In anticipation of the upcoming Pokémon Presents broadcast on February 27—a date marking three decades of the iconic franchise—Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have revealed that the beloved classics Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will debut on the Nintendo Switch eShop the same day. However, in a departure from the typical rollout of Game Boy Advance titles via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, these entries will be sold as individual digital releases for $19.99 each.
The decision to opt for standalone sales over a subscription model has sparked a polarized reaction among the community. “Reselling a two-decade-old title for $20 on a modern console feels like a page out of Bethesda’s playbook,” one Reddit critic remarked. While some enthusiasts expressed gratitude for the games’ newfound accessibility, they remained wary of the price point. “I’m glad they’re back, but $20 for a 22-year-old GBA port feels steep,” another user noted. Frustration also simmered regarding their exclusion from the NSO+ emulator, with some fans characterizing the move as an unnecessary barrier to entry for long-term subscribers.
While a $19.99 price tag for 2004 software may invite scrutiny, it is objectively more affordable than navigating the volatile secondary market. Currently, the only legitimate path to playing these titles involves tracking down original physical cartridges, which have become prohibitively expensive for the average player.
A quick survey of online auctions confirms the stratospheric costs associated with these vintage games. It is common to find multiple listings where loose copies of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are priced north of $150. For collectors seeking pristine, complete-in-box versions, the asking prices frequently reach into the thousands.
Data from recently completed eBay transactions reinforces this trend, with numerous unboxed cartridges selling for $125 or higher. One particularly high-end sale featured a comprehensive set of both games including all original packaging materials for a staggering $935. In this climate, GameStop’s $54.99 valuation for a used copy of FireRed almost appears like a bargain.
Whether this digital re-release will dampen the demand for physical copies remains an open question. If previous trends in the retro gaming market are any indication, collectors may still place a high premium on tangible media. For example, the 2005 GameCube title Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance was recently added to the NSO library, yet physical copies still command approximately $200 on eBay, with graded versions fetching $330. Even at retail, GameStop lists the pre-owned disc for $169.99.
Despite the debate over pricing and distribution, one outcome is nearly certain: Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen are poised to dominate the eShop’s top-seller lists the moment they go live on February 27.
Source: Polygon
