Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red Review

By Ronan Jennings Published 30 September, 2004

Does the 'Gotta catch 'em all' slogan extend to buying all the games as well?

Version tested: GameBoy Advance

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You reap what you sow. Yet when Nintendo released Pokémon Red back in 1997, even it couldn’t have guessed what would grow from the deceptively simple premise. A TV series? A staggering amount of cuddly merchandise? Highly possessive ten-year olds with the trading skills of a stock exchange veteran? It’s incredible really.

Or perhaps not. The truth, which many people are loath to admit, is that Pokémon is a masterclass in children’s entertainment. It is not merely a cleverly marketed product of wily old Nintendo - rather it is a genuinely compelling and well-executed series.

Despite this, however, you can’t help but feel that the double header that is Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red is where the franchise takes a discouraging turn for the worse. Not because of a sudden dip in standards, but because of a sudden dip in imagination.

Reissue, repackage, repackage

'Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red' Screenshot 1

Unlike previous sequels in the series, Leaf Green/Fire Red is essentially a remake of the first Pokémon games, Red and Blue. So while newcomers will be pleased with how polished and huge the gameplay on offer is, veteran Poke-trainers might be a little miffed at having to tread an altogether familiar path.

For the uninitiated (if any exist - hands up who's never played a Pokémon game and tell us in less than 25 words why), the basic premise of a Pokémon game is to wander around, collect and train monster-pets to do battle in a simple RPG setting. At its heart, the gameplay is pretty straightforward in a Top Trumps kind of sense, with each Pokémon having strengths and weaknesses that must be used strategically in battle. For example, a water Pokémon will be strong against a fire Pokémon. However, each creature can also learn a selection of skills - many of which affect vital stats or inflict ailments - and it is through careful use of these that the more difficult battles will be won or lost.

In truth, though, the battle system itself isn’t what makes these games so much fun. Instead, the most satisfying element is best summed up by that most annoying of taglines: ‘Gotta catch ‘em all!’ Catching your Pokémon, and subsequently raising them, evolving them and turning them into high-level killing machines is insanely compelling.

Compelling or just obsessive?

'Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red' Screenshot 2

The sense of ‘ownership’ you get from naming and rearing a Pokémon is satisfying in the same way that all good RPGs are: there’s a real sense of accomplishment and control, even if it is just an illusion, or the symptoms of the kind of obsessive compulsive disorder that many of us gamers go through at one time or other.

In that regard, this surpasses all other Pokémon games before it. It has a huge selection of creatures to capture - most of the Pokémon from the other GBA titles are in there - and it keeps on going where the original Red and Blue titles ended, offering high-level challenges to experienced players. It also features the ‘two-on-two’ battles that weren’t in the first games and is generally the most comprehensive game in the series yet.

But that still doesn’t negate the fact that Nintendo has failed to bring anything new to the table with Leaf Green/Fire Red. Surely we have gone through enough of these games to warrant a bit more effort in the innovation department? Even a visual overhaul would be nice at this point.

But hey, they threw in a Wireless adaptor...no....wait...

'Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red' Screenshot 3

After all, one of the staples of the series is the ‘evolution’ of Pokémon - could the same philosophy not be applied, more liberally, to the gameplay? The one saving grace, in that regard, is the addition of a wireless adapter with both Leaf Green and Fire Red. This basically takes the place of a link cable (though it only works with a few games at present, including Mario Golf Advance Tour) and lets players battle each other and trade Pokémon within three feet, and instant chat messaging for them to call each other names. It’s a welcome bonus that’s sure to please the more rabid Pokémon fans and their equally rabid friends, but it’s not the extreme shake-up that we’d like to see.

You reap what you sow. If Nintendo hadn’t made Leaf Green/Fire Red such a comprehensive example of what has made Pokémon so successful, then we would have been far more critical. Instead, it has - just about - earned one last harvest from this series. Newcomers to Pokémon can justifiably add a point to the score below, because as a first-time experience it would be addictive, satisfying and value for money. Veteran trainers, on the other hand, need to ask themselves if they want more of the same… again. If not, then perhaps it’s time for Nintendo to move on to pastures new?

