I’ve been a Pokémon fan for as long as I can remember. I started watching the original anime when it first came out in 1998 and have been collecting the Pokémon Trading Card Game for almost as long. I didn’t get into the video games until Ruby and Sapphire, so I have a special connection to Generation 3 – it was my first experience with Pokémon as a game series. Even though I was really into Pokémon during that time, I didn’t get around to playing some of the best games from that generation until they were recently re-released on the Nintendo Switch 2.
As the Pokémon series approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, I’ve finally been able to play the Generation 3 games I missed as a kid. The recent releases on Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 have made it easy to revisit those games. Thanks to the Switch ports of FireRed and LeafGreen and the addition of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness to Nintendo Switch Online, I’m reliving my childhood and achieving a longtime dream.
I Finally Can Acces the Gen 3 Pokemon Games I Missed as a Kid Thanks to the Switch 2
Growing up, I had some naive ideas about video games, like many kids. I knew Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were updated versions of the original Red and Blue, but since I hadn’t played the originals when the remakes came out, I saw it as a chance to explore the Kanto region for the first time. I chose FireRed simply because I, like a lot of kids back then, believed Charizard was the most powerful Pokemon.
I went into Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness thinking it was simply an updated version of Pokemon Colosseum, a game I’d already played. I didn’t realize it was a completely new sequel, so I never really looked into it. Later on, I discovered how much better Pokemon XD was, addressing many of the problems in Colosseum, and I regretted not playing it when GameCube games were still readily available.
I Recently Played LeafGreen for the First Time After Growing Up with FireRed
I didn’t get to play LeafGreen when I was younger, so I chose it when the Switch versions came out. I played FireRed as a kid and always wished I had LeafGreen because it had better exclusive Pokémon. Every time I replayed FireRed, I regretted not being able to get those Pokémon. Now that I’ve played LeafGreen, I think I’ll stick with it – I much prefer its exclusive Pokémon to those in FireRed.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Version Exclusives
| Pokemon FireRed | Pokemon LeafGreen |
|---|---|
| Ekans | Sandshrew |
| Arbok | Sandslash |
| Oddish | Vulpix |
| Gloom | Ninetales |
| Vileplume | Bellsprout |
| Bellossom | Weepinbell |
| Psyduck | Victreebel |
| Golduck | Slowpoke |
| Growlithe | Slowbro |
| Arcanine | Slowking |
| Shellder | Staryu |
| Cloyster | Starmie |
| Electabuzz | Magmar |
| Elekid | Magby |
| Scyther | Pinsir |
| Scizor | Azurill |
| Wooper | Marill |
| Quagsire | Azumarill |
| Murkrow | Misdreavus |
| Qwilfish | Sneasel |
| Delibird | Remoraid |
| Skarmory | Octillery |
| Deoxys (Attack Form) | Mantine |
| Deoxys (Defense Form) |
Although LeafGreen and FireRed are very similar, with LeafGreen having just one more Pokémon unique to that version, I personally think LeafGreen has the better selection. I’m a big fan of Slowpoke and was upset I couldn’t get it in FireRed – I always preferred it to Psyduck and Golduck, especially since those two aren’t Water/Psychic-type like they should be. I also like Sandshrew and Sandslash more than Ekans and Arbok, so I was happy to finally be able to use them. While I enjoy both Arcanine and Ninetales, I made it a point to include Ninetales on my team, as I’d never had the opportunity in my FireRed games.
Playing Through Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness for the First Time Makes Me Wish I Hadn’t Slept On it as a Kid
After completing LeafGreen and adding my exclusive Slowbro and Ninetales to my Hall of Fame, I started playing Pokemon XD for the first time. I used to struggle with Pokemon Colosseum because it was much harder than other Pokemon games, mainly because you could only catch Shadow Pokemon. Even after finally beating Colosseum as a kid, I wasn’t thrilled when Pokemon XD was announced. I thought it would be just as difficult and I wasn’t ready for that challenge again.
TopMob Quiz
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Results
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How Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Differs from Colosseum
- An all-new story set five years after Colosseum
- Improved purification mechanics for Shadow Pokemon
- Expanded roster of available Pokemon
- Shadow Lugia
When I was younger, I wasn’t very aware of new game releases, so I didn’t realize how much better Pokemon XD was compared to Colosseum. I never really connected with the story in Colosseum, but Pokemon XD immediately felt more interesting. I also found it annoying how much work it took to purify Shadow Pokemon and make them strong in Colosseum. Thankfully, Gale of Darkness simplifies this process with a feature called the Purify Chamber, making it much faster.
Just those changes would have really grabbed my attention as a kid, but I’m also surprised by how many more Pokémon are available in Pokemon XD. Being able to start with Eevee and choose its evolution is a big improvement over being limited to Espeon and Umbreon in Colosseum, making team building much easier. Shadow Lugia is an awesome legendary Pokémon for the game’s cover, and I can’t believe I missed out on this game when it first came out. I’m enjoying Pokemon XD a lot now, and it’s making me want to give some of the older games I didn’t stick with a second chance.
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2026-04-08 06:35