Ah, the original Pokémon games – Red, Blue, and Yellow. For many of us, they were our gateway into a world of adventure, battling, and catching 'em all. But when you dive deeper into the speedrunning community, a controversial question always surfaces: Can you *truly* beat these iconic games without relying on the infamous glitches that define many top runs? As a seasoned speedrunner, I've spent countless hours exploring the ins and outs of Kanto, and I'm here to tell you that the answer is a resounding, and sometimes frustrating, YES.
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Glitchless vs. Glitched: The Philosophical Divide
When you look at the current Pokémon Red/Blue leaderboards, you'll see times that are mind-bogglingly fast, often achieved by exploiting quirks in the game's engine. Techniques like the "arbitrary code execution" (ACE), "menu glitch," and the infamous "Backwards Long Jump" (BLJ) are staples of top-tier speedruns. These strats allow runners to skip entire sections, defeat powerful opponents with ease, and shave off precious minutes, even hours, from the total time.
However, the question of "glitchless" speedrunning arises from a desire to play the game as the developers *intended*, albeit at the fastest possible pace. It's a purity test, a challenge that strips away the engine exploits and forces a deep understanding of the game's intended mechanics, level design, and combat system. It's about mastering the game, not breaking it. While the raw speed of glitched runs is undeniable, there's a unique satisfaction and a different kind of skill involved in a truly glitchless playthrough.
"A glitchless run proves you can beat the game on its own terms, with just skill and strategy."
The Challenges of a Glitchless Playthrough
Beating Pokémon Red or Blue without glitches is a monumental task. The Gen 1 games are notorious for their programming oversights, which speedrunners have meticulously cataloged and exploited. Without these shortcuts, you're forced to engage with every battle, navigate every maze, and follow the intended progression. This means:
- Facing every Gym Leader and Elite Four member: No skipping battles via out-of-bounds tricks.
- Grinding for levels: Without glitches that grant infinite money or instantly level up Pokémon, you'll spend considerable time battling wild Pokémon to ensure your team is strong enough.
- Strict adherence to game mechanics: Every move's effectiveness, every critical hit chance, and every stat point matters.
- Route optimization is paramount: Since you can't skip segments, planning the most efficient path through the game world is critical. Every step counts.
The time difference between a glitched and a glitchless run can be staggering. While glitched runs can clock in under an hour, a glitchless run typically takes several hours, often exceeding 3-5 hours for even the most optimized attempts. This requires immense patience, dedication, and a deep well of in-game knowledge.
Key Strats for a Glitchless Playthrough
To even attempt a glitchless run, you need a solid strategy. This isn't about finding a magic bullet, but a combination of smart choices and perfect execution. Here are some core principles:
- The Starter Choice: Squirtle is often considered the top choice for glitchless runs due to its early game advantage against Brock and its good matchups against Misty and Surge. Charmander struggles early on, and Bulbasaur is good but might fall off later.
- Optimal Route Planning: This is non-negotiable. You need to know precisely which Pokémon to catch, in what order, and when to visit which location. This includes knowing where to grind efficiently.
- Trainer Battles are Essential: Every trainer battle is a source of experience points and money. You cannot afford to skip them unless there's a specific, highly optimized reason to do so.
- Minimizing Text/Cutscenes: While not technically glitches, fast text progression and optimal dialogue skipping are crucial.
- Effective Pokémon Centers Usage: Knowing when and where to heal is key to preventing wasted time.
For instance, instead of using a 'Start' glitch to warp to a certain location, you’ll be meticulously navigating the overworld, ensuring you encounter the right trainers at the right time to gain experience without unnecessary backtracking. This involves a deep understanding of trainer locations and team compositions.
Optimizing Your Team and Moveset
In a glitchless run, your Pokémon team and their movesets are your primary weapons. Exploiting type advantages and coverage is more important than ever. You can't rely on a powerful Legendary Pokémon obtained through a sequence break early on. Instead, you'll be building a balanced team designed to handle the specific challenges of each Gym Leader and the Elite Four.
- Early Game Dominance: A strong early game is vital. A Squirtle with Water Gun can sweep Brock's Onix with critical hits. Teaching it a TM like Dig early can help against Electric-types.
