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Nintendo honored the Pokemon series’ 30th anniversary by bringing FireRed and LeafGreen, one of the earliest remakes, to the Switch. It’s a smart decision for many reasons. After all, it’s paying tribute to the start, but also going with versions that include modern conveniences and some quality of life adjustments. At the same time, it’s great timing to coincide with a spin-off greatly tied to it.
For those unfamiliar, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of the original Pokemon Red/Blue/Green, just like Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee. You’re a trainer in Kanto, only with Red and Leaf as the male and female trainer options, Blue as the rival, and all the improved sprites a GBA adaptation can offer. There are a wide array of quality of life features that range from a VS Seeker letting you battle trainers again, movesets being improved and additional attacks available, and items like Exp Share appearing. In terms of new additions, there are the Sevii Islands to explore after the main game with additional Johto region Pokemon added.
The execution means that it feels like a totally new game in many ways. Even before you reach Sevii in the post-game, the inclusion of features from second and third generation games make the return of the first games feel richer. The natures and abilities are a big help strategically when planning teams, and the moveset changes mean you might decide different characters are more viable. And since there is the post-game to take into account, the additional baby and evolved form options can result in different characters being more viable. I also appreciate that it feels like there is more to do after finishing the game not only because of Sevii, but because the Elite Four feels stronger when you get the chance to face them again.
Getting an easy way to play Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on systems like the Switch and Switch 2 that can be played portably in handheld mode is another one major perk. It’s a good move for accessibility. The cost of getting a Game Boy Advance and a copy of one of these two games is quite high, even though both of these were popular and widely available. I tend to use PriceCharting as a gauge for current rates, and loose cartridges are probably going to be in the $30-50 range. It is a shame that each language is released as its own separate version for $20 each on the eShop, rather than the two games each having every language as an included option. But the general concept is sound.
As I mentioned at the outset, I found these Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen releases a great compliment to Pokemon Pokopiaas well. There are a lot of references to the original Blue/Green/Red/Yellow installments in that spin-off. Spoilers aside, it’s drawing so heavily from Kanto and early story beats. The this makes the Switch rerelease feel like a refresher. Like when I was going through one, I could hop into the other for a break and realize how different landmarks, characters, or elements inspired the spin-off’s design and lore. It helped me catch on to certain story beats much sooner, I think.
Basically, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen feel like strong means of celebrating an important occasion for the series. Returning to the original games on the 30th anniversary feels important. Using rereleases of the remakes still shows how far Game Freak and the entries have come, while also offering accessibility to originals with modern conveniences. Also, considering the ties to Kanto in Pokemon Pokopia, it’s helpful for insights when going through the newest spin-off of the series as well.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are available on the Game Boy Advance and Switch, with the latter being compatible with the Switch 2 as well.
