Pokémon · Pokémon Blue

AI plays Pokémon Blue: Gemini runs and records

Most AI Pokémon Blue runs we track come from the Gemini Plays Pokémon hub, so different Gemini generations can be compared on the same harness.

11 records and 1 tracked run or leaderboard for Pokémon Blue only. Nothing on this page is compared with other games. How we verify.

Can AI beat Pokémon Blue?

Yes. Gemini 3.8 Flash: became Champion of Pokémon Blue at turn 24,981 (Hall of Fame at turn 24,994) (creator-reported, Sep 27, 2026); Gemini 3.7 Flash: became Champion of Pokémon Blue at turn 39,310 (creator-reported, Sep 19, 2026).

Records

Pokémon Blue records
ModelAchievementRun configStatusDate
Gemini 3.8 Flash Memorable fail 3 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue, run finished after 5,648 turns
Last verified: Oct 18, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.8 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (mGBA emulator)
Inputs
emulator frames + game-state analysis
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Verified Hub game-state telemetry. The game is inferred from the hub run name ('blue_'); this run has no public repo branch.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run blue_gemini_3_8_flash (primary)
Unknown
why the run was marked finished; whether it was a timed or capped run
Dates
started Oct 6, 2026 · evidence dated Oct 14, 2026
Recorded
published Oct 14, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
No change detected since we started tracking.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (mGBA emulator)
emulator frames + game-state analysis
 Verified
source
 Oct 14, 2026
Gemini 4 Argon 8 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue, run finished after 1,753 turns
Same game, same hub: Gemini 4 Argon reached 8 badges in about a third of the turns Gemini 3.8 Flash used for 3.
Last verified: Oct 18, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 4 Argon
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (mGBA emulator)
Inputs
emulator frames + game-state analysis
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Verified Hub game-state telemetry. The game is inferred from the hub run name ('blue_'); this run has no public repo branch.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run blue_gemini_4_argon (primary)
Unknown
why the run was marked finished; whether it was a timed or capped run
Dates
started Oct 10, 2026 · evidence dated Oct 11, 2026
Recorded
published Oct 11, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
No change detected since we started tracking.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (mGBA emulator)
emulator frames + game-state analysis
 Verified
source
 Oct 11, 2026
Gemini 3.8 Flash 8 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue (47,889 turns, idle)
Last verified: Oct 18, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.8 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Verified Badges from hub telemetry; game confirmed by the run's notepad in the public repo.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run vision_first_gemini_3_8_flash (primary)
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_8_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad (names the game as Pokémon Blue) (creator)
Dates
started Sep 3, 2026 · evidence dated Sep 27, 2026
Recorded
published Sep 27, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
No change detected since we started tracking.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Verified
source
 Sep 27, 2026
Gemini 3.8 Flash Became Champion of Pokémon Blue at turn 24,981 (Hall of Fame at turn 24,994)
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.8 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Turn numbers come from the AI's own notepad checklist, not from game state.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run vision_first_gemini_3_8_flash (primary)
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_8_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad: Champion at turn 24,981, Hall of Fame at turn 24,994 (creator)
Dates
started Sep 3, 2026 · evidence dated Sep 27, 2026
Recorded
published Sep 27, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · Share card (PNG) · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Creator-reported
source
 Sep 27, 2026
Gemini 3.7 Flash 8 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue (55,601 turns, idle)
Last verified: Oct 18, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.7 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Verified Badges from hub telemetry; game confirmed by the run's notepad in the public repo.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run vision_first_gemini_3_7_flash (primary)
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_7_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad (names the game as Pokémon Blue) (creator)
Dates
started Aug 16, 2026 · evidence dated Sep 19, 2026
Recorded
published Sep 19, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 17, 2026
Changes
No change detected since we started tracking.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Verified
source
 Sep 19, 2026
Gemini 3.7 Flash Became Champion of Pokémon Blue at turn 39,310
Gemini 3.8 Flash got there about 14,000 turns sooner on the same vision-first setup.
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.7 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Turn number comes from the AI's own notepad checklist, not from game state.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run vision_first_gemini_3_7_flash (primary)
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_7_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad: 'Become Pokémon League Champion and Enter Hall of Fame' at turn 39,310 (creator)
Dates
started Aug 16, 2026 · evidence dated Sep 19, 2026
Recorded
published Sep 19, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Creator-reported
source
 Sep 19, 2026
Gemini 3.5 Flash Memorable fail 6 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue (74,636 turns, idle)
Stalled on 6 badges after 74,636 turns, the longest run in the series and the only one without all 8.
Last verified: Oct 18, 2026 · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.5 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Verified Badges from hub telemetry; game confirmed by the run's notepad in the public repo.
Evidence
Hub telemetry: run vision_first_gemini_3_5_flash (primary)
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_5_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad (names the game as Pokémon Blue) (creator)
Dates
started Aug 16, 2026 · evidence dated Sep 3, 2026
Recorded
published Sep 3, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 17, 2026
Changes
No change detected since we started tracking.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Verified
source
 Sep 3, 2026
Gemini 3.6 Flash Memorable fail 4 of 8 badges in Pokémon Blue at turn ~55,800 (last repo commit Aug 15, 2026)
Spent more than 55,000 turns and still had only 4 badges, stuck around Lavender Town.
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3.6 Flash
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
Inputs
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Not listed on the hub; badge count is from the AI's notepad.
Evidence
Public repo branch vision_first_gemini_3_6_flash (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad: 'Badges (4/8)' at turn 55,771 (creator)
Dates
evidence dated Aug 15, 2026
Recorded
published Aug 15, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-first' setup
vision-first (exact inputs not documented)
 Creator-reported
source
 Aug 15, 2026
Gemini 3 Pro All 8 badges in a vision-only Pokémon Blue run (last turn 67,315, May 2026)
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 3 Pro
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-only' setup (v2)
Inputs
vision-only
Tools
custom subagents, Python sandbox, notepads (published on GitHub)
Assistance
not disclosed
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Badge list is from the AI's notepad; this run is not on the hub.
Evidence
Public repo branch gemini_3_pro_vision_only_blue_v2 (turn-by-turn commits) (primary)
Run notepad lists all 8 badges (creator)
Unknown
whether the run reached Champion
Dates
evidence dated May 23, 2026
Recorded
published May 23, 2026 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness, 'vision-only' setup (v2)
vision-only
 Creator-reported
source
 May 23, 2026
Gemini 2.5 Pro Gemini 2.5 Pro beats Pokémon Blue with no manual interventions (~406 hours, 36,801 actions)
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (2025): Node.js + Lua bridge to mGBA; RAM data plus annotated screenshots; critique, summary and goal prompts; map memory; Pathfinder and Boulder Puzzle Strategist agents (finalized)
Inputs
RAM data + annotated screenshots
Tools
Pathfinder agent, Boulder Puzzle Strategist agent, map memory, critique/summary/goals prompts
Assistance
none (creator-reported)
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Stated by the run's creator; not independently checked by us.
Evidence
Creator's write-up: The Making of Gemini Plays Pokémon (creator)
Unknown
exact ROM version; reasoning budget; public VOD or log for this run
Dates
achieved Jun 9, 2025 · evidence dated Jun 9, 2025
Recorded
published Jun 9, 2025 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (2025): Node.js + Lua bridge to mGBA; RAM data plus annotated screenshots; critique, summary and goal prompts; map memory; Pathfinder and Boulder Puzzle Strategist agents (finalized)
RAM data + annotated screenshots
 Creator-reported
source
 Jun 9, 2025
Gemini 2.5 Pro Gemini 2.5 Pro becomes Champion in Pokémon Blue (development run, ~813 hours)
Last verified: not independently verified · Last checked: Oct 18, 2026
How was this run measured?
Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro
Game
Pokémon Blue
Project
Gemini Plays Pokémon
Harness
Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (2025): Node.js + Lua bridge to mGBA; RAM data plus annotated screenshots; critique, summary and goal prompts; map memory; Pathfinder and Boulder Puzzle Strategist agents
Inputs
RAM data + annotated screenshots
Tools
Pathfinder agent, Boulder Puzzle Strategist agent, map memory, critique/summary/goals prompts
Assistance
manual interventions and harness changes during the run (development run)
Budget
not disclosed
Verification
Creator-reported Stated by the run's creator; not independently checked by us.
Evidence
Creator's write-up: The Making of Gemini Plays Pokémon (creator)
Google CEO on X: 'Gemini 2.5 Pro just completed Pokémon Blue!' (May 3, 2025 UTC) (secondary)
TechCrunch: Google's Gemini has beaten Pokémon Blue (with a little help) (secondary)
Unknown
exact ROM version; step or action count for this run; reasoning budget; full list of manual interventions
Dates
achieved May 2, 2025 · evidence dated May 2, 2025
Recorded
published May 2, 2025 · discovered by AI vs Games Oct 18, 2026
Changes
Historical record. Nothing to update unless the source changes.
Permanent link · Submit a correction · JSON
 Gemini Plays Pokémon harness (2025): Node.js + Lua bridge to mGBA; RAM data plus annotated screenshots; critique, summary and goal prompts; map memory; Pathfinder and Boulder Puzzle Strategist agents
RAM data + annotated screenshots
 Creator-reported
source
 May 2, 2025

