With the release of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee, it seems that the Pokemon legacy will continue to live on and on. there are know anime series, card games, and even a live action movie. When Game Freak conceived the idea of Pocket Monsters in 1996, did they know how long and how many games would come from it? We take a look back at the Gameboy and the games that started it all, Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version.
The game’s story is simple enough. You are approached by Professor Oaks who invites you to his lab too select a Pokemon of your own. The choices were Bulbasaur, Squirtle or Charmander. You also meet Oaks nephew, who becomes your rival. From there you explore the Kanto region, trying to get Pokemon as well as badges to gain access to the premier Indigo League. You also most spoil the schemes of Team Rocket, a group who wants the rarest Pokemon by any means necessary.
The game is very straight forward, but it is so charming that people continue to call it the best Pokemon game. Exploring the regions of Kanto provide different experiences as you try to collect the 150 Pokemon required. The first time a player came to Lavender Town will always be remembered. While creepy pasta has made it seem the stuff of nightmares, the actual place goes for more unsettling. The battles are easy to get into, as you discover which Pokemon can be the best for each type of fight. The most amazing thing was that players could trade Pokemon between their systems as long as they had the Game Link Cable. Getting all the Pokemon was actually impossible if you didn’t use it.
The reason that Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version are listed in the greatest RPG and greatest video games of all time was that the formula was so perfect. According to legend, the creator did not want the Pokemon to die if they lost in battle, hence the fainting system. The games that followed just had to update graphics and add more Pokemon. There was no need to add anything else. The novelty of having two titles for the same game was unique, but made sense with the trading mechanic. The Kanto region was where many a Pokemon trainer got their start, and it is always a welcome place to go back to.
