Pokémon FireRed Dominates Nintendo Switch eShop Charts After Announcement
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have taken the gaming world by storm with the surprise announcement that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the beloved remakes from the Game Boy Advance era, are set to return for Nintendo Switch.
The release, confirmed for February 27, 2026, coincides with the franchise's 30th anniversary and has ignited excitement—and discussion—across the global Pokémon community. Both Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will be available as standalone purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop, priced at £16.99 or $19.99 each.
This approach has sparked conversations among fans and industry observers, with some questioning why these classic titles are not included in the Nintendo Switch Online subscription or given as part of a bundled option.
Despite this debate, the demand for these games is already evident. According to live eShop data, the preorders for both titles have soared to the top of the Nintendo Switch eShop charts in major regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notably, Pokémon FireRed—a title that features the iconic Fire/Flying-type Charizard—has secured the number one position, with Pokémon LeafGreen following closely in second place.
These early sales milestones underscore the enduring popularity of the Pokémon series and the strong nostalgia attached to the Game Boy Advance generation. Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch editions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will closely mirror the original releases in content, while incorporating select modern updates.
Among these improvements is support for the Switch’s GameChat feature, allowing trainers to communicate during gameplay sessions.
For connectivity features, Nintendo promises solutions tailored to the contemporary hardware, making the experience accessible yet faithful to the originals. In response to questions about the absence of these titles from the Nintendo Switch Online classic games library, Nintendo clarified in an official FAQ that this return is a commemorative event for Pokémon's 30th anniversary—a unique case without current plans to expand similar retro offerings to standalone eShop releases.
The company reiterated its ongoing focus on delivering classic game experiences through the Switch Online subscription service. The rapid success of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen’s preorders highlights the franchise’s enduring draw and Nintendo’s strategic deployment of its rich back catalog.
While fans celebrate new opportunities to revisit the Kanto region, Nintendo remains committed to its broader approach to retro content via Nintendo Switch Online, reserving standalone releases for extraordinary milestones. As the countdown to February 2026 continues, all eyes remain on the eShop charts—and the legacy of these iconic Pokémon titles for a new generation of players.
The release, confirmed for February 27, 2026, coincides with the franchise's 30th anniversary and has ignited excitement—and discussion—across the global Pokémon community. Both Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will be available as standalone purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop, priced at £16.99 or $19.99 each.
This approach has sparked conversations among fans and industry observers, with some questioning why these classic titles are not included in the Nintendo Switch Online subscription or given as part of a bundled option.
Despite this debate, the demand for these games is already evident. According to live eShop data, the preorders for both titles have soared to the top of the Nintendo Switch eShop charts in major regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notably, Pokémon FireRed—a title that features the iconic Fire/Flying-type Charizard—has secured the number one position, with Pokémon LeafGreen following closely in second place.
These early sales milestones underscore the enduring popularity of the Pokémon series and the strong nostalgia attached to the Game Boy Advance generation. Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch editions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will closely mirror the original releases in content, while incorporating select modern updates.
Among these improvements is support for the Switch’s GameChat feature, allowing trainers to communicate during gameplay sessions.
For connectivity features, Nintendo promises solutions tailored to the contemporary hardware, making the experience accessible yet faithful to the originals. In response to questions about the absence of these titles from the Nintendo Switch Online classic games library, Nintendo clarified in an official FAQ that this return is a commemorative event for Pokémon's 30th anniversary—a unique case without current plans to expand similar retro offerings to standalone eShop releases.
The company reiterated its ongoing focus on delivering classic game experiences through the Switch Online subscription service. The rapid success of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen’s preorders highlights the franchise’s enduring draw and Nintendo’s strategic deployment of its rich back catalog.
While fans celebrate new opportunities to revisit the Kanto region, Nintendo remains committed to its broader approach to retro content via Nintendo Switch Online, reserving standalone releases for extraordinary milestones. As the countdown to February 2026 continues, all eyes remain on the eShop charts—and the legacy of these iconic Pokémon titles for a new generation of players.
