Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Are Getting an Incredible Special Edition, But With an Asterisk Attached

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Nintendo has announced special editions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen to celebrate their re-release. These deluxe packages will include exciting Pokemon collectibles, but they won’t be physical copies and will only be available in Japan.

February 27th will be a special day for Pokémon fans, marking 30 years since the franchise began! Nintendo has announced that the original Pokémon games – Pokémon FireRed Version and LeafGreen Version – are coming to the Nintendo Switch digitally on that day. This is a long-awaited release for many fans.

Japan-Only Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Special Editions Revealed

The Pokémon Company Japan recently announced special editions of FireRed and LeafGreen. These sets come in a special box, but instead of a physical game cartridge, they include a code to download the game from the eShop. The only difference between the two versions is which game—FireRed or LeafGreen—the code unlocks. Pre-orders are now open for both special editions, priced at ¥19,800 (approximately $127 as of February 20th).

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The special edition of this new package includes physical copies of the original Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen game boxes, just like they looked on the Game Boy Advance. It also comes with three glass display orbs shaped like Poke Balls, each featuring one of the original starter Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. These orbs and boxes are designed to be displayed together in a special case, and the base of the case lights up with colors representing each Pokemon’s type. It appears the base will only light up when all three orbs are placed on it.

The Pokémon Company hasn’t revealed how many of the special edition products they’ll make. Because they aren’t officially labeled as limited editions, they could keep producing them as long as people continue to buy them. Their Japanese website says that while you can currently only pre-order online, both versions might become available in Pokémon Centers in the future.

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions Special Edition Contents

  • Pokemon FireRed Version or LeafGreen Version download code
  • A physical replica of the original GBA box design
    • no actual GBA cartridge or manual included
  • Glass Monster Ball ornament set featuring the three Kanto starters laser-etched inside
  • Special display case with:
    • 30th anniversary logo and decorative embossing/foil stamping
      • including Charizard and Venusaur on the case
    • Stand and acrylic plate for displaying the three glass Monster Balls
    • Lighting feature to illuminate each ball in colors representing their types

Currently, it doesn’t look like the special versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen will be available outside of Japan. Given past releases, many believe an international launch would have been announced at the same time as the Japanese one. Some fans in Western countries are planning to use shopping services to import the games, but even then, getting them will be difficult. Limited stock and regional restrictions could lead to quick sell-outs and inflated prices on resale markets.

The re-releases of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen will each cost $19.99. Players can trade and battle at Pokemon Centers using the in-game Wireless Club, but this feature will only work locally between two Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 consoles – there’s no online play. We expect to hear more Pokemon news on February 27th, when Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are predicted to reveal the highly anticipated Generation 10 games.

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2026-02-20 22:04