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Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen: get infinite money on Switch thanks to this magical bug



To mark the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon license, Nintendo has relaunched Pokémon Fire Red and Pokémon Leaf Green on Nintendo Switch. These versions are direct ports of the Game Boy Advance editions released in 2004, which means that they not only retain their original content, but also some historical bugs. Among them, a particularly advantageous glitch attracts the attention of players: it allows you to generate an unlimited quantity of money by repeating a simple manipulation.

A technical legacy from the Game Boy Advance era

Back in the days of the Game Boy Advance, post-launch patches barely existed. Once the game was marketed, it remained frozen in its initial state, with its possible programming errors. The Switch port seems to faithfully respect the original code. Result: some unexpected behavior remains, including an exploit linked to a key fight located near Azuria. This type of bug has become emblematic of older Pokémon generations, reminding us that retro games were often imperfect but full of technical curiosities.

How to activate the infinite money glitch

The bug occurs after defeating the five trainers at Nugget Bridge, north of Azuria. A member of Team Rocket then faces you and, once beaten, offers you a Nugget worth 5,000 Pokédollars.

To exploit the glitch:

  1. Face the member of Team Rocket and receive the Nugget.
  2. Lose the fight on purpose (let your Pokémon be knocked out).
  3. Return to talk to him after being healed at the Pokémon Center.
  4. Receive a new Nugget.

The sequence can be repeated as many times as desired, allowing very large sums to be accumulated quickly. This method greatly facilitates the purchase of Poké Balls, Super Potions and other strategic items, especially at the start of the game.

An exploit that could be fixed

Unlike the original versions, games available on Nintendo Switch can receive patch updates. Nintendo has not yet announced any patch, but the growing visibility of this glitch could prompt the publisher to intervene. If a patch is deployed, it is likely that this possibility of unlimited money will disappear quickly. Interested players therefore have every interest in taking advantage of it as long as the bug remains active.

A nostalgic nod to Pokémon history

Beyond the financial advantage, this bug recalls a time when imperfections were an integral part of the video game experience. Some glitches, like MissingNo in Pokémon Red and Blue, have even become cult. The return of Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green on Switch therefore not only revives nostalgia for Kanto, but also that of an era where games were delivered “as is”, with their unexpected surprises. It now remains to be seen whether Nintendo will choose to preserve this retro curiosity… or to definitively close the door to this infinite fortune.