View source for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

{{Short description|2004 video games}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen''}}
{{Infobox video game
| title        = {{ubl|''Pokémon FireRed''|''Pokémon LeafGreen''}}
| italic title = no
| image        = Pokemon LeafGreen box.jpg
| caption      = North American box art for the [[Player's Choice]] release of ''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''Pokémon LeafGreen'', depicting [[Charizard]] and [[Venusaur]] respectively
| developer    = [[Game Freak]]
| publisher    = {{vgrelease|JP|[[The Pokémon Company]]|WW|[[Nintendo]]}}
| director     = [[Junichi Masuda]]
| producer     = {{ubl|Hiroyuki Jinnai|Takehiro Izushi|Hiroaki Tsuru}}
| designer     = Junichi Masuda<br />[[Shigeru Ohmori]]
| programmer   = Tetsuya Watanabe
| artist       = [[Ken Sugimori]]
| writer       = {{ubl|Hitomi Sato|[[Satoshi Tajiri]]}}
| composer     = {{ubl|[[Go Ichinose]]|Junichi Masuda|Morikazu Aoki}}
| series       = ''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]''
| platforms    = [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released     = {{vgrelease|JP|January 29, 2004|NA|September 7, 2004<ref name="releasedates-na">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=2004-08-31 |title=Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/31/pokemon-fireredleafgreen |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114205147/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/31/pokemon-fireredleafgreen |url-status=live }}</ref>|AUS|September 23, 2004|EU|October 1, 2004}}
| genre        = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes        = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Pokémon FireRed Version'''''|ポケットモンスター ファイアレッド|Poketto Monsutā Faiareddo|lit. "Pocket Monsters: FireRed"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} and {{Nihongo foot|'''''Pokémon LeafGreen Version'''''|ポケットモンスター リーフグリーン|Poketto Monsutā Rīfugurīn|lit. "Pocket Monsters: LeafGreen"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} are 2004 [[video game remakes|remakes]] of the 1996 [[role-playing video game]]s [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']]. They were developed by [[Game Freak]] and published by [[The Pokémon Company]] and [[Nintendo]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]]. ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were first released in Japan in January 2004 and in North America and Europe in September and October 2004 respectively. The games are part of the third generation of the [[Pokémon (video game series)|''Pokémon'' video game series]] and hold the distinction of being the first enhanced remakes of previous games within the franchise.

As in previous games, the player controls [[player character|their character]] from an [[Top-down perspective|overhead perspective]] and participates in [[turn-based]] battles. Throughout the games, the player [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Catching Pokémon|captures]] and raises Pokémon for use in battle. Based in the Kanto region, new features include a contextual help menu and a new area (Sevii Islands) the player may access after defeating the Elite Four and Champion. The games have compatibility with the [[Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter]], which originally came bundled with the games.

The games received mostly positive reviews, obtaining an aggregate score of 81&nbsp;percent on [[Metacritic]]. Most critics praised the fact that the games introduced new features while still maintaining the traditional gameplay of the series. Reception of the graphics and audio was more mixed, with some reviewers complaining that they were too simplistic and lacked improvement compared to the previous games, [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'']]. ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were commercial successes, selling a total of around 12&nbsp;million copies worldwide. Nearly two years after their original release, Nintendo re-marketed them as [[Player's Choice]] titles.

