Classic Kanto, Modern Strategy
Pokémon, you’ve done it again.
Ahead of Pokémon Day on February 27, 2026, we’ve received massive news. Not only will there be a 25-minute Pokémon Direct, but Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will be available on Nintendo Switch shortly after the presentation. Both titles are digital-only releases priced at $19.99 on the Nintendo eShop, which feels fair considering they originally retailed for $39.99 and now command far higher prices on the secondary market. Preorders are already live.
Ready to Jump Back Into Kanto?
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are available digitally for $19.99 each. If you’re planning to pick up one (or both), you can grab Nintendo eShop credit below and preload instantly.
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I had previously speculated that we might see FireRed and LeafGreen come to Nintendo Switch systems, but I was not expecting confirmation this soon. Now that it is official, I’m genuinely pleased. In my view, FireRed and LeafGreen remain the definitive versions of Kanto, and revisiting them on modern hardware feels long overdue.
By pricing these titles individually rather than including them in Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo is clearly signaling that mainline Pokémon games remain premium products—even twenty years later.
While we’re expecting additional announcements during the Pokémon Direct, between the LEGO sets and the return of these Game Boy Advance classics, Pokémon Day 2026 already feels like a win. I’ve committed to a FireRed or LeafGreen Shiny Badge Quest—an optional challenge that requires catching a shiny Pokémon before each Gym battle—which means I will be grinding full-odds encounters at an aggressive pace before Pokémon Pokopia releases.
Now, let’s break down the version differences so you can decide which one to purchase.
The primary distinction between FireRed and LeafGreen comes down to version-exclusive wild Pokémon. Longtime fans understand the formula: each version includes Pokémon unavailable in the other without trading.
In FireRed, you’ll encounter Ekans, Oddish, Psyduck, Growlithe, Shellder, Cloyster, Electabuzz, Scyther, Wooper, Murkrow, Qwilfish, Delibird, and Skarmory, along with their evolutionary lines. These Pokémon do not appear in LeafGreen without trading.
In LeafGreen, you’ll find Sandshrew, Vulpix, Bellsprout, Slowpoke, Staryu, Magmar, Pinsir, Marill, Misdreavus, Sneasel, Remoraid, and Mantine, along with their evolutionary lines. These Pokémon are unavailable in FireRed unless traded.
Sharp-eyed trainers may notice the absence of Deoxys in the version exclusive breakdown. That omission is intentional, as it remains unclear whether the AuroraTicket distribution will return. Likewise, Pokémon such as Lugia and Ho-Oh were historically tied to special event items, and there has been no confirmation that those distributions will be replicated.
There has also been no mention of Pokémon Home compatibility, which is arguably the most important modern feature for collectors. If Home support is included, these releases instantly gain long-term value. If it is absent, that omission will matter.
The same uncertainty applies to other Game Boy Advance titles such as Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Their absence from this announcement suggests that mainline GBA Pokémon titles may remain separate from the Nintendo Switch Online library and instead follow this standalone $19.99 digital model moving forward.
The fact that we’re getting FireRed and LeafGreen in 2026 is genuinely significant. For years, these games were accessible only through emulation or inflated resale listings. Their arrival on Nintendo Switch is not just nostalgia. It represents accessibility, preservation, and a clear acknowledgment that legacy Pokémon titles still hold real value in a modern ecosystem. For longtime fans, that absolutely matters.
About the Author
Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.
Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.
I’m so excited they’re coming to the switch, can’t wait to go back to gen 3