22 June, 2008 |

Pokemon Red for the original Game Boy

Pokemon Red pushed the Game Boy to its limits when first released for Nintendo's original portable game system. Never before had such a unique game, with such diversity of action and outcomes been released for any game system, let alone a portable one. The story of Pokemon and the youths who attempt to catch and train them is by now well familiar to most video game players and in fact a great majority of non-video game players as well.

Pokemon Red marked an evolutionary step toward creating games that are more than formulaic diversions or that implement the latest graphical eye candy to exploit the latest theme for a temporary profit. With Red, Nintendo took the opportunity to expand and improve upon their valuable brand and franchise with a game that is not only a revolutionary step forward in gaming, but one that also raised the bar for all games that came after it.

The critical attention to detail in everything from the graphical representation of the Pokemon characters, and the other games sprites in Pokemon Red, to the symphonic sound score of the game indicate the quality and obsessive desire to get everything right that Nintendo has now become famous for. Because of these values, Pokemon Red stands the test of time and remains thrilling to game players even a decade later.

Pokemon Red is that rare game that becomes a part of the lives of its players. Several sittings aren't enough to capture the 150 Pokemon that exist in the game. Nor can these Pokemon be trained to emerge victorious from Pokemon battles without an extended effort. In Pokemon Red, capturing these little creatures is only half the battle; newly captured Pokemon must be trained in order to grow in both strength and experience.

The true beauty of Pokemon Red lies not just in its unique concept and rewarding single player play, but through Nintendo's Gameboy link technology. Players are encouraged to do battle with their friend's captured Pokemon as well as trade Pokemon for others they have yet to capture. Nintendo has always concerned itself with the entire gaming experience, and Pokemon Red takes the desire of Nintendo to create interactive gaming experiences to an entirely new level.

Pokemon Red crafted a singular experience for all who played it. Whether a player's goal was to battle and capture all Pokemon in sight, or to simply amble about the vast digital expanses of the game looking at the curious spectacle of a world of mystical creatures. Pokemon Red satisfied these wishes while also providing enough surprises to keep even veteran gamers coming back for more.

A decade later, with millions of Pokemon games and toys sold, Pokemon Red still holds a place of high esteem in the history of video games and in the hearts and minds of all Nintendo Fans. For the ultimate in experience, innovation and replay value, Pokemon Red stands out as one of the classic Nintendo releases that have been enjoyed and remembered by all of us to whom the video game experience is more than one of a simply passing diversion.