/vr/ - Retro Games

Wait, people don't like the old monster sprites? A few of them look a little goofy compared to the artwork, but it's still good.

It was fantastic for the time.

In terms of world scale, content, enemies, etc. It's better than a lot of SNES games.

As for actual "roleplaying" and fighting, it also does a very good job. You can choose how to play right away, and can continue until the very end, with all the evolultions, rares, trades, items, TMs, etc.

The combat system is fairly standard, but has enough interesting/unique techniques that it doesn't get boring too predictable right away.

For a game of that came out on handheld hardware in the 90's, it did a ridiculously incredible job. How many other handheld games for the time do you know that are like it?

To answer your, question: both. Pokemon is what makes the RPG good, and RPG is what makes the Pokemon good. It has a very fine balance. Pokemon being interesting is what makes it succeed as an RPG and vice-versa.