Less than a decade after the American release of Pokémon Red and Blue, Nintendo released Game Boy Advance remakes of these beloved RPGs. Entitled FireRed and LeafGreen (in Japan, Blue was called Green), the remakes promised updated graphics, additional content, and extended multiplayer capabilities. As with any remake, a potential buyer wonders at the necessity of the transition. While not startlingly different from their predecessors, the remakes make minor changes throughout and add new locations. Despite contrived and unnecessary additions, FireRed and LeafGreen make the original Pokémon journey more accessible and convenient than ever before.
The trademark story returns: the player begins in modest Pallet Town with the ambition to become a Pokémon trainer. Kindly Professor Oak offers up one of his last three Pokémon to begin the player's collection of the quirky beasts, and his grandson becomes an instant rival. The player obtains a Pokédex shortly after and the mission to catch them all becomes clear, along with the goal to collect all eight Gym Leader badges and eliminate the Elite Four.
Every aspect of the plot from Red and Blue returns in the remakes, though there aren't many aspects to carry over. Typical for a monster collecting RPG, the story serves only to provide a purpose for the countless battles, obsessive critter gathering, and long walks in tall grass. Those returning to the series will feel considerable nostalgia concerning the characters, but Gary is still a lame rival, Professor Oak is still boring, and Team Rocket is still mindlessly evil. Untouched from Red and Blue, the new storyline and characters are generic, but faithful to the Pokémon tradition.
Oh Bill, you never learn do you... |
Seahorse, meet the best head of hair you'll ever see on a bird! And die. |
The remakes also include a series of islands that didn't appear in Red and Blue. Mostly open after beating the Elite Four, these nine islands give the player access to new Pokémon, items, and dungeons. The new Pokémon cover those found beyond the original 150. This will excite many players, but possibly disappoint others due to excess tampering with the original formula. Although the islands provide further exploration and gameplay, they're carelessly tacked on. At the mention of the islands' unimaginative names – "one," "two," "three," etc. – players will undoubtedly cringe. FireRed and LeafGreen preserve the traditional monster collecting gameplay and add plenty of minor additions, but the major changes are shallow.
SCORING
MULTIPLAYER/ONLINE PLAY: 8.0 Just as good as Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, though it remains to be just as annoying in a lot of cases.
This is as crazy as it gets... |
GAMEPLAY/PLOT: 9.5 Just as addictive as the first iterations, with additional sidequests and more moves added into the mix, as well as abilities. Remember that Dark and Steel-types didn't even exist the first time around? Yep, that makes us feel as old as dirt too.
Challenge: Make Machamp be the one who suffers. |
CONTROLS: 10 It's on GBA. Need I say more?
SOUND: 9.5 Much of the music from the original games returns in the remakes. While some tracks were remixed, the soundtrack retains the simplistic lightheartedness of the Pokémon universe. Every track conjures appropriate moods for any given situation. Battle themes are exciting and fast-paced, route themes are adventurous, and town themes are upbeat and catchy. Sound effects are directly transferred from the original games, down to every Pokémon's cry. Fortunately, the developers didn't venture far from the blissful tunes of Pokémon Red and Blue for the remakes, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Overall: 9.2
Here, enjoy screenshots of both games' loading screen. No no no, thank us later.
FireRed and LeafGreen should appeal to those who wish to relive the original Red/Blue experience with updated graphics and conveniences. They should also appeal to those new to the franchise, however few may exist, who wish to enjoy the first 150 Pokémon in their traditional habitat. Those wishing to augment the Red/Blue experience can play through new material, and for purists, the optional side quests exist without harm to the original game. Considering the vast number of Pokémon games, fans may consider FireRed and LeafGreen to be heartless moneymakers. Less cynical fans, however, will find the second iteration of the first entry in the series just as entertaining, addictive, and just as amazing as its predecessor.
Hope you enjoyed our super fun review of two awesome games! Oh yeah, and how about some shameless self-advertising?
If you are interested in seeing the games for yourself, check out Cullination on Youtube. We have a full walkthrough of LeafGreen in progress right now! Just click the Youtube tab on any of our sites and you won't have to look far. Until next time, folks!
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