Pokemon LeafGreen Version

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.

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.

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

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.