Announced on February 20 for a release on February 27 at a price of $19.99, the Game Boy Advance remakes of Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green were to mark the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the license.
Initially, the product sheets on the Nintendo eShop indicated that compatibility with Pokémon HOME would be “coming soon”. Reassuring information for players wishing to transfer their creatures to modern games. But a few hours after the official announcement, this mention disappeared.
Nintendo removes all references to Pokémon HOME
The removal of the line referring to Pokémon HOME immediately caused concern. Some fans now fear that the functionality will ultimately not be integrated into the Switch versions. Others believe that Nintendo is simply adjusting its communication to avoid promising a feature that would not be available at launch. Historically, compatibility with Pokémon transfer services has never been immediate.
- Pokémon Sword and Shield (November 2019)
- Pokémon HOME compatibility arriving in February 2020
Same pattern in 2022 with version 2.0 of the transfer application, which added compatibility with Brilliant Diamond, Sparkling Pearl and Legends: Arceus several months after their release.
Complete the Pokédex without Pokémon HOME: mission impossible?
The real issue concerns the National Pokédex. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are technically third-generation games. At the time, completing the Pokédex required exchanges with:
- Pokémon Ruby
- Pokémon Sapphire
- Pokémon Emerald
- Pokémon Colosseum
- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
However, these games are not all available on Switch, or only via Nintendo Switch Online, without confirmation of HOME compatibility. Without Pokémon HOME, completely completing the Pokédex could therefore become extremely complex, if not impossible. For many fans, HOME compatibility today represents the simplest and most logical way to complete the collection.
A clarification expected during Pokémon Presents
The answer could come very quickly. A special 30th anniversary Pokémon Presents is scheduled for February 27 at 6 a.m. PT. Although FireRed and LeafGreen may not be the focus of the presentation, the event represents an ideal opportunity to clarify the situation. It’s also important to note that Pokémon transfer services have always evolved on an independent schedule. Delayed compatibility is therefore a perfectly plausible scenario.
A concern… but not yet a confirmation
At this point, Nintendo has not officially confirmed the discontinuation of Pokémon HOME for FireRed and LeafGreen. Deleting the mention on the eShop may mean:
- A simple marketing adjustment
- A technical delay
- An integration planned but not finalized
For now, fans will have to wait.
One thing is certain: Pokémon HOME compatibility has become a central element of the modern experience, and its absence would be difficult to accept by the community. February 27 could lift the veil on this controversy.