Pokemon LeafGreen Version

"If Nintendo was a type, I'm sure it would be Dark."

Around the time Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire hit the stores, fans began to wonder why their Pokemon from later games(R/B/Y,G/S/C) weren't be allowed to be traded over to the two new games for the GBA. Soon, GameSharkers were able to find data of Pokemon from the earlier games inside of Ruby and Sapphire. "What could this mean?" fans asked. Soon it was found out: By the time Ruby and Sapphire came to the states, Nintendo was already working on another batch of Pokemon games: Leaf Green and Fire Red. These games would be remakes, older games that have been updated with new features. With these games, you would be able to catch the rest of the Pokemon.

Basically, Leaf Greens main goal is for you to become the best Pokemon Trainer there ever is. To do this, you travel around the world(Known as Kanto), fighting other pokemon Trainers, catching Pokemon, and fighting Pokemon Gym masters. Gym Masters are basically Bosses of the Poke'mon world, there are eight of them and to progress farther into the game, you'll need to fight them. Once you beat a Gym Leader, you receive a badge. Badges allow you to train Pokemon that have have gotten through trading. If you lack the necessary badges, these Pokemon will run rampant during battle.

Catching Pokemon is probably one of the most interesting functions ever to be placed in a video game. To catch a pokemon, you need Pokeballs. In battle, you throw these balls at pokemon. Once you throw a pokeball at a pokemon, there is a chance that it can be caught. Usually, though you'll need to weaken the pokemon you want to catch by using your pokemon's Moves to damage it. You see, if the pokemon you want to catch is too strong, it will break out of the pokeball and you have to throw another.

Pokemon can come in a variety of Types. Types are basically their strengths and weaknesses. Such as: A Fire Type Pokemon are extremely effective against Grass and Bug Pokemon but their extremely weak against Water and Ground Pokemon. The game plays a lot like an advanced version of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Like Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon in Leaf Green and Fire Red have Abilities. Abilities are basically every pokemon has that isn't a Move(I'll get to this later). For Instance, Charmader has an ability that raises Fire attacks power that he/she uses. Other abilities can be more deadly like Nidoking's "Poison Point" which basically can poison an opponents Pokemon if it attacks Nidoking. There are many other abilities that can change a battle. Another instance that comes to mind is Hypno's "Insomnia" ability which nulls any sleep inducing move if used on Hypno. It's good to know in battle what kind of abilities can make or break a pokemon.

Fighting is basically a slow turn based system. The faster Poke'mon starts off then the slower one finished the turn. So on an so forth. Now, every Pokemon uses Moves to fight. Moves are basically 4 types: Physical Attacks, Special Attacks, Stat Increasing, and Stat Reducing. Each Move can only be used a certain number of times. Like MP from most Standard RPGs, Pokemon's Moves use PP.

Also, there are rare occasions where you go into a battle facing not one Pokemon but two at a time. These battles are usually hard to come by and they're usually not even worth fighting since to opponents don't give much Experience points. Though, I guess this is another of Nintendo's attempt to show you you're playing a Remade game.

The biggest disappointment that LeafGreen/Fire Red has to offer is the infamous National Dex. You see, the only way you can catch, trade, and fight pokemon from other games (Like Pokemon from Ruby/Sapphire) and Pokemon from the G/S/C world is if you have a National Dex. Instead of letting you already have a National Dex, letting you catch, trade, and fight pokemon that have appeared from the other games. Instead of letting you do the only thing that you probably want to buy this game for, Nintendo tests your patience by giving you the National Dex after you beat the game and catch at least 60 Pokemon.

There are also a few new islands available in Leaf Green/ Fire Red that were not in the originals. Most of the islands are pretty small and most of the come available after you get more than three fourths into the game. These islands are the only ways you can find pokemon from the G/S/C series.

The graphics are exactly like those from Ruby and Sapphire. Of course, this is quite obvious since this game is a Remake using the Graphics from Ruby and Sapphire. If anything, they're not bad at all.

Closing
Unless you have Ruby or Sapphire, I don't suggest you pick up Leaf Green and Fire Red. While most people will claim that these games bring back memories of them being younger, playing Pokemon when it was still hyped. All I can say is this game wants me to have amnesia.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 02/07/05