==Gameplay==
{{See also|Gameplay of Pokémon{{!}}Gameplay of ''Pokémon''|Pokémon Red and Blue#Gameplay{{!}}''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' § Gameplay}}
[[File:Pokémon FireRed first battle.png|left|frame|In a battle scene, the Pokémon at the top right of the screen ([[Squirtle]]) is the opponent's; the bottom left ([[Charmander]]) is the player's. The player's four options are shown at the bottom right menu.|alt=An orange lizard with a flame on its tail is on the bottom left, battling a blue turtle with a brown shell in the top right. At the very bottom is a text box, giving players four options (fight, use an item, change to another creature, run from the battle) they can usescene, the Pokémon at the top right of the screen is the opponent's; the Pokémon at the bottom left is the players. The player's options are shown at the bottom right.]]
As with almost all ''Pokémon'' role-playing games released for [[handheld game console|handheld consoles]], ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' are in a [[third-person (video games)|third-person]], [[overhead perspective]]. The main screen is an [[overworld]], in which the player navigates the protagonist.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher =[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|page=14}}</ref> Here, a menu interface may be accessed, in which the player may configure their Pokémon, items, and gameplay settings.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|page=16}}</ref> When the player [[random encounter|encounters a wild Pokémon]] or is challenged by a trainer, the screen switches to a [[turn-based]] battle screen that displays the player's Pokémon and the engaged Pokémon. During a battle, the player may select a [[Pokémon moves|move]] for their Pokémon to perform, use an item, switch their active Pokémon, or attempt to flee (in wild battles only). All Pokémon moves have power points (PP); when a Pokémon tries to perform a move while awake, the move's PP is reduced by 1. When the PP of a move hits zero the Pokémon is not able to use that move. All Pokémon have [[health (gaming)|hit points]] (HP); when a Pokémon's HP is reduced to zero, it faints and can no longer battle until it is revived. Once an opponent's Pokémon faints, all of the player's Pokémon involved in the battle receive a certain number of [[experience point]]s (EXP). After accumulating enough EXP, a Pokémon will [[Experience point#Level-based progression|level up]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|pages=24–28}}</ref>

[[Gameplay of Pokémon#Catching Pokémon|Capturing Pokémon]] is another essential element of the gameplay. During a battle with a wild Pokémon, the player may throw a [[Poké Ball]] at it. If the Pokémon is successfully caught, it will come under the ownership of the player. Factors in the success rate of capture include the HP of the target Pokémon and the type of Poké Ball used: the lower the target's HP and the stronger the Poké Ball, the higher the success rate of capture.<ref name="battle">{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher =[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|page=31}}</ref>

While ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' are remakes of ''Red'' and ''Green'' (''Pokémon Green'' was only released in Japan, whereas the international variant was ''Blue''), they contain usability enhancements such as a contextual tutorial feature which allows players to look up data at any point in the game, by pressing the ''select'' button. Additionally, when continuing a [[saved game]], players are shown the last four actions they performed, aiding in remembering what they were previously doing.<ref name=ignpreview />

The games support the [[Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable]], through which connected players may trade or battle.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher =[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|pages=58–59}}</ref> Players may also connect with [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'']], as well as with ''[[Pokémon Colosseum]]'', allowing them to obtain over 350 Pokémon.<ref name="IGN"/> ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' also have the ability to connect to the [[GameCube]] and interact with ''[[Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire]]''. In ''Pokémon Box'', the player may organize and view their collected Pokémon, and in ''Colosseum'', Pokémon may be used in battle.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher =[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|pages=62–63|author-link=Game Freak}}</ref> ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' are also the first games in the series to be compatible with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which comes prepackaged with the games.<ref name="IGN"/> The adapter can be plugged into the link port of the Game Boy Advance system and allows players within a radius of {{convert|30–50|ft|m}} to wirelessly interact with each other.<ref name=ignpreview /> In addition, as many as 30&nbsp;players at a time may join a special location called the "Union Room", where they can trade, battle, or chat.<ref name=IGN /> Nintendo set up "JoySpots" at Japanese retail locations for this purpose.<ref name=ignpreview>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/513/513263p1.html|title=Pokemon FireRed Version Preview|publisher=IGN|date=2004-05-11|access-date=2008-12-24|archive-date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233406/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/513/513263p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
{{See also|Pokémon Red and Blue#Plot{{!}}''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' § Plot}}

===Setting===
''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' takes place mostly in the fictional region of [[Kanto (Pokémon)|Kanto]]. This is one distinct region of many in the ''Pokémon'' world, which includes varied geographical habitats for the Pokémon species, human-populated towns and cities, and routes between locations. Some areas are only accessible once players acquire a special item or one of their Pokémon learns a special ability.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|page=41}}</ref> Near the end of the plot, the protagonist is able to venture to the Sevii Islands, a new area not present in the original ''Red'' and ''Blue'' games. The Sevii Islands are an [[archipelago]] of seven islands and contain Pokémon normally exclusive to the Johto region, as well as several post-game missions. After the aforementioned missions on the Sevii Islands are completed, the ability to trade with ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' for Hoenn-exclusive Pokémon becomes available.

