Classic GBA Pokémon remakes are back on Switch — but don’t expect modern online features

What actually landed: FireRed and LeafGreen returning as faithful GBA ports – with strings attached

This caught my attention because Nintendo is leaning into nostalgia for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary – but it’s doing so by shipping the 2004 GBA remakes (FireRed and LeafGreen) rather than the 1996 originals. The result is a tidy, faithful reissue that keeps the Sevii Islands and classic systems intact, arrives on the eShop for about €20 apiece, and-critically—doesn’t give you the modern online trimmings many players expect.

• Release: February 27, 2026 (Pokémon Day), tied to a Pokémon Presents stream.
• Price/format: Digital-only on the Nintendo eShop for ~€19.99 each (preorders reportedly open).
• What’s included: Original remakes’ content, including Sevii Islands and Kanto’s full first-generation roster.
• Multiplayer: Local wireless play only (up to four players); no global online battles/trades.
• Unclear: Reporting conflicts on Pokémon HOME compatibility; some outlets say yes, others report no support.
• Compatibility: Confirmed playable on Switch and Switch 2; Europe likely skips a physical release.

Breaking down what the outlets agree on

Across reporting from Numerama and VidaExtra, the basics line up: Nintendo has listed Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on the eShop for a February 27, 2026 release — the same day as a scheduled Pokémon Presents broadcast tied to the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Both outlets note a roughly €19.99 price point, digital-only distribution in Europe, and that these are the GBA remakes that bundle in the Sevii Islands and other enhancements that originally differentiated them from the very first Red and Blue cartridges.

VidaExtra specifically calls out local wireless play (the Wireless Club in the second floor of a Pokémon Center) for up to four players, and stresses there’s no online multiplayer for global matches or trades. Numerama adds color on Nintendo’s public rationale: FireRed and LeafGreen were chosen because they’re the “definitive” versions with added features compared to the 1996 originals.

Where outlets diverge — and why it matters

The biggest practical unknown for players is Pokémon HOME compatibility. VidaExtra and Numerama reference Pokémon HOME support or list it as probable, which would let players move Pokémon into the modern ecosystem. But other reporting and early community chatter suggested the re-releases might be locked to local transfers only. That difference changes whether these are mere emulated throwbacks or usable entries in today’s Pokémon meta and collection economy.

Equally important: Europe appears to get digital-only releases, while Japan might see a special physical bundle. If you care about boxed editions or collectible extras, don’t bank on a European physical option yet.

Why Nintendo picked the GBA remakes (and why that’s clever)

Picking FireRed/LeafGreen over the original Red/Blue is a pragmatic choice. As Numerama reports, Nintendo framed them as the “ultimate” versions: color, restored content (Sevii Islands), and quality-of-life tweaks. For a 30th anniversary celebration, FireRed/LeafGreen give more gameplay for less effort than porting two very old Game Boy ROMs and rebuilding modern conveniences around them.

From a business angle it’s also cleaner: launch two well-known remakes, drive nostalgia, and use the Pokémon Presents stream as a marketing megaphone — while leaving room to tease bigger announcements (like a new generation) during the broadcast.

The gamer’s perspective: what this release actually means

If you loved the GBA remakes, these ports deliver the exact nostalgia fix: the map, the story, the Sevii Islands detours. But if you expected modern online features — full global trading, ranked battling, or instant cloud-based transfers — temper expectations. Local wireless remains the only multiplayer option currently confirmed by the outlets that covered the announcement.

Also worth flagging: €19.99 for a faithful emulation sits in a gray area. It’s an affordable price for casual fans who want to replay Kanto on modern hardware, but collectors and competitive players will want clarity on Pokémon HOME support before committing.

What’s next

Watch the Pokémon Presents on Feb. 27 (6am PT / 9am ET / 3pm CET) for the formal reveal and any clarifications — especially around Pokémon HOME compatibility and whether any online features or physical editions will appear. Beyond that, expect this move to be part nostalgia, part strategic tease: it gets fans re-engaged for the 30th celebrations while keeping the spotlight free for whatever The Pokémon Company plans next.

TL;DR

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen return to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Feb. 27 as faithful GBA ports for about €20 each, digital-only in Europe, with local wireless multiplayer and the Sevii Islands intact. Reporting conflicts over Pokémon HOME support — expect the Pokémon Presents stream to settle the details.