Product ReviewsPokemon Blue Version (Game Boy, 1998)

Best game ever

There’s no need for plot synopsis in this review, the overarching plot of the game was never its focus, nor even a concern. Instead developer Game Freak one-uped the fledgling industry by making the game about the visceral emotions that have long inspired human beings to create, relate, compete, and acquire knowledge, and for that reason, along with its exceptional use – and expansion of – traditional role-playing elements, Pokemon Red and Blue remain one of the greatest games in the history of the medium.

Pokémon, in my eyes, appeals to two camps. Those that are the admitted completionist, the antiquated equivalent of someone who aims for the full 1,000 GS on the latest 360 title (or platting for my PS3 folk) and those that choose to wander not because they’re lost, but because of the pure explorative urge they get to see everything the world has to offer. Proving even as early as ’96, Nintendo had its finger on the pulse of what components made games great.

For the completionist, this is their virtual playground. Between catching, collecting, and learning the minute details of 151 detailed creatures, analyzing the game’s inherently deep battling system, and exploring every nook and cranny of the extensive Kanto region the game never pigeon-holes the player into any one style of play. Coupled with the ability to converse and trade with anyone else into the scene, the game delivered in spades for those of us whose lives revolve around lists.

Honestly the team at Game Freak could’ve stopped there and commercially, the game would’ve succeeded. Fourth quarter sales would’ve been big, in a post-2001 world Blue and Red would’ve scored an above-average score on metacritic, and the corporate big-wigs would’ve accumulated barrels more money to roll around in at night. But what makes this game truly outstanding is the developer didn’t stop at “good enough.”

Then the exploration kicks in, there’s an entire world full of NPCs and a cast of characters just as varied as the monsters themselves. The inept professor too old to fill a device that he spent years developing, the rival who apparently never learned the proper way to part ways (“Smell ya.” Really, Game Freak?) and a score of gym leaders infatuated with beating up children daily, each one brought another talking point, and though separately irrelevant, together ground the game in reality. Surprisingly, at least in accordance to today’s gaming landscape, there’s no filler. No fetch quests, no “defeat 10 Digletts, then return to see me,” and especially no escort quests. The game thrived on giving players the keys to their own experience. If they chose they could’ve waltzed through the game with an empty pokedex, one mega-powered monster and an empty inventory, never leaving the confines of the first town. There’s an unparalleled amount of freedom in the game, and for that Pokémon deserves to be commended.

Up until now (and thanks for bearing with me) this review has been about the mechanics and faux-philosophical reasons this game has had the longevity as a series and continues to succeed both commercially and critically. Let’s change this a bit.

As an RPG the game’s plot successfully led the core of the experience, generating a series of obstacles that became ever-more possible through leveling and building a team. Pacing is outstanding the whole way through and though road bumps arise (I’m looking in your direction Victory Road) the game never actually grinds to a halt as much as it does a controlled crawl. But more important than pacing and plot was the core battling system that incorporated the long-standing random encounters of JRPG past and shaped them to fit the form that Pokémon was attempting to fill. Elemental strengths and weaknesses collided with stat-based number crunching and tactical tom-foolery, giving clear advantage to players who knew the ins and outs of the game. Move sets, evolution requirements, and the faux-rock, paper, scissors of the experience melded together in the mind of the practiced player, encouraging more than a brief one night stay in the land of pokeballs and safari zones, but instead making available to players a home to return to when the droll offerings of the latest titles seem to offer little refuge.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: the_tcgdealer

Both games work but the save battery for Pokémon Red does not work and I will need to replace it.

Both games work but the save battery for Pokémon Red does not work and I will need to replace it.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: usedgamesworldwide

Review of Pokemon Blue Version

It is an excellent game, great music, very fun, any fan of the series should really consider buying this. A great time, and less expensive than it's mirror image counterpart Pokemon Red, this game will allow you to catch 140 of the original 150 Pokemon, there is no worry of having to get games from another generation to complete the Pokedex. A simple plot of collecting Pokemon and Gym Badges to become the greatest trainer ever will lead players on a journey meeting many friends, such as Bill and Mr. Fuji, defeating an evil gangster corporation that steals other trainers' Pokemon called Team Rocket, and have a friendly competition with a rival along the way. With shocking plot twists toward the end of the game, players will have to keep the will to win the battle against the strongest trainer and become the best until three years later, when Pokemon Gold and Silver will renew the journey in a brand new region with 100 new Pokemon to find and catch.Read full review...

Original Pokémon games are as entertaining as ever!

