Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Return on Switch, But There’s a $20 Catch
Remember the sheer, heart-pounding panic of stepping into the tall grass on Route 1 with just a sliver of health left? That familiar 8-bit crunch of the battle music and the vibrant colors of the Kanto region are burning bright in our memories again.
To celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are officially dropping on the Nintendo Switch on February 27th.
The Ultimate Nostalgia Trip
If you grew up trading monsters via a tangled link cable, these 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes are basically holy text. They took the clunky, broken, yet lovable charm of the original Red and Blue and smoothed out the rough edges.
You get the running shoes, the much-needed movepool updates, and the incredibly cool Sevii Islands post-game content. It’s hands down the best way to experience the original 151 monsters (and more in the post-game) in all their sprite-based glory.
The Donphan in the Room
But here’s where the hype train derails just a little bit. Instead of dropping these classics into the Nintendo Switch Online GBA app for subscribers, as many expected, Nintendo is charging $20 a pop.
When fans rightfully asked why they’re handling this anniversary release so differently, Nintendo dropped a wildly defensive FAQ.
Their official reason for the standalone price tag? “We thought it would be fun.” Yeah, it’s definitely an interesting definition of fun for our wallets, especially since online features are totally absent. You’re strictly stuck with local trading, just like the good old days in the middle of the school cafeteria. Although further details might be revealed during the upcoming Pokemon Presents Broadcast.
Learn more about the Pokemon Presents Broadcast and what to expect!
The Pokedex Completion Crisis
The real kicker, though, is the creeping anxiety surrounding Pokémon Home compatibility. The Switch eShop page originally promised Home support, but that text vanished almost as fast as a fleeing Abra. If these games aren’t linked to Home, it creates a massive, glaring problem for hardcore completionists.
The National Dex in FireRed and LeafGreen requires monsters from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to actually finish. Without Home or local compatibility with those Gen 3 games, 100% completion is literally impossible right out of the gate. Although it might come at a later date.
Unfortunately, Nintendo also failed to provide key details about certain in-game events. Most notably, there was no clarification regarding the MysticTicket, which grants access to Navel Rock and the opportunity to catch Lugia and Ho-Oh. The same applies to the AuroraTicket, which unlocks Birth Island, where players can encounter Deoxys in its Attack Forme in FireRed and Defense Forme in LeafGreen.
This stands in contrast to the international release of Pokémon Crystal on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, which for the first time made the Celebi event officially available worldwide.
Catching ‘Em All With A Catch
There’s no denying the magnetic pull of Pallet Town, even with the messy rollout and the stingy price point. We’re all going to feel that familiar rush when we pick our starters on Pokémon Day, despite the frustrating missing features.
What do you think of this unexpected release of the classic Gen 1 remakes? Let us know in the comment section below!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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