I’m an old-school gamer who played through the original Red and Blue Pokémon games on GameBoy. My kids, ages eight and five, are avid readers and have recently started watching the original Pokémon anime. I’m considering introducing them to Pokémon games but know there have been many improvements since the originals. For those familiar with the entire series, what would you recommend as a good starting point for my kids?
5 Answers
Totally agree with Let’s Go! It’s a great starting point since it lacks wild battles but keeps the trainer battles and gyms intact. Having the ability to see Pokémon on the map before battling them is also a nice touch. It’s definitely friendlier for beginner gamers, especially with the co-op mode where they can team up to catch Pokémon together!
If you’re looking for something more polished compared to what you played, Fire Red and Leaf Green are excellent choices. They stay true to the original experience but with modern quality of life improvements. Some people argue Let’s Go is closer to the mobile game style, but Fire Red and Leaf Green definitely have their charm!
I’d definitely suggest Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee or Pikachu. They’re not direct remakes of Red and Blue, but they play similarly to Pokémon Yellow, which might appeal to you and your kids! They focus more on capturing Pokémon rather than battling wild ones, making it a bit easier for new players. Plus, there’s a co-op mode where you can play together and catch Pokémon!
You might also consider Pokémon Yellow for a more classic experience, or even Sword and Shield since they have multiplayer options. Pokémon Legends: Arceus is great for single-player and less linear gameplay, but I’d say it depends on what you think your kids would enjoy more. Given that they are just starting, maybe start with Let’s Go?
Sounds perfect! My kids really enjoyed that style.