Game developer Mark Diaz has rebuilt the introduction of Pokémon Red and Blue, and it’s the trip down memory lane we never knew we needed.

If COVID lockdowns have taught us anything, it’s how to make use of our spare time. Some get stuck into home fitness, while others screw up 20 loaves of homemade sourdough. Been there, burnt that.

If you’re id Software gameplay programmer Mark Diaz, on the other hand, you take a very different approach. Diaz, whose last work was on the rather stellar DOOM Eternal, has been spending the last few days recreating the Nintendo Game Boy classic Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow within the Unity game engine.

The unexpected passion project (picked up via The Gamer) made serious progress remarkably quickly. In just a matter of days the gameplay programmer had rebuilt Pallet Town (the hometown of your protagonist) and Route 1 in 3D.

You can take a look below.

Diaz’s task was simple. No need to be flashy – just recreate the game as he remembered as a kid. As a result, you can note some tall grass and collectible items like Poké Balls.

He even posted a follow-up side-by-side comparison shot.

If you’re a Pokémaniac don’t get too excited. Diaz has stated that although there is plenty more that could be added to the project to flesh it out and properly replicate the base games, it’s an epic task he’s not really looking to undertake.

“That Pokémon project isn’t something I’m going to release and won’t be the full game,” he explains. “Just enjoying it as a creative outlet for now.”

This recreation has us even more psyched for Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Announced last month during a Pokémon Presents presentation, the ambitious open-world title is what fans have been begging for. Don’t expect to see it on you Switch until 2022 at best.

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