Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Forgotten mechanics are driving Switch players crazy

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Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Forgotten mechanics are driving Switch players crazy
(Image source: Nintendo / Editing: GIGA)

The old Pokémon games have nasty mechanics.

Since February 27th, Nintendo Switch owners have also been able to enjoy a classic: Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green. In addition to old hands, a lot of new fans also got involved – with a few nasty surprises. The old Pokémon games have some nasty gameplay mechanics that sometimes catch new players off guard.

The old Pokémon games are more difficult

“The new Pokémon games are too easy” – that’s what the Nintendo community has been saying for years. Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green, which have been available in digital form for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 since February 27th, prove that this statement is actually justified.

Over the launch weekend, numerous players became acquainted with a gameplay mechanic that has hardly been used at all since the 5th generation: premature death by poison. In contrast to most modern Pokémon games, poisoning also has an effect outside of battles and sends stricken pocket monsters into a coma with every step. The following Pokémon trainer also had to experience this, as she doesn’t even understand why the screen keeps distorting:

Ironically, the gameplay mechanic made a comeback last year with Pokémon Legends: ZA. However, since the new games are fundamentally simpler, the poison damage is not as devastating as in the classics.

The classics challenge your patience

But poison isn’t the only hurdle that challenges new players. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are already sharing memes that make fun of how hard the grind is in the old Pokémon games.

Experience points are only given to those pocket monsters that have actively participated in the battle – and not, as in the new generations, to all the Pokémon that a trainer carries with them. This not only makes leveling more tedious, it also requires a strategic rethink.

It’s no wonder that some players compare leveling up to working in a coal mine – hard and time-consuming.