Over the years, the Pokémon community has seen a significant rise in the popularity of challenge runs. Among these, the Nuzlocke challenge is the most prevalent. A Pokémon Nuzlocke is a hardcore gameplay mode where players add self-imposed restrictions to increase difficulty. The main rules include allowing only one Pokémon capture per route and releasing any Pokémon that faints. Although this challenge can be attempted on nearly every mainline Pokémon game, there’s a compelling case for giving a Gen 1 Nuzlocke a go in 2025.
For many fans, Gen 1 is filled with nostalgia, but it also stands as one of the most challenging to revisit since it was Game Freak’s inaugural attempt at the Pokémon formula. As the series evolved, these mechanics were refined, but for those willing to embrace these challenges, a Gen 1 Nuzlocke in 2025 presents a uniquely tough experience. The straightforward features of Pokémon Gen 1 make these games an excellent choice for Nuzlocke runs now more than ever.
Now, if you’re wondering which Gen 1 game to choose for your Nuzlocke adventure, let’s break it down. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow share similarities, but slight differences might influence your decision. In Pokémon Blue, you have 45 locations to encounter potentially 93 different Pokémon, whereas Red offers the same number of locations but with 92 different Pokémon to catch. Meanwhile, Pokémon Yellow boasts 94 potential Pokémon, providing a broader palette to work with.
That said, Pokémon Yellow brings specific nuances: your starter must be Pikachu, and you’ll face additional boss battles against Jessie and James, which don’t occur in Red or Blue. Depending on your preference for challenge intensity, you might relish this added difficulty or prefer the slightly simpler structure of Red or Blue.
What shifts Gen 1 Nuzlockes to another level are the battle mechanics unique to these games. Critical hits operate differently compared to future games, acting as either a lifeline or a disaster, based on a multiplier related to the attacker’s level. This means that higher-level Pokémon can deal substantial critical damage, with faster Pokémon having a higher chance to land a crit.
Status moves also add another layer. Sleep mechanics in Gen 1 make it a formidable tool since it can last from 1 to 7 turns, and awakening comes with a mere 1/8 chance after the first turn. The synergy between Leech Seed and Toxic can wreak havoc, compounding damage each turn like Toxic does, making strategic choices paramount.
For some extra guidance, Butterfree is an excellent choice in a Gen 1 Nuzlocke. It’s easy to acquire early in the game and is equipped with useful moves like Sleep Powder and Psychic.
However, the real roadblocks of a Gen 1 Nuzlocke are the Psychic types. One infamous glitch makes Psychic types immune to Ghost-type moves, even though they were supposed to be weak to them. Meanwhile, Bug-type moves, the only other viable option for super-effective attacks, are limited to weak moves like Pin Missile and Twineedle. This makes battling Sabrina and her Psychic team intensely challenging, yet it may be just what some Nuzlocke enthusiasts crave.
For instance, in Pokémon Yellow, Sabrina’s lineup includes a Level 50 Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam—a stark contrast to her Red and Blue teams, which feature a mix of lower-leveled Psychic and non-Psychic Pokémon.
In considering these elements, Gen 1’s charm and rough edges become part of the Nuzlocke allure. Despite being released decades ago, these games hold a unique space in the challenge run landscape, offering both nostalgia and testing the savvy of even the most seasoned players.
