Switch 2’s New Pokémon Game Just Made My Dream Come True

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I’ve become pretty disappointed with the Pokémon series lately, so it’s unusual for me to get excited about anything related to it. I used to rush out and buy every new game, but now I generally expect them to be just as underwhelming as the last one. Pokémon has let me down too many times, and I decided I wouldn’t risk being disappointed again. That is, until Nintendo announced the newest game.

Like many Pokémon fans, I was initially worried about the new FireRed and LeafGreen releases on Switch. However, despite those concerns, I’m genuinely excited – more so than I’ve been about a Pokémon game in a long time! These re-releases are finally making a long-held dream of mine a reality. While they might be a bit expensive, Nintendo’s approach offers several advantages over playing the older games through emulation.

Having Old Pokemon On The Nintendo Switch Is A Dream Come True

I’ve wanted to play FireRed on the Nintendo Switch for years, ever since the console came out. I spent countless hours playing it as a kid, always starting a new game on my Game Boy Advance SP and, despite trying to choose differently, always picking Bulbasaur as my starter Pokémon. Sadly, I lost my original game cartridge a long time ago—a hard lesson learned about lending games—and haven’t been able to play it since.

I really prefer playing games on the Nintendo Switch these days, so I was hoping Nintendo would release updated versions of these classic Pokémon games for the system. They’d already done this with Red, Blue, Yellow, Silver, and Gold on the 3DS, so I thought it was likely to happen. While Pokémon Let’s Go: Pikachu did come out, it wasn’t what I’d hoped for. Honestly, it was a simplified and rather easy version of the original games, which was disappointing. Even though the co-op feature was a nice addition – and Pokémon could definitely use more of that – it wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of challenge.

I jumped at the chance to buy these games as soon as they became available, just like I did with the underwhelming The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. It’s great to revisit a time when Pokémon games were actually good – they delivered what fans wanted, something that rarely happens now. However, we can’t ignore the fact that these games are surprisingly expensive, with some costing around $20, like the Phanpy edition.

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Switch Re-Releases Are Amazing For Fans

It’s understandable why many people question paying $20 for a game that first came out 22 years ago. It seems to support Nintendo’s practices that aren’t always in the best interest of consumers, especially since the original Blue, Red, and Yellow versions were available for only $10 on the 3DS. While FireRed and LeafGreen do offer some improvements, many don’t feel they justify the extra $10. Adding to this, the Switch versions lack multiplayer, the game can be easily played through emulators, and it isn’t included with the Nintendo Switch Online service.

I believe people are overlooking the benefits of these releases. While the games cost $20, which is higher due to Nintendo’s pricing, it’s much cheaper than the $100+ previously needed for a physical copy. Plus, you’d have needed an additional $80 for a Game Boy if you didn’t already own one. Adding these games to the Nintendo Switch Online service would have been great for subscribers, but for those who prefer to own their games outright, it’s not a practical solution. Considering how attached people get to their Pokémon teams, paying a yearly fee just to access them doesn’t seem logical.

A lot of people wonder why Nintendo released Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen instead of just letting players use emulators, which are readily available now. While owning the game and playing it officially on the Switch—especially on a TV—offers benefits, many people also don’t fully understand how emulation works.

This is particularly important for those who aren’t tech-savvy or for young children – the main audience for Pokémon. While many of us who grew up with Pokémon still enjoy it as adults, parents wanting to introduce their kids to the older games, or children already playing on the Switch, would appreciate an accessible way to experience them. These ports, though a bit pricey, fulfill that need perfectly.

The Issue Isn’t $20, It’s Nintendo

The frustration with the recent release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch isn’t just about the price or the games themselves. It feels like a bigger issue – a pattern of Nintendo not listening to its Pokémon fans. While $20 might seem reasonable on its own, these ports have become a symbol of a larger problem, representing the final frustration after a long series of disappointments.

For a long time, Pokémon games have faced criticism for not living up to expectations while still being expensive. While Nintendo isn’t solely to blame, The Pokémon Company, a major player in development, hasn’t done enough to reassure fans that quality gameplay is a priority over profits. Issues with performance and graphics in games like Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A suggest a rush to release unfinished products, and the decision to launch Pokopia exclusively with a Game-Key Card feels like another shortcut that prioritizes cost-cutting over a good experience for fans.

If you’re new to the criticisms surrounding Nintendo or the Pokémon series, these updated versions are a great place to start. However, if you’re already disappointed with recent Pokémon games, these Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen ports might just reinforce those feelings and could be frustrating. The best thing to do is resist the urge to buy Pokémon products just because they remind you of fond memories.

I really want to recapture the joy I felt as a kid, and I’m willing to spend money to do it. But the thought that I might actually be contributing to the issues with the current state of Pokémon is something I can’t accept. I’ve mostly stayed away from recent games – I did get Scarlet & Violet and its expansion, and Legends: Arceus, but I skipped Legends: Z-A, which feels like a win. Still, I keep buying expensive Pokémon merchandise, hoping it will bring back that carefree feeling of childhood, even though I know it’s probably impossible.

What are your thoughts on the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen games? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-04 22:15