Run history

Then vs Now: Gemini Flash generations in Pokémon Blue

Metric: Badges (out of 8), from hub game-state telemetry · same game, same 'vision-first' run series on the same harness

⚠ Harness version per run is not documented. We treat these runs as comparable because the hub labels them as one series.
Gemini 3.5 Flash
6
Verified
Gemini 3.7 Flash
8
Verified
Gemini 3.8 Flash
8
Verified

Then vs Now: Turns to Champion: 3.7 Flash vs 3.8 Flash

Metric: Turns to Champion (harness turns) · same game, same series; turn numbers taken from each run's notepad (creator-reported)

⚠ Turn length may differ between runs if the harness changed. Not documented.
Gemini 3.7 Flash
39,310
Creator-reported
Gemini 3.8 Flash
24,981
Creator-reported

Tracked runs & leaderboards

RECENT · Pokémon Blue

Gemini Flash 'vision-first' series: Pokémon Blue

A series of 'vision-first' Pokémon Blue runs with successive Gemini Flash models on the same harness. Gemini 3.8 Flash: 8 badges; Gemini 3.7 Flash: 8 badges; Gemini 3.5 Flash: 6 badges. Each run's notepad on the public repo names the game as Pokémon Blue.

Watch at the source: Web viewer & replays · Public run repo

Last checked: Oct 18, 2026

⚠ A Reddit post announced a 3.7 vs 3.5 Flash race. We could not read it (Reddit blocked our fetch), so we do not claim these hub runs are that race.

More questions about AI and Pokémon Blue

How many turns does it take an AI to beat Pokémon Blue?

In the same “vision-first” run series, Gemini 3.8 Flash reached Champion at turn 24,981 and Gemini 3.7 Flash at turn 39,310 (both creator-reported, from each run's notepad). A “turn” is one step of the harness, not a second of play, and the harness version for each run isn't documented.

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