Kanto plays the same in both remakes. That leaves Pokemon FireRed or LeafGreen as a question about which Pokemon you want to catch without trading. FireRed has 22 wild Pokemon that LeafGreen lacks, and LeafGreen has 23 that FireRed lacks. That's a longer split than most pairs, which is why it's worth checking the list before you buy.
The story, the Gym Leaders and the trainers match. What changes is the grass, the Celadon prize counter and three trades.
Which Pokemon only one version has
FireRed has Growlithe and Arcanine, Scyther and Scizor, Electabuzz and Elekid, plus Skarmory. LeafGreen has Vulpix and Ninetales, Magmar and Magby, Pinsir, plus Mantine. Both columns reach past Kanto, with Wooper and Murkrow in FireRed and Marill and Sneasel in LeafGreen.
Only in FireRed
Ekans
Arbok
Oddish
Gloom
Vileplume
Bellossom
Psyduck
Golduck
Growlithe
Arcanine
Shellder
Cloyster
Scyther
Scizor
Electabuzz
Elekid
Wooper
Quagsire
Murkrow
Qwilfish
Delibird
Skarmory
Only in LeafGreen
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Vulpix
Ninetales
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Slowking
Staryu
Starmie
Magmar
Magby
Pinsir
Azurill
Marill
Azumarill
Misdreavus
Sneasel
Remoraid
Octillery
Mantine
If you only care about a couple of names, check them against the table. Anything on the other side takes a trade.
The Game Corner sells different Pokemon
The Celadon City prize counter is the other split. FireRed sells Scyther for 5,500 coins and LeafGreen sells Pinsir for 2,500 coins, which makes LeafGreen's big prize less than half the price. Abra costs 180 coins in FireRed and 120 in LeafGreen, and Clefairy costs 500 coins in FireRed against 750 in LeafGreen.
Dratini goes the other way, 2,800 coins in FireRed and 4,600 coins in LeafGreen. Porygon is 9,999 coins in FireRed and 6,500 coins in LeafGreen.
Three trades go in opposite directions
The man on Route 18 gives you a Lickitung, and what he wants depends on your game. In FireRed he asks for a Golduck, and in LeafGreen he asks for a Slowbro. Both of those happen to be on your own version's exclusive list, which means you can catch what he wants.
On Route 11 FireRed gives a Nidorina for a Nidorino and LeafGreen does the reverse. The Underground Path trade swaps the two Nidoran the same way.
Brock, Misty and Lt. Surge don't change
Brock opens the Gym route in Pewter City with Geodude at level 12 and Onix at level 14, and Misty follows in Cerulean City with Staryu at level 18 and Starmie at level 21. Lt. Surge is third in Vermilion City with Pikachu at level 18, Voltorb at level 21 and Raichu at level 24.
Misty's Staryu and Starmie are on LeafGreen's exclusive list. FireRed has you fight them without letting you catch them in the wild. Every trainer team in the two games matches, and so do the shops and items.
Which one should you pick?
Pick FireRed for Growlithe and a wild Scyther. Pick LeafGreen for Vulpix and Pinsir. The Kanto story is the same and the roster is the only reason to choose. (Scyther won't wait.)
FireRed vs LeafGreen FAQ
Can you finish the Pokedex in one version?
No. Each game has wild Pokemon the other lacks, and you have to trade or play both.
Does the story change between FireRed and LeafGreen?
No. The story and the Gym Leaders are the same in both games.
