Pokemon Red vs Blue: Which Version Should You Buy?

If you’re choosing between Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue, the answer is simple: buy Pokémon Blue for the better in-game experience, or buy Pokémon Red if you specifically want the iconic Charizard and the original launch feel. Both games are nearly identical in gameplay, but the version-exclusive Pokémon and a few tweaks in Blue make it the more polished choice for most players.

Background: The 1996 Launch and the Third Version

Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan in February 1996 for the Game Boy. Blue was originally released in Japan later that year as a revised version with improved sprites and bug fixes. When Nintendo localized the games for North America and Europe in 1998, they replaced Green with Blue, so the West got Red and Blue. This is why Blue has slightly better graphics and a few glitch fixes compared to Red—it’s essentially the updated Japanese Blue version.

Both games are part of Generation I, which introduced the original 151 Pokémon. They share the same story: you start in Pallet Town, choose one of three starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle), battle Gym Leaders, and thwart Team Rocket while completing your Pokédex. The core gameplay, map, and mechanics are identical.

How Version Exclusives Work

Each version has a handful of Pokémon that only appear in that game. These exclusives are the main reason to choose one over the other. You can trade with the other version to complete your Pokédex, but for solo play, you’ll only encounter your version’s exclusives in the wild.

• Red exclusives: Ekans, Arbok, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Mankey, Primeape, Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, Electabuzz, and the legendary bird Zapdos (though Zapdos is actually catchable in both, it’s often listed as Red’s mascot).
• Blue exclusives: Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, Ninetales, Meowth, Persian, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Magmar, Pinsir, and the legendary bird Articuno.

Some Pokémon are version-exclusive only in the sense that they appear more frequently or in different locations, but the ones listed above are truly exclusive to one version. For example, you can only get Mankey in Red and only Meowth in Blue.

How to Choose: What Matters Most

Your decision should hinge on which Pokémon you prefer and whether you care about minor graphical differences. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• If you want Charizard: Both games let you choose Charmander as your starter, so that’s not a differentiator. However, Red’s box art features Charizard, and Red’s exclusive Growlithe and Arcanine are fan favorites.
• If you want the best version: Blue has updated sprites (the in-game Pokémon images are more detailed and accurate to official art), and it fixes several bugs present in Red, like the “Super Glitch” that could corrupt save files. Blue also has a slightly different in-game trade (you get a Jynx for a Poliwhirl in both, but the traded Pokémon’s level differs slightly).
• If you want the original experience: Red is closer to the original Japanese Red, but with the Western localization. Some purists prefer Red because it retains the original sprites that many fans grew up with.

If you’re still undecided, consider which legendary bird you prefer: Red has Zapdos (Electric/Flying) in the Power Plant, and Blue has Articuno (Ice/Flying) in the Seafoam Islands. Zapdos is generally considered more useful in battle due to its Electric typing, but Articuno’s Ice moves can be handy against Dragon-types.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Blue is a “sequel” or has a different story. It doesn’t—it’s the same story with different Pokémon availability. Another misconception is that Red is harder or easier; there’s no difficulty difference.

Both games have a notorious bug: the “MissingNo.” glitch, which can appear if you talk to the old man in Viridian City and then surf along the east coast of Cinnabar Island. This glitch is present in both versions and can duplicate items, but it can also corrupt your save file if you catch it. It’s not a reason to choose one version over the other.

Another issue: the games use a save battery inside the cartridge. Over time, this battery can die, causing you to lose your save data. This is a hardware issue, not version-specific. If you’re buying a used cartridge, you may need to replace the battery.

Cost and Availability

As of 2025, original Game Boy cartridges of Pokémon Red and Blue are considered collector’s items. Prices vary widely depending on condition, whether the battery still works, and whether you get the box and manual. Generally, both versions sell for similar prices, though Red sometimes commands a slight premium because it’s the “first” version in the West. If you’re looking to play on modern hardware, both are available on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console (though the eShop closed in 2023) and as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription for the original Game Boy—if you have that service, you can play both for no extra cost.

Be cautious of counterfeit cartridges when buying used. Fake cartridges often have visible differences in the label, the Nintendo logo on the circuit board, or the cartridge casing. They may also fail to save properly.

Safety and Authenticity

When buying a physical cartridge, check the back of the cartridge for a small “Nintendo” embossed logo—authentic Game Boy games have this. Also, look at the contact pins: they should be gold-colored, not silver. Counterfeit games often have poor print quality on the label and may have a different shade of plastic. If you’re buying online, ask the seller for a photo of the circuit board; authentic boards have a distinctive layout with the Nintendo logo.

For emulation, be aware that downloading ROMs of games you don’t own is illegal in most countries. If you own a physical copy, you can legally create a backup for personal use, but distribution is not allowed.

Comparison: Red vs Blue at a Glance

Here’s a side-by-side of the key differences:

• Sprites: Blue has updated, more accurate sprites; Red has original sprites.
• Exclusive Pokémon: Red gets Growlithe, Scyther, Electabuzz, Mankey, and Oddish; Blue gets Vulpix, Pinsir, Magmar, Meowth, and Bellsprout.
• Legendary bird: Red has Zapdos; Blue has Articuno.
• Bug fixes: Blue fixes several glitches, including the “TM26” bug and the “old man” glitch (though MissingNo. still works in both).
• Box art: Red features Charizard; Blue features Blastoise.

In terms of gameplay, there is no difference in difficulty, story, or available moves. The only other minor difference is that Blue has a slightly different in-game trade: you can trade a Diglett for a Dugtrio in both, but in Blue you get a Farfetch’d for a Spearow, while in Red you get a Mr. Mime for an Abra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I catch all 151 Pokémon in one version?

No. You need to trade with the other version to get version-exclusive Pokémon. Additionally, you can’t get the three starter Pokémon without trading, and the legendary birds Moltres and Articuno/Zapdos are version-specific. You also need to trade to get Golem, Machamp, Alakazam, and Gengar, since they only evolve through trade.

Which version has the better legendary bird?

Zapdos (Red) is generally considered better for competitive play because Electric is a strong offensive type and it has fewer weaknesses. Articuno (Blue) has a nice Ice typing but is weak to common Rock and Electric moves. For casual play, either is fine.

Are the games identical in difficulty?

Yes. The trainer battles, Gym Leaders, and wild Pokémon levels are exactly the same. The only difference is which Pokémon you encounter, which can affect your team composition but not the overall difficulty.

Which version should I buy if I want to follow the anime?

The anime features Ash with Pikachu, and he catches many Pokémon from both versions. There’s no direct tie to one version. If you want to use the same team as Ash in the Kanto region, you’d need both versions anyway, since he has both Pidgeot and Butterfree (which are in both) and also has a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle (all starters, so you’d need trades).

Is Pokémon Blue a remaster or enhanced version?

It’s an enhanced version in the sense that it has updated sprites and bug fixes, but it’s not a “third version” like Pokémon Yellow. Yellow is the true enhanced version, with Pikachu as your starter and different events. Blue is just a slightly improved Red.

Can I play these on a Nintendo Switch?

Yes, as of 2023, Pokémon Red and Blue are available on Nintendo Switch Online for the Game Boy. You need the Expansion Pack tier to access the Game Boy library. The games run well and include save states, which is a nice convenience.

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