Reputable Pokemon a leaker ahead of Pokemon Day confirms that at least two classic games will return to the Switch. Pokemon is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, and even before the leaks and rumors of possible Pokemon Day reveals started appearing online, The Pokemon Company itself said that the event would be massive and last for an entire year. It's no surprise considering it's been over three years since its release Pokemon Scarlet and Violetand everything points to Gen 10, supposedly the so-called Pokemon wind and wavewhich was revealed and released in 2026.
However, this will likely be the icing on the cake for fans, rather than the only big release and announcement for the series. Next to Pokemon Super Bowl commercial, the company showed a first look at Pokemon Day Out and Night Out, which is not the name of a new generation of games, but rather appears to be a series of in-person events planned for 2026. Pokemon Day 2026 will also very likely include updates to existing games such as Pokemon Legends: ZA event for Mega Garchomp, for Kalos Tour Pokemon Goand so on. Another big announcement has now been confirmed with the return of classic games from the Game Boy era to the Switch.
Some Pokemon fans may be playing the next game in the franchise sooner than expected
Those who attend the upcoming event will be able to get their hands on the next Pokemon game almost a month before its release date.
Pokemon FireRed, LeafGreen and other classics on Switch in 2026
An insider with a proven history of leaks, dubbed Riddler Khu, shared a post on Twitter saying “He'll be back soon” with the image Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. These are Pokemon games on the Game Boy Advance from the early 2000s and were supposed to be the first Gen 1 remakes. PokemonThe 30th anniversary is celebrated on the day of the original Pokemon red and green were released in Japan, it makes perfect sense to come full circle and reissue Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on the switch.
Why Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen could be the tip of the iceberg
This will most likely happen through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which usually brings old games from various eras of Nintendo consoles, especially classics on the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. Pokemon fans have long been clamoring for the original Game Boy and GBA games to be released on NSO, and based on Riddler Khu's post, it seems very likely that it will finally happen in 2026. Even though Khu's post only covers those two games, it would be a missed opportunity for The Pokemon Company not to re-release several classics, albeit not all at once. The list may include:
- Pokemon red and blue
- Pokemon Yellow
- Pokemon Gold and Silver
- Pokémon Crystal
- Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
- Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
- Pokemon Emerald
- Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
- Pokemon Platinum
- Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- Pokemon black and white
- Pokemon Black 2 and White 2
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The list is unlikely to include Gen 6 and beyond for now, especially with all the Kalos Pokemon in Legends: ZA. Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are also highly unlikely to return due to the existence of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, while the Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 games will most likely be included.
There is also the possibility that a classic Pokemon games being released on the Switch as standalone purchases and/or being made Switch 2 exclusives rather than being available on both handheld consoles. The latter seems more unlikely given the nature of the celebration, but the option of a standalone purchase isn't too far-fetched, especially with a lower price tag of around $10-15.
While Riddler Khu has been wrong in the past, this has never been the case with big announcements, and the return of classic Game Boy and GBA games to the Switch is one such occasion. Between that and the fact that fans have been very vocal about the return of Gen 1 Pokemon games, it's more a matter of when than if. And given the occasion, Pokemon Day 2026, which falls on February 27th, is the perfect time to make the announcement, which is perfectly in line with Khu's “early” prediction.
