Pokémon Fire Red Leaf Green Exclusives
The Complete Guide (2026)
Whether you just picked up the Nintendo Switch re-release or are replaying the GBA classic, the first real decision you face isn't which starter to choose — it's which version to buy. FireRed and LeafGreen are nearly identical games, and the version exclusives are the primary factor that should drive your choice. This guide walks you through every exclusive, helps you decide which version suits your team, and tells you exactly what to do if you've already started the wrong one.
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The Complete Version Exclusives List
FireRed has 23 exclusive Pokémon. LeafGreen has 24 exclusive Pokémon. Here is every single one:
| # | FireRed Exclusive | # | LeafGreen Exclusive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 023 | Ekans | 027 | Sandshrew |
| 024 | Arbok | 028 | Sandslash |
| 043 | Oddish | 037 | Vulpix |
| 044 | Gloom | 038 | Ninetales |
| 045 | Vileplume | 069 | Bellsprout |
| 054 | Psyduck | 070 | Weepinbell |
| 055 | Golduck | 071 | Victreebel |
| 058 | Growlithe | 079 | Slowpoke |
| 059 | Arcanine | 080 | Slowbro |
| 090 | Shellder | 120 | Staryu |
| 091 | Cloyster | 121 | Starmie |
| 123 | Scyther | 126 | Magmar |
| 125 | Electabuzz | 127 | Pinsir |
| 182 | Bellossom | 183 | Marill |
| 194 | Wooper | 184 | Azumarill |
| 195 | Quagsire | 199 | Slowking |
| 198 | Murkrow | 200 | Misdreavus |
| 211 | Qwilfish | 215 | Sneasel |
| 212 | Scizor | 223 | Remoraid |
| 225 | Delibird | 224 | Octillery |
| 227 | Skarmory | 226 | Mantine |
| 239 | Elekid | 240 | Magby |
| 386 | Deoxys (Attack Forme) | 298 | Azurill |
| — | — | 386 | Deoxys (Defense Forme) |
Which Version Should You Choose?
Before you start your game, look at the exclusives above and ask yourself one question: do you want a team built around physical attackers with strong defensive coverage, or a team that leans into special attackers with more type variety?
Choose FireRed If You Want These Pokémon
Arcanine is the single strongest reason to pick FireRed. You can catch Growlithe on Route 7 relatively early, use a Fire Stone to evolve it, and immediately have one of the best Fire-types in the entire game. Its 90/110/80 stat spread combined with the Intimidate ability makes it a physical attacker that stays relevant from the mid-game all the way through the Elite Four. Most in-game tier lists rank it among the top FireRed exclusives without debate.
Scizor requires you to trade Scyther while it holds a Metal Coat, but if you can arrange that trade, you get a Bug/Steel type with 70/130/100 physical stats and the Technician ability — one of the strongest physical attackers available in Generation III. Scyther itself is already usable before the trade, so you're not waiting around for a weak Pokémon to become good.
Skarmory is the defensive anchor that LeafGreen simply cannot replicate. Its 65/80/140 Defense stat makes it a physical wall capable of absorbing hits from the toughest trainers in the game. If your team has a tendency to crumble against physical attackers, Skarmory solves that problem.
Electabuzz gives you a fast, hard-hitting Electric-type with 65/83/57/95/85/105 stats and no evolution stone required. It's available in the Power Plant and holds up well through the end of the game.
Choose LeafGreen If You Want These Pokémon
Starmie is the single most compelling version exclusive in either game. When you catch Staryu and use a Water Stone to evolve it, you get a Water/Psychic type with 60/75/85/100/85/115 stats, Natural Cure ability, and a movepool that includes Surf, Psychic, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. It outspeeds almost everything in the game and hits hard on the special side. If you only read one sentence in this guide, let it be this: Starmie alone is a legitimate reason to choose LeafGreen.
Victreebel is more powerful than it looks. Its 80/105/65/100/60/70 stats lean heavily offensive, and it learns Sleep Powder naturally, which is one of the most useful moves in the game for both catching Pokémon and handling difficult battles. It's available earlier than most players expect and stays useful throughout.