- Mid-Game Coverage: For Surge and Misty, finding Pokémon with Water or Grass typing is key. Sticking with Squirtle or catching a Bellsprout/Oddish can be game-changing.
- Late Game Powerhouses: By the time you reach the Elite Four, you'll need a diverse team. Consider Pokémon like Lapras (Surf, Ice Beam), Jolteon (Thunderbolt, Quick Attack), Snorlax (Body Slam, Rest), and Arcanine (Flamethrower, Extreme Speed).
- Moveset Synergy: Don't just focus on STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves. Having coverage moves that hit Pokémon super-effectively (like Ice Beam against Lance's Dragon-types) is essential.
The specific Pokémon and moves you choose will depend on the game version (Red, Blue, or Yellow) and the precise route, but the principle remains: a well-thought-out team is your foundation for success.
RNG Management is Crucial
The dreaded Random Number Generator, or RNG, is the bane and sometimes the blessing of any Pokémon run. In a glitchless playthrough, where you can't manipulate RNG to guarantee critical hits or specific wild Pokémon encounters, managing it becomes even more critical. You'll be praying for those lucky critical hits on boss battles and hoping for favorable stat drops from wild Pokémon.
"You can have the perfect route and team, but if the RNG gods aren't smiling, your run can fall apart in seconds."
This means understanding the probabilities involved. Knowing the critical hit ratio, the chance of inflicting status conditions, and the damage ranges for each move is vital. While you can't *force* good RNG, you can make choices that maximize your chances of success. For example, grinding to a slightly higher level than strictly necessary can give you a buffer against bad damage rolls.
Why Glitchless Still Matters
So, if glitched runs are faster and arguably more impressive in their technical execution, why bother with glitchless? For many, it's about the purity of the challenge. It's a test of fundamental game knowledge, strategic planning, and execution under pressure. It's the classic "skill vs. exploit" debate in speedrunning. Glitchless runs appeal to a different segment of the community – those who appreciate mastering a game within its intended boundaries. It's a more accessible entry point for aspiring runners who might be intimidated by the complex technical glitches.
Furthermore, a glitchless run provides a clearer picture of the game's intended difficulty and pacing. It allows players to appreciate the design choices the developers made, even with the knowledge of all the shortcuts that exist. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of these games and the dedication of players who strive for perfection within their established rules.
The pursuit of a glitchless Pokémon speedrun might not hold the world record times, but it offers a deeply rewarding experience that proves the core gameplay of Pokémon is strong enough to stand on its own, even when played at a blistering pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Q: What is considered a "glitch" in Pokémon Red/Blue speedruns?
A: A glitch typically refers to any unintended behavior in the game's code that provides an advantage, such as clipping through walls, skipping battles, or manipulating game states (e.g., arbitrary code execution, menu glitch). - Q: Is a glitchless run considered more difficult than a glitched run?
A: While glitched runs require immense technical skill to execute perfectly, glitchless runs demand a deeper understanding of game mechanics, optimal routing, and extensive grinding. Many consider the strategic depth and endurance required for glitchless runs to be a different, but equally significant, challenge. - Q: Which starter Pokémon is best for a glitchless run in Pokémon Red/Blue?
A: Squirtle is generally favored for its strong early-game matchups against Brock and Misty, which are crucial for maintaining momentum in a glitchless run. - Q: How long does a glitchless run of Pokémon Red/Blue typically take?
A: Optimized glitchless runs can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, sometimes longer, depending on the runner's skill and RNG. This is significantly longer than glitched runs, which can be under an hour. - Q: Are there any specific communities for glitchless Pokémon speedrunning?
A: Yes, while the main speedrun leaderboards often feature glitched categories, dedicated communities and forums for glitchless runs exist on platforms like Reddit (r/pokemon) and specific Discord servers focused on Pokémon speedrunning.
The journey to beat Pokémon Red or Blue without a single glitch is a testament to the enduring power of these games and the dedication of the players who push them to their limits. It’s a different kind of race, one focused on mastering the intended experience rather than breaking it.
What are your thoughts on glitchless speedruns? Do you prefer the technical mastery of glitched runs or the strategic purity of glitchless ones? Share your insights and your own Pokémon speedrunning experiences in the comments below! And if you found this deep dive helpful, consider joining our community on Discord to discuss more strategies and discover your next gaming adventure.