Pokémon LeafGreen was released alongside its companion FireRed in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance handheld system. The duo were remakes of the trailblazing Pokémon Red and Blue games, which kickstarted a global franchise. LeafGreen and FireRed did not reach the incredible sales of their originators but still maintain a respectable position as the second-highest-selling GBA titles of all time (behind Ruby and Sapphire). Emblazoned on their debut packaging was the newly introduced Gameboy Advance Wireless Adaptor. The Adaptor was originally bundled with the games, providing a significant step-up for multiplayer interactions. This step-up thematically represented the jump in technology from the original titles on which LeafGreen was based.
In the years following the introduction of Pokémon LeafGreen, remakes of previous Pokémon games have become a recurring, even expected, trend. The second-generation games would receive acclaimed remakes on the Nintendo DS. Ruby and Sapphire would later get a 3D makeover on the 3DS console. But LeafGreen was the prime mover for these supplements to the Pokémon Company’s coffers. In retrospect, how well does Pokémon LeafGreen hold up?
The Story Of Pokémon LeafGreen
Pokémon LeafGreen‘s narrative is a simple yet effective tale. A bright-eyed youngster decides to go on a quest to capture magical critters and collect eight badges. This culminates in a showdown with the Elite Four and a battle to determine the Champion. Along the way, a group of gangsters named Team Rocket appears and you must stop their nefarious deeds. Later entries in the series would have a more robust plot and characterization. Yet, despite their flaws, Red and Blue were ambitious titles that pushed a handheld like the GameBoy to its limits.
LeafGreen does not diverge from this tried and tested story formula. The plot and decisions the player can make are largely untouched until the postgame. However, a notable change from the original is that you can now choose whether you want a male or female avatar. The ability to select a different gender first appeared in Pokémon Crystal and has been a consistent option thereafter. While this choice is entirely cosmetic, it would be the first step toward the heftier customization options that later titles bring.
Gameplay Tweaks
As part of the third generation of games, Pokémon LeafGreen follows the path forged by the first pair of third-generation titles. Ruby and Sapphire completely rebuilt most of the mechanics introduced in the first two generations. This means LeafGreen contains several gameplay differences compared to Red and Blue. One of the most significant is the introduction of Abilities. Abilities are passive effects that every Pokémon has, usually conferring some benefit in battle. For instance, Diglett now has the Arena Trap Ability. This prevents its opponent from fleeing or switching out of battle.
Held items, introduced in the second generation, are now present. Held items and Abilities in tandem would begin the franchise’s long march to its current competitive environment. LeafGreen also inherited quality of life features not present in the original games. The Running Shoes allow the player to run while moving and holding the B button. Items in the bag are no longer limited, meaning no micromanaging at the PC to save space. The individual stats of Pokémon and how they were determined were also reconfigured. Much to the chagrin of the fanbase, this meant a lack of backward compatibility with the previous two generations.
New Postgame Content
The first generation games were fairly sparse in terms of postgame content. Once the player conquered the Pokémon League, the only goal left was to trek through the Cerulean Cave. There they would find Mewtwo and likely lob their lone Master Ball at it. By that point, every challenge in the game had already been overcome. The great reward of capturing the unstoppable force of Mewtwo would find little purchase in an already beaten save file. The only usage for him would be to pummel your friends into submission.
In contrast, Pokémon LeafGreen expands upon its postgame greatly with the addition of the Sevii Islands. This archipelago contains a mini-storyline that requires island hopping to foil another Team Rocket plot. Amongst the biomes of the scattered islands, the player will discover Pokémon unobtainable in Red and Blue. While not as substantial as the postgames of other Pokémon titles, the Sevii Islands offer roughly 10 hours of extra content. Another neat postgame goodie is the return of the Legendary beasts. Depending on which starter you choose, either Entei, Raikou, or Suicune can be found roaming the Kanto region. These are welcome changes for a game that rarely deviates.
Is The Grass Greener?
While it was the first remake in the series, Pokémon LeafGreen is somewhat of a mixed bag. The graphical advances allow for more vibrant colors and accurate representations. But the impressionistic quality of the original games’ pixel art has charm. The soundtrack feels downgraded compared to Ruby and Sapphire with their memorable French horns. Sometimes LeafGreen‘s insistence on faithfulness to Red and Blue is limiting. You can’t, for instance, evolve a Golbat into a Crobat until you defeat the Elite Four and get the National Dex. This is to keep Pokemon LeafGreen in line with the spirit of the originals.
Later remakes in the series would seek greater ambitions. This is not to say that Pokémon LeafGreen is a bad game. Modern players would likely opt to play it over the originals. In hindsight, though, it is not a very innovative or memorable title. If it has any legacy, it would be the new revenue streams it bestowed its makers.
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