It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article! This is the series where we head backwards in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this February 27 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re heading back 25 years to when Pokemon Red and Green first launched on the Game Boy in Japan. That’s February 27, 1996. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, this was the first Pokemon game and had players hunting down 151 mysterious creatures.
GameRevolution awarded the Pokemon Red and Green remake, Pokemon Let’s Go, a 6/10 in our review, praising the fact that it “finally does away with random battles in favor of Pokemon spawning on the map,” being “a Pokemon RPG on console,” and being an overall “fun experience.”
Here’s a snippet from the GR review:
I hope Pokemon spawning on the overworld instead of random battles is a facet that carries over to the next core game, and having the ability to have any of your Pokemon follow behind you during your adventure is something fans have been begging for since Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver.
Pokemon Let’s Go‘s journey through Kanto is excellent for those who want to get nostalgic about the first generation of Pokemon while enjoying the updated graphics and additions presented on the Switch. However, it makes some bizarre design choices and is too easy to satisfy the itch of players who like to compete. Some of the postgame content, particularly seeking out the 153 Master Trainers, will sate that itch a bit, but don’t get confused into thinking this is anything like a core series game.
Pokemon Let’s Go is best approached exactly like Nintendo described it. It’s an experimental side game and in no way a substitute for a main series title. Luckily, we should get a chance to experience a new core title for the Switch next year. As it stands, Pokemon Let’s Go is a decent morsel which will help pass the time until then.
Check out the Pokemon Red launch trailer from when the game was re-released on the Nintendo eShop in 2016:
