Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Top Switch eShop Charts as Best Sellers
▼ Summary
– Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are being re-released on the Switch eShop on February 27, 2026, priced at £16.99 / $19.99 each.
– The games have already topped the Switch eShop sales charts in the US, UK, Japan, and Australia following preorders, with FireRed outselling LeafGreen.
– The Switch versions will contain the original game content, include modern solutions for connectivity, and support Pokémon Home and the GameChat feature.
– Nintendo states this is a special release for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary and does not signal a return to broader “Virtual Console” style offerings.
– The company intends to keep its focus on providing retro games through the Switch Online subscription service in the future.
The recent surprise release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch eShop has proven to be an immediate commercial success, topping the digital sales charts in multiple major regions. These classic Game Boy Advance titles, priced at $19.99 each, became available for pre-order last week ahead of their official launch on February 27th, 2026. While the decision to sell them as standalone purchases rather than including them in the Switch Online service has sparked debate among fans, the strong chart performance demonstrates significant consumer demand for these nostalgic adventures.
At the time of writing, Pokémon FireRed is currently the number one best-seller on the eShop in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, with its companion title, Pokémon LeafGreen, securing the second-place spot. This clear sales dominance indicates that many players are eager to revisit the Kanto region, even with the premium price point.
Nintendo has clarified that these new digital versions will contain all the original content from the 2004 releases. The company has also implemented modern solutions for the games’ legacy connectivity features. Critically, support for Pokémon Home has been confirmed, allowing trainers to transfer their captured creatures to the broader Pokémon ecosystem. The titles will also be compatible with the Switch’s GameChat feature for voice communication during play.
Despite the obvious financial win, Nintendo has been quick to temper expectations about a wider revival of classic games sold individually on the eShop. In an official FAQ, the company stated that these releases are a special exception to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. They emphasized that there are currently no plans to resurrect a “Virtual Console” style program, reaffirming that their primary strategy for offering retro games will continue to be through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. This move, while profitable, appears to be a celebratory one-off rather than a shift in corporate policy.
(Source: Nintendo Life)