===Story===
The [[silent protagonist]] of ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' is a child who lives in a small town named Pallet Town in the Kanto region. After players start a journey and venture alone into tall grass, a voice warns them to stop. [[Professor Oak|Professor Samuel Oak]], a famous Pokémon Researcher, explains to the player that such grass is often the habitat of wild Pokémon, and encountering them alone can be very dangerous. He takes the player to his laboratory where they meet Oak's grandson, another aspiring [[Pokémon Trainer]]. The player and their rival are both instructed to select a [[starter Pokémon]] for their travels. The rival then challenges them to a Pokémon battle with their newly obtained Pokémon and continues to battle the player at certain points throughout the games.

After reaching the next city, the player is asked to deliver a parcel to Professor Oak. Upon returning to the laboratory, they are presented with a [[Pokédex]], a high-tech encyclopedia that records the entries of any Pokémon that are captured.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|page=8}}</ref> Oak then asks the player to fulfill his dream of compiling a comprehensive list of every Pokémon in the game.

While visiting the region's cities, the player encounters special establishments called [[Pokémon Gym]]s. Inside these buildings are Gym Leaders, each of whom the player must defeat in a Pokémon battle to obtain a Gym Badge.<ref>{{cite book|author=Game Freak|title=Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Instruction Booklet|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=2004|pages=46–47}}</ref> Once a total of eight badges are acquired, the player is given permission to enter the Kanto League in the Indigo Plateau, which consists of the best Pokémon Trainers in the region. There the player battles the [[Elite Four]] as well as the Kanto League Champion: their rival. Also throughout the game, the player has to fight against the forces of [[Team Rocket]], a criminal organization that abuses Pokémon. They devise numerous plans to steal rare Pokémon, all of which the player must foil, meeting and defeating the organization boss Giovanni.

After the first time players defeat the Elite Four, one of the members, Lorelei, disappears. After gaining access to the Sevii Islands, an entirely new region, the player discovers Lorelei in her house and convinces her to come back with them. Once more, the protagonist must thwart Team Rocket's plans on several occasions, recover two artifacts, the Ruby and the Sapphire, and put them in the main computer at One Island. After that, the player can trade with [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|''Ruby'', ''Sapphire'']], [[Pokémon Emerald|''Emerald'']][[Pokémon Colosseum|, ''Colosseum'']], and ''[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness|XD]]''.

