Pokémon LeafGreen and FireRed

There's little need for an introduction to the first-generation remakes, known in our latitudes as Blue and Red back in 1998 on Game Boy. Pokémon LeafGreen (VF) and Fire Red (RF) are born as remakes of Game Boy Advance, revisited with the same 16-bit graphics as Pokémon Ruby Version e Sapphire (released in 2003) which introduced the third generation.

It's interesting to note that, more than twenty years after the original release, Nintendo is offering the same experience on Nintendo Switch e Nintendo Switch 2 without changing a comma. At the price of 20 CHF, VF, and RF are available on the Nintendo eShop in all original localization languages. However, those hoping for Virtual Console integration with the Nintendo Switch Online service may be disappointed. We were able to play and complete Pokémon LeafGreen (VF) in Italian. Here are our findings.

An experience exactly the same as the one on Gameboy Advance

Are there any differences from the originals? Virtually none. The two titles are released on the thirtieth anniversary of the series, coinciding with the announcement of the tenth generation. The only new features in these versions are support for Pokémon HOME (not yet implemented at launch) and full compatibility with Docked mode, which allows you to play on a TV. Playing Pokémon VF on a console like the Nintendo Switch 2, especially on a large screen (TV or portable), is certainly a different experience compared to the Game Boy Advance, which, at the time, only had a 2.9-inch screen. While the larger screen is certainly better, it clearly highlights the game's limitations, namely the fact that it's a 16-bit title with gigantic pixels (remember, the resolution is 240x160). Therefore, we regularly switched back to playing on the Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to the smaller screen, even without changing the resolution... but the image remains more enjoyable, in our opinion.

There are, at least, the legends of the events held in 2006 and 2007…

As in 2004, it is possible to trade Pokémon locally using the console's wireless connection (which at the time required an external adapter). The possibility of receiving, after the League, is very welcome., the Magic Ticket and the Aurora Ticket to capture Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Deoxys in the Sevii Islands. These tickets were originally only obtainable through physical events (such as Pokémon Day 2006 and 2007 in Wonderland), but are now unlocked automatically. Additionally, a glitch with the move Roar has been fixed: in the original versions, if used by Entei or Raikou, they would disappear from the map permanently; this issue no longer exists.

In conclusion, VF and RF bring back the Kanto experience in a 16-bit key with one of the most appreciated endgames ever. For those who want to earn all eight medals, These titles remain an unmissable evergreen, with the necessary limitations to take into account in 2026.. Clearly, the total absence of the day/night cycle (no Umbreon or Espeon), the lack of weather and the impossibility of fighting online or modifying IVs and Natures remain.. For 20 CHF, perhaps one would have expected something more…