The beloved Pokémon titles, FireRed and LeafGreen, originally introduced for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, are set to grace the Nintendo Switch platform next week as part of the renowned Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary festivities. Immediately after the annual Pokémon Presents announcement showcase held on February 27, these games will be made accessible to Switch users. This year’s event has stirred considerable anticipation among fans and the Pokémon Company has recently confirmed its scheduling for the broadcast: 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern, and 2pm UK time.
Unlike other classic titles available through Nintendo’s online subscription service, FireRed and LeafGreen will not be incorporating online features. Instead, they will be offering a standalone experience available for purchase on the eShop, priced at $19.99 each. However, they’ll support local wireless play, allowing battles and trading with fellow players. Furthermore, it’s anticipated that players will be able to transfer Pokémon into Pokémon Home – the franchise’s cloud-based monster storage service.
Anticipation around the Pokémon Presents showcase is growing, with fans eagerly awaiting what the 30th anniversary of the franchise will bring. The spotlight will undoubtedly be shared with new spin-offs like Pokémon Pokopia but there is growing speculation about the unveiling of the series’ highly awaited 10th generation of games and creatures as well.
Last year set the bar rather high for Pokémon’s annual celebrations with the ‘Teraleak’ event revealing significant details about the long anticipated 10th generation. For the upcoming generation, alongside a wave of new Pokémon to capture, fans also anticipate the introduction of new game mechanics and procedurally generated areas for the first time.
The 30th-anniversary celebration is already off to a strong start with the reveal of the franchise’s first LEGO sets (scheduled for release on February 27) and a Super Bowl ad featuring Lady Gaga’s rendition of the Jigglypuff song. Do remember to tune in for the next Friday’s Pokémon Presents showcase where you can catch all the latest news and updates surrounding your favorite pocket-monster franchise.
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