Play Pocket Monsters : Red Version Online

Game Overview

Pocket Monsters: Red Version is the one that started it all—the Game Boy cartridge that probably drained your AA batteries faster than a Pikachu using Thunderbolt. You pick your starter (Charmander, obviously, unless you're one of those cool Bulbasaur kids), and suddenly you're wandering through tall grass, half-terrified of running into a wild Rattata but secretly hoping for something rare.

The pixel art hasn't aged perfectly, but there's something weirdly charming about those chunky sprites. Battles are simple turn-based affairs, but figuring out type matchups for the first time—like realizing Electric attacks wreck Water types—feels like unlocking forbidden knowledge. And good luck explaining to your parents why you need the Link Cable to trade for that Alakazam.

It's janky by today's standards (looking at you, item storage system), but the grind feels weirdly satisfying. You'll memorize the locations of hidden items, exploit the hell out of the Missigno glitch if you're feeling chaotic, and probably still get jump-scared by a random Zubat in Mt. Moon. This is where the obsession began.