==Development==
[[File:JunichiMasudaJI1.jpg|right|thumb|Development director Junichi Masuda]]
''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were first announced in September 2003 as upcoming remakes of the original [[Pokémon Red and Blue|''Pocket Monsters Red'' and ''Green'']] games that were released in Japan in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/news.html?sid=6075120&mode=news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105114626/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/news.html?sid=6075120&mode=news|archive-date=2012-11-05|title=Pokémon remakes on the way|date=2003-09-15|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=2009-06-17|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Michael |date=September 15, 2003 |title=Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green Revealed |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8980/pokemon-fire-red-n-leaf-green-revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911115332/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/8980/pokemon-fire-red-n-leaf-green-revealed |archive-date=2014-09-11 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> [[Video game producer|Game director]] [[Junichi Masuda]] stated the new titles would be developed around the idea of simplicity,<ref name="blog11"/> as the game engine was a slightly modified version of the one used in [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'']]. As a result, ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were made fully [[backward compatibility|backward compatible]] with ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', allowing players to [[Global Trade Station|trade Pokémon]] between games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/437/437883p1.html|title=More Pokemon for GBA|publisher=IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|date=2003-09-12|access-date=2009-09-15|archive-date=16 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616065630/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/437/437883p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen''{{'}}s connectivity with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was heralded by then-president of Nintendo [[Satoru Iwata]] as being able "to enhance head-to-head battles, exchange of information, and communication with others."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/news.html?sid=6075891|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822021820/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/news.html?sid=6075891|archive-date=2007-08-22|title=TGS 2003: Wireless GBA multiplayer for 2004|date=2003-09-26|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|first=Justin|last=Calvert|access-date=2009-06-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> An enhanced interface was created for the game to increase usability for new players, as well as a contextual in-game help system that could aid lost or confused players during their journey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Michael |date=March 11, 2004 |title=NCL Prepares Wireless GBA Network |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9402/ncl-prepares-wireless-gba-network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211061256/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9402/ncl-prepares-wireless-gba-network |archive-date=2017-02-11 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> President of The Pokémon Company [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] noted, "We don't feel that this a remake at all. We feel that this is a new game, with wireless technology", referring to the bundled wireless adapter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/514/514962p1.html|title=E3 2004: The Pokémon Creators Speak|date=2004-05-13|publisher=IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|access-date=2009-06-17|archive-date=7 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507234154/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/514/514962p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The exclusive Japanese production run for ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' was limited to half a million copies, despite the success of ''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire''. ''[[IGN]]'' speculated that Nintendo was expecting less demand for the new games, or that it was limited by the production of the bundled wireless adapter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/463/463431p1.html|title=Nintendo holds back on Pokémon|date=2004-01-16|publisher=IGN|access-date=2009-06-17|archive-date=18 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218152414/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/463/463431p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The North American versions of ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were indirectly announced at [[D.I.C.E. Summit|DICE]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/496/496682p1.html|title=Pokémon Red/Green US bound|date=2004-03-04|publisher=IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|access-date=2009-06-17|archive-date=14 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114185602/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/496/496682p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bloodworth |first=Daniel |date=March 4, 2004 |title=DICE: Targeting Tomorrow's Consumer Today |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9381/dice-targeting-tomorrows-consumer-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706190211/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/9381/dice-targeting-tomorrows-consumer-today |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> Although the original games were released as ''Red'' and ''Blue'' in North America, the remakes retained the Japanese names of "Red" and "Green".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/513/513263p1.html|title=E3 2004: Pokémon Fire Red|date=2004-05-11|publisher=IGN|access-date=2009-06-17|archive-date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233406/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/513/513263p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Masuda noted this as a choice on his part, stating the leaf represented a peaceful icon, in contrast to the alternative of water which he saw as suggesting conflict with the icon of fire used by the other game.<ref name="blog11">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711151614/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?p=25|archive-date=2011-07-11|url=http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?p=25|title=Hidden Power of Masuda|date=2004-08-30|access-date=2009-06-22|author=Masuda, Junichi|publisher=Game Freak|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Music===
The music used in the games was derived from the classic game consoles, and arranged by Go Ichinose. Masuda and Ichinose decided not to change the reused music from the basic background sounds used in ''Red'' and ''Blue'', and instead updated them by adding additional sounds. Some of the songs have additional key changes compared to the original soundtrack and some songs such as the Trainer Battle music are re-written in [[MIDI]] for the GBA and contain [[Portamento|pitch bends]] between notes.<ref name="blog125">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813045234/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?p=143|archive-date=2009-08-13|url=http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/blog/dir_english/?p=143|title=Hidden Power of Masuda|date=2008-02-28|access-date=2009-06-22|author=Masuda, Junichi|publisher=Game Freak|url-status=dead}}</ref> A two-disc set of the music entitled ''GBA Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Super Complete'' was released, with the first disc featuring all the music used normally in-game, while the second disc featured bonus tracks based on and inspired by the music in the games. Among these are two vocal tracks.<ref name="RPGFan">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/pokemon-fl/index.html|title=GBA Pokémon Firered & Leafgreen Music Super Complete|publisher=RPGFan|author=Rubinshteyn, Dennis|access-date=2009-06-22|archive-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529133903/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/pokemon-fl/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 82.14% (''FireRed'')<br>{{small|(based on 37 reviews)}}<ref name="GR">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/918915.asp|title=Pokemon FireRed Version for GameBoy Advance|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2009-06-23|archive-date=11 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911103658/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/918915-pokemon-firered-version/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| MC = 81/100 (''FireRed'')<br>{{small|(based on 38 reviews)}}<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/pokemonfirered?q=Pokemon|title=Pokemon FireRed (gba: 2004): Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618002929/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/pokemonfirered?q=Pokemon |archive-date=2008-06-18 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-06-23}}</ref>
| GI = 8/10<ref name="GI review">{{cite magazine|last=Juba|first=Joe|date=October 2004|title=Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen review|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issue=138|page=146|url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E9172302-9793-4D17-BE98-11CD16A7C01E.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528113350/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E9172302-9793-4D17-BE98-11CD16A7C01E.htm|archive-date=May 28, 2007}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.4/10 (''FireRed'')<ref name="gamespotreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510072123/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/rpg/pokemonred/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review|archive-date=2009-05-10|title=Pokemon FireRed Version Review|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=September 7, 2004|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=2009-06-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}} (''FireRed'')<ref name="gamespy">{{cite web|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/pokemon-fire-red/545280p1.html|title=GameSpy: Pokémon FireRed|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|first=Phil|last=Theobald|date=2004-09-07|access-date=2009-06-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110142530/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/pokemon-fire-red/545280p1.html|archive-date=2009-11-10}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.0/10 (''FireRed'')<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/544/544549p1.html|title=Pokemon FireRed Version Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|first=Craig|last=Harris|date=2004-09-03|access-date=2008-12-24|archive-date=5 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905220041/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/544/544549p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| NP = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="NP review">{{cite magazine|date=October 2004|title=Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen review|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=184|page=123}}</ref>
}}

