I have really fond memories of playing the original Pokémon games. It wasn’t just about collecting Pokémon, battling, or exploring-it was the feeling of the journey itself that I loved. I enjoyed being able to explore towns and decide how I wanted to progress, whether that meant training my Pokémon, searching for hidden items, or completing my Pokédex. Those first games had a sense of magic and discovery that I haven’t really felt in the newer installments.
I enjoyed the original Pokémon games, but *Pokémon Ruby* and *Pokémon Sapphire* really changed how I played. Traveling between towns was fun, but could sometimes feel a little slow. Generation 3 introduced the Running Shoes, a simple but incredibly impactful addition – arguably the biggest change in Pokémon history. They didn’t just make the game faster, they made movement feel much more fluid, engaging, and up-to-date.
The Running Shoes Changed How Pokemon Was Played
The Running Shoes weren’t just a helpful addition to the game; they made exploring feel truly free. Before, starting *Pokemon Ruby* and *Pokemon Sapphire* – and many older *Pokemon* games – could feel slow and tedious, especially when replaying. The combination of slow walking and lots of backtracking made getting the Running Shoes a real game-changer.
A lot of players don’t see the Running Shoes as a major improvement because of the Bike, but I disagree. The Bike isn’t available until later in the game, and you can’t use it everywhere – like inside buildings, caves, or on certain paths. The Running Shoes don’t have those restrictions. They let you explore the world much more freely and made traveling between towns far less frustrating. I didn’t realize it when I was younger, but looking back, the Running Shoes showed me that even small changes can lead to much bigger and better experiences.
Why Small Changes Matter More Than Big Ones
The Pokémon series constantly evolves, sometimes by simplifying and other times by adding new features. The Running Shoes are arguably the most successful addition to the games, proving their lasting value. While battles and catching Pokémon change from game to game, the ability to travel and explore remains central to the experience. The Running Shoes speed up movement, allowing players to interact with the game world more efficiently and giving them more time to enjoy all that Pokémon has to offer.
It’s easy to dismiss the Running Shoes as just a minor feature. Plenty of Pokémon games let you run, but these shoes have had a surprisingly large impact. While things like Dynamax, Mega Evolution, and Terastallizing create exciting battle changes, they’re always temporary, disappearing with each new game. The Running Shoes, however, stuck around and have actually been improved upon, fundamentally changing how we explore the Pokémon world and becoming a lasting part of the series as it continues to grow.
Why The Running Shoes Are More Important Than Ever Today
Each new Pokémon game expands on the last, and *Pokémon Scarlet* and *Pokémon Violet* are the largest to date. Imagine exploring the vast open world at a slow walk – it would be frustrating! Luckily, Game Freak still lets you run, even though running shoes are now automatically part of the game. Being able to run is crucial for the pace of these open-world games, and without it, exploring would feel even more sluggish. Running isn’t just about getting around faster; it helps you feel connected to the game’s large and expansive world.
This feature, originally from older Pokémon games, maintains the thrill of exploration throughout the entire journey, from the first town to challenging the Elite Four. Even in a city-based game like *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*, fast travel is essential. It prevents the game from feeling repetitive by letting you quickly move past familiar areas. Having to walk everywhere would quickly become tedious and detract from the overall experience.
The Pokémon series is always being updated, and while I don’t always love the changes, the introduction of Running Shoes is a great one. It might seem minor, but it paved the way for Pokémon games to become larger and more complex. This simple improvement makes the game much easier to manage and proves that The Pokémon Company should consider more small changes like this, even if they don’t seem significant initially.
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2025-09-28 16:12