Pokemon LeafGreen Version

"Polishing a lightbulb... AWESOME!!!"

Over a decade ago I picked up and played a game called 'Pokemon Red'. I then sat down and for the next 2 years I wouldn't put it down. I was determined to 'catch them all' in this near insanely long game. Who ever made this must of grabbed the lightbulb from above their head and stuck it in a cartridge. I then got a sequel named 'Pokemon Gold' and had a reason to put my head up (for a second). I must of gone through like 200 batteries. Years after the release of these two, I discovered that I would once again have to catch them all... In brilliant colour and design upgrades! WOW! I played through the 3rd Gen and realised something. Who cares that the only thing that has changed is graphics, more Pokemon and 2-2 battles? They have a brilliant concept, and through this game it is shown today!

---Targeted at... Everyone
This game can be and should be played by all people of all ages. Science show that people who play the games have an IQ of +130. The game gets you thinking, which is a must for all generations. The characters may be cute and cuddly, but still it's a game for everyone.

---Storyline, 8/10
Taken from the original, so it may not be original but it still works! I mean today we still fear 'terrorist' organisations hell bent on world domination (though now more Middle Eastern). The tagline, 'Gotta' Catch Them all!' may now be a little far stretched (and even more for Gen4), but the game is addictive. Damn as hell addictive! That's because after you finish the main story by beating the Pokemon League, you have a whole truckload of Pokemon to catch and more world to explore than the original. Theres alot more to do before you can wrap it up and say you're finished.

---Graphics, 10/10
This game ran off the Ruby and Sapphire Engine. This means that the graphic quality should be the same but this seems to be better than RS. I think it's just because of the brighter colours used. They are pushing the GBA quite a bit and it shows. This also allows more access as the player can now go behind buildings, instead of walking into an invisible wall. And the layout is still the same as the original. Very nice.

---Sound, 9/10
The sound produced in this game is very good. May I suggest wearing headphones while playing to get the full experience? The songs are exactly like the originals, just remixed to a much clearer, more enjoyable sound. And if you played the original and loved the music, then maybe just get the game for it. It's truly awesome.

---Replay value, ?/10
If you want you can replay. If you can 100% finish everything first... which is insanely difficult. The replay factor I guess also lies on the definition. I am saying 'after completely finishing Pokedex and beating everyone'. Many would think after the main game (the Elite 4). If you are one of them, then this would get 10/10. But in my case, wanting to replay would be a far stretch. I'd just wait for the next game to come out.

So they took the lightbulb out of the original cartridge and polished it into a brilliant new shiny piece of awesome. I recommend this over the original (you can charge a SP and DS too).

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/29/09

Game Release: Pokemon LeafGreen Version (EU, 10/01/04)