Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch Release February 27th Costs $20 Each

The announcement of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen for the Nintendo Switch has generated significant interest, with pre-orders now available and a release date set for February 27th. This move coincides with the franchise's 30th anniversary and is expected to be detailed further during the upcoming Pokémon Presents broadcast.

The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have revealed that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, will be available as standalone digital downloads on the Nintendo Switch. The release is scheduled to occur shortly after the annual Pokémon Presents showcase, set for February 27, 2026. This date also marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise.

The games will be offered as separate downloads on the Nintendo eShop, with each language version available individually. While specific details about the announcement's timing have varied slightly, multiple reports indicate that the eShop listings went live earlier than anticipated, suggesting a premature reveal.

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Timeline of Events

• February 27, 2026: The Pokémon Presents broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6:00 a.m. PST / 9:00 a.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. UK.

• Following Pokémon Presents: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are expected to go live on the Nintendo eShop.

• Present: Pre-orders for both titles are currently available.

The upcoming release is positioned as part of the year-long 30 years of Pokémon celebration. This follows a precedent set during the franchise's 20th anniversary, when classic titles were made available on the 3DS.

Key Details of the Release

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

• Availability: Digital download-exclusive titles.

• Pricing: Each game is priced at $20.

• Content: The games will include the Sevii Islands, featuring additional Pokémon. They will also offer the ability to trade and battle with other players via local wireless.

• Pokémon HOME Support: Connectivity with Pokémon HOME, the franchise's cloud-based storage service, is planned for a future update. This will allow players to transfer Pokémon from these titles to Pokémon HOME.

• Physical Edition: A "physical" edition is mentioned for Japan, though it will be a code-in-box.

Official Announcements and Expectations

"Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, remakes of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, will release on Nintendo Switch as download-exclusive titles. This software will be available to play after the conclusion of the Pokémon Presents presentation that is scheduled to begin on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. PST.”- The Pokémon Company

The announcement of these remakes comes as a surprise to many, with initial public comments from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo appearing absent before the eShop listings emerged. Expectations for the Pokémon Presents broadcast are reportedly high, particularly in the wake of a significant data leak concerning the franchise's tenth generation of games last year.

Game Features and Content

• Core Gameplay: Players will revisit the Kanto region and engage in the classic story of becoming the Pokémon League Champion.

• Sevii Islands: This area, introduced in the original Game Boy Advance remakes, will be present, offering expanded content and more Pokémon encounters.

• Connectivity:

• Local Wireless: The games will feature the "Pokémon Wireless Club" for trading, battling, and communication with nearby players.

• Pokémon HOME: Future integration is confirmed, enabling cloud storage and transfer of Pokémon. The exact timing for this feature's rollout remains unspecified.

• Original Fidelity: Reports indicate the games remain largely unchanged from their Game Boy Advance iterations, including updated graphics from the original GBA release. The distinct language versions offered in the original release are also being replicated.

Release Time Zones

The games are scheduled to become available across various time zones on February 27, 2026:

Context of the Release

The re-release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Switch is being widely interpreted as a significant nod to the franchise's 30th anniversary. The games themselves are remakes of Pokémon Red and Blue, which were foundational titles for the series, first released in 1996. This re-launch echoes similar anniversary celebrations that have occurred in the past, such as the 20th-anniversary releases on the 3DS.

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Inquiries and Unconfirmed Details

• Nintendo Switch Online: It is currently unconfirmed if these titles will be available through the Nintendo Switch Online service.

• Additional Content: Whether further content from the original Game Boy Advance versions, beyond the Sevii Islands, such as Birth Island or other specific Pokémon encounters, will be included remains unclear.

Expert Analysis

"Releasing FireRed and LeafGreen is a pretty big move to acknowledge Pokémon's 30th anniversary, much like the launch of classic titles on the 3DS almost 10 years ago for the 20th celebrations."- Nintendo Life (paraphrased from article summary)

The decision to bring these specific remakes to the Switch highlights their enduring popularity and their role in bridging older and newer generations of fans. The integration with Pokémon HOME, even if delayed, signals an effort to connect these classic experiences with the broader current Pokémon ecosystem.

Conclusion

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are confirmed for a Nintendo Switch release on February 27, 2026, priced at $20 each. The announcement appears to have been made somewhat unexpectedly, with eShop listings appearing prior to official statements. This re-release serves as a key component of the franchise's 30th anniversary celebrations and will be accompanied by the Pokémon Presents broadcast on the same day. Key features include the inclusion of the Sevii Islands and future support for Pokémon HOME. Pre-orders are currently active.

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Sources Used

• IGN: https://www.ign.com/articles/pokmon-fire-red-and-leaf-green-get-nintendo-switch-launch-next-week-priced-at-20-each

• Summary focus: Launch details, pricing, Pokémon Presents timing, Pokémon HOME connectivity.

• Nintendo Life: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-officially-revealed-for-switch

• Summary focus: Premature reveal via eShop, language versions, anniversary significance.

• 9to5Toys: https://9to5toys.com/2026/02/20/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-announced-switch-2/

• Summary focus: Announcement details, Switch 2 compatibility, Sevii Islands, Pokémon Wireless Club, original release context.

• GosuGamers: https://www.gosugamers.net/entertainment/news/78019-pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-pre-orders-go-live-on-nintendo-eshop-launching-on-pokemon-day

• Summary focus: Pre-orders, anniversary connection, premature announcement.

• GamesRadar: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/pokemon/a-week-before-pokemon-day-firered-and-leafgreen-get-a-surprise-reveal-for-nintendo-switch-and-theyll-be-launching-next-week-on-the-series-anniversary/

• Summary focus: Surprise reveal, launch timing relative to Pokémon Presents.

• Dexerto: https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-announced-for-switch-and-switch-2-3322330/

• Summary focus: Digital release confirmation, Pokémon HOME support, collector's bundle in Japan, Pokémon Wireless Club.

• NintendoWire: https://nintendowire.com/news/2026/02/19/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-coming-to-nintendo-switch-february-27th/

• Summary focus: Exact release date, standalone digital titles, Pokémon HOME support.

• Game8: https://game8.co/articles/release-dates/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-release-date-and-time

• Summary focus: Detailed release time breakdown across time zones, confirmation of no Nintendo Switch Online inclusion.