Here's your reminder about exclusive versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

In less than 24 hours, thousands, potentially millions of us will be returning to Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen, or maybe even playing them for the first time. Ports of the original Game Boy Advance titles are coming to the Switch tomorrow, and if you still can't decide which version to buy, here's an update on which Pokémon will be locked into each version to help you decide.

For many Pokemon fans, deciding which version of each game to buy is a vibe-based thing. That's why I chose Blue over Red 30 years ago, and Violet over Scarlet in 2022. Others take a more methodical approach and decide which game to buy based on the exclusives, and if anything, it's an even smarter approach in this case, since FireRed & LeafGreen won't have online trading.

Exclusive versions are even more important if you have no one to trade with

You will still be able to trade with other trainers, but only those in the immediate vicinity. Whether you have the option to do so or not, you might as well choose the version that guarantees you get all your favorite Pokémon. There are 22 version exclusive Pokémon that can only be found in FireRed, and 23 locked to LeafGreen. If you play the numbers game, stop reading here, LeafGreen is.

I'm guessing that for most of you, a version with an extra Pokemon isn't enough, so let's get into the details. Some of the more popular ones Pokemon locked to FireRed include Psyduck, Delibird, Quagsire, and Growlithe. There's also the Scyther, which you have to trade if you want a Scizor, which technically means its evolved form is also an exclusive FireRed version.

Over on the leafy side of the coin, the exclusive versions include Slowpoke, Vulpix, Marill, Misdreavus and Starmie. If Starmie of all things sways you, remember that there will be no Mega Starmie waiting for you in LeafGreen. The Water-type's mega evolution in Legends: ZA has pushed it up in Pokemon popularity, but you just get plain old Starmie in those games.

Pokémon

If you're pretty sure you won't have another Pokemon trainer to trade with, remember that, as mentioned above, Scizor will be unavailable to you, and Slowking will be unobtainable in LeafGreen since it can also only be packed through trade. There is hope that FireRed & LeafGreen will have Pokemon Home compatibility, but the note confirming as much was mysteriously removed from their respective store pages.

Each version Exclusive Pokémon in FireRed & LeafGreen

The full list of all version exclusive Pokémon, and which game they will be exclusive to, is below. If you still don't know which game to buy after reading through them, I hate to break it to you, but you might just need to buy both.

System

Released

September 7, 2004

ESRB

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