Here we go again. Time to pack up, leave home and capture innocent creatures. Just to make them battle in an illegal ring of violent activities. Ok it’s not that exciting, but wouldn’t that be fun? Fire Red and Leaf Green are remakes of the original Pokémon Gameboy titles, Red and Blue. Yes, these are the very same titles that started the Pokémon craze years ago. Obviously Nintendo has made some changes to the titles to update them for the Game Boy Advance, but is it enough to warrant another buy? Damn right it is. But chances are if you’re a fan of the series you already you have your copy. So you guys never mind this review. The rest read on.

In the game of Pokémon you lead a lone adventurer out on his Pokémon journey. A quest to become the champion of the Pokémon League, and become a Pokémon Master by catching every type known to the world. Before our hero can even enter the Pokémon League, he must win eight badges from the Pokémon gyms scattered around the world. Things are never quite that easy, however, as you will come toe-to-toe with the evil Team Rocket, in addition to a number of other predicaments, on your way to reach the gyms. An RPG at heart, you scour the globe for Pokémon and capture them with Pokeballs. Once caught, Pokémon can then be added to your party and trained like standard RPG characters. As they develop, the Pokémon will become stronger and learn new abilities. Many will evolve into a different Pokémon once they reach a certain level (like changing class) or if you use a special item on them. The game's variety and customization is virtually unlimited, making no two run-throughs of the game the same. You can carry up to six Pokémon with you at a time. In battle, only one of the beasts may be deployed, but monsters can be swapped at any time. The strategy lies in selecting the right types of Pokémon for each battle - every Pokemon is classified as one of 15 different types of Pokemon, adding the rock-paper-scissors aspect: Fire Pokémon is weak against water attacks, flying Pokemon are strong against bug Pokémon, etc.


Leaf Green!

Where Pokémon Fire/Leaf fails is the same way Ruby/Sapphire did. Many of the innovations of the series greatest pair Gold/Silver are still missing. Most notable being the in-game real-time feature. Having day and night was something to rave about. Getting up 5:30 just to catch a specific morning time Pokemon, or not sleeping to catch one at 1:30am was too cool for words. On a side note to players since there is no day and night, the only way to get Espeon and Unbreon is to trade with Pokemon Colosseum.

The same upgrades to the battle system of Ruby & Sapphire are all here too. First thing the two-on-two battles. These allow you to send out two Pokémon at a time vs. two other Pokémon. It’s a bit weird, and mainly just makes the game play more like another RPG. But sadly just like R&S it’s not used enough in the game. It seems like Nintendo put it in there only for linked battles with friends. There are other new additions such as the berries that a Pokémon can hold, that have effects in battle. And special abilities of every Pokémon. Example if Pikachu is hit with a physical attack, the attacker is paralyzed.


Fire Red!

The graphics in the game are greatly improved to take advantage of the Game Boy Advance hardware. Besides much more color and cooler animation during the battles, the overworld graphics are much more detailed. One of my favorite new effects is when you can see your character’s reflection in a body of water. But hold on? We saw the same graphics in Ruby & Sapphire! Everything is really exactly the same. If this is good or bad is up top the individual player to decide. The music has been redone for the GBA hardware as well. And with a pair of headphones (the best being Nintendo’s) it’s even better. But once again it doesn’t excel past Ruby & Sapphire at all. So when it comes down to graphics and sound, don’t expect the big leaps made from Red & Blue to Gold & Silver.