Differences between Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen, which to buy

Pokemon players have an important choice to make: based on the differences between FireRed and LeafGreen, which game is better to buy and play?

To celebrate Pokemon’s 30th anniversary, Nintendo announced and released a number of exciting new games and game updates. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is getting Mega Garchomp Z, Gale of Darkness and Pokopia both released in March, and Pokemon: Winds and Waves is set for 2027. But there was no more gratifying treat for many fans than the immediate drop of Red and Blue remakes FireRed and LeafGreen for the Switch 2.

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen launched in the Nintendo store on February 27, 2026. With both games seeming so similar and costing the same, which version should prospective players get?

What is the main difference between FireRed and LeafGreen?

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen feature one major difference, and that is each game’s version-exclusive Pokemon.

FireRed has 23 version exclusive Pokemon, whereas LeafGreen has 24. While players can find in battle Pokemon from the inverse game, they cannot catch the Pokemon in the wild.

Here is every different version-exclusive Pokemon between the two games:

Interestingly, some of the version-exclusive Pokemon introduce Pokemon from later generations. Bellossom and Slowking, for instance, come from Johto rather than Kanto.

Unlike the original games, then, players have the chance to catch and add Generation 2 Pokemon to their teams.

Should you get Pokemon FireRed or LeafGreen?

Players who want an edge in Pokemon collecting should probably choose LeafGreen, but both games provide a great experience so there really isn’t a wrong choice.

Although the games are functionally very similar, FireRed ranks number 1 in the Nintendo store while LeafGreen ranks number 2. This is likely due to what is colloquially known as “The Charizard Effect.” Many Pokemon fans favor Charizard due to its prominence in the anime, plethora of other forms like two megas, and how just plain cool it is.

Nintendo has leaned into this favoritism by promoting Charizard more than almost any other Pokemon, so whichever game Charizard is attached to tends to sell best.

This means, however, that more players will have the FireRed exclusive Pokemon than the ones from LeafGreen. Both games currently only have local trading and don’t allow transfers from other games like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but those looking to complete a living Pokedex then will have better luck finding someone with a Growlithe than a Vulpix.

For those who care less about completing the dex and would just prefer to catch their favorite Pokemon, the best game for them is the one that has their most desired version exclusives taken from the above list.

Either way, players can’t go wrong. Plus, as original fans may recognize, FireRed and LeafGreen have a few differences when compared to Red and Blue that are more dramatic than the differences between the two remakes.

How do FireRed and LeafGreen differ from Red and Blue?

Despite being remakes, FireRed and LeafGreen have some differences when compared to the original games.

Released in 1998 in the United States for the Game Boy, Red and Blue brought Pokemon to Americans for the first time. While those games are undoubtedly classics, FireRed and LeafGreen did seek to make quality of life improvements to the games as well as add some new features.

On the Switch 2, players can expect to find these features in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen:

• A new female player character option
• Updated Pokemon movesets and stats
• More aides and rewards scattered throughout Kanto
• The VS Seeker and the ability to rebattle the Elite Four
• Johto and Hoenn Pokemon in the post game

Players who play either FireRed or LeafGreen will get the same game updates.

When it comes down to getting the game then, it really comes down to the choice between version-exclusive Pokemon, and fewer players generally having those that are found in LeafGreen.

Featured image credit: Nintendo