Viridian City

Overview

Bulbapedia Article

Viridian City Theme

Here we are at the first major city of the Kanto region!  And there is very little we can do here!

Well, that's not entirely true.  On your first visit, you'll notice that an old man is passed out in the north, preventing you from leaving the city or visiting the first Gym.  There are also strange immovable trees preventing access to certain areas of the city.  And the Poké Mart is refusing to sell any items until you deliver Oak's Parcel, which is a really weird way to conduct business.

So all that leaves is the Pokémon Academy where you can brush up on your battle tactics and status conditions, and the Pokémon Center where you can heal your wounds and trade with real life friends!

Pokémon Center Theme

Once you return from your delivery, you can buy some elementary healing items and Balls at the Mart, but the biggest difference is that the old man (who was drunk in the Japanese version, but only napping in the American) has had his coffee and is now willing to show you how to catch a Pokémon.  He is also magically connected to an anomaly at Cinnabar Island, but I don't think that's actually part of the story.  For now, he shows you how to catch a Weedle/Rattata.

The gym is still off limits, for some reason, and it's incredibly frustrating to reach the door anyway because it is built so close to a jumpable ledge.  Kind of a strange introduction to gyms, but it encourages return visits to the city when you have a stronger team at your disposal.

Other Thoughts

- It seems like a boring city at the moment, but as seen later in the game (and in the anime and manga) a lot of craziness goes down in Viridian.

- In continuing my plea to make the games more like the anime, an introduction to Team Rocket should have been in order at the Pokémon Center (perhaps as a battle after the first time you heal).  Even some battling trainers in the academy would have been a nice addition.

- We meet Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Center, but there is no Officer Jenny counterpart yet.

Kanto Route 1

Bulbapedia Article (All images borrowed from Bulbapedia)

Overview

Route 1 Theme Music

Route 1 is the player's first chance to learn about the basics of wild Pokémon battles.  The patches of grass are filled with Pidgeys and Rattatas waiting to strike and the zig-zag layout of the ledges makes sure you hit every patch, meaning on your journey north, you are bound to have one Pokémon battle.

Wild Pokémon Battle Theme

The enemies are at low enough levels that any starter can make short work of them.  But in case you need that extra healing power, there is a man from the Viridian City Poké Mart handing out free samples of Potions along the way.  Eventually you'll have to cross through here at least two more times since you'll be delivering a package from Viridian City.  They could have saved us some time and made this man the delivery boy but I guess we need time to learn how routes and cities work.

Your starter will surely beat all of the foes, meaning it will also start gaining levels, making it stronger quickly.  But you don't want it to get too strong since that will make capturing Pokémon more difficult.  Pokémon must be weakened but not knocked out to be captured, and even a level 8 or 9 starter can start knocking out weaklings in one hit.

Wild Pokémon Battle Victory Theme

Now, even though we don't have access to Poké Balls yet, we will soon, so these are the creatures who will most likely be joining our team next:

Pidgey - Lv. 2-7 - Red/Green/Blue/Yellow

Pidgey is not a particularly strong option throughout the game.  Since it is the first bird available, many trainers keep one on their team for when it eventually becomes a Pidgeot and can be used to Fly them around the map.  But it takes a long time to get to that strong point and there is a better option with Spearow on the next Route.  Pidgey's signature Gust attack is a Normal type in RGBY so it doesn't even take out Bug and Grass types like an early Flying-type should.

Rattata - Lv. 2-4 - Red/Green/Blue/Yellow

Rattata is the slightly better option of the two available on this route.  While it can't help with the Pewter Gym, it is a strong supporter with Normal attacks and the ability to learn a few elemental moves.  When it becomes a Raticate, its Hyper and Super Fang attacks are particularly strong.  But around the 4th or 5th gym, Raticate will probably be replaced by more versatile Pokémon (if it hadn't already left the team by then).

It's not a very exciting route, but after crossing it three times in a row, you won't miss it too much.  Until nostalgia sets back in.

Other Thoughts

- Like in the anime, I wish there was an opportunity to catch a Spearow on Route 1.  They wouldn't have to be as common as Pidgey and they appear on Route 22 anyway.  It just seems that they should appear on this route as well.

- Alternatively, it would be neat to have a flock of Spearow block entry into Viridian City, forcing the player to detour via Route 22.  It would be a fun homage to the anime and would give new players a chance to strengthen their starter Pokémon before receiving Oak's package, Pikachu owners especially.  A sort of preliminary boss battle or event.

- Jumping down ledges is fun.  I don't mind being unable to jump up them though.  We need some limitations.