Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Headed to Switch; Nintendo Explains Why Red/Blue Are Not Getting Standalone Releases
Nintendo has confirmed that pokemon FireRed Version and pokemon LeafGreen Version will be released on the Nintendo Switch eShop on Feb. 27, 2026, and that the releases are tied to an upcoming Pokémon Presents presentation. This matters because Nintendo says it chose the FireRed/LeafGreen editions as the standalone Switch offerings in place of the original Red/Blue titles, and the company has no announcements about other Game Boy: Nintendo Classics additions.
Pokemon Presents timing and the Switch release
A Pokémon Presents livestream is scheduled for Feb. 27, and the FireRed and LeafGreen releases will be available on the Nintendo Switch eShop following the presentation. The event will be broadcast at 6: 00 a. m. PST / 2: 00 p. m. GMT / 3: 00 p. m. CET. The timing aligns the reissues with the franchise anniversary noted for the same date.
Why Nintendo selected FireRed/LeafGreen over Red/Blue
Nintendo has explained that FireRed and LeafGreen were selected as standalone Switch releases because they are the enhanced, later versions of the original Game Boy adventures and include additional features and upgrades beyond the contents of the original Red Version and Blue Version. The company characterized FireRed/LeafGreen as the "ultimate versions" of those early titles and chose to offer those enhanced editions on the Switch eShop rather than issuing separate Red/Blue standalone releases.
Availability, pricing, and the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics question
The FireRed and LeafGreen releases will not be part of the classic games collection and will instead be sold individually for $19. 99/£16. 99 each. Nintendo has stated it has nothing to announce regarding any other potential titles joining the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics service, leaving the future availability of the original Red/Blue on that service unconfirmed.
Implications and what to watch next
The decision to publish FireRed and LeafGreen as standalone Switch purchases emphasizes Nintendo's focus on offering the more feature-complete, updated iterations of its legacy titles rather than reissuing earlier originals in isolation. For fans hoping to see the original Red and Blue appear as standalone Switch releases or on the Game Boy: Nintendo Classics lineup, recent comments indicate no further details are available at this time. Observers should watch the Feb. 27 presentation for the official rollout timing and any further clarifications around availability and platform plans.
Recent updates confirm the release schedule and Nintendo's explanation; details may evolve as the event unfolds.
