The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced Thursday that beloved Game Boy Advance classics Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles February 27, 2026, timed perfectly for Pokémon Day celebrations marking the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Priced at $19.99 each, the download-exclusive titles are now available for pre-order on the Nintendo eShop, allowing players to pre-load and dive in immediately upon release following the Pokémon Presents livestream at 6 a.m. PST that day. No Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to purchase or play, setting these apart from recent Game Boy additions to the service.
The ports faithfully recreate the 2004 remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Green (Pokémon Blue internationally), transporting trainers back to the Kanto region to catch ’em all, battle Gym Leaders and explore the expanded Sevii Islands post-game content. Each game clocks in at a lightweight 40 MB download, compatible across the full Switch family—including Switch Lite, OLED Model and the newly released Switch 2—with no performance variances noted.
Key enhancements leverage Switch hardware: Local wireless connectivity replaces the original Game Boy Advance link cable and Wireless Adapter for trading, battling and minigames in the Pokémon Wireless Club and Union Rooms, supporting up to four players—no internet needed. The games earn an ESRB rating of Everyone 10+ for mild fantasy violence and simulated gambling elements like the Game Corner slots.
Originally released in Japan on January 29, 2004, FireRed and LeafGreen modernized Generation 1 with Generation 3 graphics, a revamped Pokédex, double battles and the Sevii archipelago’s fresh quests, Pokémon and legendary encounters. They sold millions worldwide, bridging old fans with newcomers and introducing wireless features ahead of their time. This Switch revival arrives amid Pokémon’s milestone year, echoing the franchise debut on February 27, 1996.
Official trailers showcase the iconic title screens—fiery Charizard roaring for FireRed, leafy Venusaur for LeafGreen—running smoothly in handheld and docked modes.
Pokemon FireRed Version and LeafGreen Version coming to Switch on February 27 – Gematsu
In Japan, excitement amps up with a premium Pokémon Center Online special edition launching February 28: Each ¥19,800 (~$130 USD) bundle recreates the original packaging alongside a glass Poké Ball replica. Download cards for ¥2,000 will hit stores sequentially, though the JP digital versions are Japanese-language only. Nintendo also added the soundtracks to its free Nintendo Music app for Switch Online subscribers, featuring nostalgic tunes from Pallet Town onward.
The early reveal—a week before Pokémon Day—sparked massive buzz on X, with the Pokémon account’s confirmation post amassing over 81,000 likes and 11,700 reposts in hours: “Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen confirmed for Nintendo Switch!” Fans hailed it as “Kanto is so back,” while others buzzed about dual-version purchases for trading armies of starters. Nintendo of America echoed: “Get ready to relive the Kanto region Trainers.”
Analysts see this as a savvy move: Standalone $20 ports avoid diluting Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy library while capitalizing on nostalgia without full remakes. Unlike shadow-drops, pre-orders build hype for the Presents, potentially teasing Generation 10 or Legends: Z-A updates.
FireRed and LeafGreen’s legacy endures through crossovers like Pokémon GO’s Kanto raids and Scarlet/Violet’s Indigo Disk epilogue. This port ensures the ultimate Gen 1 experience—complete Pokédex hunts, Elite Four grinds and post-game lore—accessible to modern audiences, no original hardware required.
As pre-orders surge, The Pokémon Company urged: “Whether you enjoyed these games over 20 years ago or are picking them up for the first time, we hope Trainers will enjoy exploring the region that got everything started.”
Tune into Pokémon Presents February 27 for more anniversary surprises. Pallet Town awaits—gotta catch ’em all, again.
