Nintendo Unveils Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen for Switch Launch
Nintendo has officially announced that remakes of the classic Pokémon Red and Blue games will be released on the Nintendo Switch next week. This confirmation comes after widespread rumors suggested that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen would be a highlight for Pokémon Day on February 27. The announcement, made on Friday morning, reveals that these Game Boy Advance remakes from 1996 will debut on both Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 on Friday, February 27.
Exclusive Digital Release and Pricing Details
The games will be available as download-exclusive titles on the Switch, meaning they will not be included in the Game Boy Advance lineup on Nintendo Switch Online. Instead, they will be sold separately at a price of £16.99 each, which is considered a reasonable cost by many fans. This decision to sell them outside of the Nintendo Switch Online service may be linked to technical features, such as the rewind function, which could interfere with trading mechanics and shiny hunting, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay.
Features and Future Support
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch will support local wireless multiplayer for battles and trading, but online play will not be available. According to an FAQ page, the games will include GameChat functionality on the Nintendo Switch 2, with no major performance differences between the two systems. Additionally, Nintendo has confirmed that these titles will eventually support the Pokémon Home cloud service, a feature that would be challenging to implement through a Switch Online app.
Nintendo's Strategy and Future Plans
In response to questions about why these games are being handled differently, Nintendo stated, 'In celebration of 30 years of Pokémon, we thought it would be fun to return to the ultimate versions of the original Pokémon adventures in the Kanto region with these special releases.' The company also clarified that there are no plans for a physical edition on Switch and emphasized that their focus remains on offering classic games through Nintendo Switch Online and its Expansion Pack, rather than signaling a broader release of classic Pokémon or other titles separately.
Background and Additional Announcements
Prior to this announcement, there was no way to play classic Pokémon titles from the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, or Nintendo DS on the Switch. Historically, Nintendo has made these games available on platforms like the 3DS Virtual Console as separate digital downloads. Beyond the game ports, Nintendo has released music from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Music App to build excitement ahead of the launch.
More announcements are anticipated on Pokémon Day next Friday, with rumors suggesting the potential reveal of the next generation of Pokémon titles. Other expected updates include news on Pokémon Champions, Pokopia, and possible release dates for re-releases like Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on Nintendo Switch Online.
