Pokemon Turns 30 — FireRed and LeafGreen Hit Nintendo Switch on Pokemon Day

Thirty years. Three entire decades of catching, battling, and trading. The Pokemon franchise turns 30 on February 27, and The Pokemon Company is going all out to celebrate.

FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch

The headline announcement: Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen — the beloved 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes of the original Generation 1 games — will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on February 27, priced at $19.99 each. They drop immediately after a special Pokemon Presents video presentation at 6:00 AM PST.

For anyone who grew up with these games, this is pure nostalgia fuel at an accessible price point. For newer fans, it is a chance to experience the Kanto region in one of its most polished forms.

Pokemon Presents

The real wildcard is the Pokemon Presents event itself. While the FireRed and LeafGreen announcements are confirmed, the community widely expects additional reveals during the 30th anniversary showcase. Previous Pokemon Presents events have been packed with surprises, and a milestone anniversary like this one is unlikely to hold back.

LEGO Pokemon

In a first-ever collaboration, official LEGO Pokemon sets are part of the 30th anniversary celebration. Fans have been requesting this crossover for years, and it is finally happening. Details on specific sets are expected during the Pokemon Day festivities.

The Celebration Continues

A yearlong "What's Your Favorite?" fan campaign is running through Pokemon GO, giving the community a way to participate in the celebration throughout 2026.

Thirty years in, Pokemon remains one of the most beloved and enduring entertainment franchises on the planet. Here is to 30 more.

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*Sources: Pokemon.com official announcement (Feb 2026), Nintendo official announcement (Feb 2026), Game Informer (Feb 20, 2026)*