Reviews of ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were mostly positive, and the games currently hold an aggregate score of 81&nbsp;percent on [[Metacritic]].<ref name="metacritic"/> Jon Minife of the [[The New Zealand Herald|New Zealand Herald]] praised the game for resolving the connectivity issues that ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' had at the time, which would convince older players to get back into Pokémon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minife |first=Jon |date=2004-09-22 |title=Pokemon Leaf Green and Pokemon Fire Red |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/pokemon-leaf-green-and-pokemon-fire-red/SY64KYDHPNHAJIJGGPKAUNMLH4/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608183841/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/pokemon-leaf-green-and-pokemon-fire-red/SY64KYDHPNHAJIJGGPKAUNMLH4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Craig Harris of ''[[IGN]]'' gave the games an "Outstanding" 9.0/10 rating and praised the creators of the games for creating a game that "works extremely well for the handheld market. It doesn't have quite the same variety as ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', but it's still incredibly satisfying." Harris was less positive about the games' graphics, which he thought were "limited" and "basic".<ref name="IGN"/> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Greg Kasavin, who gave the games 8.4 out of 10, commented that "though ''Pokémon'' could probably use a few new twists after all these years, ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' are great role-playing games on their own merits, filled with lots more content and more challenges than last year's ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'', and offering up plenty of addictive gameplay that can be a lot of fun for players of all ages." Unlike Harris, Kasavin praised the games' graphics for their "colorful good looks and the endearing character designs that the series is known for."<ref name="gamespotreview"/> ''GameSpot'' later named ''LeafGreen'' the best Game Boy Advance game of September 2004.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209000108/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6109627/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6109627/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Month in Review for September 2004 | date=October 5, 2004 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=February 9, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' rated the games a "Very Good" 8/10 for being "a lot of fun", yet they saw the graphics as "utterly unremarkable" when compared to other handheld games.<ref name="GI review"/>

