Pokémon Red, Green & Blue vs. Pokémon Gold & Silver: Full Comparison

Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue forever changed the gaming landscape and became the most popular franchises ever. Its merchandise sales exceed Harry Potter, Lego, and Star Wars. Little did we know that Pokémon would be the juggernaut it was back on Feb. 27, 1996. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, these seminal titles marked the inception of a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Then Game Freak released Pokémon Gold & Silver. Fans were blown away by the increase in Pokémon and a brand new country to explore. But what were the main differences and similarities of the two generations?

The original series introduced players to the enchanting realm of Kanto, where the dream of becoming a Pokémon Master began. Young children and adults were given the choice between three starter Pokémon: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. With each version offering exclusive creatures and subtle variations, the Red vs. Blue debate sparked a timeless rivalry among fans.

Furthermore, Pokémon Gold & Silver followed a similar vein. The generation introduced Johto, a brand new land to explore with its own Pokémon, items, gym leaders, and dangers. Instead of the usual three Pokémon, players chose from Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile.

Pokémon Gold & Silver vs. Blue, Red, Green Pokémon List

Pokémon Red and Blue List

The first differences were the available Pokémon. Here is the complete list of Pokémon Red, Blue and Green.

Pokémon Gold & Silver List

Here is the complete list for Pokémon Gold & Silver.

Besides the difference in Pokémon, Gold and Silver added new challenges.

Blue, Red, Green vs. Gold and Silver Gym Leaders

Pokémon Gold & Silver Gym Leaders

1. Falkner (Violet City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Pidgey, Pidgeotto
2. Bugsy (Azalea Town Gym):
   • Pokémon: Metapod, Kakuna, Scyther
3. Whitney (Goldenrod City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Clefairy, Miltank
4. Morty (Ecruteak City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Gastly, Haunter, Haunter, Gengar
5. Chuck (Cianwood City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Primeape, Poliwrath
6. Jasmine (Olivine City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Magnemite, Magnemite, Steelix
7. Pryce (Mahogany Town Gym):
   • Pokémon: Seel, Dewgong, Piloswine
8. Clair (Blackthorn City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Dragonair, Dragonair, Dragonair, Kingdra

Pokémon Blue, Red and Green Gym Leaders

Kanto Gym Leaders:

1. Brock (Pewter City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Geodude, Onix
2. Misty (Cerulean City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Goldeen, Quagsire, Lapras
3. Lt. Surge (Vermilion City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Voltorb, Pikachu, Raichu
4. Erika (Celadon City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Victreebel, Tangela, Vileplume
5. Janine (Fuchsia City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Crobat, Weezing, Ariados, Venomoth
6. Sabrina (Saffron City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Kadabra, Mr. Mime, Alakazam
7. Blaine (Cinnabar Island Gym):
   • Pokémon: Ninetales, Rapidash, Arcanine, Magmar
8. Blue (Viridian City Gym):
   • Pokémon: Pidgeot, Alakazam, Rhydon, Exeggutor, Arcanine, Blastoise

Blue, Red, Green vs. Gold and Silver Items

Pokémon Gold and Silver Items

1. Potion
2. Super Potion
3. Hyper Potion
4. Max Potion
5. Full Restore
6. Revive
7. Max Revive
8. Antidote
9. Parlyz Heal
10. Awakening
11. Burn Heal
12. Ice Heal
13. Full Heal
14. Escape Rope
15. Repel
16. Max Repel
17. Poké Ball
18. Great Ball
19. Ultra Ball
20. Master Ball
21. TM01 – Dynamic Punch
22. TM02 – Headbutt
23. TM03 – Curse
24. TM04 – Rollout
25. TM05 – Roar
26. TM06 – Toxic
27. TM07 – Zap Cannon
28. TM08 – Rock Smash
29. TM09 – Psych Up
30. TM10 – Hidden Power
31. HM01 – Cut
32. HM02 – Fly
33. HM03 – Surf
34. HM04 – Strength
35. HM05 – Flash
36. HM06 – Whirlpool
37. HM07 – Waterfall
38. TM11 – Sunny Day
39. TM12 – Sweet Scent
40. TM13 – Snore
41. TM14 – Blizzard
42. TM15 – Hyper Beam
43. TM16 – Icy Wind
44. TM17 – Protect
45. TM18 – Rain Dance
46. TM19 – Giga Drain
47. TM20 – Endure
48. TM21 – Frustration
49. TM22 – Solar Beam
50. TM23 – Iron Tail
51. TM24 – Dragonbreath
52. TM25 – Thunder
53. TM26 – Earthquake
54. TM27 – Return
55. TM28 – Dig
56. TM29 – Psychic
57. TM30 – Shadow Ball
58. TM31 – Mud-Slap
59. TM32 – Double Team
60. TM33 – Ice Punch
61. TM34 – Swagger
62. TM35 – Sleep Talk
63. TM36 – Sludge Bomb
64. TM37 – Sandstorm
65. TM38 – Fire Blast
66. TM39 – Swift
67. TM40 – Defense Curl
68. TM41 – ThunderPunch
69. TM42 – Dream Eater
70. TM43 – Detect
71. TM44 – Rest
72. TM45 – Attract
73. TM46 – Thief
74. TM47 – Steel Wing
75. TM48 – Fire Punch
76. TM49 – Fury Cutter
77. TM50 – Nightmare

Pokémon Blue Red and Green Item List

1. Potion
2. Super Potion
3. Hyper Potion
4. Max Potion
5. Full Restore
6. Revive
7. Max Revive
8. Antidote
9. Parlyz Heal
10. Awakening
11. Burn Heal
12. Ice Heal
13. Full Heal
14. Escape Rope
15. Repel
16. Super Repel
17. Max Repel
18. Poké Ball
19. Great Ball
20. Ultra Ball
21. Master Ball
22. TM01 – Mega Punch
23. TM02 – Razor Wind
24. TM03 – Swords Dance
25. TM04 – Whirlwind
26. TM05 – Mega Kick
27. TM06 – Toxic
28. TM07 – Horn Drill
29. TM08 – Body Slam
30. TM09 – Take Down
31. TM10 – Double-Edge
32. TM11 – BubbleBeam
33. TM12 – Water Gun
34. TM13 – Ice Beam
35. TM14 – Blizzard
36. TM15 – Hyper Beam
37. TM16 – Pay Day
38. TM17 – Submission
39. TM18 – Counter
40. TM19 – Seismic Toss
41. TM20 – Rage
42. TM21 – Mega Drain
43. TM22 – Solar Beam
44. TM23 – Dragon Rage
45. TM24 – Thunderbolt
46. TM25 – Thunder
47. TM26 – Earthquake
48. TM27 – Fissure
49. TM28 – Dig
50. TM29 – Psychic
51. TM30 – Teleport
52. TM31 – Mimic
53. TM32 – Double Team
54. TM33 – Reflect
55. TM34 – Bide
56. TM35 – Metronome
57. TM36 – Self-Destruct
58. TM37 – Egg Bomb
59. TM38 – Fire Blast
60. TM39 – Swift
61. TM40 – Skull Bash
62. TM41 – Soft-Boiled
63. TM42 – Dream Eater
64. TM43 – Sky Attack
65. TM44 – Rest
66. TM45 – Thunder Wave
67. TM46 – Psywave
68. TM47 – Explosion
69. TM48 – Rock Slide
70. TM49 – Tri Attack
71. TM50 – Substitute
72. HM01 – Cut
73. HM02 – Fly
74. HM03 – Surf
75. HM04 – Strength
76. HM05 – Flash

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cover art of Pokemon Gold.