Thirty years of Pokémon is no small milestone, and The Pokémon Company has chosen to mark it in a way that fans have wanted for a very long time. Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are officially coming to Nintendo Switch, with a confirmed release date, confirmed pricing, and a trailer already live. Here is everything you need to know.
When Do Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Release on Nintendo Switch?
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version release on February 27, 2026, which is Pokémon Day. The games will become available to download shortly after the conclusion of the Pokémon Presents showcase, which begins at 6:00 a.m. PST on that date.
Pre-purchase is available as of February 20, 2026 on the Nintendo eShop, so you can secure your copy before the showcase begins if you already know which version you want.
How Much Do Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Cost on Switch?
Both games are priced at $19.99 / £16.99 each. They are sold as separate titles, meaning if you want both Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, you need to purchase them individually.
It is also important to note that each language version of the game is available as a completely separate download on the eShop. The US eShop carries English, European French, and European Spanish versions.
The EU eShop adds German and Italian.
The Japanese eShop carries a Japanese-only version.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have stated this reflects how the games were originally released on Game Boy Advance, where separate language versions were standard practice. So, make sure you select the correct language version before completing your purchase, as switching after the fact will require contacting support.
Where Can You Buy Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch?
You can purchase both games digitally via the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. There are no physical editions planned.
Is a Nintendo Switch Online Membership Required?
No. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to purchase or play Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version on Switch. Both games are standalone purchases available through the Nintendo eShop. They are also confirmed to not be part of the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Classics collection available through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.
What Do the Games Include?
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are Nintendo Switch versions of the Game Boy Advance games originally released in 2004. They are remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, featuring updated graphics and the full Kanto region adventure, including the Sevii Islands that were introduced in the GBA originals. You grew up exploring these familiar routes, and now you relive those moments wherever you take your Switch.
Nintendo has confirmed the following about the Switch versions:
- The content of both games is broadly the same as the original GBA release.
- The Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and Wireless Adapter connectivity features have been replaced with built-in local wireless on Switch. Up to four players can connect in the Pokémon Wireless Club, located on the second floor of any Pokémon Center, to trade, battle, or play minigames.
- Online multiplayer is not supported. All wireless features require local connection only.
- Both games are compatible with the GameChat feature on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Pokémon HOME support is coming to both games in the future, though it is not available at launch.
- Each game takes up just 40 MB of storage space.
- Nintendo rates both titles Everyone 10+ for mild fantasy violence and simulated gambling.
- Cloud save data backups do not work for these games.
- You share access with family members through Nintendo Account family groups.
On the question of enhancements, Nintendo confirmed that there are no major differences in performance between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions. These are direct ports of the GBA originals rather than remakes or enhanced editions.
Will Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Support Pokémon HOME?
Not at launch. Pokémon HOME support is confirmed as coming to both games at a later date, but no specific timeline has been given. This means that at release, Pokémon caught in FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch cannot immediately be transferred to Pokémon HOME or carried into modern games. That functionality will arrive in a future update.
Final Thoughts: Why Are These Games Coming to Switch Now?
The official reason given by The Pokémon Company is to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon. The February 27 release date aligns directly with Pokémon Day, the annual celebration of the franchise’s anniversary. The company also stated that FireRed and LeafGreen were chosen because they represent the “ultimate versions” of the original Kanto adventures from Pokémon Red and Blue, with additional features and upgrades that the originals did not have.
This release follows a pattern established during Pokémon’s 20th anniversary in 2016, when the original Game Boy titles arrived on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. FireRed and LeafGreen represent a similar acknowledgment of the GBA era for the 30th anniversary, and many fans are now speculating about whether the Hoenn generation titles could follow next.
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