Choosing between Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen back in the day felt like a massive life decision. For most of us, it just came down to whether we liked the look of a fire dragon or a giant flower dinosaur on the box. Simple, right? But if you actually dig into the FireRed and LeafGreen exclusives, you’ll realize the two versions offer surprisingly different experiences, especially if you’re trying to build a competitive team or just finish that dreaded Pokédex.
Honestly, the "best" version isn't just about Charizard. It’s about whether you want a powerhouse like Arcanine or the tactical flexibility of Starmie. It’s about the grind for a Scyther versus the brute force of Pinsir. Let's get into what actually separates these two Kanto remakes.
🔗 Read more: Mark of the Ninja: Why Stealth Games Still Can't Top This 2012 Classic
The Kanto Classics: Who Stays and Who Goes?
The core of the FireRed and LeafGreen exclusives starts with the classic Gen 1 splits. If you pick FireRed, you’re getting the Ekans line, Oddish, Psyduck, Growlithe, Shellder, and Scyther. On the flip side, LeafGreen players get Sandshrew, Vulpix, Bellsprout, Slowpoke, Staryu, and Pinsir.
Now, this might seem like a fair trade. But think about the gym progression.
In FireRed, you get Growlithe. Arcanine is a beast, but you can’t even find a Fire Stone until you reach Celadon City. LeafGreen gives you Vulpix, which evolves into Ninetales—a fast, tricky Special attacker. Most people lean toward FireRed because Arcanine is basically a legendary in a dog suit, but Ninetales has its fans for a reason.
Then there’s the Scyther versus Pinsir debate. Scyther is iconic. It’s fast and hits like a truck, but finding it in the Safari Zone is a nightmare. Pinsir, the LeafGreen counterpart, doesn't have the Flying type, which actually helps it avoid those nasty 4x weaknesses to Rock.
Why LeafGreen Might Actually Be the Better Choice
I know, FireRed is the "cool" one. But hear me out. If you look at the FireRed and LeafGreen exclusives from a purely tactical standpoint, LeafGreen has a massive advantage in the Water-type department.
LeafGreen gives you access to both Slowbro and Starmie. These aren't just "good" Pokémon; they are arguably the two best non-legendaries in the entire Kanto region. Starmie’s Natural Cure ability and its insane movepool (Surf, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Psychic) make it a one-man army. Slowbro is a literal tank that can heal itself with Slack Off.
FireRed’s equivalents are Golduck and Cloyster. They’re fine. But they aren't Starmie.
✨ Don't miss: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: What Really Happened with the Release Date
The Johto Connection: Post-Game Exclusives
Once you beat the Elite Four and unlock the National Dex, the version differences move to the Sevii Islands. This is where things get interesting for Johto fans. You aren't just catching 151 Pokémon anymore; you’re looking at the full 386.
FireRed Exclusives (Johto):
- Wooper and Quagsire
- Murkrow
- Qwilfish
- Delibird
- Skarmory
- Elekid and Electabuzz
LeafGreen Exclusives (Johto):
- Marill and Azumarill
- Misdreavus
- Sneasel
- Remoraid and Octillery
- Mantine
- Magby and Magmar
If you're a competitive player, Skarmory is the big prize in FireRed. It’s a physical wall that defines the Gen 3 meta. LeafGreen counters this with Misdreavus and Sneasel, which are cool, but they don't quite have the same utility as a Spikes-laying bird.
The Deoxys Dilemma
One of the most unique FireRed and LeafGreen exclusives involves the mythical Pokémon Deoxys. In these games, Deoxys changes its "Forme" based on the cartridge it’s currently in.
If you have Deoxys in FireRed, it becomes the Attack Forme. It’s a glass cannon with stats that look like a typo—insane offensive power but it’ll faint if a Pidgey sneezes on it. In LeafGreen, it shifts into the Defense Forme. It becomes a massive wall that can soak up hits for days.
You can't change these forms through an item like in later games. You basically have to trade the Pokémon to the other version to see it transform. It’s a weird, permanent quirk of Gen 3 that still trips people up today.
Gaming the Game Corner
Here’s a detail most people miss: the Porygon price.
In FireRed, Porygon costs a staggering 9,999 coins at the Celadon Game Corner. It’s a brutal grind. In LeafGreen, you can snag it for 6,500 coins. That’s a huge difference if you’re trying to complete the Dex without losing your mind at the slot machines.
LeafGreen also makes it easier to get Scyther (via the Game Corner) for 5,500 coins, while FireRed players have to pay the same for Pinsir. Wait, that's not right—Scyther is a FireRed exclusive, but it's available in the LeafGreen Game Corner? No, the game keeps them separated. If Scyther is your goal, you're stuck with the FireRed version or a lot of trading.
How to Handle Version Exclusives Today
If you’re playing on original hardware, you need a Link Cable or the Wireless Adapter that came with the games. But if you’re playing on an emulator or a modern handheld, you’ve got options.
- Trade with yourself: If you have two devices, this is the intended way.
- Use the National Dex early: You can't actually trade Hoenn or Johto Pokémon until you get the National Dex in both games. This is a common point of frustration. Don't try to trade your level 5 Mudkip from Ruby into a fresh FireRed save; it won't work.
- Breeding is your friend: Once you reach Four Island, the Day Care allows you to breed. This is the only way to get multiples of exclusives like Eevee or the starters to trade away for the things you're missing.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re just starting a new run, don’t just pick the color you like. Look at the team you want to build.
✨ Don't miss: Men of War: Assault Squad 2 - Enemy Behind the Lines Is Still a Brutal Masterpiece
If you want a classic, hard-hitting team with Arcanine and Scyther, go with FireRed. If you want a more tactical, "big brain" team with Starmie, Slowbro, and Ninetales, LeafGreen is the winner.
For those trying to complete a "Living Dex," remember that you cannot get all three Johto beasts (Raikou, Entei, Suicune) in one playthrough. Only one appears per save file, depending on your starter. You’ll need to play through the games multiple times—or find a very generous friend—to truly catch 'em all.
Stop worrying about the box art and start looking at the movepools. Your Rival certainly is.