Nintendo just dropped FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch — faithful ports, but with a few odd caveats

Why this matters: your childhood on Switch, mostly unchanged

This caught my attention because Nintendo is doing something stubbornly simple: putting the Game Boy Advance remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on modern Switch hardware without trying to “remaster” them. That matters for two reasons. One, it gives a straightforward route back into Kanto with the Sevii Islands – content many players missed the first time. Two, Nintendo’s choices around connectivity and distribution show how the company values preservation over convenience, and that’s going to frustrate as many people as it will please.

• Release: Nintendo confirmed both games for Nintendo Switch on 27 February 2026; preorders and preloads are live on the eShop.
• Price & availability: $19.99 / £16.99 each as digital-only releases (no European physical release announced).
• What’s preserved: these are faithful GBA-era ports – Sevii Islands, original content and structure intact.
• Connectivity surprises: local wireless and GameChat are supported, but online multiplayer and Pokémon HOME support are unclear or absent at launch.

Breaking down the announcement

Nintendo uploaded official eShop pages, a trailer and screenshots showing the original GBA visuals running on Switch. The launch date is set for 27 February 2026, and both titles are priced at $19.99 (with UK pricing around £16.99). Preorders and preloads have already appeared on the eShop – so if you want to jump back in on day one, you can.

What you’re getting is intentionally conservative: the same maps, the same 151 Pokémon (as these are the first-generation remakes), and the Sevii Islands content that made FireRed/LeafGreen feel like the “definitive” early-GBA package. The builds are compatible with Switch 2, and downloads are tiny — the eShop page lists a surprisingly small file size, reflecting that these are emulated ports rather than rebuilt games.

What Nintendo changed — and what’s left out

On the connectivity front Nintendo has modernized the old link-cable era into local wireless and added GameChat support, meaning you can still battle or trade with people in the same room (and use voice in nearby sessions). But don’t expect modern online features: reports differ. Some outlets note Pokémon HOME text appeared briefly on the eShop pages and was later removed, while others say Home won’t be supported at launch. Similarly, there’s no sign of true online multiplayer — trading and battles are local-only, up to four players in the Wireless Club.

Language handling is also old-school: the eShop appears to be shipping language-specific SKUs (English, French, Spanish sold separately), which means you might need to buy another region’s version if you want a different language — annoying for collectors or bilingual players.

Another small but curious note: some regional listings show a very low age rating in the UK despite the original game’s simulated gambling (Celadon Game Corner). That may indicate minor content tweaks or rating reassessments, but Nintendo hasn’t explained it.

Why Nintendo chose FireRed and LeafGreen, not Red and Blue

Several outlets point out the oddness of re-releasing 2004’s FireRed/LeafGreen for a 30th-anniversary build-up instead of the 1996 originals. Nintendo’s FAQ answer — echoed by press coverage — is pragmatic: FireRed and LeafGreen are the “ultimate” versions of the first-generation story, with color, the Sevii Islands and gameplay tweaks that make them a fuller package than the original Red/Blue. It’s a nostalgia play that prioritizes completeness over strict historical celebration.

The gamer’s perspective: what to expect and what to watch

If you’re mainly nostalgic and want an easy way to replay Kanto with its GBA touches, these ports are a solid win — and $20 is a low barrier. If you were hoping for modern conveniences (full online trading, seamless Pokémon HOME transfers, crossplay with newer titles, or physical releases), prepare to be underwhelmed. The ambiguity around event-only items (like MysticTicket/AuroraTicket) and HOME support could also keep 100% completionists waiting for clarification or patches.

• Watch Pokémon Presents on 27 Feb for clarification about Pokémon HOME, event items and any special bundles.
• Expect immediate community tests on Switch 2 performance, age-rating quirks and local wireless stability once the preloads go live.
• If Nintendo still plans to patch HOME support later, it’ll be the biggest single change that could shift community sentiment.

TL;DR

Nintendo is bringing faithful GBA-era ports of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to Switch on 27 Feb 2026 for $19.99 each. They preserve the original content and add local wireless + GameChat, but online features, Pokémon HOME transfers and some event support are unclear or missing at launch — which will annoy some players even as others celebrate an easy route back into classic Kanto.