Nintendo has quietly expanded the Switch library ahead of its scheduled Pokémon Direct on February 27, confirming that Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are coming to the Nintendo Switch as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary rollout. The announcement arrives just days before the presentation, giving long-time players something tangible while speculation continues about what else may be revealed.
Originally released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen were remakes of the 1996 Game Boy titles that introduced much of the world to the series. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, the Game Boy Advance versions rebuilt Kanto with updated visuals, expanded post-game content, wireless trading support, and mechanical refinements drawn from later generations at the time.
The Nintendo Switch versions will be sold as standalone releases priced at $19.99 each. Notably, they will not be included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s Game Boy Advance library, meaning access does not require a subscription. This approach positions the titles as individual purchases rather than part of the retro service catalog, which could appeal to players who prefer ownership over access-based models. They are available for pre-order via the Nintendo eShop and are confirmed for both the original Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 hardware.
According to Nintendo, players can expect updated graphics and local multiplayer functionality. While the company has not detailed the extent of the visual enhancements, early information suggests a presentation optimized for modern displays rather than a simple emulation layer. Local multiplayer support is particularly relevant given FireRed and LeafGreen’s historical emphasis on trading and battling—features that were central to the original design philosophy of the franchise.
From a broader perspective, bringing Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to Switch fits into Nintendo’s recent pattern of revisiting earlier generations through remasters and re-releases. Over the past several years, the company has alternated between new entries and legacy content, maintaining engagement across multiple age groups. FireRed and LeafGreen occupy a specific niche within that strategy: they are remakes of foundational games, meaning they represent both first-generation nostalgia and early-2000s design sensibilities.
Their arrival also raises practical questions about long-term preservation and accessibility. Until now, these titles were largely confined to original Game Boy Advance cartridges or secondary markets. By making them available digitally on modern hardware, Nintendo effectively lowers the barrier to entry for players who want to experience a more traditional, grid-based Pokémon adventure without the mechanical complexity of more recent generations.
With the Pokémon Direct scheduled for February 27, this release may serve as a prelude rather than the main event. Whether additional anniversary projects are planned remains to be seen, but the reintroduction of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen suggests that the 30th anniversary celebration will lean heavily on the franchise’s earliest foundations while adapting them for contemporary platforms like the Nintendo Switch.
