Fender and Pokémon Center Celebrate 30th Anniversary With "Red Version" Stratocaster and "Green Version" Telecaster
The Made in Japan models feature custom pickups, pixelated pickguards, and an onboard 8-bit sound system.
Summary
Fender and Pokémon Center have joined forces to create two special-edition Made in Japan electric guitars celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary
The Red Version Stratocaster and Green Version Telecaster feature pixel-art body graphics custom single-coil pickups and an onboard 8-Bit Sound System
Both instruments come equipped with a commemorative engraved neck plate a certificate of authenticity and a dedicated hardshell case
Fender and Pokémon Center have officially unveiled two commemorative electric guitars to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary: the Made in Japan Pokémon “Red Version” Stratocaster and the Made in Japan Pokémon “Green Version” Telecaster. The collaborative instruments pay tribute to the seminal 1996 Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green Game Boy releases, integrating iconic 8-bit artwork directly with Fender’s Japanese craftsmanship.
Both models are built upon an alder body paired with a maple neck, featuring a 9.5-inch radius fretboard and narrow-tall frets. The “Red Version” Stratocaster is outfitted with a rosewood fingerboard alongside custom-developed Pokémon “Red Version” Stratocaster Single-Coil pickups. In contrast, the “Green Version” Telecaster features a maple fingerboard complemented by bespoke Pokémon “Green Version” Telecaster Single-Coil pickups. Each body showcases pixel-art graphics drawn directly from the classic titles, paired with a specialized pixel-inspired pickguard treated with a light-reactive finish that produces a glowing effect on stage.
Beyond visual aesthetics, both instruments introduce Fender’s proprietary 8-Bit Sound System. Activated by depressing the master volume knob, the internal circuitry infuses the guitar’s standard analog output with authentic 8-bit synthesizer tones, recreating the nostalgic chiptune sonics of the original Game Boy era. The guitars are completed with a custom 30th-anniversary pixel-art logo engraved into the neck plate, an original pick and pick tin set, an illustrated certificate of authenticity, and a dedicated protective hardshell case.
Those looking to purchase the guitar can enter online at Pokémon Center via a lottery-based sales program. Applications will be accepted from November 19 at 12 p.m. JST through November 24 at 4:59 p.m. JST. Further details, including the announcement of lottery results, will be provided on Pokémon Center Online at a later date. Please note that shipping is available within Japan only; for other regions, please check their respective official websites.
