Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen coming to Nintendo Switch next week, but not as part of NSO

February 20, 2026 - 23:45

The beloved Game Boy Advance remakes of Pokémon Red and Green, originally launched in 2004 as Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, are set to launch on the Nintendo Switch next week. This release marks a significant and welcome addition to the platform's classic library, though it comes with a notable caveat: these titles will not be included as part of the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription service.

Instead, the games will be available for individual purchase through the Nintendo eShop. This approach mirrors the recent release of other Game Boy Advance classics like Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, setting them apart from the growing catalog of titles accessible via the NSO Expansion Pack. The decision ensures these definitive Kanto-region adventures are permanently available in players' personal libraries, rather than being tied to a recurring subscription.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are celebrated for modernizing the original 1996 journeys with updated graphics, quality-of-life improvements, and the addition of the Sevii Islands post-game content. Their arrival on Switch provides a new generation of trainers with a direct and authentic way to experience a cornerstone of Pokémon history, rekindling the classic quest to complete the Pokédex and defeat the Elite Four.