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| Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will soon be available for the Nintendo Switch. |
In a move that has sent a wave of nostalgia through the Pokémon community, Nintendo has officially opened the gates for trainers to revisit the Kanto region like never before. As of today, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are available for pre-order via the Nintendo eShop, with a confirmed release date set for Friday, February 27.
For years, fans have speculated when—or if—these beloved Game Boy Advance classics would make the leap to the Nintendo Switch. While the console has become the ultimate home for Pokémon titles, from Sword & Shield to Legends: Arceus, the library has been missing these crucial remakes that bridged the gap between the 1996 originals and the modern era. That wait is finally over.
The Price, The Platform, and The Fine Print
Starting today, digital versions of both games are available for pre-order at a price point of $19.99 each. They will be playable on both the current Nintendo Switch and the recently announced Nintendo Switch II, ensuring backward compatibility and a seamless transition for those upgrading their hardware in the future.
If you are looking to secure your copy ahead of the February 27 launch, you can find the official store pages here:
A Break from the Subscription Model
In a surprising twist, Nintendo has confirmed that these titles will not be distributed as part of the standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Unlike other Game Boy Advance titles that have trickled out through the "Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack" tier, FireRed and LeafGreen are being treated as premium, standalone releases.
This decision suggests that Nintendo may be implementing enhanced features or emulation tweaks that go beyond the standard library offerings, or perhaps it is simply a reflection of the immense value of the Pokémon brand.
The Big Question: Pokémon Home Connectivity?
One of the biggest rumors circulating the internet in recent weeks was the potential integration of these games with Pokémon Home. The theory was tantalizing: players would be able to catch ’em all in the Sevii Islands and then transfer their Kanto favorites directly into Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, or Legends: Z-A.
Unfortunately, for those hoping to move their teams forward, Nintendo’s initial announcement makes no mention of this feature. While it remains a possibility for a future update—or a surprise announcement during the upcoming Pokémon Presents—fans should currently temper their expectations regarding cross-generational transfers.
What Are These Games?
For the uninitiated—or those looking to relive the magic—Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are the enhanced remakes of the original Red and Blue games. Originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, they took the world of Pallet Town, Viridian Forest, and the Elite Four and gave it a massive graphical and mechanical overhaul.
Leveraging the GBA’s higher processing power and vibrant color palette, these titles modernized the 1996 classics. Game mechanics were updated to align with the third generation of Pokémon (Ruby & Sapphire), including the addition of Abilities, Natures, and updated move pools. They also introduced the post-game Sevii Islands, a chain of islands that offered hours of extra content and the chance to catch Johto Pokémon long before the post-credits rolled.
What’s Next? The Pokémon Presents Connection
Mark your calendars. Nintendo has scheduled a Pokémon Presents livestream for the exact release date of these games: February 27. This is widely believed to be the venue where more details about these Switch versions will be revealed.
Will they announce connectivity with Pokémon Home? Are there new quality-of-life features hidden in the code? Or perhaps this event will serve as the launch pad for the next major announcement regarding Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Either way, fans should keep a close eye on the stream.
A Word of Caution Before You Buy
Before you rush to the eShop to download your ticket to Kanto, there is one important caveat to note: the purchased version of the game is locked to a single language. This means you will need to choose your language carefully at the time of purchase, as you will not be able to switch between multiple languages on a single save file or cart.
Whether you are a veteran trainer looking to recapture the glory days of the Game Boy Advance or a new player wanting to see where the journey began, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are shaping up to be the definitive way to experience the original adventure on a modern console.
Source(s): Nintendo eShop
