System: Game Boy
Release date: October 1999
Hop into the time machine for a nostalgic romp with Pokémon Red and Blue on the Game Boy, the 1998 monster-collecting classics that sparked a global obsession. These 8-bit Kanto adventures are pure retro gold, but in 2025, do they still have what it takes to be the very best? Let’s sling a Poké Ball and find out.
Gameplay: Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
Pokémon Red and Blue plop you in Kanto as a fledgling trainer, catching critters, battling gym leaders, and foiling Team Rocket’s daft plans. The turn-based combat is simple yet deep—pick moves, exploit type advantages, and hope your rival’s Charmander doesn’t roast you. Exploring towns and routes is a proper adventure, even on the Game Boy’s tiny screen. Trading and battling via link cable? Absolute magic, if you’ve got a mate with another Game Boy.
Controls are tight, with the D-pad making menus and maps a breeze. Downsides? Inventory management’s a faff, and grinding levels can drag. Still, nabbing a rare Pokémon or landing a critical hit hooks you like a Magikarp on a lure. It’s a grind, but a cracking good one.
Graphics: Pixelated Kanto Charm
The Game Boy’s pea-soup screen won’t dazzle, but Red and Blue milk every pixel for charm. Sprites for Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and pals are iconic, and towns like Cerulean or spooky Lavender have distinct vibes. Battle animations are bare-bones—think “tackle” as a quick jiggle—but they work. It’s not a modern stunner, but that retro aesthetic is pure comfort food.
Sound: Chiptune Greatness
The soundtrack’s a proper banger. The opening theme screams adventure, Pallet Town’s tune feels like home, and battle tracks ramp up the stakes. The Game Boy’s tinny chiptunes make every gym fight epic, and Pokémon cries—Charizard’s roar, Jigglypuff’s squeak—are unforgettable. It’s limited by hardware but nails catchy simplicity.
Replayability: Kanto Keeps Calling
With 151 Pokémon to catch, eight gyms to smash, and a region to explore, Red and Blue have endless replay value. Different starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) and team builds keep things fresh. Try a Nuzlocke or hunt for Mew if you’re feeling cheeky. No hand-holding means every win feels massive, though modern QoL features are missed. You’ll be back in Kanto in no time.
The Retro Looney Verdict
Pokémon Red and Blue are like a trusty old Game Boy: a bit clunky but bursting with charm. They kicked off a franchise with addictive collecting and heartfelt adventure, all on a humble handheld. Menus and grinding show their age, but the depth and nostalgia make them timeless. Dig out your Game Boy (or emulator, you sly fox) and start catching.
