Pokemon Fire Red Returns to Switch: GBA Remake Re-released as $19.99 Standalone Port
The company announced that pokemon fire red and its counterpart LeafGreen — the 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes of the original titles — are being re-released for the Nintendo Switch family as standalone digital purchases. The move matters because these are largely unmodified ports of well-regarded remakes that will be sold outside of the subscription Game Boy Advance collection and priced at $19. 99 each.
Pokemon Fire Red on Switch: availability, price and platform details
The Switch re-release of Pokemon Fire Red will be available following a planned presentation at 9: 00 a. m. ET (6: 00 a. m. PT) on Feb. 27. The versions are digital releases offered in multiple language editions and will also appear at select retailers during launch week for a suggested retail price of $19. 99 (USD) each. These releases are playable on the original Switch and are noted as playable on the upcoming Switch 2 by extension, though no features specific to that system were announced.
Crucially for players, the games will be sold as standalone purchases rather than being included in the subscription Game Boy Advance library tied to the console’s online expansion. That decision allows non-subscribers to buy and play the titles immediately, but it also means subscribers will not automatically receive these GBA ports through the existing service bundle.
Multiplayer, faithfulness to the GBA originals, and limited online features
The Switch editions of these GBA remakes are described as mostly unmodified ports, retaining the Game Boy Advance-era gameplay, graphics and balance updates introduced in 2004. The re-releases include era-specific additions such as abilities, natures, weather conditions, held items and the ability to select the player character’s gender.
Multiplayer functionality will use local wireless matchmaking rather than internet-based online play. Local wireless support replaces the original Game Link Cable methods, mirroring how the GBA versions supported wireless interactions. Online multiplayer is not available in these ports. An earlier note about support for the creature transfer service known as Pokémon Home was present in the initial announcement but has since been removed; this element remains unsettled and may change over time.
Why this re-release matters and what players should expect
Pokemon Fire Red and LeafGreen are adaptations of the first entries in the franchise and preserve the Kanto region experience with the original roster of 151 Pokémon. These 2004 remakes incorporated roster and mechanical updates from later handheld generations while staying closer to the original gameplay than more recent reinterpretations for the Switch family.
The GBA originals introduced unique wireless hardware at the time, and details from that era are reflected in the new ports’ local multiplayer focus. Historically, the GBA wireless accessory supported group features such as the Union Room, which could host many players in a single in-game space, though practical use recommended close physical proximity for reliable connections.
Players looking forward to revisiting Kanto will find the classic turn-based encounters, familiar characters and updated mechanics intact. Those hoping for integrated online features or immediate transfer compatibility with modern titles should note the removed mention of transfer support and the lack of online multiplayer; these aspects remain points to watch as further updates become available.
Recent updates indicate the re-releases will be sold individually and will not be added to the subscription GBA collection, and details about long-term connectivity with newer games are still evolving. Expect the digital releases and retail availability to follow the announced presentation on Feb. 27 at 9: 00 a. m. ET, with the broader implications for preservation, accessibility and subscription value continuing to unfold after launch.
