Wild Pokémon Rumor Claims FireRed And LeafGreen Are Coming To Switch 2 And Fans Aren’t Sure How To Feel

Why It Matters

Re‑introducing the first‑generation games on modern hardware could boost Switch 2 sales and revive legacy content revenue, but pricing and fan sentiment will shape market reception.

Key Takeaways

• Rumor: FireRed, LeafGreen may launch on Switch 2
• Leakers say games will be paid eShop titles, not subscription
• Compatibility with Pokémon Home expected for Pokémon transfers
• Fans split; some view release as nostalgic cash‑grab
• Potential $30 price tag could limit player adoption

Pulse Analysis

The prospect of FireRed and LeafGreen arriving on the Switch 2 highlights Nintendo’s broader strategy of leveraging its extensive back catalog to drive hardware adoption. By offering these flagship remakes as paid eShop downloads, the company can monetize nostalgia without diluting the value of its subscription service, Nintendo Switch Online. This approach mirrors recent trends in the gaming industry where publishers repackage classic titles for new consoles, balancing revenue generation with fan service. The integration with Pokémon Home further underscores a commitment to ecosystem continuity, allowing players to move legacy Pokémon into newer titles and preserving the franchise’s intergenerational appeal.

From a business perspective, pricing the ports at roughly $30 each positions them as premium retro experiences rather than low‑cost nostalgia bites. This price point reflects development costs for updating graphics, quality‑of‑life improvements, and ensuring seamless compatibility with modern hardware. However, it also risks alienating price‑sensitive segments of the Pokémon fanbase, especially those who expected these classics to be bundled with subscription tiers. The mixed fan reaction—excitement from Kanto enthusiasts versus fatigue from those yearning for newer regions—illustrates the delicate balance Nintendo must strike between honoring its heritage and delivering fresh content.

If confirmed, the launch could serve as a catalyst for the Switch 2’s launch window, adding a marquee title to the lineup alongside the upcoming Generation X games. It may also set a precedent for future re‑releases of other legacy Pokémon titles, potentially expanding the eShop catalog and encouraging developers to invest in high‑quality ports. Ultimately, the success of FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch 2 will hinge on how well Nintendo aligns pricing, accessibility, and community expectations, shaping the next phase of the franchise’s commercial trajectory.

Wild Pokémon Rumor Claims FireRed And LeafGreen Are Coming To Switch 2 And Fans Aren’t Sure How To Feel

By Kenneth Shepard · Published February 12, 2026

Pokémon Day, the series’ annual anniversary celebration that typically includes a live stream about upcoming projects, is just two weeks away. Rumors and leaks are circulating, and while the new Generation X games seem imminent, leakers claim that a pair of old games may also be announced for the Switch 2 on February 27: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

The Game Boy Advance games originally launched in 2004, and are remakes of the Red and Green RPGs on the Game Boy that kick‑started the franchise. The rumor of their impending rerelease began when Khu, a leaker in the Pokémon community, claimed that the games would “return soon” on X.

Centro Leaks, a prominent leak account, has also posted saying that a separate source tells them these RPGs won’t be part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and will instead be paid games on the eShop. They also claim they will be compatible with Pokémon Home, which allows you to transfer your Pokémon to a storage app that can be traded to other games in the series.

FireRed and LeafGreen are easily the best versions of the first‑generation games, but fans have gotten a bit weary of going back to the Kanto region after years of perceived favoritism for those original 151 Pokémon. So while there’s plenty of excitement about the possibility, some folks are rolling their eyes at the thought that these games might be ported over while plenty of the other games continue missing from the Switch’s line‑up—especially if they end up being pricey, standalone games.

“Big news for Kantoids,” wrote one Redditor.

“Just give me HGSS,” wrote another.

“FireRed and LeafGreen will return in Avengers: Doomsday,” is the top comment on the GamingLeaksAndRumors subreddit thread about the leak, indicating that a lot of folks feel like they’re being subjected to some MCU‑style nostalgia‑baiting here and aren’t thrilled at the prospect of going back to Kanto. So some folks might be skipping this if it comes to pass.

This is all just a rumor right now, but it would make some sense considering 2026 is Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. It doesn’t seem out of the question that The Pokémon Company would want to give folks a way to play that first adventure. The original Red and Blue were last available on the 3DS, but now that the eShop on that device has been shut down, you can only download them if you’ve previously purchased them.

For a series with as much continuity as Pokémon has through intergenerational trading and Home support, it’s really shitty that all these games aren’t readily accessible on modern hardware, but Nintendo has a way of making it hard to play old games without some kind of (usually expensive) port or subscription service on its current platforms. So if this does turn out to be true, I wouldn’t be surprised if FireRed and LeafGreen end up costing something like $30 a piece. But we’ll know for sure on Pokémon Day.