Pokemon LeafGreen Version

"Nintendo does it again..."

This game is an updated remake of the games Pokemon Red/Blue. There are more Pokemon in this version, as well as updated graphics (the original games were for the GB), more items and a few added sidequests. Its all the more fun.

---Storyline---
---10/10---
Being a Pokemon fan, I always loved the storyline of one little adventurer that someday wanted to become the greatest Pokemon master of all time. Catching all those rare pokemon, the quests, much more It's a traditional rags to riches story. It's simple yet compelling, quite linear, and not confusing in the least. The choice you make at the beginning determines the strength of the last boss, as so it's important. You can choose from three strong Pokemon-Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. It's this choice that starts your adventure into the wide world of Kanto. Of couse each one has its strengths and weaknesses. Choose wisely.

---Graphics---
---10/10---
GBA graphics aren't always fantastic, but this game is so beautifully developed it deserves it's 10/10. The main purpose of this game was to take Pokemon in to the new generation, by updating graphics. They succeeded. Overall it's a more colorful game, and the Pokemon themselves are much, much more detailed. Its so cool seeing your favorite pokemon looking all real. Added to this game are nice little introductory screens to places such as Mt. Moon. Think of them as "FMVs". A very nice, detailed game and one that doesn't hurt the eye.

---Controls---
---10/10---
This game follows a basic form of controlling. The D-Pad is used to move around the world and switch between battle commands, then you have your basic A and B buttons functioning as select and cancel. So simple and easy to learn! There are two scenarios that you would be in-travelling and battling. Travelling is your basic D-Pad maneuver, and battling is just to the height of simplicity. Easy.

---Replay Value---
---10/10---
There is always a reason to re-play this game. You may be going for a 100% game, with all items and side-quests. You may have missed a few Pokemon, or want to max out stats. You may want a different set of Eevee evolutions, or start with a different Pokemon. There are just so many things to do packed into that small GBA cartridge it's unbelievable.

---Game Play---
---10/10---
This could take a while. There are so many additions to this game added from the previous lot. After defeating the Elite Four and the Champion, there are 7 more areas of the world to explore. An extra portion of the world map has been added to include 7 more islands, and at the end of these, the most ferocious of all Pokemon-Deoxys, which changes form every time you trade between versions of the game. That's another feature-trading! If you miss a Pokemon or can't get it because of the version, then you can link up with friends to get all the Pokemon FireRed only Pokemon, or to evolve the four trade-only Pokemon. A moveset of over 100 different skills challenges you to use the most appropriate. Each Pokemon has a different type, some even have two. Overall there are 14 types, the most common being Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Normal and Flying. Some types have advantages against other (e.g. Electric against Flying), and as such incur most damage (4x or 2x). As such, some types aren't good against others (e.g. Grass against Fire), and some don't even hit! (e.g. Normal against Ghost). The range of items and their uses is nice too. Overall, the rating for the Game Play is based upon the humongous world, the endless amount of Pokemon and sidequests, the amount of different items and their uses, and the fantastic, unique battling system that Pokemon LeafGreen and other Pokemon games bless us with.

---Sound---
---10/10---
The simplicity of the GBA doesn't make for much leeway in the sound department, but the joyful tunes and merry melodies in this game make up for the lack of special effects. The choice of music for each town, city or dungeon are well picked, giving the area a bit more realism.

---Overall---
---10/10---
Let's face it, Pokemon is up there as one of the greatest games ever made, and the latest additions to the series definitely live up to the expectation all Pokemon games have. It's a new class of RPG, with unique battling, travelling and storyline, and certainly worth buying. Its one of the best games nintendo has made, they did it again!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/20/06