Pokemon LeafGreen Version

"Good, but could have been a little better"

I would like to start off by saying that this game is pretty good but a little potential was wasted away. The game play was pretty good, but the storyline could have been redone. The graphics where heavily improved, witch is a huge + IMO. The sound system is similar to the others, which could be a turn off to some, or a turn on to others. The increased amount of Pokemon was really good, instead of 151, I have 200+ to choose from. Also, as usual, replay value is the greatest around. Now, lets go a little more in-depth to my review.

Game Play 9/10: I like to say that the game play is wonderful in this remake. I like all of the controls, new colors, and the new way to move Pokemon around in your storage box without having to save every 10 seconds. Lets start out with controls. They are basic and easy to use so that anyone playing can figure them out. If you still can not figure it out, with the click of a button there is an on-screen guide to do anything. Next up is the colors. I love how there are many different, elaborate, colors the work for everyone to see and like it, unlike the old colorless games that seemed to be sort of bland and un-appealing. And finally the ability to move Pokemon around in the storage box without having to keep saving. It used to take 5-10 minutes to re-arrange your team, now it takes 5-10 seconds. Also, the fact that there are over 100 more Pokemon then before is just wonderful, and provides help to anyone trying to make an unusual or original team. I think that this is great for everyone playing.

Storyline 6/10: This could be the huge turn-off for anyone that has played R/B/Y and expected more in this game. The storyline is almost EXACTLY the same as the past games, except with only a few extra islands to explore. Now I understand that some people may like this if they liked the old storyline, but I felt they could do so much more. I think that they should have completely redone the Team Rocket storyline from Start-Elite 4 of the game. I think more variety to the Pokemon types that other trainers have and use could have been a little more diverse also. Oh well, what I am getting at is so much more could have been done by the Nintendo company.

Graphics 10/10: Now this is where the game has heavily improved upon R/B/Y. I believe that they did so much to make the game 2.5 as I call it. I love how the game seems to pull out instead of looking like paper as in the old games. The way the Pokemon move as they are seem and run into, and move whenever you use an attack instead of just sitting there with basic animation. Everything seems to run very smooth. I love the new graphics, and that all future Pokemon games improve upon this one to make the games graphics absolutely perfect.

Sound 7/10: Now the sound system that has been completely redone, but at the same time feels exactly the same. The bike sounds are actually just annoying, which makes me want to get off of the bike and just walk around on foot every time I hear it. But a plus sign is that the towns have a huge impact on the good side of things. The sounds inside towns are nice, lulling, and make me want to stay inside of the towns. The gyms and the Pokemon Center music is iffy. Some people like it and some people don't. I like the gym music and not the Pokemon Center music, but that's just me.

Replay ability 10/10: Now the ability to replay Pokemon games has always been a high-light in all of the Pokemon games that have ever been made, and all of the other ones that will probably will be made. Every time you go through the game you can use a different team, fight differently, etc. You can play it over and over again and have fun every single time you play. I have personally gone through this game over 10 times. Every time I go through it I play differently, and have fun doing it. The game is just perfect for people who love replaying there games that they own.

As you can see the game is great, as I said, but could have been a little better. The Graphics and sound have been improved, but the storyline is lacking. I recommend anyone that likes Pokemon buys this game. You can pick it up at a local game store for 20 dollars. I hope anyone who buys this game gets as much out of this as I did.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/16/09

Game Release: Pokemon LeafGreen Version (US, 09/07/04)