Slowbro and Slowking give you a bulky Water/Psychic type that FireRed has no equivalent for. Slowbro's 95/75/110/100/80/30 defensive bulk makes it one of the best tanks in the game. Slowking requires a trade with King's Rock, but offers a slightly different stat distribution with more Special Defense.
Pinsir is a pure physical attacker with 65/125/100 stats — higher raw Attack than Scyther — and doesn't require any trade to reach its final form. If you want a strong Bug-type without the hassle of arranging a trade, Pinsir is your answer.
The Bottom Line on Version Choice
The following recommendation is based on community consensus from multiple in-game tier list sources and reflects general in-game performance, not competitive play.
LeafGreen has a slight overall edge for most players because Starmie is that good, and Victreebel + Slowbro add genuine depth to a special-oriented team. FireRed is the better choice if you specifically want a physically dominant team anchored by Arcanine and Skarmory. Neither version is wrong — it comes down to your preferred playstyle.
Still deciding? Build both teams side by side.
Open our Team Builder →Version Exclusives That Require Trading to Evolve
Before you commit to raising certain Pokémon, you need to know which ones can't reach their final form without a trade. If you're playing solo without access to a second Switch, these evolutions are effectively locked.
| Base Pokémon | Version | Final Evolution | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scyther | FireRed | Scizor | Metal Coat (held item) |
| Slowpoke | LeafGreen | Slowking | King's Rock (held item) |
| Haunter | Both | Gengar | No held item needed |
| Graveler | Both | Golem | No held item needed |
| Kadabra | Both | Alakazam | No held item needed |
| Machoke | Both | Machamp | No held item needed |
Note: Electivire (from Electabuzz) and Magmortar (from Magmar) are Generation IV evolutions. They cannot be obtained within FireRed or LeafGreen under any circumstances — you would need to transfer to a Gen IV game, which is not possible in the Switch version.
Already Chose the Wrong Version? Here's What You Can Do
If you've already started FireRed but really want Starmie, or you're in LeafGreen wishing you had Arcanine, trading is your only option — and it comes with some important limitations on the Switch version.
How Trading Works on Nintendo Switch
When you're ready to trade, head upstairs in any Pokémon Center and enter the trade room. Your trading partner needs to be physically nearby with their own Nintendo Switch and their own copy of the game. The Switch version uses local wireless communication to replace the original GBA Wireless Adapter.
Important: You cannot trade between the GBA version and the Switch version. If you or your trading partner is playing on original GBA hardware or an emulator, the trade will not work. Both players must be on Nintendo Switch.
Important: There is no online trading. The Switch re-release does not support internet-based trading. You need to be in the same room as your trading partner.
This means that if you want Scizor but you're playing solo, you'll need to find someone locally who also has the game and is willing to trade back. It's the same situation as the original GBA release — just with a different connection method.
The Nintendo Switch Re-Release: What You Need to Know (2026)
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen came to Nintendo Switch on February 27, 2026, as Nintendo eShop digital exclusives. In the US they cost $19.99 each, and in Europe £16.99 each. There is no physical release — if you want to play on Switch, you're buying digitally.
The core gameplay is identical to the original GBA versions. The confirmed difference is the trading system: the GBA Wireless Adapter and Game Link Cable are replaced by the Switch's local wireless functionality, as described above.
Important note: Beyond the trading mechanic change, detailed documentation of any additional Switch-specific updates — such as resolution, UI, or quality-of-life improvements — is limited in current sources. If you're deciding whether to buy the Switch version specifically for those reasons, checking the Nintendo eShop listing directly before purchasing is recommended.
Start Building Your Team Now
You've seen the full exclusive list, you know which version suits your playstyle, and you understand the trade limitations. The next step is putting an actual team together — and making sure your version exclusives don't leave you with a coverage gap you'll regret at the Elite Four.
Open the FireRed / LeafGreen Team Builder
Select your version, add your Pokémon, and find out exactly where your team needs work →