Pokemon Red vs Blue is the original version split, and it is smaller than later ones: 11 wild Pokemon that only Red has, 11 that only Blue has, and a different prize at the Celadon Game Corner. Nothing else in the Kanto story changes, and neither version has a box legendary of its own.
Which Pokemon only one version has
!A screenshot from Pokemon Red
Red's list includes Growlithe, Mankey, Scyther and Electabuzz. Blue's includes Vulpix, Meowth, Pinsir and Magmar.
| Only in Red | Only in Blue | |---|---| | Ekans | Sandshrew | | Arbok | Sandslash | | Oddish | Vulpix | | Gloom | Ninetales | | Vileplume | Meowth | | Mankey | Persian | | Primeape | Bellsprout | | Growlithe | Weepinbell | | Arcanine | Victreebel | | Scyther | Magmar | | Electabuzz | Pinsir |
What the Celadon Game Corner sells
!A screenshot from Pokemon Blue
The prize room is where the two games drift apart most. Red has Scyther and Nidorina on the shelf, and Blue has Pinsir and Nidorino. The Abra, Clefairy, Dratini and Porygon prizes are the same in both, though the levels you get are not.
The same gyms and the same rival
!A screenshot from Pokemon Red
Brock and Misty are the first two gyms in both versions. No trainer team differs between Red and Blue, so a strategy that works in one works in the other.
Which one should you buy?
!A screenshot from Pokemon Blue
Pick Red if you want Growlithe and Scyther, and pick Blue if you want Vulpix and Pinsir. Anything you miss takes one trade to fix. We would go Red because the Game Corner is a mean place to spend coins on Pinsir (the house always wins).
Red vs Blue FAQ
Can you play Red without Blue?
Yes. Both games finish the whole story, and the other half of the Pokemon needs a trade.
Do Red and Blue have different legendary Pokemon?
No. The legendary Pokemon are the same in both versions.
