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Players might be most familiar with Red as their avatar throughout their Kanto adventures, but he’s appeared in plenty of games since then. In subsequent mainline entries, Red has appeared in order to challenge the player. These battles all vary in difficulty, with some being a little easier than others. Regardless, it’s always fun to revisit the series’ origins by taking on the original Pokemon master.
7 Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu & Let’s Go! Eevee
Despite not being the playable character in the Let’s Go games, Red still has a role to play towards the end of the adventure. Players can challenge Red at the Indigo Plateau, where they’ll notice that this iteration has a slightly dfifferent team comp than what he’s typically known for.
Red’s iconic Pikachu is still by his side, as is Lapras and Snorlax. Interestingly enough, Red only gets one starter this time around, sporting a Venusaur alongside Arcanine and Machamp. While this isn’t the most challenging battle in the series, it’s still one of the toughest in its respective game.
6 Pokemon Stadium 2 – Round 1
While he didn’t make an appearance in its predecessor, Red shows up in Pokemon Stadium 2 and makes quite the impression. Red is a part of the Kanto Gym Leader Castle, challenging the player after they’ve defeated all 8 Kanto gym leaders. These battles are notable for a few reasons, the most evident being the absence of his Pikachu.
Round 1 sees Red come at the player with all 3 Johto starters. Meganium, Typhlosion and Feraligatr make for quite the trio and prove to be a fun challenge. The rest of his team consist of a Tauros (a possible anime callback), Scizor and a Jolteon which seems to serve as an Electric-type replacement for Pikachu.
5 Pokemon Stadium 2 – Round 2
Round 2 of this fight brings about a few changes, which reasonable make this slightly more of a challenge than its predecessor. Red’s team looks completely different this time around, save for the fact that he’s still using an Eeveelution. This time however, it’s one of the at the time new Gen II additions.
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Red’s round 2 team breaks with usual etiquette, and makes use of a slew of legendary Pokemon. Players have to overcome the Legendary Beast trio of Entei, Raikou and Suicune as well as some familiar faces in Snorlax and Espeon. The last Pokemon, Dragonite isn’t one that’s often associated with Red. But he sure knows how to get the most out of it alongside the rest.
4 Pokemon Gold, Silver & Crystal
The Gen II games were a massive step in the right direction for the franchise, improving on several gameplay and quality of life elements from the originals. Of all the memorable moments in those games, the moist iconic came at the very end, where the player reaches the top of Mt. Silver and finds a familiar face waiting for them.
The surprise of running into Red was matched only by the challenge of facing off against him. This is without a doubt the most challenging battle in the game, and that’s all thanks to Red’s great team of Pokemon. With Pikachu by his side, Red is complimented by a combination of Snorlax, Espeopn, Charizard, Venusar and Blastoise. This can get to be pretty tough but makes defeating Red that much more satisfying.
3 Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
Black 2 & White 2’s Pokemon World Tournament pitted players against a wide variety of legendary trainers, each proving to be a greater challenge than the last. Blue, Giovanni, Steven and Lance were just some of the trainers part of the event. While all of those involved brought with them their own unique challenges, Red was the most recognizable of the participants.
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Red’s team for this one is a pretty familiar one. As always, Red is accompanied by his trusty Pikachu. The Kanto starters are right beside it, with Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur proving to be some of the toughest aspects of the fight. Lapras and Snorlax round off the rest of the team, making it a who’s who of Gen I talent.
2 Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Gen IV’s Johto remakes added some quality of life improvements as well as new content to the Gen II framework, but a lot of what was in the old games stayed when it came to putting together the remakes. The battle against Red on Mt. Silver is no different.
Though the Pokemon in his party might be a little stronger than c they were in Gen II, this is the exact same team from the first time around. The increased levels do make things more of a challenge, but don’t go so far as to make this the toughest battle players will have against this Pokemon icon.
1 Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Red appears alongside Blue in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon as co-leader of the Battle Tree. Part of the exclusive Battle Legend class, Red gives players the most difficult challenge they’ll face in their Alola adventures.
Red’s team during this event is similar to what he’s had in most other mainline games. The only thing that varies are his Pokemon’s abilities and held items. This can be tough to plan for, but adds an extra layer of difficulty that makes this one of the most enjoyable battles you’ll have against the iconic trainer.
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