Up until a month ago, it would have been nuts to think that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen would be coming to Switch and Switch 2 on Pokemon Day 2026, but still cause a ruckus because they’re not Nintendo Switch Online additions, and rather you need to pay $20 each. Nevertheless, the games are very highly anticipated by fans because they will either allow newcomers and younger players to experience Kanto through a new lens or allow veterans to return to Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen 22 years after their original release. However, there is a big catch.
Something worth noting is that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch don’t guarantee that more old classics will also return in some capacity, though the hype these GBA games generated indicates the market for them is right there. Not only that, but Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are, for all intents and purposes, GBA ports with very little modernization, if at all. In fact, Pokemon Home support is expected and was listed on the Nintendo eShop, but it has since been removed, and it might take months before it’s active. What follows is that it’ll be impossible for you to get 46 Pokemon in either game.
PSA: Don’t Forget About Deoxys When Deciding to Buy Pokemon FireRed or LeafGreen
Aside from the general exclusive Pokemon, Deoxys should be another factor when deciding between playing Pokemon FireRed or LeafGreen.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Version Exclusive Unobtainable Mons (23-24 Pokemon)
The version exclusives in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are the first big issue, as these games don’t feature online trading or battles, and instead only work with local co-op. Each game has 20+ version-exclusive Pokemon that cannot be found elsewhere, and with no Pokemon Home support, you’re out of luck if you want them, as your only option is to trade locally with someone else.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)
Pokemon FireRed Version Exclusives (22 Pokemon)
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Scyther
- Electabuzz
- Bellossom
- Wooper
- Quagsire
- Murkrow
- Qwilfish
- Scizor
- Delibird
- Skarmory
- Elekid
Pokemon LeafGreen Version Exclusives (23 Pokemon)
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Magmar
- Pinsir
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Slowking
- Misdreavus
- Sneasel
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Mantine
- Magby
- Azurill
Even then, Pokemon LeafGreen includes Slowking, but since you can’t catch it in the wild, it means it’s still fundamentally unobtainable solo because it requires trading, thus making it impossible to get for both versions. The same goes for Pokemon FireRed‘s Scizor, which requires trading Scyther with Metal Coat. Therefore, each version automatically gets 23 or 24 Pokedex slots that will never be filled unless you play in person with someone else who has the opposite version.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Trade-Exclusive Evolutions (8 Pokemon)
Since local co-op is extremely limited and most fans will play solo, trade-exclusive Pokemon evolutions are equally out of the picture. Aside from the aforementioned Scizor and Slowking, these are:
- Alakazam
- Machamp
- Golem
- Gengar
- Politoed
- Steelix
- Kingdra
- Porygon2
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Starters (6 Pokemon)
For those playing solo, and until Pokemon Home compatibility is confirmed with fully-functional access to the National Dex in the games, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen‘s starters will inevitably be limited to the one that you pick. Depending on which one you choose, six Pokemon will become unavailable.
Bulbasaur As Your Starter
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
Charmander As Your Starter
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
Squirtle As Your Starter
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
Fossil Pokemon in FireRed and LeafGreen (2 Pokemon)
If you want to get fossils in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, you’re stuck with the original choice between Kabuto and Omanyte. This means that you can only ever have one of these per playthrough without local co-op, and so either Kabuto and Kabutops or Omanyte and Omastar will be unobtainable. Aerodactly is available in both games, though.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Unobtainable Legendary and Mythical Mons (5 Pokemon)
Another sad instance is tied to Legendary and Mythical critters, which are basically guaranteed to be unobtainable in the base game other than via events. This is the case for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen‘s Mew, Celebi, and Deoxys. Likewise, though, you cannot get two out of three Legendary Beasts, as they appear in your game based on which starter you picked.
- Raikou: Squirtle as a starter
- Entei: Bulbasaur as a starter
- Suicune: Charmander as a starter
You should be careful if you pick Squirtle or Bulbasaur, as Raikou and Entei know Roar, and you can lose your Legendary if you don’t save before encountering them.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Make Espeon and Umbreon Unobtainable (2 Pokemon)
Another sad occurrence is that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen ports on Switch don’t feature a day/night cycle, much like the originals, meaning that you can’t evolve Eevee into Espeon (day) or Umbreon (night). Other than through Pokemon Home, these Pokemon will be completely unobtainable in the game.
- Released
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September 7, 2004
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
