Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are officially heading to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on 27 February 2026, The Pokémon Company confirmed during its annual Pokémon Day broadcast.
The digital-only re-release marks the franchise’s 30th anniversary and brings the classic Kanto adventure back to modern consoles for UK players at £16.99 per title.
The announcement came from The Pokémon Company during its globally streamed Pokémon Presents event.
The company revealed that both Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will launch digitally on 27 February 2026 across Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
The move celebrates 30 years since the franchise began and revisits the original 151 Pokémon that first captured players’ imaginations. Both titles will become available on the Nintendo eShop immediately after the broadcast ends.
What is Pokémon FireRed, and why does it matter in 2026?
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version first launched in 2004 on the Game Boy Advance.
They were enhanced remakes of the original 1996 Kanto games, improving graphics, adding wireless trading, and expanding the post-game content.
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version confirmed for Nintendo Switch! 🔥🍃
Celebrate #PokemonDay with these download-exclusive titles available after the Pokémon Presents on Friday, 27 February 2026, at 2:00 p.m. GMT. #PokemonFRLG pic.twitter.com/X6oLEGYbBF
— Pokémon UK (@PokemonNewsUK) February 20, 2026
For many UK players now in their late 20s and 30s, FireRed was their first Pokémon experience. It retold the journey from Pallet Town through eight Gym Leaders to the Elite Four, featuring iconic characters like Professor Oak and Team Rocket.
Bringing the games to Switch and Switch 2 matters because:
- It restores legal access to a long-out-of-print title
- It modernises compatibility for new hardware
- It reintroduces the original 151 Pokémon during a milestone anniversary year
This move mirrors Nintendo’s wider strategy of reviving Game Boy Advance classics on current platforms.
How much will Pokémon FireRed cost in the UK?
The UK eShop price is confirmed at £16.99 per version.
| Version | Platform | Release Date | UK Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon FireRed | Switch & Switch 2 | 27 Feb 2026 | £16.99 |
| Pokémon LeafGreen | Switch & Switch 2 | 27 Feb 2026 | £16.99 |
In the United States, each title costs $19.99 USD, keeping pricing consistent with other retro digital releases. There is no physical UK release planned. The games are download-only.
Will Pokémon HOME support be available at launch?
Pokémon HOME compatibility is confirmed, but not immediately.
The Pokémon Company stated during the presentation: “Connectivity with Pokémon HOME will be added in a future update.”
This means UK players will not be able to transfer Pokémon into modern games on day one. However, support will arrive later, allowing long-time fans to move Kanto Pokémon into their broader collection.
That feature could prove vital for competitive players and collectors building a complete National Pokédex.
What makes this 30th anniversary re-release special?
The Pokémon Company is clearly leaning into nostalgia for its 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026. Japan will receive a premium collector’s bundle sold via Pokémon Center Online. It includes:
- A digital download card
- Packaging styled like the original Game Boy Advance box
- Bonus display items themed after FireRed and LeafGreen
- Price: 19,800 yen
No similar collector’s edition has been confirmed for the UK.
Why are classic GBA Pokémon games returning now?
The release aligns with a broader retro revival across Nintendo platforms. Over the past two years, Switch Online has added Game Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries.
Bringing Pokémon FireRed into that ecosystem helps:
- Boost Switch 2 launch momentum
- Appeal to older millennials who grew up with GBA
- Offer younger players a simpler, classic Pokémon experience
Unlike newer titles such as open-world Pokémon entries, FireRed follows a structured route-based adventure. That linear format remains popular among fans who prefer traditional gameplay.
What does this mean for UK Pokémon fans?
For UK gamers, this release means affordable access to one of the franchise’s most loved remakes without relying on ageing cartridges or resale markets, where GBA copies often sell for £60–£120 on secondary platforms.
It also signals that The Pokémon Company may bring more legacy titles to modern consoles throughout 2026.