Order yours now from Simply Games.

7 / 10

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About Ronan Jennings

Read more articles from Ronan by visiting the Ronan Jennings archive page.

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Comments (50) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • gamingdave #1 7 years ago

    ive never played a pokemon game becasue ....

    pikachu has a look that makes me want to impaile him (her/it?!?!) on the end of a pitchfork, the smug bas***d

    or

    i havent the time to be sucked into another addictive time zapper (same reason for never playing civ or champ manager, ive seen to many people loose too many hrs to them both).

    -- edit --

    make that months/years not hrs
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/04 @ 14:23

  • hula hoops #2 7 years ago

    Pika pika ...

  • Eighthours #3 7 years ago

    Frankly I think that Nintendo are starting to be ridiculously exploitative of the kids with this Pokemon thing. If EA repackaged games like this and brought out so many versions that all had to be bought in order to get all the features, they'd be crucified by EG regulars.

    What they should do, as many have been saying for seemingly YEARS now, is bring out a full, big-budget Pokemon RPG on the Cube. It's not exactly rocket-science is it, but Nintendo seem to prefer to be incredibly lazy yet still roll in the money. Of course a Pokemon RPG might actually shift a lot more Cubes......

  • beep #4 7 years ago

    I became seriously addicted to the original Blue version back in the nineties. I think one is enough though, because I did get the Gold version and the sameness of it all was too much.

  • Feanor #5 7 years ago

    My wife was going to get this or FFTA for her birthday, and when she played Pokemon in a games store the lack of animation in the battles put her off. So she got FFTA instead and she's loving it.

  • luisalis #6 7 years ago

    Well, I played the first version (red) when it came out on the first GameBoy and I have played this latest one now for a few months. I got imported from Japan.

    The gameplay has indeed evolved. Battle modes with 4 animals instead of only 2 are an obvious example, as it is improved multiplayer game or variability in responses to commands as far as traded animals are concerned. The amount of new animals is also staggering, as are the new variations in battles according to types of pokemon-there are new types as well. The amount of different status of pokemon during battle and the consequences of this on strategy and planning the item purchases are deep-you have to be way more careful now. The game is more difficult. So considering only the increase in available pokemon is a good reason to have it released again, but there are deep changes in the gameplay. It is not a question of milking the cow-especially compared to other franchises in the game industry. The graphics have been upgraded considerably with this new version, and make the experience richer. My conclusion is that the pokemon phenomenon started with games and Nintendo is taking care of them as the true source of all the mythology.

    Pokemon is hardly a fad-it has spawned many lookalikes such as Digimon and Monster Rancher which are doing good in their own terms, and the new games stand true to the legacy while incorporating a very healthy amount of innovation. This review is not very informative and does not provide much insight on the games themselves-just seems to abound on topics while failing to give a truly valuable commentary. It is in my opinion written by someone who hasn't done the homework.

    Edited by 1 at 30/09/04 @ 16:02

  • Abscido #7 7 years ago

    Luisalis -

    Firstly, to be fair, I have mentioned the points you make - such as the importance of status effects and two-on-two battles - in the review. While the difference between Pokemon Red and LeafGreen/FireRed are fairly substantial, the differences between Ruby/Sapphire and LeafGreen are not. If the jump had been made from Red to LeafGreen directly, we would have no complaints - but instead making that jump has taken two systems and a rainbow of game titles. For example, the graphics have *not* been upgraded substantially from Ruby and Sapphire.

    Also, I said nothing of Pokemon being a fad - I said quite the opposite in fact. It's worthy of the success.

    In saying that, I'm hardly an expert on Pokemon. I'm sure diehard Poke fans will find much more to say on each game release than I ever could.

  • Daryoon #8 7 years ago

    The problem with Pokemon is that each evolution doesn't seem to be much different than the last one...or at least on the surface anyway. There were actually massive changes to the underlying game mechanics in Ruby/Sapphire, but such things wouldn't be apparent unless you were a dedicated player. There quite a few important addittions in LG/FR that were missing from the previous generations, but in general they're things the average player wouldn't even notice or care about. Emerald is the same, and I doubt the 4th series on the DS will be radically different - especially if they're going to be capatible with the current games.

