Pokémon Red vs Blue: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Buy Red if you want Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, and Electabuzz. Buy Blue if you want Vulpix, Ninetales, Magmar, and Pinsir. Both were released in North America on September 28, 1998, and the story, the Champion, and the Elite Four are identical in each.
At a glance
| Pokémon Red | Pokémon Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date (NA) | September 28, 1998 | September 28, 1998 |
| Platform | Game Boy (DMG) | Game Boy (DMG) |
| Total Pokémon | 151 (all obtainable with both versions) | 151 (all obtainable with both versions) |
| Version-exclusive Pokémon | Ekans, Arbok, Oddish line, Mankey line, Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, Electabuzz (11 total) | Sandshrew line, Vulpix, Ninetales, Meowth, Persian, Bellsprout line, Magmar, Pinsir (11 total) |
| Sprite set | Based on Japanese Red | Based on Japanese Blue (revised sprites) |
| Observed price (October 2026) | $60–$100 USD (authentic cartridge-only) | $65–$110 USD (authentic cartridge-only) |
| MSRP (original, 1998) | $29.99 | $29.99 |
On this page 6 sections
Where Red wins
Red's exclusive roster is built around aggression and speed. Growlithe and its evolution Arcanine are the standout pair: Arcanine has one of the highest base stat totals of any non-legendary in the original games, and it is only available here.
Scyther and Electabuzz round out the lineup. Both are strong, fast attackers that remain desirable in the in-game Safari Zone and post-game grinding context. Collectors who played Red as children often chase these specific exclusives when returning to the series.
The Oddish line (Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume) and Mankey line (Mankey, Primeape) also sit exclusively in Red. For a Kanto play-through that leans into Grass and Fighting types, Red makes more of those available earlier in the game.
Where Blue wins
Blue's exclusives are led by Vulpix and Ninetales, two of the most sought-after Pokémon from the first generation among collectors and nostalgia buyers alike. Pinsir and Magmar round out the fighting and fire sides, giving Blue a strong physical attacker and a second Fire-type option beyond the starters.
The Bellsprout line (Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel) and Meowth/Persian round out Blue's version list, covering Grass-Poison and Normal types that Red players had to trade to access.
Blue also has a genuine technical advantage that most buyers do not know about: the North American Blue version uses the sprite set from the Japanese Blue special edition (released in Japan in October 1996), not from the original Japanese Red and Green. That Japanese Blue revision corrected many of the misshapen or inconsistent sprites in the original release.
North American Red kept the older sprite set. The difference is subtle on a real Game Boy screen, but it makes Blue the more visually polished of the two cartridges.
The deciding question
If you want to play through Kanto once, the version exclusives are the only meaningful difference. Neither cartridge is harder or longer than the other.
For collectors buying to display or complete a set, Blue is slightly more common in resale markets and tends to run $5–$15 cheaper than Red at the same condition level, based on observed October 2026 listings. If you want Growlithe and Arcanine, pay the small premium for Red.
If Vulpix and Ninetales matter more, Blue is the better value pick. See our full Game Boy collector guide for prices across all 151-era cartridges.
To complete the full Pokédex across both games, you will need a link cable and a friend with the opposite version. That requirement has not changed in 28 years.
Authentication: what to check before you buy
Reproduction cartridges are extremely common for both Red and Blue. A genuine 1998 cartridge costs $60–$110 and comes with specific hardware markers. A convincing fake costs a seller $3–$5 to manufacture.
The fastest check is the label. Authentic labels are slightly textured, slightly faded with age, and have a round Nintendo seal of quality in the lower-right corner. Fakes often use glossy paper, oversaturated colors, and a sharper logo than the original print.
Inside the shell, the PCB on a real cartridge has a Nintendo copyright mark printed directly on the board, usually reads "DMG-APAE-0" (Red) or "DMG-APBE-0" (Blue) as the board code, and uses a soldered CR2025 save battery.
If the save battery is held by a clip rather than soldered in, the cartridge is not original. For a full walkthrough of what to look for on Game Boy hardware, see our guide to spotting fake Pokémon products before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pokémon Red or Blue harder?
Neither. Both versions share the same gyms, the same Elite Four, and the same rival. The difficulty is identical, and the version exclusives do not affect how challenging any trainer or boss is.
Can you catch all 151 Pokémon in just Red or Blue?
No. Each version has 11 Pokémon the other cannot catch. Completing the Pokédex requires trading with the opposite version using a Game Boy link cable.
The version exclusives were designed specifically to make trading necessary.
What is the difference between Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue sprites?
North American Blue uses the revised sprite set from the Japanese Blue special edition, which corrected many of the inconsistencies from the original Japanese Red and Green release. North American Red kept the older sprite art. The difference is minor on original hardware but visible in side-by-side comparisons of certain Pokémon like Clefairy and Gastly.
Is Pokémon Red or Blue more valuable?
Red typically lists $5–$15 higher than Blue in equivalent condition, based on observed October 2026 resale listings. Neither is dramatically rarer. Condition (label quality, save battery status, whether the box and manual are present) affects price far more than the version.
Are there any Pokémon that only appear in Red or Blue but not Yellow?
Yes. Pokémon Yellow (1999) has its own version exclusives and omits some from Red and Blue. Yellow also forces you to start with Pikachu rather than choosing your starter, making it a different experience from both Red and Blue.
Both Red and Blue are in stock from independent shops right now. Browse all verified Game Boy and retro Pokémon games at DexHaul's video games collection to compare listings from multiple sellers side by side. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with Nintendo or The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon Red and Blue Game Boy cartridges from independent shops.