Despite what people said, this games are still pretty damn fun, revolutionary and are very underrated these days. People tend to compare negatively to newer games in the series unfairly, despite a lot of these comparisons are or because of the "look" of the game or the aspects it lacks from newer entries. I couldnt disagree more, but lets start step by step.
This game looks incredible for a black and white portable console in 1996. All of the Pokemon, NPCs and enviroment are varied and incredible detail (and yes, a black and white game can be detailed). 151 playable creatures on an RPG was just too much, when in previous RPGs this wasnt as close. Pokemon was always the Gran Turismo of RPGs, and with this first entry isnt an exception. And how the Pokemon style being different than the anime is a negative point? First of all, the anime was released AFTER the game, and even if this wasnt true, the Pokemon have a very good artstyle compared to newer games in the series, being much more creepy and realistic (probably because first gen was meant to be closer to vanilla RPGs, and this is also reflected on the gameplay side, i would talk about that later). The Pokemon designs in Gen 1 are underrated as hell.
Later the soundtrack, probably the most well made 8 bit soundtrack i ever heard, just listen to some themes like gym leader and you would know what im saying. There are some complex tracks, some simple ones, but overall the music is so catchy and memorable.
And last of all, the gameplay... probably the most controversial aspect of Gen 1 along with the graphics, but like any of my reviews, i have the most unpopular opinions, so feel free to hate me. Gameplay in Gen 1 is very solid, one of the best RPG gameplays of the time. Apart that you have an incredible variety of Pokemon, every one is different and have unique moveset, stats and the stats arent fixed. A different Pokemon from the same species and same level can have different stats, so this feels so fresh and natural even today. The map design, pacing and difficult curve is also great, the game never feels like a chore compared to newer entries and the trade system is a welcome aspect, even if it has some flaws that i would talk about that later.
Pokemon Red And Blue, despite what people said, are so well made games that even today i can have a lot of fun at it (and things like the special stat being basically the intelligence stat on older RPG didnt make any difference to me)... But.... A lot of ambition on a weak console can make you in trouble. And this game has flaws... Not a few serious ones that ruins the game, but is the type of game with lots of minor ones. Like trade being obligatory to complete the Pokedex, a few unbalances here and there, LOTS of hidden glitches, Pokemon box and a big etc.... But that ruins the game? No. The game started it all and still plays well imo, so i cannot blame it for this flaws that mostly are for technical limitations. Pokemon Red And Blue, if you can ignore some annoyances here and there and some lack of quality of life improvements you will encounter with one of the best RPG ever made that still feels good to play, even with all of the new entries in the series thanks to being the most unique of all and the most simple, aka, it doesnt put iff or buts like Gen 2, but that would be for another review.
This game looks incredible for a black and white portable console in 1996. All of the Pokemon, NPCs and enviroment are varied and incredible detail (and yes, a black and white game can be detailed). 151 playable creatures on an RPG was just too much, when in previous RPGs this wasnt as close. Pokemon was always the Gran Turismo of RPGs, and with this first entry isnt an exception. And how the Pokemon style being different than the anime is a negative point? First of all, the anime was released AFTER the game, and even if this wasnt true, the Pokemon have a very good artstyle compared to newer games in the series, being much more creepy and realistic (probably because first gen was meant to be closer to vanilla RPGs, and this is also reflected on the gameplay side, i would talk about that later). The Pokemon designs in Gen 1 are underrated as hell.
Later the soundtrack, probably the most well made 8 bit soundtrack i ever heard, just listen to some themes like gym leader and you would know what im saying. There are some complex tracks, some simple ones, but overall the music is so catchy and memorable.
And last of all, the gameplay... probably the most controversial aspect of Gen 1 along with the graphics, but like any of my reviews, i have the most unpopular opinions, so feel free to hate me. Gameplay in Gen 1 is very solid, one of the best RPG gameplays of the time. Apart that you have an incredible variety of Pokemon, every one is different and have unique moveset, stats and the stats arent fixed. A different Pokemon from the same species and same level can have different stats, so this feels so fresh and natural even today. The map design, pacing and difficult curve is also great, the game never feels like a chore compared to newer entries and the trade system is a welcome aspect, even if it has some flaws that i would talk about that later.
Pokemon Red And Blue, despite what people said, are so well made games that even today i can have a lot of fun at it (and things like the special stat being basically the intelligence stat on older RPG didnt make any difference to me)... But.... A lot of ambition on a weak console can make you in trouble. And this game has flaws... Not a few serious ones that ruins the game, but is the type of game with lots of minor ones. Like trade being obligatory to complete the Pokedex, a few unbalances here and there, LOTS of hidden glitches, Pokemon box and a big etc.... But that ruins the game? No. The game started it all and still plays well imo, so i cannot blame it for this flaws that mostly are for technical limitations. Pokemon Red And Blue, if you can ignore some annoyances here and there and some lack of quality of life improvements you will encounter with one of the best RPG ever made that still feels good to play, even with all of the new entries in the series thanks to being the most unique of all and the most simple, aka, it doesnt put iff or buts like Gen 2, but that would be for another review.