Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen

Overview

With the release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the back-story of Pokémon was blasted into the main frame once again. Players return to Kanto in this Game Boy Advance remake of the classic Pokémon Red and Blue Game Boy games, bringing along with it many of the improvements made in previous generations.

History

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were released for the Game Boy Advance on January 29, 2004 in Japan, September 9, 2004 in North America, September 23, 2004 in Australia, and October 1, 2004 in Europe. FireRed/LeafGreen was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The games are enhanced remakes of two of the original Pokémon games: Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green (only released in Japan). The two games were the first to use the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which came with the game cartridge. As part of a special pre-release promotion, players who pre-ordered the game could get it early at the New York Pokémon Center. FireRed/LeafGreen, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald make up the third generation of Pokémon games.

Being remakes of games from the first generation, the game has the original 151 Pokémon. In addition, there are Pokémon from later generations. This game marked the first time that all 151 original Pokémon were available on Game Boy Advance Pokémon games, as the Game Boy and Game Boy Color games were not compatible with games in the third generation. FireRed/LeafGreen is set in the region of Kanto, with the two main characters Red and Green both fighting towards the ultimate goal of winning against the Elite Four. Despite being sold as separate games, FireRed and LeafGreen are virtually identical, except for a few minor Pokémon differences.

Gameplay

FireRed and LeafGreen retains the traditional Pokémon gameplay; with some updates, as usual. The game consists mainly of three different screens: the overworld, battle screen, and menu. The overworld is in a top-down viewpoint. Players control either Red or Green, as they traverse the region of Kanto. Scattered in the overworld are non-playable characters that the player can interact with, and occasionally, battle against.

There are two types of Pokémon battles: with a wild Pokémon or with another Pokémon trainer. These two only differ slightly. The menu options are the same: fight, use an item, switch out the active Pokémon, or flee (not available for use in a trainer battle). Wild Pokémon can be captured via the use of a Poké Ball, of which there are a variety of types. There can be six Pokémon in the player's party at once, and all of them gain experience points once a battle is won. After leveling up enough, then the Pokémon may evolve into a better species of Pokémon.

There are many new features in the game. A "Help" feature has been added, which has data accessible at any point in the game on just about everything that can happen in the game. Also included to make the game more accessible, the last four significant events that the player did before saving the game is showed upon loading a save game. New game mechanics (both in and out of battle) have been included as well.

The VS. Seeker is a key item that can be obtained at some point in the game. The VS. Seeker allows the player to search for nearby battles (although it doesn't work on Gym Leaders, in caves, or in buildings). Technical Machines (TMs) can also be taught to Pokémon by a new non-playable character called the Move Tutor. The Sevii Islands, a location with Pokémon from the Johto region and Hoenn region, as well as events and special items, has been added to the game. Other new features include double battles and the Fame Checker.

Compatibility

In order for the player to gain all 386 available Pokémon, FireRed and LeafGreen are not only compatible with each other, but also with Ruby/Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and Pokémon Box. Using the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, players can trade Pokémon between the Game Boy Advance games. The Game Boy Advance to GameCube Link Cable is also compatible with the game, allowing players to trade and store (in the case of Pokémon Box) Pokémon.

Plot

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen take place in the region of Kanto. Within Kanto are a variety of cities, routes, and other locales. Some areas aren't accessible right away, usually when a special ability is required or a quest must be cleared before the area becomes accessible. For example, the HM (Hidden Machine) Surf allows the player to access Cinnabar Island.

The game opens with the protagonist (either male or female, an option not available in the original versions of the games) arriving in Pallet Town. Professor Oak invites the player and the opponent to his lab in order to choose a starter Pokémon (either Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle).

The rival character will choose whichever Pokémon's ability is superior to the player's choice. The player and rival set off on an adventure to become a Pokémon trainer, and eventually defeat the legendary Elite Four. To complete this goal, the player must defeat the eight Gym Leaders for their Gym Badges (each Gym Leader uses a specific type of Pokémon).

After gathering all eight badges, then the player can challenge the Elite Four in hopes of defeating them and becoming the Champion.

Along the way, the player is constantly battling Team Rocket, an evil organization that misuses Pokémon led by the infamous Giovanni.

Soundtrack

1. GameFreak Logo
2. Opening Demo
3. ~Opening~
4. Game Tutorial
5. Welcome to the World of Pokémon!
6. Pallet Town Theme
7. Professor Oak
8. Ōkido Research Lab
9. Fanfare: Pokémon Received
10. Enter Rival
11. Battle (VS Trainer)
12. Victory (VS Trainer)
13. Route to Viridian - From Pallet
14. Fanfare: Item Get 1
15. Pewter City Theme
16. Teachy TV Menu
17. Viridian Forest
18. Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
19. Victory (VS Wild Pokémon)
20. Enter Trainer (Boy Version)
21. Pokémon Center
22. Jigglypuff's Song
23. Pokémon Recovery
24. Guidance
25. Pokémon Gym
26. Battle Pressure!
27. Battle (VS Gym Leader)
28. Victory (VS Gym Leader)
29. Fanfare: Badge Get
30. Evolution
31. Fanfare: Evolution
32. Route to Cerulean - from Mt. Moon
33. Enter Trainer (Girl Version)
34. The Caverns of Mt. Moon
35. Vermilion City Theme
36. SS St. Anne
37. Cycling
38. Lavender Town
39. Pokémon Tower
40. Celadon City Theme
41. Casino
42. Fanfare: Hit!
43. Fanfare: Big Hit!
44. Pokémon Print
45. Team Rocket Hideout
46. Enter Trainer (Bad Guy Version)
47. Silph Company
48. Route to Fuchsia - from Shion Town
49. Pokémon Flute
50. Fuchsia City Theme
51. Forget Technique
52. Ocean
53. Battle (VS Legendary Pokémon)
54. Fanfare: Pokémon Get
55. Cinnabar Island Theme
56. Pokémon Mansion
57. Pokémon Network Center
58. Fanfare: Oak Evaluation
59. Sevii Islands: Four and Five Islands
60. Jump with Mini Pokémon
61. Dodrio's Berry Catch
62. Bad Luck
63. Sevii Islands
64. Sevii Islands: Six and Seven Islands
65. Union Room
66. Mystery Gift
67. Fanfare: Item Get 2
68. Battle (VS Mewtwo)
69. Final Route
70. Last Battle (VS Rival)
71. Epilogue
72. Induction into the Hall of Fame
73. ~Ending~
74. Enter Deoxys
75. Battle (VS Deoxys)
76. Oshiete! Oniisan
77. memory P
78. Team Rocket Hideout
79. Pokémon Tower 1997
80. The Gym Leaders' Power