Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have confirmed the return of two classic role-playing games to modern consoles, announcing that Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will be released on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, 2026. The news comes ahead of this year’s Pokémon Day celebrations, marking the 30th anniversary of the franchise with a nod to its roots.

The titles, originally released in 2004 as enhanced remakes of the 1996 Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green games, were developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. They will be available as standalone digital downloads on the Nintendo eShop, priced at $19.99 USD each, and are not tied to a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Nintendo’s announcement clarifies that both games will launch on the eShop shortly after the conclusion of the Pokémon Presents broadcast scheduled to air on Pokémon Day. This makes the pair among the first confirmed releases timed with the franchise’s milestone year.

Players who purchase FireRed or LeafGreen on Switch will be able to revisit the iconic Kanto region, encounter the series’ original 151 Pokémon, and relive familiar encounters with key characters and gym leaders. Pre-orders for both games are already live in various regions, allowing fans to secure their copies ahead of the February 27 launch.

The decision to release these beloved classics as individual digital titles rather than as part of Nintendo’s online retro libraries has sparked discussion among fans online, but it ensures that the games are directly accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers without the need for additional subscriptions.

The February 27 release of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will be part of a broader slate of announcements and celebrations tied to Pokémon Day events, which are expected to include further reveals and updates for the franchise throughout 2026.