Friday morning my inbox blinked: a Nintendo eShop listing carried a February 27 release date. For a second I forgot what year it was. Those remakes are a time machine.
I’ve tracked Nintendo releases for years, and I’ll tell you what matters here: the buy decision will be made in the first 30 seconds of the eShop page. You should read the small print, because this is a digital-only throwback from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo that changes how you own old games.
Release date — The signage is already live on store pages
Multiple regional eShop listings and press outlets confirm Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version will arrive on Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) on February 27, 2026, going live immediately after the Pokémon Presents stream for Pokémon Day. Pre-orders are already visible in the eShop’s Coming Soon section, and the release is framed as part of Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary celebration. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
When will Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen arrive on Nintendo Switch?
They land on February 27, 2026 on the Nintendo eShop, available shortly after the Pokémon Presents broadcast for Pokémon Day. Multiple outlets and the eShop listings themselves show the same date. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
Platforms, editions and price — The price tag is printed on the listing
The Switch eShop pages make this plain: FireRed and LeafGreen are standalone, digital-only purchases for Nintendo Switch (both the original Switch and the Switch 2 are listed as compatible), not part of the Nintendo Switch Online library. Each version is sold separately. ([nintendolife.com](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-officially-revealed-for-switch?utm_source=openai))
The standard digital edition is priced at $19.99 (€17). That’s the figure shown on multiple regional eShop entries and in early media coverage. If you want the collectors’ route, Japan will receive a deluxe special edition sold through Pokémon Center Online for 19,800 yen (about $127 / €109); that bundle includes a download card plus three glass Poké Ball ornaments and themed packaging and ships in Japan starting February 28, 2026. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
How much will FireRed and LeafGreen cost on Switch?
$19.99 per version, listed with a euro equivalent on eShop pages and press listings; the Japanese special edition is 19,800 JPY (converted to ~€109 by midpoint market rates). Check the region and language SKU before you buy—each language version is sold separately. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
If you want the Japanese special bundle, plan for region locks and shipping headaches: the download code appears to be Japan-region, and the box set is a Japan-only Pokémon Center Online release at launch. That makes the set a shrine for collectors who can get it overseas through imports or resellers. ([nintendolife.com](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-is-getting-a-stunning-special-edition-release-in-japan?utm_source=openai))
How to pre-order — The eShop’s Coming Soon shelf already lists them
If you’ve used the Nintendo eShop, the flow is familiar: sign into your Nintendo Account on console or web, open the FireRed or LeafGreen product page, select the language SKU you need, and pre-order. The eShop currently shows the listings and allows purchase at the $19.99 price. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
- Open Nintendo eShop on your Switch (or the web eShop) and search Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen.
- Select the correct language/version SKU (English, French, Spanish, etc.) and add to cart.
- Complete checkout with your Nintendo Account payment method.
- Your purchase will be ready to download on February 27, 2026, after the Pokémon Presents stream.
How do I pre-order FireRed and LeafGreen?
Pre-orders are handled through the Nintendo eShop—add the version you want to your cart, pay the $19.99 listing price, and the title will unlock on release day. Watch the SKU language before paying. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
Gameplay and features — The trailer shows familiar roads and gyms
The preview footage and product pages emphasize faithful preservation of the Game Boy Advance experience: Kanto’s map, the Sevii Islands postgame, and the classic Gym progression all return. Expect sprite-era visuals refreshed for modern screens, local wireless trading and battling via a recreated Wireless Club, and re-challenge options for Gym Leaders and the Pokémon League. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
Pokémon HOME compatibility is mentioned as arriving in a future update rather than at launch, so transfers into the modern ecosystem will come later. The releases are positioned as faithful GBA ports rather than rebuilt modern remakes with online features. ([dexerto.com](https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-announced-for-switch-and-switch-2-3322330//?utm_source=openai))
Will FireRed and LeafGreen support Pokémon HOME?
Yes — but not at launch. Official listings and early reporting say Pokémon HOME support is planned for a later update rather than being active on day one, so transfers will require a subsequent patch. ([dexerto.com](https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-announced-for-switch-and-switch-2-3322330//?utm_source=openai))
There’s a small, practical takeaway: if you want the pure, original GBA mechanics with a modern screen wrapper and are comfortable buying digital-only, this is straightforward. If you care about fully integrated online features from day one, you may prefer to wait and watch what The Pokémon Company adds after release. ([gematsu.com](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/02/pokemon-firered-version-and-leafgreen-version-coming-to-switch-on-february-27?utm_source=openai))
So—will you grab one version for the nostalgia run, buy both to finish a living Pokédex, or skip and wait for whatever else Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary might bring?