Can You Catch ‘Em All in Fire Red Without Trading? A Deep Dive
The burning question that has haunted Pokemon trainers since the Game Boy Advance era: Can you obtain every single Pokemon in Pokemon Fire Red without resorting to the dreaded trade? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding no. Certain Pokemon are simply inaccessible within Fire Red alone, requiring interaction with other games, specifically Pokemon Leaf Green, or connectivity with Game Boy Advance titles from Generation III. Let’s break down why and explore the nuances of completing your Pokedex in this beloved classic.
The Hard Truth: Trade Evolutions and Version Exclusives
The core reason a complete, trade-free Pokedex is impossible lies in two primary categories: trade evolutions and version-exclusive Pokemon.
Trade Evolutions: The Interconnectivity Hurdle
Several Pokemon require trading to evolve. This means you must send them to another game, triggering their evolution during the trade process, and then (ideally) trade them back to your Fire Red game. The most notable culprits include:
- Kadabra evolving into Alakazam
- Machoke evolving into Machamp
- Graveler evolving into Golem
- Haunter evolving into Gengar
Furthermore, some Pokemon need to be traded while holding a specific item to evolve, adding another layer of complexity:
- Onix evolving into Steelix (needs Metal Coat)
- Scyther evolving into Scizor (needs Metal Coat)
- Porygon evolving into Porygon2 (needs Up-Grade)
- Slowpoke evolving into Slowking (needs King’s Rock)
- Poliwhirl evolving into Politoed (needs King’s Rock)
- Clamperl evolving into Huntail (needs Deep Sea Tooth)
- Clamperl evolving into Gorebyss (needs Deep Sea Scale)
Without trading, these Pokemon will remain in their pre-evolutionary forms, leaving gaping holes in your Pokedex.
Version Exclusives: Encouraging Multiplayer
To promote player interaction and encourage trading, Game Freak deliberately implemented version-exclusive Pokemon. Certain Pokemon are only obtainable in Fire Red, while others are exclusive to Leaf Green. To complete the Pokedex, you must trade for the Pokemon unavailable in your version. Some key examples of version exclusives include:
Pokemon Fire Red Exclusives:
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Mankey
- Primeape
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
Pokemon Leaf Green Exclusives:
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Meowth
- Persian
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Pinsir
- Scyther
The absence of these version-exclusive Pokemon in your game makes a complete, trade-free Pokedex impossible.
Addressing the Workarounds: Cloning and Other Methods
While legitimately obtaining all Pokemon without trading is impossible, some players explore workarounds such as cloning glitches or using external devices to inject Pokemon into the game. However, these methods are often considered non-legitimate and can potentially corrupt your game save. Furthermore, ROM hacks and fan-made patches exist that alter the game to remove version exclusives or change evolution methods. However, these modify the original game and are not considered a true reflection of the core Fire Red experience.
For educators interested in exploring the intersection of games and learning, the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, offers valuable resources and insights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Pokemon are in the Fire Red Pokedex?
The Fire Red Pokedex features 151 Pokemon, encompassing the original Generation I lineup.
2. Can I evolve Pokemon using link cables on emulators?
Yes, emulators typically support link cable functionality, allowing you to trade and evolve Pokemon as you would on original Game Boy Advance hardware. However, the specifics vary depending on the emulator.
3. Are there any in-game trades in Fire Red?
Yes, there are a few in-game trades where you can exchange one Pokemon for another with an NPC. These trades can help fill some gaps in your Pokedex but won’t provide all the missing version exclusives or trade evolutions.
4. Can I get Deoxys and Lugia in Fire Red without trading?
Deoxys is typically obtained through a special event that is no longer available. While Lugia isn’t normally found in Fire Red, it can be obtained if you have the Mystic Ticket which was also only available during special events. Without these events or trading, both are unobtainable.
5. Is it possible to get Mew without trading in Fire Red?
Mew was distributed via Nintendo events, and without a legitimate event, Mew is not obtainable without glitches or external devices.
6. What’s the easiest way to trade between Fire Red and Leaf Green?
The easiest way to trade is using two Game Boy Advances and a link cable. Alternatively, emulators offer link cable emulation features for trading between games running on the same computer.
7. Do I need to beat the Elite Four before I can trade?
While you can initiate trades before beating the Elite Four, certain features and Pokemon become accessible only after defeating the Elite Four and obtaining the National Pokedex.
8. Does cloning Pokemon affect the legitimacy of the game?
Most purists consider cloned Pokemon to be non-legitimate. While the game may recognize them, they weren’t obtained through the intended gameplay mechanics.
9. What’s the best emulator for trading Pokemon?
Popular emulators that offer good link cable functionality include VisualBoyAdvance-M and mGBA.
10. Can I trade with Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire?
Yes, you can trade with Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, but only after obtaining the National Pokedex in Fire Red and fulfilling certain other in-game requirements.
11. What’s the National Pokedex and how do I get it?
The National Pokedex is an expanded version of the Pokedex that includes Pokemon from other regions. You obtain it by defeating the Elite Four and catching or seeing at least 60 Pokemon in the original Kanto Pokedex.
12. Are there any Pokemon that are only available via Mystery Gift events?
Yes, some Pokemon like Deoxys and Lugia (via the Mystic Ticket event) were distributed through Mystery Gift events, which are no longer accessible without external modifications.
13. What is the Sevii Islands and how does it affect trading?
The Sevii Islands are a post-game area that unlocks after defeating the Elite Four. Accessing the Sevii Islands is required to trade with Ruby and Sapphire as it involves completing a quest there that enables the connectivity features.
14. What does “Missingno.” do to my game?
Missingno. is a glitch Pokemon that can appear under specific circumstances. Encountering it can sometimes lead to glitches in your game, including data corruption or graphical errors. It is generally not recommended to intentionally encounter Missingno.
15. Are there fan games that make all Pokemon available in one game?
Yes, many fan games and ROM hacks exist that address the version exclusivity and trade evolution limitations, allowing you to catch every Pokemon in a single game without trading. These ROM hacks are often modifications of the original games. The GamesLearningSociety.org explores how such modifications can also serve as educational tools.