    Still, people should remember they don't *need* to buy all the games. In fact, they really only have to buy one, since the trading and social aspects are what make it.

  • Nikanoru #9 7 years ago

    ive never played a pokemon game because ....
    I'm not a kid.

    Only kids care that something looks like it's for kids.

  • Zeitgeist #10 7 years ago

    I never played them for the same reason I never bought a GB, GBA, Lynx or any number of hand helds.

    I have a PC and an Xbox.

    Why the hell would I want to stare at a tiny little screen with crappy graphics?

    So I can look like a complete tool riding the bus/train with one?

    I would rather read a book.

  • twinbee #11 7 years ago

    Why the hell would I want to stare at a tiny little screen with crappy graphics?
    So I can look like a complete tool riding the bus/train with one?

    I guess I must've looked a right moron playing Leaf Green on my way home then...

  • malloc #12 7 years ago

    >If not, then perhaps it’s time for Nintendo to move on to pastures new?

    I am slightly ignorant here, but isn't the company making it not Nintendo, but another company (can't remember name off hand). One of Miyamoto's students that thought it up or sthg.

    Never played it as never really got into it. It became popular as the N64 died out, which uncoincidentally is when my interest in gaming died out, to be brought back to life with the Cube, although only partially so with the releases as they are etc.

  • firefly #13 7 years ago

    I can't help but wondering if Ruby and Sapphire were originally going to give you the opportunity to revisit Kanto and Jhoto until they realised they could make a killing by keeping them for another game. Speaking of which who's anticipating Pokemon Uber Shiny Gold and Extra Sparkly Silver any time now?

  • firefly #14 7 years ago

    As well as Pokemon Water Blue, Electric Yellow and Cash Cow Crystal!!!

    Also I give this thread another couple of days until it descends to the level of farce of the Ruby and Sapphire threads. At least this time there won't be months of kids asking how you revisit the old worlds.
    Edited by 1 at 30/09/04 @ 21:03

  • twinbee #15 7 years ago

    Arganoid, you might as well get Fire Red or Leaf Green since you'll get the wireless adapter too.

  • firefly #16 7 years ago

    For now get Fire Red or Leaf Green, if you enjoy them and want to play Ruby or Sapphire you should hold out for Emerald which is an enhanced version with wireless compatibility, the ability to catch both Groudon and Kyogre and future potential to catch Ho-Oh, Lugia, Deoxys (to be fair they're all equally available in Fire Red and Leaf Green) and Mew.

  • Royal Fool #17 7 years ago

    Interestingly enough, Nintendo had an extra card up it's sleeve: A little-known brand called Card Hero. It was popular back on the Game Boy Color in 1999-2000, but Nintendo only released it in Japan. They could have been smart and translated it over to the U.S. and gained the upper hand over Yu-Gi-Oh (Which hadn't even been introduced to the U.S. at that time) but, alas, Nintendo missed their opportunity.

    Yu-Gi-Oh now has a chunk of Nintendo's market share, and is considered far cooler than Pokémon, even if they still sell like hot-cakes. It's just that they could sell even better if Nintendo would take more care of their franchises.

    krenzler: Like almost every other Pokémon games, the two games vary slightly. Leaf Green gives you a slightly different plotline than the one in Fire Red, but the difference is not great. Also, there's a handful of exclusive Pokémon in each version which can only be gained by linking up with the other version of the game.

  • 3william56 #18 7 years ago

    They're heeee-ere...

  • luisalis #19 7 years ago

    Abscido,

    I apologise for your defense of your text is totally on point-I had obviated the fact that Ruby/Sapphire ever existed (never played them). So it's me who had not made the homework. Fair is fair. Still, your review still has this aftertaste. You say how LeafGreen is the best pokemon ever but you are actually complaining on the game itself and how pokemon feels dated and new things are needed, and I think (and please correct me if I am wrong) that is related to the fact of you not enjoying the whole pokemon phenomenon very much. I can be symphatetical with that feeling but not with it getting in the way of a more objective criticism and score for this game. I believe it should be at least 8.

