We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
GBA

North America

Pokémon: Leaf Green & Fire Red

by Ben Kosmina - February 15, 2004, 1:32 am EST

I still like shorts! And they're still comfy and even easier to wear!

Yeah, technically I've played Pokémon: Leaf Green before. But after tearing off the shrink wrap and sticking the cart into my Game Boy Advance, seeing the battle between Nidorino and Gengar again, but in colour, it brought back fond memories of the game I first played around six years ago. Has it really been that long?

Once again, you start in your room in front of Super NES/Famicom. It's off to wander in the grass, and Professor Oak saves you from certain doom by dragging you inside to his lab. You're given your first Pokémon (I chose BULBASAUR!), and after showing that punk Gary just who's boss, you begin destroying vermin like Rattata and Pidgey all over again.

The game itself is pretty much identical to the original Game Boy versions. However, the menus and interface have been given a complete overhaul to make it much more user friendly. I can't understand any Japanese, and the menus are very easy for me to navigate. It's a lot more like Pokémon Ruby's interface now, with your items stored much more conveniently.

While the TM pocket of your bag has been removed, it has been replaced with a TM holder that goes in your Key Items pocket. A similar item is used for Berries -- there is a Berry Bag that also goes in your Key Items pocket. Pokémon are now automatically healed when sent to a box, and although I haven't gotten enough to fill a box yet, I'm guessing that it'll automatically switch boxes for you, too. Another handy item returning from the Ruby/Sapphire versions are the Running Shoes, which let you dash by holding 'B'.

It looks like Pokémon Leaf Green/Fire Red will be the perfect version to introduce new players to the series of games, as there are tutorials and constant help available to the player. Battle/capture tutorials can be accessed once you receive the Pokémon Video Player, while help topics are available from the get-go. You can access help by pressing 'L' or 'R' on your GBA. A menu of topics is then listed, which seems to change depending on which area you are in. The Voice Checker, received later, allows you to play back important conversations from various NPCs -- very handy if you miss them the first time.

Graphical improvements from Ruby/Sapphire seem to all be present in Leaf Green/Fire Red, too. Whether it's overworld effects like watery reflections, or footprints in the sand (run around in Mt. Moon for a bit -- there's now sand in some areas just so they can show it off), it all seems to be in there. I'm sure I'll see rain and desert dust as I progress further. In-battle graphics are just as nice as they were in Ruby/Sapphire, too. While the Pokémon still don't actually move, the battle effects are particularly flashy now. Hyper Fang, for example, fills the screen with yellow and red stripes and then shows 'bite' marks on the Pokémon.

Characters have all received graphical touch ups, as well. Brock and Misty look more like their anime counterparts, and the awesome Team Rocket makes a return in their crazy black jumpsuits with the giant "R" on them. Unfortunately, Leaf Green and Fire Red don't seem to follow the lead of Pokémon Yellow, as Jessie and James don't turn up in these versions, which is a damn shame. Well, there'll probably be a Pokémon Electric Yellow or something to fix that problem. (The scary thing is that I could be right.)

But the big question is most definitely "Can you trade between Leaf/Fire and Colosseum?". The answer is...Not right away. You need to finish Colosseum's RPG Mode before you can do so. However, using your Pokémon in Colosseum battles can be done immediately. You need to first have the Pokémon you want to use in your party, then select "Register" from the menu. Once you've done that, you'll be able to use the party that was in your GBA on the big screen.

With the ability not only to revisit the old world, but also to capture your favourite Pokémon, fans of the series will most likely eat this one up. You can purchase the import versions of Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green from our partners at Video Game Depot.

Share + Bookmark





GBA

Game Profile

Genre RPG
Developer Game Freak
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Pokémon: Leaf Green & Fire Red
Release Sep 07, 2004
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
jpn: Pokémon: Leaf Green & Fire Red
Release Jan 29, 2004
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: Pokémon: Leaf Green & Fire Red
Release Oct 01, 2004
PublisherNintendo
Rating3+
aus: Pokémon: Leaf Green & Fire Red
Release Sep 23, 2004
PublisherNintendo
RatingParental Guidance
Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement