It’s been 20 long years since we first ventured out to be the very best, like no one ever was in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen on the Game Boy Advance, and nearly 30 since the franchise got its start with Red & Blue. In that time, the series has continued to evolve as it added hundreds of new Pokemon to the roster and took us to unique regions each with their own distinct environments and gameplay mechanics.
It also threw off the shackles of obsolete technology, with Link Cables that once allowed us to trade with friends now gathering dust in our attics or local museum displays dedicated to retro tech. And we’re much better for it to be honest. Being able to trade online opened up the whole world and made completing your Pokedex easier than ever.
But Game Freak has decided to take us on a trip down memory lane with the recently released Nintendo Switch versions of Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen in more ways than one. Sure, we can now revisit an old favourite and retread those 32-bit steps we first took so many years ago, but we also have to trade our Pokemon the old school way.
Trading Like It’s 2004
Fortunately, it’s not quite as old school as having to dig out a Link Cable and sit by friends on the playground. But you can still only trade Pokemon via local co-op, just as we did back in the day on the Game Boy Advance (at least we don’t need a separate wireless adapter now).
I soon realised that I don’t know anyone else in my hometown who has FireRed or LeafGreen to trade with. Even if I did know someone nearby, I’d only have a 50 percent chance they had the opposite version of the game from me to allow me to get the exclusives I’m missing from my version anyway.
Here Are FireRed & LeafGreen’s Exclusive Pokemon For Those Still Struggling To Choose Between Them
If you can’t choose which one to buy based on vibes, maybe knowing the Pokemon you can and can’t find in each one will help.
It’s a little depressing to realise that my gamer friends are all online these days. As a kid, I had my friends in school (granted not that many, as back then liking video games put you squarely in the squares and nerd squad). Then I worked for UK retailer Game, and all the staff would get swept up in the latest release, and all played together. We don’t even have Game stores these days, so gamers have nowhere to flock to. And now? I only have one or two friends who play games locally. Sad times.
I’d never really thought about it until now, as gone are the days of inviting your friends over for a gaming session. Everything is online, so it doesn’t matter where everyone lives. Unless you want to trade Pokemon on FireRed & LeafGreen. The it matters an awful lot.
Gotta Fill Your Friend-Dex To Fill Your Pokedex
Of course, there’s always a way if you’re willing to put yourself out there and be more social. A harrowing thought for most, I’m sure. We prefer to sit in the comfort of our own homes, behind our keyboards, in our comfy gamer chairs, and hide away from the real world.
I’m sure if I went on Facebook, I could find a local gaming group, likely even a Pokemon-specific one, and possibly even a FireRed & LeafGreen one, too. If I can be brave enough to act like an adult and talk to strangers, the answer awaits me.
In some ways, you have to applaud Game Freak for forcing us to go outside. It’s not quite encouraging us to touch grass – leave that to Pokemon Go – but it’s at least forcing us to get some fresh air and speak to someone in the flesh. It’s the only catch ‘em all.
It’s a bold move in this day and age that’s sure to annoy a bunch of people, but for anyone committed enough to filling their Pokedex or willing enough to hang out with some strangers, it could make for some fun memories. Maybe this is how I’m meant to make more local gamer friends in my thirties?
- Released
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September 7, 2004
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Mild Fantasy Violence, Simulated Gambling
- Publisher(s)
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The Pokemon Company, Nintendo
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer
