Just a month ago, the idea of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen coming to Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 on Pokémon Day 2026 seemed far-fetched. Now that it’s happening, some fans are disappointed they aren’t included with the Nintendo Switch Online subscription and will instead cost $20 each. Still, many are excited to either experience the Kanto region for the first time, or revisit Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen after 22 years. However, there’s a significant downside to this release.
While the release of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch is exciting, it doesn’t necessarily mean other older Pokemon games will follow. However, the strong reaction to these Game Boy Advance titles shows there’s definitely interest in them. These versions are largely unchanged from the originals, with very little updating. Pokemon Home compatibility was initially advertised on the Nintendo eShop, but has since been removed, and it may take a while before it’s working. This means you won’t be able to transfer and use all 46 Pokemon in these games right away.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Version Exclusive Unobtainable Mons (23-24 Pokemon)
One of the biggest challenges with Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen is that they don’t allow online trading or battling. You can only trade and battle with players nearby. Each game has over 20 Pokemon you can’t find in the other version, and because the games don’t connect to Pokemon Home, the only way to get these exclusive Pokemon is to trade with a friend locally.
Critical Mass
Pick games to balance the averages.
Scales
Results
Pokemon FireRed Version Exclusives (22 Pokemon)
- Ekans
- Arbok
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Growlithe
- Arcanine
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Scyther
- Electabuzz
- Bellossom
- Wooper
- Quagsire
- Murkrow
- Qwilfish
- Scizor
- Delibird
- Skarmory
- Elekid
Pokemon LeafGreen Version Exclusives (23 Pokemon)
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Magmar
- Pinsir
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Slowking
- Misdreavus
- Sneasel
- Remoraid
- Octillery
- Mantine
- Magby
- Azurill
Despite including Pokémon like Slowking in Pokémon LeafGreen, it remains impossible to obtain solo because it requires trading. The same is true for Scizor in Pokémon FireRed, which needs a trade involving Scyther and a Metal Coat. This means each game version has around 23 or 24 entries in the Pokédex that can only be completed by trading with another player who has the opposite version.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Trade-Exclusive Evolutions (8 Pokemon)
Because very few players will experience the game with local co-op, Pokémon that can only evolve through trading aren’t really a factor for most people. Besides Scizor and Slowking, these Pokémon include:
- Alakazam
- Machamp
- Golem
- Gengar
- Politoed
- Steelix
- Kingdra
- Porygon2
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Starters (6 Pokemon)
Okay, so if you’re playing by yourself and we don’t know yet if Pokemon Home will let us easily transfer everything, choosing your starter in FireRed and LeafGreen is a big deal. Whatever starter you pick, you’re basically locking yourself out of getting six other Pokemon in the game. It’s something to really think about!
Bulbasaur As Your Starter
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
Charmander As Your Starter
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
Squirtle As Your Starter
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
Fossil Pokemon in FireRed and LeafGreen (2 Pokemon)
In Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, you can only choose to revive either Kabuto or Omanyte as a fossil Pokemon during your game. This means you’ll only be able to get one of them per game unless you trade with another player. You can obtain Aerodactyl in both versions, however.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Unobtainable Legendary and Mythical Mons (5 Pokemon)
It’s often disappointing when rare Pokémon like Legendary and Mythical creatures are nearly impossible to find in the main game without special events. For example, in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Mew, Celebi, and Deoxys are almost exclusively available through events. Similarly, you can only encounter two of the three Legendary Beasts – the one you can find depends on which starter Pokémon you initially chose.
- Raikou: Squirtle as a starter
- Entei: Bulbasaur as a starter
- Suicune: Charmander as a starter
If you choose Squirtle or Bulbasaur as your starter Pokémon, be cautious when facing Raikou and Entei. They both use the move Roar, which can force your Legendary Pokémon to flee, so always save your game before battling them to avoid losing it.
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Make Espeon and Umbreon Unobtainable (2 Pokemon)
It’s disappointing that the Switch versions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen don’t have a day/night system, just like the original games. This means you can’t evolve Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon through normal gameplay. Unless you transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Home, these two evolutions will be impossible to get in the game.
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2026-02-25 18:39