    Debate is good, no hard feelings. Peace.

  • firefly #20 7 years ago

    The ticket to Deoxys' island can be downloaded at a 'wonderspot'. Basically what you have to do is go to any Poke Mart and look at a form on the counter, you are informed that it is a questionnaire and you have to select four words. Answer with "link together with all" and the assistant will respond.
    Once you save and restart you will now find the "mystery gift" option on the main menu. Unfortunately this is where things get difficult, from here you have to wait for a Nintendo event with the afforementioned wonderspot, go to the event with your Game Boy, the game and the wireless adapter and use the option to link with a special machine via wireless adapter which will enable you to catch Deoxys. Alternatively if you cannot go to the event (because of being too busy when they have them, because they're too far away from you or because you're just plain embarassed) just convince some friend with the game to go instead and link with them using the mystery gift option and they will share the ticket with you.

  • firefly #21 7 years ago

    Nintendo of America have been running events this month (though only to get Deoxys) but the only one left is in Seattle on the 26th. Assuming you don't really want to go to all the trouble of flying to America just to get Deoxys there's not much you can do since Nintendo of Europe have yet to release any details of any poorly organised events they'll be hosting here. Anyway all it gets you is Deoxys, if you want Ho-Oh then you can get one through Colosseum but you'll have to wait longer for Lugia, Mew isn't available until Emerald comes out and don't even get me started on Celebi.

    Oh and by the way I would like to thank Mr Saq for his breaking news that you can get free games through piracy because I'm sure that nobody was aware of that until now.

  • #22 7 years ago

    Now now. Don't make me get the paddle. I don't like sorting to spanking, but I will if you don't calm down, Sir.

  • Cyberk!tty #23 7 years ago

    Pokemon fan - You get Zapdos in the old abandoned power plant

    K!tty

    By the way i cought Zapdos with an ULTRA BALL ;) I'm saving the master ball 4 a *really* rare pokemon like celebi or something

  • Dirtbox #24 7 years ago

    All I can say is that kid must have spent at least an hour on that post. You've got to admire the dedication involved.

    Feel the hatred.

  • Cyberk!tty #25 7 years ago

    gabe urena,
    you can only trade to Ruby/Saphire/Fire Red/ Leaf Green.

    If anyone has any questions on Pokemon just ask me coz i'm the pokemon Master!

    Pokemon ROCK!
    Edited by 2 at 10/02/05 @ 22:45

  • Cyberk!tty #26 7 years ago

    Pokemondude2000 -
    If u talk 2 that guy he gives you the aurora pass which lets you catch a deoxy. you can only get it if you go to a nintendo event in america though.

    K!tty

  • #27 7 years ago

    No piracy in the comments, children!

  • firefly #28 7 years ago

    Wow, I wonder if the Daily Mail have seized upon the link between Pokemon and decreasing literacy. Because to be honest if they see this thread they've got one video game ban practically assured.

  • Cyberk!tty #29 7 years ago

    I actually feel almost sorry for butt. Do you want to know why? Because he is a DEPRESSED PSYCO THAT NEEDS A PSYCIATRIC BUT IS TOO CHICKEN TO ADMIT IT. BECAUSE OF THAT, HE DECIDED TO TAKE HIS ANGER OUT AT US, INNOCENT GAME PLAYERS. BUTT, YOU ARE PATHETIC!

    Well, glad i got that off my chest! Ciao!

    K!tty

  • firefly #30 7 years ago

    Nope smitty I'm not a 'h8r' which I can only assume roughly translates as hater. I actually really like Pokemon. I was merely observing that the spelling and grammar on this thread seems to be rather nonexistent.

  • Olivia #31 7 years ago

    hi guys i know im new but i know lots of ppl like cyberkitty and m&m

  • Olivia #32 7 years ago

    nad also lots more. Statn do u have the gameboy game??hey i thought m&M is in this page

  • Olivia #33 7 years ago

    oh yea she is

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #34 7 years ago

    *hugs mass-delete*

  • tengu #35 7 years ago

    Oh... so clean you could eat your dinner off it...

