Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Complete Guide
FireRed & LeafGreen Pokédex →Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are Game Boy Advance remakes of the original Red and Green (known as Red and Blue outside Japan), released in 2004. They retell the first Kanto adventure with the third generation's mechanics, so the road is familiar but the battles play very differently.
The remake keeps the original map, towns and Gym Leaders, then adds a new post-game: the Sevii Islands, a chain of islands reached after the Pokémon League. That gives the games room for new areas, new Pokémon and extra story, which the originals never had.
They suit newcomers who want the classic Kanto story with modern rules, and returning players who want a polished way to revisit it.
FireRed & LeafGreen quick facts
| Release date | January 29, 2004 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Game Boy Advance |
| Region | Kanto |
| Generation | Generation III |
| Versions | Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen |
| New Pokémon | None (no new species) |
| Starters | Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle |
| Legendary and Mythical | Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres and Mewtwo |
Story and structure
This section describes the shape of the story without spoiling its turns.
The adventure starts in Pallet Town, where Professor Oak gives you your first partner and a Pokédex to complete. You travel across Kanto, collecting eight badges while a rival trains in parallel and Team Rocket schemes in the background.
The route is the same as the originals, but the pace is smoother. Better menus, faster text and clearer sprites make the trip more comfortable.
The Kanto journey
Eight Gyms lead to Indigo Plateau, where the Elite Four and Champion wait. Their teams are tougher than in the original games.
The Sevii Islands
After the main story, a boat takes you to a group of islands full of new areas, Pokémon and side stories. Several of them connect to the series' later regions, and they give the post-game real content.
The islands also unlock a wireless trading feature, which was new for the series at the time.
New mechanics explained
Third-generation rules
Pokémon have Abilities and Natures, and the battle rules match Ruby and Sapphire. Types such as Dark and Steel exist, so some original matchups changed.
Tip: Check abilities on your new Pokémon before choosing which one to level. Some quietly change a matchup.
The Sevii Islands
The islands are a post-game region with their own towns, caves and wild Pokémon, including some from the Johto games. They are reached by boat after the main story.
Tip: Bring a strong team. The islands have trainers and wild Pokémon above the level of the Elite Four.
Wireless trading and battling
A wireless adapter accessory let players trade and battle without a cable, and the games added a wireless hub for meeting nearby players.
Tip: Trade with a friend who has the other version to fill the Pokédex, as some Pokémon appear in only one game.
Starter Pokémon
Professor Oak offers the same three starters as the originals, and each evolves twice.
| Starter | Final form | Final typing | Evolves at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Venusaur | GrassPoison | Levels 16 and 32 |
| Charmander | Charizard | FireFlying | Levels 16 and 36 |
| Squirtle | Blastoise | Water | Levels 16 and 36 |
Bulbasaur line
Bulbasaur beats the first two Gyms and brings status moves like Sleep Powder to the table.
Watch out: Flying, Fire and Ice opponents are a problem, and its offense is modest in the middle of the game.
Charmander line
Charmander is the hard-mode start, with Charizard a fast, strong attacker at the end.
Watch out: The first Gyms are Rock and Water, which Fire struggles against.
Squirtle line
Our recommendation
For a first run, we recommend Squirtle for its balance. Bulbasaur gives the easiest opening, and Charmander is for players who want a challenge.
Version differences
FireRed and LeafGreen are the same game with small differences in wild Pokémon.
- FireRed has the Ekans and Oddish lines and LeafGreen has Sandshrew and Bellsprout.
- A few other wild Pokémon differ between the two, so trading with a friend helps with the Pokédex.
If you only play one, the story is identical. Pick the version with the Pokémon you prefer.
Keep exploring
Tips for new players
- Treat the Sevii Islands as the real second half of the game. They take a few hours and add new Pokémon.
- Take advantage of the better menus and move descriptions to plan battles.
- Catch a Pokémon of each type before the Gyms. The lineup is varied and rewards flexibility.
- Remember that some Pokémon can only be obtained by trading, so connect with a friend if you can.
- Use the Pokémon Center and the Pokémart before every Gym. The Gym teams are stronger than before.
- Spend time in the Safari Zone for rare Pokémon, but bring enough steps and Safari Balls.
- Save before climbing Victory Road, as the Elite Four is a long run without breaks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FireRed and LeafGreen?
They are the same game with a small number of different wild Pokémon, mirroring the differences between Red and Blue.
Are FireRed and LeafGreen remakes?
Yes. They remake the original Red and Green (Red and Blue outside Japan) for the Game Boy Advance, with third-generation rules and a new post-game.
What are the Sevii Islands?
They are a group of islands that open up after the main story, with new towns, caves and Pokémon.
Can I get Pokémon from Johto and Hoenn?
Some Johto Pokémon appear on the Sevii Islands, and others can be traded in from Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.