would look after Bulbasaur. Say yes and she will add Bulbasaur to your empty party slot.[8]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Why is a heart appearing above Pikachu's head, and is there a faster way to achieve this? Community Answer Community Answer To raise Pikachu's happiness, you can use potions on him even when he is at full health. The potion won't be consumed, but it will increase his happiness level. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 84
  • Question Why can't I receive Bulbasaur in Pokémon Yellow even though my Pikachu appears happy? Community Answer Community Answer To get Bulbasaur, ensure you have an open slot in your party when speaking with Melanie. Also, confirm that your Pikachu's happiness level is high enough; you should see hearts above its head when you interact with it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 23
  • Question What level will Bulbasaur be when I obtain it? Cancer Cop Cancer Cop Community Answer You will receive your Bulbasaur at level 10 from Professor Oak's aide. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 17
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Video

Tips

  • All methods for increasing Pikachu’s happiness have diminishing returns. That is, once it has reached a certain level of happiness, using items, leveling, and battling gym leaders will all increase Pikachu’s happiness by a lower amount than before. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
  • Another way to get a Bulbasaur is to trade with a friend who has it from Pokémon Red, Blue or Yellow. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
  • Potions can be bought at a Poké Mart. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Copy of Pokémon Yellow
  • Potions
  • Pikachu

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References

  1. ↑ https://gamerant.com/pokemon-yellow-how-to-catch-bulbasaur/
  2. ↑ https://techcult.com/how-to-get-bulbasaur-in-pokemon-yellow/
  3. ↑ https://techcult.com/how-to-get-bulbasaur-in-pokemon-yellow/
  4. ↑ https://twinfinite.net/guides/how-to-get-bulbasaur-in-pokemon-yellow/
  5. ↑ https://attackofthefanboy.com/guides/pokemon-yellow-guide-get-bulbasaur-charmander-squirtle/
  6. ↑ https://attackofthefanboy.com/guides/pokemon-yellow-guide-get-bulbasaur-charmander-squirtle/
  7. ↑ https://techcult.com/how-to-get-bulbasaur-in-pokemon-yellow/
  8. ↑ https://gamerant.com/pokemon-yellow-how-to-catch-bulbasaur/

About This Article

Ishrak Reviewed by: Ishrak Gaming & Video Expert This article was reviewed by Ishrak. Ishrak is a Gaming & Video Expert specializing in sharing Pokémon and Minecraft videos. With over eight years of gaming and streaming experience, Ishrak has a follower base of over 35,000 YouTube subscribers and over 8 million views. He is also a Pokémon ROM-Hacker and some of his most popular videos highlight tips and advice for people learning how to play Pokémon games. This article has been viewed 537,989 times. 52 votes - 86% Co-authors: 19 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 537,989 Categories: Pokemon Red Green Blue and Yellow Article SummaryX

1. Make sure your Pickachu has at least 1 heart. 2. Go to Melanie's house in Cerulean City. 3. Make sure you have enough room in your party. 4. Talk to Melanie. 5. Trade for a Bulbasaur. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ishrak Reviewed by: Ishrak Gaming & Video Expert Co-authors: 19 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 537,989 86% of readers found this article helpful. 52 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote

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