Why Pokémon Red & Blue Is Still A Classic
Junichi Masuda had a monumental task working with such a limited musical pallet on the Game Boy, and yet, he was able to create some of the most memorable themes in gaming history with Pokémon Red & Blue. As we celebrate Pokémon’s 25th anniversary this year, let’s look back and determine why this beloved game music has stood the test of time.
We are first greeted by the theme of “Pallet Town,” a calm and melodic track that gives players a sanctuary, a place the player can call home. Just by listening to the track, you can imagine yourself in this quaint, little town where your character has spent their childhood up to that point. Eric Buchholz created a tremendous recreation of this track that will make you cry happy tears, and there’s a certain rush of nostalgia that hits when you hear the violins start playing alongside the emotive piano.
Moving on, “Route 1” sounds like a momentous occasion. These are the first steps you take as a Pokémon trainer, a dream your character has wanted for a long time. As you face Pokémon like Pidgey and Caterpie in this area, there seems to be a carefree vibe from this song by Masuda.
However, things get serious when the wild Pokémon battle theme kicks in. The fast playing of chiptune mirrors a sense of chaos swirling in your mind, but then it calms down as the main theme kicks in—you have a handle on the situation. There’s a constant back-and-forth between the player and the opponent, giving this song an exciting tone. Evelyn Lark brought that same energy to this piece that calls to mind an anime interpretation alongside some metal-esque guitars and a tasty bass line.
Like the wild theme, the trainer battle theme is iconic and stands the test of time, and it keeps up that hectic pace. The percussion of the low note maintains intensity as the song constantly changes up the formula. At the end of one section, there’s a piercing high note that elevates the drama, and then it goes into a catchy main theme that gets you pumped up for the battle. Overall, it’s an amazing track that wasn’t hampered by the Game Boy’s limited tool set. The 8-Bit Big Band created an incredible cover of this wonderful theme that elevates this track to the next level.
A theme that has stuck around since the very beginning is the “Pokémon Center” theme song. Like “Pallet Town,” it’s a cheerful track that sounds like a sanctuary. It’s the place where you can heal your Pokémon after a long and difficult trip after all! After a quick pit stop at the Pokémon Center, “Viridian Forest” is when things get more sinister. The sharpness of the low notes strike you immediately as you enter a more dangerous path; however, the tune maintains a relatively fast beat, following the movement of your Pokémon trainer through a difficult landscape.
While “Viridian Forest” has a creepy overtone, it can’t compare to “Lavender Town.” Off-kilter notes and sharply tuned low tones are very striking and unnerving to someone playing the game for the first time. While this strange theme makes sense given that the whole town is overrun by ghosts, it’s not particularly fun to listen to by itself, but in the context of the game, it works marvelously. RichaadEB made a sick metal cover of this song that made it enjoyable to listen to while keeping that dark and sinister tone.
The tension gets real when you reach the Indigo Plateau. It’s a reference to the main theme of Pokémon Red & Blue, but instead of that familiar melody we know and love, there’s a serious percussion present within the track. As you face off against the Elite Four, the last battle between you and the champions keeps the same tempo from the normal “Trainer Battle” theme, but it ups the ante. It has an escalating scale of notes that make you nervous, and the melody sounds grand. ToxicxEternity brought a metal cover of these two tracks together and included some tasty riffs that compliment the original compositions so well.
The original 151 Pokémon, the world, and the battle system are all main pillars of the original game, but the music is a major part of why Pokémon Red & Blue is still a beloved classic to many.
Chris Penwell
Chris Penwell is a writer and podcaster who loves to talk about video game music. His favorite soundtracks are from the Kingdom Hearts series, Celeste, Beyond Good & Evil, Gravity Rush, and Final Fantasy X. You can check out his hilarious gaming podcast Active Quest every Monday!
