Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen launch on Nintendo Switch on February 27, 2026. Check price, eShop details, Pokémon Day event timing and gameplay features.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen launch on Nintendo Switch on February 27, 2026 [Photo: X]
The wait is finally over for longtime Pokemon fans. Nintendo has officially confirmed that Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen will launch on the Nintendo Switch next week. After months of rumours and insider hints, The Pokemon Company has revealed full details about the release date, pricing, and availability of the beloved Game Boy Advance classics.
The announcement comes just ahead of Pokemon Day 2026, which marks the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Instead of being included in a subscription service, both titles will arrive as standalone digital purchases on the Nintendo eShop. This move signals a nostalgic celebration while keeping the experience close to its original form.
Nintendo has confirmed that Pokemon FireRed Version and Pokemon LeafGreen Version will launch digitally on February 27, 2026, the same day as the annual Pokemon Day celebration.
The games will become available immediately after the Pokemon Presents livestream, which airs at 6:00 a.m. PST. Players can pre-order the games now through the Nintendo eShop and begin playing once the presentation concludes.
The company has also clarified that these titles will not be part of Nintendo Switch Online. Instead, players must purchase them individually as “download-exclusive titles.” Each game will cost $19.99 in the United States, £16.99 in the United Kingdom, and €19.99 in Europe.
This release aligns with the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise, making it a symbolic return to the Kanto region where the journey first began.
Many fans wondered whether Nintendo would include these classics in its subscription library. However, The Pokemon Company has chosen to sell them separately on the Nintendo eShop.
Each title costs $19.99, and players must purchase FireRed and LeafGreen individually if they want both versions. Nintendo has described them as digital-only releases, meaning there will be no physical cartridge versions at launch.
Importantly, reports confirm that this version is a straightforward port of the original Game Boy Advance releases. Nintendo has not added graphical upgrades, gameplay enhancements, or modern features. Players will experience the games as they originally appeared in 2004.
This approach may appeal to purists who want an authentic experience, while some fans may feel disappointed by the lack of visual improvements.
Originally released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, FireRed and LeafGreen served as enhanced remakes of Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green (Blue internationally). Game Freak updated the visuals at the time and added new content, including the Sevii Islands.
The Nintendo Switch versions retain those upgrades. Players can revisit the Kanto region, challenge Gym Leaders, defeat Team Rocket, and complete the Pokédex. The Sevii Islands remain accessible, offering additional areas, story elements, and Pokemon not found in the original 1996 titles.
The games also support local communication features for trading and battling Pokemon, preserving one of the series’ most iconic mechanics.
By keeping the core gameplay intact, Nintendo allows a new generation of players to experience classic Pokemon storytelling without altering the formula that made it successful.
The February 27 launch date holds special significance. Pokemon Day celebrates the release of the original Pokemon Red and Green in Japan in 1996. In 2026, the franchise officially turns 30 years old.
The Pokemon Presents broadcast will likely showcase additional announcements, including updates for current titles and possibly new projects. However, FireRed and LeafGreen already stand out as nostalgic highlights of the celebration.
By bringing these remakes back to modern hardware, Nintendo honours the franchise’s roots while reminding fans of its lasting global impact.
If you missed these titles on Game Boy Advance, this release offers an easy way to experience them without older hardware. The affordable price point makes them accessible to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
However, players expecting remastered graphics or expanded features should temper expectations. Nintendo clearly positions these versions as faithful ports rather than full remakes.
Still, returning to Kanto, exploring the Sevii Islands, and reliving classic Gym battles may prove irresistible for Pokemon enthusiasts. With pre-orders now live and launch just days away, fans do not have to wait long to begin their nostalgic journey once again.
