After 22 years, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are returning on the Nintendo Switch! Fans might be wondering which version to get. Like other main Pokémon games, these versions have Pokémon that are exclusive to each game, so you’ll need to trade with friends to collect them all and complete your Pokédex.
On February 27th, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen will be released on Nintendo Switch for $20 each. Unlike other Game Boy Advance titles, these games won’t be included with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which has upset some fans. However, many Pokémon enthusiasts are still happy to purchase either game for $20. When deciding between FireRed and LeafGreen, some players will likely choose the version they originally played, while others will base their decision on which exclusive Pokémon are available in each version.
Okay, so when it comes to which version is better – FireRed or LeafGreen – it really comes down to what you like. But if I’m being honest, and I’m looking at it purely based on getting the most exclusive Pokémon for my money, I think LeafGreen is the better choice. Especially if Nintendo ever releases the other Game Boy Advance Pokémon games on Switch! The biggest reason is that LeafGreen actually has 23 Pokémon you can’t get in FireRed, while FireRed only has 22. That extra Pokémon alone is enough to make me pick LeafGreen – I know it would for a lot of other Pokémon fans too!
Pokemon FireRed Exclusives
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Scyther
- Electabuzz
- Bellossom
- Wooper
- Quagsire
- Murkrow
- Qwilfish
- Scizor
- Delibird
- Skarmory
- Elekid
Pokemon LeafGreen Exclusives
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Magmar
- Pinsir
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Slowking
- Misdreavus
- Sneasel
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Mantine
- Magby
- Azurill
The main reason to choose Pokemon LeafGreen is that it’s the only Generation 3 Pokemon game where you can catch Slowpoke and its evolutions. This means that if Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire or Pokemon Emerald are ever re-released on the Switch, you’ll need LeafGreen to complete the Pokedex up to that point. While this gives LeafGreen a small advantage over FireRed, it does depend on whether other Game Boy Advance Pokemon games are also released for Switch. However, if FireRed and LeafGreen are successful on the platform, it’s likely that the other GBA Pokemon games will follow eventually – it’s just a matter of time.
When it comes to which game has the cooler Pokémon, I think FireRed has a slight edge with popular choices like Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, and Electabuzz. LeafGreen does offer some great Pokémon too, like Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, and Ninetales. The best choice really depends on which version-exclusive Pokémon you prefer. However, if you’re looking for a more practical choice, I’d recommend LeafGreen.
Future Pokemon Games Will Almost Certainly Have Version Exclusives As Well
Most fans expect the next generation of Pokemon games – Generation 10 – to be announced on February 27th, which is Pokemon Day. Leaks suggest these games will be called Pokemon Wind and Wave, and like previous entries, they’ll likely feature Pokemon unique to each version. We don’t yet know which Pokemon will be exclusive to each version, but we should find out more when the games are officially revealed.
It’s probably best to expect that details about Pokemon Wind and Wave will stay under wraps until the game is closer to release. If the rumors are true, the Gen 10 Pokemon games aren’t coming out until late this year, meaning fans can look forward to more information being revealed throughout 2026.
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2026-02-22 02:05