Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Arrive on Nintendo Switch: All the Details on Features, Release, and Connectivity
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have delighted longtime fans by announcing the upcoming digital launch of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch.
As part of the Pokémon Day celebrations, both classic titles will be available for download from the Nintendo eShop in just one week, marking a significant occasion in the franchise’s 30-year legacy. Reintroducing Iconic Kanto Adventures Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen revitalized the first-generation Pokémon Red and Blue, introducing improved graphics, expanded features, and gameplay enhancements.
Their return to the Nintendo Switch allows a new generation of players—and veteran trainers—to revisit these definitive Kanto adventures in a modern format. Why FireRed and LeafGreen, Not Red and Blue? According to a spokesperson for The Pokémon Company, the decision to re-release FireRed and LeafGreen instead of the original Red and Blue versions was made to honor the legacy of the series with their most comprehensive renditions.
"We believe fans will value these ultimate versions of the original games, which offer added features and notable upgrades over the 1996 releases," they explained during an official FAQ. Game Features and Enhancements on Nintendo Switch Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version for Nintendo Switch strive to deliver an authentic experience faithful to their Game Boy Advance roots.
Key gameplay elements remain unchanged, but the platform shift introduces modern improvements: • Connectivity features, previously reliant on Game Boy Advance link cables or adapters, are now accessible via the Nintendo Switch’s built-in local wireless connectivity and compatible with both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Up to four players can connect in the Pokémon Wireless Club, enabling trading, battling, and participating in minigames.
• The games support the GameChat system on Nintendo Switch 2, enhancing local multiplayer interaction. • No Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to purchase or play these titles, making them accessible to all Switch users. Online Play and Regional Language Versions Consistent with the original releases, local wireless play is fully supported, but there is no online functionality for trading or battling.
Each language version—English, European French, and European Spanish—matches those distributed for the Game Boy Advance.
The companies recommend players confirm their chosen language before purchase, as these are sold separately.
Anyone who purchases the wrong language by mistake is advised to contact support for assistance. Not Part of Nintendo Classics Collections Unlike some other legacy Pokémon games available through Nintendo Switch Online membership, such as Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Puzzle League, FireRed and LeafGreen are being offered exclusively as standalone digital releases.
There are currently no announced plans to make these titles part of any existing Nintendo Classics collections. Availability and Platform Details Both games are launching exclusively in digital format on the Nintendo eShop, with no plans for a physical edition.
Pre-purchases for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are live now, providing an easy way for fans to secure their return to Kanto. This major release is part of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s ongoing mission to honor 30 years of Pokémon adventures with high-quality, accessible, and faithful re-releases.
With classic features adapted to Nintendo Switch’s capabilities and maintained authenticity, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are poised to captivate both veteran trainers and newcomers alike.
As part of the Pokémon Day celebrations, both classic titles will be available for download from the Nintendo eShop in just one week, marking a significant occasion in the franchise’s 30-year legacy. Reintroducing Iconic Kanto Adventures Originally released on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen revitalized the first-generation Pokémon Red and Blue, introducing improved graphics, expanded features, and gameplay enhancements.
Their return to the Nintendo Switch allows a new generation of players—and veteran trainers—to revisit these definitive Kanto adventures in a modern format. Why FireRed and LeafGreen, Not Red and Blue? According to a spokesperson for The Pokémon Company, the decision to re-release FireRed and LeafGreen instead of the original Red and Blue versions was made to honor the legacy of the series with their most comprehensive renditions.
"We believe fans will value these ultimate versions of the original games, which offer added features and notable upgrades over the 1996 releases," they explained during an official FAQ. Game Features and Enhancements on Nintendo Switch Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version for Nintendo Switch strive to deliver an authentic experience faithful to their Game Boy Advance roots.
Key gameplay elements remain unchanged, but the platform shift introduces modern improvements: • Connectivity features, previously reliant on Game Boy Advance link cables or adapters, are now accessible via the Nintendo Switch’s built-in local wireless connectivity and compatible with both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Up to four players can connect in the Pokémon Wireless Club, enabling trading, battling, and participating in minigames.
• The games support the GameChat system on Nintendo Switch 2, enhancing local multiplayer interaction. • No Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to purchase or play these titles, making them accessible to all Switch users. Online Play and Regional Language Versions Consistent with the original releases, local wireless play is fully supported, but there is no online functionality for trading or battling.
Each language version—English, European French, and European Spanish—matches those distributed for the Game Boy Advance.
The companies recommend players confirm their chosen language before purchase, as these are sold separately.
Anyone who purchases the wrong language by mistake is advised to contact support for assistance. Not Part of Nintendo Classics Collections Unlike some other legacy Pokémon games available through Nintendo Switch Online membership, such as Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Puzzle League, FireRed and LeafGreen are being offered exclusively as standalone digital releases.
There are currently no announced plans to make these titles part of any existing Nintendo Classics collections. Availability and Platform Details Both games are launching exclusively in digital format on the Nintendo eShop, with no plans for a physical edition.
Pre-purchases for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are live now, providing an easy way for fans to secure their return to Kanto. This major release is part of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s ongoing mission to honor 30 years of Pokémon adventures with high-quality, accessible, and faithful re-releases.
With classic features adapted to Nintendo Switch’s capabilities and maintained authenticity, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are poised to captivate both veteran trainers and newcomers alike.
