Yeah, that's always the thing that pushes it over the edge for me relative to the rest. That was such a cool addition.
And I also really love the legendaries of those games. Lugia especially.
Cool part to me is each version focuses on a Legendary that you capture at level 40/45 and postgame you get to capture the other a key location at level 70. Whether it's the Tower or the Center of the Whirl Islands.
Alongside releasing the 3 legendary Dogs and the mystery of the Unown.
The overarching mystery of who your Rival is, connections to Team Rocket and what happened to Giovanni. And subsequently your Rival's growth from treating Pokemon less like tools and more like a friend.
Becoming the Champion and going to Kanto where the game is a little tougher and you can go find the Legendary Birds in 3 locations. Elevated in the remake where Mewtwo was added to the Cerulean Cave. Whereas in the original it was cut and was Flooded from collapsing.
Eventually the game ends with one of the most iconic Superbosses in the franchise against the OG Protagonist Red himself. Thematically using an Anime and Manga inspired team of Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, Snorlax, Espeon, Pikachu. Espeon was later swapped out for Lapras in the Remakes. Another Anime influence.
Such a perfect game. No other game to this point has given Pokemon players the most badges to acquire. 16 as opposed to the standard 8.
It was back then I always dreamed of an even more perfect Pokemon game that allowed us to travel and challenge and explore every region to date.
Great times. Tyranitar still my favorite Pokemon.
And of course battle themes of legend
