Nintendo has announced the re-release of the Game Boy Advance remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch to mark the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series. The games will become available following a Pokémon Presents stream on February 27, 2026. They are priced at $20 each as standalone purchases, separate from the Switch Online service.
The Pokémon series, which began with Pocket Monsters Red and Green in Japan on February 27, 1996—later released in the West as Pokémon Red and Blue—reaches its 30th anniversary next week. To celebrate, Nintendo is bringing back the 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, to the original Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
These remakes, described by Nintendo in an FAQ as the "ultimate versions of the original Pokémon adventures in the Kanto region," address bugs and balance issues from the originals while incorporating Pokémon rosters from Gold/Silver and Ruby/Sapphire. The ports are mostly unmodified, preserving the original gameplay, battling, catching mechanics, and graphics from 2004. They support local wireless multiplayer through the Switch's built-in features, but not online play. On Switch 2, players can use GameChat for this functionality.
Unlike other Game Boy Advance titles in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library, FireRed and LeafGreen will not be included in the subscription service. Instead, they are available as individual eShop downloads for $20 apiece, requiring no Nintendo Switch Online membership. No physical releases are planned outside Japan, and Nintendo has stated there are no current plans for additional Virtual Console-style releases, focusing instead on expanding its subscription offerings.
The announcement coincides with a Pokémon Presents showcase airing on February 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT). Initial details mentioned upcoming support for Pokémon Home, a service for transferring Pokémon between games, but this note has been removed from official communications. FireRed and LeafGreen were notable for introducing wireless multiplayer via the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, allowing up to 30 players in the Union Room for battles and trades, though limited to close proximity.
For fans seeking more Pokémon content, Pokémon Pokopia, a cozy game similar to Animal Crossing, is set to launch on March 5, 2026.
