For the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, Nintendo is re-releasing old games and potentially announcing brand new ones.
The 30th anniversary celebrations for Pokémon look set to last all year, but the actual anniversary date – Friday, February 27 – is important for fans, as Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are holding a new Pokémon Presents that day, to showcase new announcements.
They will also be re-releasing Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen for the Nintendo Switch, making them widely available for the first in over 20 years.
So, ahead of the occasion, we’ve put together everything you need to know about the showcase and FireRed and LeafGreen’s Switch release.
How to watch the 30th anniversary Pokémon Presents
The Pokémon Presents is scheduled to air on Friday, February 27 at 2pm GMT via both the official Pokémon YouTube and Twitch channels.
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All that’s officially known about it is that it’ll run for 25 minutes, which according to Serebii’s Joe Merrick makes it one of the longer Pokémon Presents showcases.
Will Pokémon Generation X be announced at the Pokémon Presents?
Officially, the contents of the showcase aren’t known, but it can be safely assumed it will provide the latest updates on the various Pokémon mobile games and the trading card game.
There could also be release dates for when spin-offs Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale Of Darkness will be added to the GameCube library for Switch Online subscribers. (As a reminder, GameCube games are only available on Switch 2.)
As for entirely new game announcements, the most likely candidate is the next mainline game that will kickstart the tenth generation of Pokémon, aka Generation X.
According to leaks, it’s allegedly called Pokémon Wind and Waves and considering Generation IX – Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – launched in 2022, the series’ release cycle means we’re on track for Generation X to release this year.
If it’s anything like the Scarlet and Violet reveal, you’ll see some glimpses of gameplay and a few of the new pokémon designs, as well as a release window. It’s not guaranteed but most fans agree it’s very likely.
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What are Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen?
If you’re new to the Pokémon series, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are Game Boy Advance remakes of the very first Pokémon games for the original Game Boy, featuring improved graphics, mechanics, and quality of life touches.
They also contain a brand new post-game where you can visit the Sevii Islands to catch new pokémon not normally available in the main game and complete new side missions.
Like other Pokémon titles, the only major difference between FireRed and LeafGreen is that they have a handful of exclusive pokémon not available in the other version. Otherwise, they are fundamentally the same.
Rather than being available through the Nintendo Switch Online service, both versions are being sold for £16.99 each on Switch (and through backwards compatibility on Switch), starting from February 27 after the showcase wraps up.
There are no plans to make FireRed and LeafGreen available physically and they lack any online functionality, but you will be able to trade and battle with friends via local wireless multiplayer.
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