The Pokémon universe is gearing up for a major celebration of its 30th anniversary, and the festivities are kicking off with a nostalgic return to the Kanto region. Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen, originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, are coming to Nintendo Switch next week, .
The announcement, made today, , comes ahead of the annual Pokémon Presents broadcast, scheduled for at 6:00 a.m. PST / 9:00 a.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. GMT. The Pokémon Company is anticipating a significant showcase, hinting at major announcements to mark the milestone anniversary.
Unlike recent retro releases made available through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, FireRed and LeafGreen will be offered as standalone digital purchases via the Nintendo eShop, priced at $19.99 each. This decision signals a different approach to bringing classic Pokémon titles to a modern audience, foregoing the subscription model for direct ownership.
For longtime fans, the return to Kanto will be a welcome trip down memory lane. FireRed and LeafGreen were critically acclaimed remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Blue versions, offering updated graphics, expanded storylines with the inclusion of the Sevii Islands, and refined gameplay mechanics. The Switch versions promise to retain much of that original charm, allowing a new generation of players to experience the foundational Pokémon adventure.
While online play isn’t directly supported, the games will feature local wireless communication for battling and trading Pokémon. Importantly, players will also be able to connect and transfer their Pokémon to Pokémon Home, the franchise’s cloud-based storage service, allowing for continued integration with the wider Pokémon ecosystem.
The timing of this release is particularly noteworthy, coming on the heels of a period of intense speculation within the Pokémon community. Last year, a significant data leak – dubbed the “Teraleak” – revealed details about upcoming Pokémon projects, including potential plans for the series’ 10th generation of games. While The Pokémon Company has remained tight-lipped about those plans, the anniversary celebrations are widely expected to shed light on the future of the franchise.
The Teraleak, which surfaced in , detailed various aspects of the unannounced games, including new Pokémon designs, gameplay mechanics, and even hints at procedurally-generated areas – a potential first for the core Pokémon series. The anticipation surrounding the 10th generation is high, with fans hoping for a significant evolution of the Pokémon formula.
Beyond the game releases, The Pokémon Company is already making a splash with anniversary-themed initiatives. The launch of the first LEGO Pokémon sets on marks a new collaboration between the two iconic brands, and a recent Super Bowl commercial featuring Lady Gaga singing the Jigglypuff song generated significant buzz. These efforts demonstrate a comprehensive strategy to celebrate three decades of Pokémon’s cultural impact.
The arrival of FireRed and LeafGreen on the Switch isn’t just a nostalgic gesture; it’s a strategic move by The Pokémon Company to capitalize on the enduring popularity of the franchise and build excitement for what’s to come. As fans prepare for the Pokémon Presents broadcast next week, the expectation is that this anniversary will usher in a new era for the Pokémon universe, one that honors its rich history while embracing innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
