Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Arrive on Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo continues expanding its retro gaming library with the addition of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. These 2004 Game Boy Advance titles, which reimagined the original Pokémon Red and Blue with updated graphics and features, are now playable on modern hardware with new quality-of-life enhancements.

The release marks a significant expansion of Pokémon's availability on Nintendo's subscription service. FireRed and LeafGreen were originally developed as technical showcases for the GBA, featuring color graphics, additional post-game content in the Sevii Islands, and compatibility with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter for cable-free trading. Their transition to Switch required specific emulation adjustments to preserve the authentic experience while accommodating modern hardware.

Developers implemented several Switch-specific enhancements:

• Save states: Players can create mid-game snapshots at any point
• Rewind function: Correct mistakes by rewinding gameplay up to 30 seconds
• Control remapping: Customize button layouts for handheld or docked play
• Multiplayer restoration: The Union Room functionality operates through Nintendo's online services

These titles join the existing Game Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries available through the $49.99/year Expansion Pack tier. The preservation effort required careful adaptation of the original wireless communication features to Nintendo's online infrastructure, maintaining trading and battling functionality between players.

For Pokémon enthusiasts, this release provides official access to games that previously required original hardware or aftermarket solutions. The inclusion demonstrates Nintendo's ongoing commitment to curating its back catalog while addressing the technical challenges of migrating proprietary wireless features to modern online systems. Players can experience the Kanto journey with modern conveniences while preserving the original game balance and mechanics.

The games join other Pokémon titles in the Switch Online library, including Pokémon Trading Card Game and the original Game Boy Pokémon games. This expansion continues Nintendo's pattern of periodically adding significant retro titles to the subscription service, offering new value to players between major first-party releases.