Gemini AI becomes a Pokémon Master after beating Pokémon Blue in a Twitch-streamed playthrough that stunned both fans and AI observers. Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro model, known for its multi-modal capabilities, managed to complete the classic Game Boy title with minimal human help. This milestone highlights a new frontier for AI reasoning and interactive problem-solving.
Gemini AI becomes a Pokémon Master with minimal assistance

The livestream event, titled “Gemini Plays Pokémon,” featured independent engineer Joel Z. assisting Gemini by relaying screenshots of gameplay. he AI analyzed those visuals and determined its next moves using natural language prompts. Joel then translated Gemini’s instructions into button inputs. The AI successfully navigated gyms, battles, puzzles, and ultimately the Elite Four, securing all eight badges and the Pokémon Champion title.
AI rivals compete in gaming benchmarks
Gemini’s performance follows similar efforts by Anthropic’s Claude, which has been working through Pokémon Red. These experiments aren’t just about nostalgia—they’re becoming effective ways to measure AI’s memory, logic, and adaptability. Classic games like Pokémon offer structured but complex environments where AI needs to plan, react, and optimize continuously.
Gemini AI shows reasoning in real time
Throughout the livestream, the AI demonstrated the ability to reason through multi-step decisions, such as which Pokémon to use against certain types or how to manage limited in-game resources. While it didn’t have full access to the game code, Gemini pieced together context from screen captures, dialogue boxes, and maps—then formed strategies based on past moves and current conditions.
What this means for AI training
By completing Pokémon Blue, he AI didn’t just win a game—it proved it could function in unpredictable, goal-driven environments. That kind of cognitive flexibility could make future versions of Gemini more useful in simulations, robotics, and even live customer support systems. Games are becoming a new kind of testbed for AI reliability.
AI-powered gaming is just the start
Gemini AI becomes a Pokémon Master not through brute force, but through structured problem-solving. It’s a glimpse