Pokemon FireRed Version

Quotation forthcoming.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen bring back one of the most solid Pokémon experiences ever made, with a few additional and welcome extras such as the possibility of integrating the players' creatures in Pokémon's modern ecosystem, which help make this version more user-friendly for our time. Above all, it's a vivid demonstration of how well these two games have aged, even if this rerelease could have gone a bit further in its ambition.

A welcome reminder of the origins of Pokémon and while the game’s age is obvious in more than just its graphics the unbounded sense of exploration and experimentation remains as compelling as always.

More than twenty years later, the Switch re-release of Pokémon FireRed arrives keeping everything intact, even its more frustrating quirks. It doesn’t have the smoother systems and quality-of-life updates found in newer entries, and I wish there were more tweaks to its gameplay and presentation on modern hardware, but the journey through the routes of Kanto remains as structurally sound and addictive as it was when we were playing it on our 32-bit handhelds.

Whether you’re revisiting the game from 2004 or you’re a young trainer who would like to know how the pinnacle of classic Pokémon plays like, FireRed or LeafGreen is the way to go. You’ll find them on the eShop for $20 each. The price is up for discussion, and I leave that up to you on some forum, but I do understand that the decision raises some eyebrows. The reason they’re not included in the NSO is probably because that system allows “rewinds and save states”. Something GameFreak isn’t keen on. And with the addition of the Pokémon Home compatibility, which will be able to receive Pokémon from these re-releases, it’s only fair. Home will probably be able to send Pokémon to the upcoming Pokémon Champions game, which will be a competitive game in the series, so I understand the fairness in teambuilding that is implied with this decision. Now we need Pokémon Emerald to complete the set of Advance games to fully explore the classic Pokémon feel.

Some games never lose their magic, and Pokémon FireRed is one of those gems. It is still as compelling capturing Pokémon now as it was back then, and this GBA remake of the original title enhances the experience in many ways. The Nintendo Switch version’s lack of display options or other features that could have helped bring the game up to scratch diminish the value, but it looks the part on the Switch 2’s screen, and the endgame inclusions make up for many of the shortcomings. A perfect portable companion ideal for short and lengthy play alike.

Two great games that represent the Pokémon formula in its purest and most refined form, and that are enjoyed and addictive in the same way as they were 20 years ago... But not at that price.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are two classics that capture the traditional Pokémon essence, arriving on the Nintendo Switch with rather sparse enhancements. Fundamentally, they are the exact same games from 2004, featuring only the most minimal of modern tweaks. That aside, they remain two classics from the franchise's golden era, now available on the Switch.

The arrival of these two classics in today’s market could be a big plus for players who are just getting into the Pokémon world and want something different from the Let’s Go games. It’s also clearly aimed at those who already completed them back in the day and want to relive those memories—but without a double-speed option to make things move a bit “faster,” it might also bring back some not-so-great memories, thanks to how long the animations take and the lack of the quality-of-life features present in modern entries.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen deliver a memorable, sprawling adventure with a sense of wonder modern entries often lack. However, this re-release feels like a missed opportunity; it arrives barebones, omitting online multiplayer, crucial visual filters, and inclusion in Nintendo Switch Online, thus tarnishing an otherwise legendary experience.

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen have their fair share of annoyances, especially for people who have only played the modern games, but once you get adjusted to them, there's a solid and fun Pokémon experience to be had. Anyone with a nostalgia for Kanto will be right at home here, but the slower pace might make it trickier for newbies to get on board. Just be ready to take off the rose-tinted glasses.

All told, this FireRed & LeafGreen re-release is undoubtedly a lazy way to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon. For the asking price, Game Freak and The Pokémon Company could’ve included some extra goodies, like a hard mode or online functionality. Still, this is the most convenient way to experience the charm of the original Kanto adventure, and going back in time to see how much the Pokémon series has grown gave me a newfound appreciation for all the catchin’ I’ve done over three decades, and all that there is to come. Now give us Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver, please.

It pains me greatly to have to give this score to a game that was part of my childhood, which I have fond memories of and am loving reliving on Nintendo Switch (in Handheld Mode), but I really think they could have done a much better job and that, aside from the price, if they had included screen filters, full compatibility with Pokémon Home, and online features so you don't have to meet up with your friends in person to trade Pokémon and battle, these ports would have been much more appealing options.

As a long time fan, this is a great option for people who like Pokemon and own a switch console.

There’s a reason why Pokémon are so beloved. LeafGreen and FireRed Versions are both still undeniably enjoyable, evergreen releases and have aged well, because their mechanics were so carefully designed from the very beginning. At their best, they take me back in time to a more carefree life – for example to those moments when I was a kid and sat on the yard swing for hours, playing with my Game Boy. As a re-release however, it is too lazy and cynical, topped off with a price tag that’s a bit too high.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are major classics in the franchise that still hold up well enough to be worth exploring for fans of RPGs and the series itself. On the other hand, as a new release of an old game, it's one of the most barebones releases possible and there's no good reason for it to not have at least something extra to justify it as a commemorative edition.