If you can hear the iconic 8-bit trumpet flare of the Game Boy Advance opening in your head right now, you’re not alone. In a move that has sent the fandom into a nostalgic frenzy, The Pokémon Company has officially announced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch ports are arriving next week.
As we gear up for the franchise’s massive 30th Anniversary on February 27, 2026, the return to Kanto feels like the perfect birthday gift. But there’s a catch that has the community talking: unlike the other Game Boy classics tucked away behind the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription, these GBA icons are being sold as standalone digital titles.
The $20 Question: Standalone vs. Nintendo Switch Online
For years, fans have begged for the mainline Pokémon library to hit the NSO service. Instead, Nintendo is taking a page out of the 3DS Virtual Console playbook. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will launch on the eShop for $19.99 each.
While some might grumble at the price tag for 22-year-old games, the standalone nature means you own the digital license without needing an active subscription. Furthermore, these aren’t just lazy emulations. The Switch versions will support local wireless play for battling and trading—mimicking the original GBA Wireless Adapter experience—and are expected to feature full integration with Pokémon HOME in a future update. For those looking to bring their Charizards from 2004 into the modern era, this is a literal game-changer.
Pokémon Presents 2026: Gen 10 and the “Wind and Waves” Mystery
The release of FireRed and LeafGreen is just the appetizer for what is shaping up to be the most important Pokémon Presents in a decade. The broadcast is confirmed for February 27 at 6:00 AM PT / 9:00 AM ET, and the hype is currently off the charts.
Why? Because of the “Teraleak.”
Last year’s massive data breach—which fans have dubbed the “Teraleak”—all but confirmed that Gen 10 is on the horizon. Rumors suggest the new titles are codenamed Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves, featuring a sprawling archipelago of procedurally-generated islands. With the 30th anniversary serving as the backdrop, many insiders expect our first official look at these games during the stream.
We are also expecting a final deep-dive into Pokémon Pokopia, the cozy life-sim spin-off where you play as a “human Ditto” building a village for your Pokémon friends. Think Animal Crossing meets Pokémon, but with more farming and fewer debt-collecting raccoons. It’s slated for a March 5 release, making this an incredibly busy month for trainers.
Celebrating 30 Years: From LEGO to Lady Gaga
Pokémon isn’t just taking over your Switch; it’s taking over your living room. The 30th-anniversary celebrations kicked off in high style with a Super Bowl spot featuring Lady Gaga. In a moment that immediately went viral, Gaga performed a high-production rendition of the “Jigglypuff Song” alongside a high-fidelity 3D Jigglypuff. It was weird, it was camp, and it was the perfect reminder of how massive this brand has become.
If that wasn’t enough, the first-ever LEGO Pokémon sets are officially dropping on February 27. The debut lineup includes:
- 2,050-piece Pikachu and Poké Ball set ($199.99)
- Massive 6,838-piece Kanto Starters (Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise) display ($649.99)
- 18+ Eevee set ($59.99)
These sets are designed for the “adult collector” (the 18-35 demographic who grew up with the original Red and Blue), further leaning into the nostalgia that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch are tapping into.
Is the $20 Price Tag Worth the Trip?
Between the LEGO sets, the Lady Gaga cameos, and the looming shadow of Gen 10, the return of FireRed and LeafGreen feels like a homecoming. While the $19.99 price point might be a point of contention for some, the ability to play these polished GBA classics on a modern screen with local wireless support is hard to pass up.
Will you be picking up FireRed or LeafGreen next week, or are you holding out for the Gen 10 reveal? And be honest—who else is already saving up for that $650 LEGO Charizard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
