Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch Review: Nostalgia Proves Super Effective

The Game Boy Advance remake of the very first Pokémon game is now available on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, but after more than 20 years, does it still justify your time and investment? This re-release arrives during a memorable 30th anniversary year for Pokémon, following the well-received reveal of Pokémon Winds and Waves and the surprise success of Pokémon Pokopia, which transformed from an overlooked spin-off to the highest-rated Pokémon game on Metacritic.

A Straight Port with Modern Integration

While it feels unusual to label a 2D game as a remaster, this version is essentially a direct port. Typically, such titles might be added to Nintendo Switch Online for free, but this standalone purchase serves dual purposes: Nintendo's commercial interests and integration with Pokémon Home for transferring creatures to other games, which restricts the use of rewind options or quick saves.

The original Generation I games featured multiple versions, with FireRed and LeafGreen based on the Japanese Red and Green, adapted for Western audiences as Red and Blue. This review focuses on FireRed, though many originally played Blue. The Game Boy Advance's enhanced power over the original Game Boy allows for vibrant 2D graphics reminiscent of SNES titles, with charming bright colors and bold designs, albeit limited animation.

Classic Gameplay with Quality-of-Life Enhancements

The early Pokémon games had minimal plot, fostering a sense of discovery and experimentation. FireRed retains the core experience while introducing quality-of-life features like a contextual help system and a save-game reminder—a detail still absent in many modern titles. It also adds the Sevii Islands endgame area, featuring additional Pokémon from later games, and unlocks Birth Island and Navel Rock for legendary creatures previously limited to timed events.

Originally, progressing far enough enabled trading with Ruby and Sapphire, whose engine powered FireRed. This set a precedent for remakes using recent graphics, such as HeartGold and SoulSilver after Diamond and Pearl. With easier access to locked content, this is arguably the definitive edition, though the lack of new features and online functionality is disappointing, especially with Pokémon Home compatibility delayed at launch.

Back to Simplicity: A Refreshing Experience

Returning to FireRed offers a glimpse into Pokémon's maturation post-honeymoon phase, with bugs and balancing issues smoothed out. However, it lacks modern mechanics like split physical/special moves, mega evolutions, or alpha Pokémon. Instead, players must level grind and strategize move choices, including HM abilities for world interaction. The simplicity is appealing, with only 151 Pokémon during the main game, making it manageable without overwhelming memory demands.

While nostalgic visits are enjoyable, staying in the past isn't ideal. Older games benefited from their simplicity, whereas recent entries have fallen into predictable formulas. Future titles like Winds and Waves must blend the wonder of originals with innovation and accessibility, learning from FireRed's lessons without overindulging in nostalgia.