Pokémon Blue and Red are the first and original two games in the USA Pokémon video game series. They are incredibly nostalgic games for the kids who grew up in the 90's, and for many people these cartridges were the product that solidified their love for the franchise.

If you haven't played these games before, but love Pokémon, these original GameBoy games are a great item to purchase and play on either an original system or modded GameBoy, GameBoy Advance, or Gameboy Advance SP system. Understand that the graphics are actually pretty good for the time, and be on the lookout for a cartridge with a new or replaced save battery so that you can save your game's progress as it usually takes some time to train your Pokémon and beat the game!

As long as you have a system to play the cartridges on and a new battery to save your game, these old games are as entertaining as ever! They can also serve as an awesome collectible, or a great way to physically interact with 90's history and culture in our modern times.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: sopgas68

Among the best

This video game is now used more for 20-30 year olds to reflect and reminisce on the past. It is a long game and it isn't necessarily easy! You have to grind for a while unless you have a perfect and diverse lineup. I have played GEN 1 pokemon probably 10 times in total and I always end up wanting to play again. This time I was playing an old MUD text based game and it reminded me of my time with pokemon, so I hopped on ebay and within a few days I had found my old gameboy and purchased one for my wife and another 4 cartridges. Now I have all of GEN 1 and 2, ITS TIME TO GO CATCH THEM ALL..Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: dillzilla420

Got to Catch Them All

Based on the time period that this game was designed, it had very good graphics and was very well designed, for player interest. The Pokemon series has been a cult following and addiction since 1995. It is a series that you have to start at the beginning, Blue, Red and Yellow and follow all the way to the end, Sword and Shield.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: lootdelivered

So far so good. :)

Product game in pretty fast and has been working well. Don't know if the battery was replaced or the original is still good. Or if it has been replaced but soldered or taped. But so far, it's good.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: the-electronic-...

Very satisfied!

I bought this for my son knowing it was a reproduction and not an original. I was worried that it may not work right but i was worried for nothing. Not only is it a perfect reproduction that looks, plays and saves exactly like it was a new original, it also arrived days early! I am very satisfied with the price and the quality of the game.
I will be buying reproduction games from now on.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: D2ttSPTGS7a@Del...

Still holds up

Over twenty years later, Pokemon Blue still holds up. Ignore the hype about glitches--the game is compelling in scenario and its main loop of building up a powerful team. Graphically, the original monster designs featured here have not been matched.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: ke581775

Pokemon Classic still Timeless :)

The game which helped further Pokemon Culture worldwide, and allowed children everywhere to be a Pokemon master, Pokemon Blue! Released in 1998, this version was released in America, and possibly world wide (Original Japanese version was Pokemon Green, it was not translated). This, along with red, was the first Pokemon game released from Game Freak and Nintendo, which also began a 14 year collection of games from the same Franchise.
Your journey begins in Pallet town as you go to pick your first Pokemon partner for life. NOTE: This game DOES NOT follow the Pokemon series storyline, that would be Pokemon Yellow. After meeting Professor Oak, and your rival, you pick your starter Pokemon from any of the three legendary starters: Charizard, Bulbasaur, or Squirtle. From there you will meet 150 other Pokemon on your journey, challenge 8 Gym Leaders, while battling your rival, and foiling the nefarious Team Rocket's plans.

This game is very easy to play, the "A" button is your select, while "B" is to cancel. You have a drop down menu, which appears whenever you press Start, that organizes your Pokemon, your bag, your information, as well as your save menu. As for gameplay, it is dated for its age, well over 14 years old, but it is a classic. There is no running, you cannot use the Select short cut for items, and wrap unables you to attack. However, it is very well put together for an old game. Most Pokemon moves are the same as they are today, and are still as effective. I personally think it is nice to remember the original 150 Pokemon that became famous from the series from the 90s.

I give this game a 5 out of 5 and recommend it to all Pokemon fans (New and Old) as well as any game enthusiast who is looking for a challenge. The game is Rated E and is age appropriate for all ages :)Read full review...

Pokémon Blue.. da ba de a ba die! o_O

Pokémon red and blue are what started it all.

Back in their day, they were REALLY.. good games.. Combining the RPG element with... catching pokémon!! I actually... played the games before I even saw the TV show.. Then I saw it.. and I'm like YAY!! If only I could see the subbed version... hmm..

ANYWAY...

If you're looking to see what started the whole pokémon craze, this would be a good place to start. If you're one of those new gamers who are obsessed with color and graphics.. then don't even bother..

Overall, it is a very good game.. for it's time! :3

I still play them all though. Woo go OGs!!Read full review...