"The rehash of the game that started it all....."

Here we have Pokemon Leaf Green, the newest installment in one of Nintendo's most popular franchises. The game is based around YOU, and, as a pokemon trainer, your goal is to become a pokemon master. How do you do that, you ask? Well, you have to defeat the Elite Four, and to be permitted to even fight them, you must go around the land defeating all 8 gym leaders and recive their badges. Simple enough, but surprisingly, this game is deep.

Graphics:
Holy sweet hobo on a pogo stick, the graphics are FANTASTIC. A lot of new things have been gives animations, such as T/HMs. The updated pokemon sprites are beautiful and fluid. The color blends in nicely too. There have been so many graphical improvements since Red/Blue, I cannot name them all, but the trainer sprite are well done too. (Gary looks flippin' awesome!) The battle animations are also to die for, they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. If I were to buy this game only for the graphics, I would be greatly pleased. 8/10

Sound:
There isn't much to say here,. You get yummy remixs' of the old catchy tunes, and it is crisp and clear. Nothing fantastic, but that doesn't mean it's bad. 7/10

Gameplay:
The core element to this game, and it most certainly shines. You can customize your party of 6 pokemon from HUNDREDS to choose from, and, even further, customize their moves. Each pokemon can learn up to 4 moves at once, this element gives a strategical touch to the game, because finding a good moveset for your pokemon is half the fun! You can also level each of the pokemon to the max level of 100, so this game will last a WHILE.

Play time:
LONG. Although it depends on if you continue to play even after you complete your main goal, but even if you only do that and don't play anymore, that'll last about 30 hours, but in one day, I usually rack up about 5 hours of play time. By all means, this game will not disapoint.

Buy or Rent?
I really doubt that you could rent this game much anywhere, but even if you could, and even if you're a die-hard pokemon fan, or just a gamer who would like to play a GREAT game, by all means BUY pokemon Leaf Green/Fire Red.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/07/04