The Pokemon Company is teasing Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire ports for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire ports have been at the center of speculation ever since the release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, and for good reason. For starters, these are all Gen 3 Pokemon games, with Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen coming out after Ruby and Sapphire at the time. More importantly, they are connected, as they can only be beaten by having the original Gen 3 titles.
This is because completing the Pokedex in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen requires completing the National Dex, which includes all critters from Gen 1 through Gen 3. The problem is that many Pokemon are unobtainable in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, and can only be found in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and then transferred via trade. What follows is that Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, and potentially Pokemon Emerald, too, are needed to truly complete the National Pokedex. Now, thanks to a new clip, there is a strong chance this will be feasible.
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire on Switch and Switch 2 Officially Teased
The official Japanese Pokemon account on Twitter shared a short clip of the Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire protagonist chasing an NPC and their Wingull on an unknown console, but the clip is in high definition, and the screen doesn’t seem to be small, like the native GBA versions. Considering that leaks stated Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald will come to Switch and Switch 2 in October 2026, the timing lines up. Fans in the comments noticed that the game runs very smoothly and has enhanced graphics, and that this can’t be the original. However, with Nintendo banning emulators, it would make little sense for The Pokemon Company to share the clip outside of an official console. As such, especially looking at the less pixelated graphics with more vibrant colors, these are most likely the official Gen 3 ports on Switch and Switch 2.
On top of that, Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Switch ports were datamined when Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were released. The new clip from the official Pokemon account lends further credence to the datamines and leaks, as the timing matches what could be the official announcement in the next couple of weeks, with a release before the end of the year. October 2026 still makes sense for a release window for the Gen 3 ports because Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen will officially get Pokemon Home support next month.
With Home support for the games, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen players will get a free Celebi to accompany their Pokedex progression. Since Celebi is not natively available in these games, but only comes via events, this too lines up with a rerelease of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire for Pokedex completion purposes.
Considering that Pokemon Winds and Waves will be released in late 2027, according to leaks, it makes all the more sense for The Pokemon Company to launch the Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Switch ports before the end of 2026. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the series, and given the various nostalgia-driven games and products that came out, it’s fitting to have Gen 3 ports on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 before the holiday season.
- Released
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March 19, 2003
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Unreal Engine
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer
