POKÉMON VERSION COMPARISON / GEN 3 REMAKE
Pokémon FireRed vs LeafGreen: Which Kanto Remake Should You Buy?
Kanto rebuilt from scratch on GBA hardware, with the same version-exclusive formula as the original Red and Blue.
Version Exclusives
FireRed and LeafGreen largely mirror the original Red/Blue split — Weezing and Seadra's lines lean FireRed, while Muk and Kingler's lines lean LeafGreen, alongside a handful of other exclusives tied to the Sevii Islands post-game content unique to this remake pair.
What the Remake Adds Over the Originals
Both versions add the Sevii Islands, an entirely new post-game region not present in the original Gen 1 games, plus modernized mechanics (abilities, natures, breeding) imported from the Gen 3 engine while keeping the Kanto map intact. This makes either version a meaningfully bigger game than the original Red or Blue, not just a graphical update.
Which to Buy in 2026
Since the exclusives are minor and mirror the original split, pick based on which specific Pokémon you want without trading, or buy whichever is more affordable at the time — the two versions tend to track each other closely in price. If you already own Red or Blue and want the nostalgia trip with modern mechanics, either FireRed or LeafGreen delivers that equally well.
Where to Buy: FireRed & LeafGreen
Some links on this page are eBay and Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, ShouldIBuyThisGame.com may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.