Pokémon Red and Blue

File:PokemonRedBlue.png

Pokemon Blue

Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue are RPG's for the original Game Boy, released in September of 1998 by Nintendo and developed by Game Freak. They were released simultaneously with each other in America. The two are different games, but the differences haven't been discovered to benefit speed running one over the other. For that, they will be considered the same game for this article.

Speed Running Pokemon Red and Blue

Pokemon Red and Blue speed runs are hosted on the Speed Demos Archive. The current record is 2 hours and 19 minutes on the Red version by Ben Goldberg. Timing is taken from the ingame clock displayed right before the credits at the end of the game.

General Tips and Tactics

• The clock starts as soon as new game is selected, so the quickest option is to name the hero Red and the rival Blue.
• As soon as you gain control of your character, open the menu and select Option. Set Text Speed to Fast, Battle Animation to Off, and Battle Style to Set.
• For every Yes/No box that you select No, push the B button instead of manually selecting No.
• Run away from every random battle unless otherwise stated.

Starting Pokemon

For a Red/Blue run, it is generally accepted that using the starter Pokemon throughout the run is the fastest method of completing the game. It is also generally accepted that Squirtle is the best starter Pokemon for the following reasons:

• Squirtle has a powerful moveset to begin with, and with the addition of TM's like Dig and Mega Punch, Squirtle has no real weakness until the Elite Four.
• Squirtle is the only starter Pokemon that can learn Surf, which you need to teach a Pokemon to complete the game. If you used a different starter, it would require a Pokemon to be caught that can learn Surf.

Bulbasaur is the worst starter Pokemon of all three for a speedrun because he has a low attack compared to Squirtle and Charmander. He does have a type advantage against the first two Gym's and is resistant to Sarge's electric Pokemon in the third Jym, but even with those advantages he still falls behind from the get go. Almost all the trainers up to Mt. Moon use Bug Pokemon, putting Bulbasaur at a big disadvantage. Later in the game, Bulbasaur's moveset just can't do the job against the stronger Pokemon.

Charmander is almost as fast to use in a speedrun, and might be faster than Squirtle if it weren't for some problems.

• Charmander flies through the beginning of the game, thanks to his advantage over Bug Pokemon, but it gets negated from the severe disadvantage in the Pewter City Gym.
• Charmander has more difficulty battling the Elite Four compared to Squirtle.

Speed Route and General Strat for Squirtle

This route was created specifically for Squirle, but will work for any Pokemon with some modifications. This is just a brief world overview. Battle strategies aren't given.

Pallet Town to Pewter City

Start a new game. Run through the opening text, and as soon as you gain control of your character, fix the settings. Exit the house and go through the game as you would. Pick Squirtle and fight your rival. Exit the lab and head to Viridian City. Make sure to fight a random Rattata or Pidgey before you head to Viridian Forest. Pick up Oak's Parcel and head back. Hop over the rocks on the way back to skip potental random battles. Give the Parcel and head up to Viridian Forest. Save as soon as you enter the forest. Head through the forest, skipping every trainer. Battle the unskippable trainer at the end of the forest, and then exit. Go to the Pokecenter and heal if needed. Enter the Pokemart and buy three Pokeballs, six potions, and one excape rope. Enter the Gym and save.

Pewter City to Cerulean City

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Cerulean City to S.S. Anne

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S.S. Anne to Rock Tunnel

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Rock Tunnel to Lavender Tower

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Lavender Tower to Celadon City

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Celadon City to Fuchsia City

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Fuchsia City to Saffron City

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Saffron City to Cinnabar Island

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Cinnabar Island to Viridian City

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Viridian City to Indigo Plateau

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Indigo Plateau to End

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External Links

• Pokemon Red - 2:19