Version choices, trading and the Kanto endgame
Plan version-exclusive catches, trade evolutions and the journey beyond the original Red/Blue Pokémon League.
International Game Boy Red and Blue, released in 1998 in North America and Australia and 1999 in Europe. The series began with Japanese Red and Green in 1996; the international pair uses revised graphics from Japanese Blue. Yellow, FireRed/LeafGreen and Let's Go have different encounters or mechanics. Cartridge linking uses a Game Link Cable; the 3DS Virtual Console editions use local wireless.
Know which version supplies the missing species
The two cartridges share the main adventure but differ in available Pokémon. Red examples include Ekans, Oddish, Growlithe, Scyther and Electabuzz; Blue examples include Sandshrew, Bellsprout, Vulpix, Pinsir and Magmar. Trading fills those gaps. Starter and fossil choices also limit what a single playthrough obtains. Keep a short list of missing species and the version or choice that supplies each one, rather than searching indefinitely in a location where your version cannot produce it.
Arrange trade evolutions through compatible games
Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler and Haunter evolve through trading. On original hardware, connect two compatible games with a suitable Game Link Cable and use the Cable Club in a Pokémon Center. Arrange a return trade beforehand if you want the evolved teammate back. The 3DS Virtual Console releases reproduce this feature through local wireless. Original Game Boy cartridges do not directly connect to the Game Boy Advance FireRed/LeafGreen remakes.
Finish the League, then choose a collection goal
Indigo Plateau: map or interior assembled from original Red/Blue game graphics; the source sheet may include Super Game Boy palettes. .
Cerulean Cave: map or interior assembled from original Red/Blue game graphics; the source sheet may include Super Game Boy palettes. .
After all eight badges, cross Victory Road for the Elite Four and the Champion. Bring recovery supplies and enough PP to handle several fights without a Pokémon Center between them. Becoming Champion opens Cerulean Cave, where Mewtwo awaits. The game stores 151 species, but Mew is outside an ordinary event-free playthrough; the standard collection milestone is 150. Our recommendation is to complete the story first, then pursue remaining trades and rare catches with a clearly defined goal.
Save before a one-time legendary encounter and bring enough balls. Collection planning is much easier when a rare catch does not depend on one rushed attempt.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.