''[[GameSpy]]'' reviewer Phil Theobald, who awarded the games four out of five stars, stated, "Before I knew it, I was hooked all over again. The engrossingly simple gameplay combined with the more-strategic-than-they-first-appear battles was just too much to resist. And yeah, the 'gotta catch 'em all' gimmick is still effective, not to mention necessary to build a well balanced party. There's just something about tracking down, capturing, and training all those Pokémon that really draw you into the game's world." He justified the games' graphics by comparing them to the "ugly" original ''Red'' and ''Blue'' versions. Additional praise was given to the new features such as the contextual tutorial, and flashbacks when loading a saved game, as well as the games' multiplayer capabilities via the Wireless Adapter.<ref name="gamespy"/>

===Sales===
During its first week of release in Japan, ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' sold a combined total of 885,039 copies, which was less than the number sold by [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'']] in that time period, but ''IGN'' reasoned that the smaller sales were due to the new titles being remakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488976p1.html|title=Pokemania|publisher=IGN|date=2004-02-02|access-date=2009-09-15|archive-date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233555/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/488/488976p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first half of August before ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were released in the United States, the games received over 150,000 [[pre-order]]s, over twice the number ''Ruby'' and ''Sapphire'' received. Nintendo's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communication George Harrison remarked, "This pre-sell indicates more than twice the player interest!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/540/540749p1.html|title=Pokemon Games Receive Huge Pre-Order Numbers|publisher=IGN|first=James B.|last=Pringle|date=2004-08-20|access-date=2009-09-15|archive-date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233608/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/540/540749p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over one million copies of ''FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen'' were sold in the US less than one month after their release in that region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/554/554381p1.html|title=GBA Game of the Month: September 2004|publisher=IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|date=2004-10-05|access-date=2009-09-15|archive-date=13 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233705/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/554/554381p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=2005-01-18 |title=Video game sales jump 8 percent in 2004 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2005/01/18/technology/gamesales/ |archive-date=March 20, 2005 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=[[CNN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320093305/https://money.cnn.com/2005/01/18/technology/gamesales/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-09-30 |title=Pokémon Rocks, Game Boy Advance SP Rolls |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/pokeacutemon-rocks-game-boy-advance-sp-rolls |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> As of March 31, 2008, the games had sold 11.82&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf#page=6|title=Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2008|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2008-04-25|page=6|format=PDF|access-date=2008-04-25|archive-date=19 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519050029/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf#page=6|url-status=live}}</ref> The games later entered Nintendo's [[Player's Choice]] line in North America and were re-marketed with a significantly lower retail price. However, unlike the original release, the Player's Choice edition games did not include a bundled Wireless Adapter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/721/721379p1.html|title=IGN: Player's Choice, Round Two|publisher=IGN|first=Craig|last=Harris|date=2006-07-26|access-date=2009-06-23|archive-date=7 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207142009/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/721/721379p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2004
|[[Spike Video Game Awards]]
| Best Handheld
| {{Nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2005
| [[2nd British Academy Games Awards|British Academy Game Awards]]
| Handheld
| {{Nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2005
| ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2005
| Best Game Boy Advance Game<ref name=bestworst2004>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307021607/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2004/ | title=Best and Worst of 2004 | date=January 5, 2005 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=March 7, 2005 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2005
| [[8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]
| [[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Wireless Game of the Year]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGameAwardType=132 |title=2005 Awards Category Details Wireless Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325065817/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2005&idGameAwardType=132 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{nom}}
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-firered-version-and-pokemon-leafgreen-version/}}

{{Pokémon Generation 3|state=expanded}}
{{Pokémon video games}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|2000s}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen}}
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance-only games]]
[[Category:Game Freak games]]
[[Category:Games with GameCube-GBA connectivity]]
[[Category:Japanese role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Pokémon video games|FireRed and LeafGreen]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Junichi Masuda]]
[[Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Go Ichinose]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Junichi Masuda]]
[[Category:Video games set in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Video games written by Satoshi Tajiri]]