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #36 7 years ago

    *wild cackle*

  • Kami #37 7 years ago

    Why does it look at me,
    As if it is waiting to bite?
    What evil genius created,
    This thing believing it was right?

    That cute little adorable rodent,
    The creation of a twisted mind,
    Who took my nightmares and made,
    Something that could drive demand?

    It's eyes follow me when I see it,
    It's cute black eyes peer into my soul,
    It wants it, to add to it's collection,
    That is its ultimate goal.

    Why couldn't you have been Squirtle,
    With deep eyes which I find so sweet,
    What is it about you thats so evil?
    What kind of person could create such a fiend?

    See, I have no problem with pokemon,
    But why choose you to take the lead?
    Such an abhorrant creation of vision,
    What sadist could have planted the seed?

    In my dreams you scream, "Pika pika",
    What I hear is, "Your soul will be mine!"
    And I awake in a cold, hard sweat,
    With a red-eyed monster emblazoned in my mind.

    Please go back from whence you came,
    You'll not know what you've put me through,
    I hate you, you evil yellow b*st*rd.
    I'm being haunted by pikachu!

    (Note: This poem is Copyright 2004 me. Wrote it about a year ago.)

  • Kami #38 7 years ago

    Yes, I wrote it after basically having lost it with that little yellow piece of turd... my neighbour wasn't so keen to see a stuffed toy of Pikachu on a spike outside the house, though... or maybe it was just that I daubed red paint over it for that ultra-gory look...

  • Kami #39 7 years ago

    No, but that pikachu-on-a-spike did make my neighbours twelve-year-old daughter cry...

    Yeah, I had some serious anger-management problems around that time... still stands though. I hate Pikachu. I hate Pichu, I hate Raichu, but I hate Pikachu more.

  • Kami #40 7 years ago

    Obviously, poking fun and satire are completely lost on some people... sheesh. Why do I bother...

  • Pokemondude2000 #41 7 years ago

    wow that is pretty freaky that you a scared of a yellow mouse come on grow up!!!
    i would get if it was like a different pokemon like charmelion or somthing but pikachu that wierd

  • Pokemondude2000 #42 7 years ago

    those who want deoxys it is very wierd how you get it. (i don't have it ether) First you have to get the final pass then go to i think 8 island and go find your way through a forest and then you have to do a special thing with a rock then you find deoxys. That is all i know about how to get there. Sorry!!

  • The Old Bill #43 7 years ago

    How sad.

  • Pokemondude2000 #44 7 years ago

    Leah

  • darkknight #45 7 years ago

    Yo whats up i no ya dudes and dudets(gals) think pokemon suck im 12 yeras of age and i fu**n hate the show im mean its soooooooo gay but the games were fine to me untill the industry of fagits made this bull sh*t anyway im sooo angry that i vow to didpise the fagits for ever o and dudes its actually an ok game its just what the fu*k happend?!

  • darkknight #46 7 years ago

    i agree wit that emy dudet shes cool ( i think its a she im not shure) anyway id buy the other games but not one like this

  • Scisor #47 7 years ago

    Ok....

  • Pokemondude2000 #48 7 years ago

    i heard you get mew by beating the final 4 11 time. It is hard. I dosn't have to be in a row

  • Pokemondude2000 #49 7 years ago

    mauricio
    no sé debía encontrar para mew o el quazila y yo no lo pensamos en la cueva que se altera

  • Pokemondude2000 #50 7 years ago

    if you hate pokemon why are you here it is only about pokemon.
    what is wrong with you people do you think you are so cool
    they need to f up this site. Why don't you create you own site to f up
    Edited by 1 at 19/04/05 @ 05:08

  • Pokemondude2000 #51 7 years ago

    i don't think it is possible to catch deoxy's with out it

  • sarah85 #52 1 year ago

    Oh and by the way I would like to thank Mr Saq for his breaking news that you can get free games through piracy because I'm sure that nobody was aware of that until now.
    All I can say is that kid must have spent at least an hour on that post. You've got to admire the dedication involved.
    ===========
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