Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen listings appear on the Nintendo eShop, will release later this month

Marc_LFD · Feb 24, 2026

How come the Japanese language isn't available as an option for customers to buy in the Western eShop? There's Japanese people living in the West so it'd be useful for them and for foreigners who want to play the game in its original language.

I guess Nintendo just assumes they need to use the JPN eShop if they want it.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2...g-a-stunning-special-edition-release-in-japan

pokemon-firered-and-leafgreen-japan-physical.900x.jpg

Cool some GBA boxes but how much... Nearly $130? That's crazy!

ChronosNotashi · Feb 24, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2...g-a-stunning-special-edition-release-in-japan

Cool some GBA boxes but how much... Nearly $130? That's crazy!

And still digital-only for the actual game (games? article doesn't say if it includes both games). That said, this is likely going to be Japan-exclusive, which will kinda suck for those outside of Japan who like collecting stuff like this.

Lumstar · Feb 24, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
Alternatively, as I saw someone put it:

"Game Freak being the undisputed goat of avoiding questions starting from Sword and Shield dexit. It's like they know they will keep getting attacked, so they decided to absolutely not communicate with fans in any form possible starting from gen 8."

The "with us or against us" crusader types are something else.

It isn't defending dexit to have no need for the national dex.
Why should I ask the developers to implement something I will not use, and its presence does not benefit me?

ertaboy356b · Feb 24, 2026

Lumstar said:
The "with us or against us" crusader types are something else.

It isn't defending dexit to have no need for the national dex.
Why should I ask the developers to implement something I will not use, and its presence does not benefit me?

This dexit argument is stupid. No one is even demanding Bamco to include all 1500+ digimons in 1 game.

ChronosNotashi · Feb 24, 2026

Lumstar said:
The "with us or against us" crusader types are something else.

It isn't defending dexit to have no need for the national dex.
Why should I ask the developers to implement something I will not use, and its presence does not benefit me?

I agree. Dexit isn't as big of a problem as people claimed it is, assuming it was a problem in the first place. In fact, it's probably one of the better things that happened to Pokemon as far as 100%'ing a game, because by the time Gen 7 came around, I had long accepted that I was never going to complete the National Pokedex (missed too many event exclusives, especially since I never bought Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon and missed the Mythical Pokemon for those), unless I genned Pokemon or spoofed events, risking getting my 3DS/2DS banned.

These days, outside of Spinda potentially becoming unobtainable if Bank shuts down (and one or two Pokemon that are still event-exclusive), completing the National Dex for HOME has become progressively less of a wishful fantasy. Even though that currently requires waiting until Z-A gains compatibility with HOME. And the fact you only need to complete the regional Dex (or reach Research Level 50 in Z-A) to get the Shiny Charm makes shiny hunting much easier.

Lumstar · Feb 24, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
I agree. Dexit isn't as big of a problem as people claimed it is, assuming it was a problem in the first place. In fact, it's probably one of the better things that happened to Pokemon as far as 100%'ing a game, because by the time Gen 7 came around, I had long accepted that I was never going to complete the National Pokedex (missed too many event exclusives, especially since I never bought Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon and missed the Mythical Pokemon for those), unless I genned Pokemon or spoofed events, risking getting my 3DS/2DS banned.

These days, outside of Spinda potentially becoming unobtainable if Bank shuts down (and one or two Pokemon that are still event-exclusive), completing the National Dex for HOME has become progressively less of a wishful fantasy. Even though that currently requires waiting until Z-A gains compatibility with HOME. And the fact you only need to complete the regional Dex (or reach Research Level 50 in Z-A) to get the Shiny Charm makes shiny hunting much easier.

It has a greater impact, the more hardcore a player is. Yet those select few players were fighting to maintain a gameplay style essentially invented by Pokemon, and available nowhere else.

ut2k4master · Feb 24, 2026

Marc_LFD said:
How come the Japanese language isn't available as an option for customers to buy in the Western eShop? There's Japanese people living in the West so it'd be useful for them and for foreigners who want to play the game in its original language.

I guess Nintendo just assumes they need to use the JPN eShop if they want it.

the japanese version just isnt relevant to the western market. the us eshop also doesnt include the german and italian language versions, that the eu eshop has, for example

SuffahBish · Feb 24, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
Okay, let's just get this out of the way before you make more baseless accusations:

I don't defend the USD $20 price for FRLG on Switch (even said I'd sooner buy the MegaMan Battle Network Legacy Collection, if I had the means to fit it into my budget), and it wouldn't be the first time I've turned down a Pokemon game, either. For starters, I'm not even considering LGPE as an option for Kanto - I'll just fire up Pokemon Yellow on my 2DS. I also skipped BDSP almost entirely: tried SP for a bit when I borrowed my friend's copy during a visit, and I'd consider borrowing it again only if I really want Shiny Manaphy and GTS trades aren't working out. I also skipped Gen 4 in general even after I purchased a DSi because, spoiler alert, I believe Pokemon Platinum is overrated (the Gen 4 fanboys in this forum are going to try to crucify me for speaking that blasphemy).

All that said, my post that you replied to was merely general observations based on Game Freak and TPC's behavior and history, as well as the reactions of fans and "fans" towards releases, and how I predict fans will respond in the future based on pattern recognition. If you think that's "defending it like a fanboy", then that's your business, not mine.

Maybe stop writing essays to argue with me then? Seriously that could've been three sentences. Seems like you're defending them. I just want Gamefreak to have to actually try and put some effort in. They're not going to do that when their fans will eat literally any slop Gamefreak pours in their bucket.

The Real Jdbye · Feb 24, 2026

Lumstar said:
If we must be pedantic, an emulator that doesn't comply with the ROM size limitations would not be a Game Boy Advance emulator.

Actually, ROM size is not a technical limitation but an arbitrary limit set by Nintendo for the carts themselves due to cost. The GBA is perfectly capable of reading larger ROMs.

Anyway, all they would have to do is bundle the different language ROMs and let you select from them. But that would require them to make a menu system. Nintendo really is that lazy these days that they can't even be bothered to make a menu.

Flame · Feb 24, 2026

BratwurstCaptain said:
I told my 33 year old uncle about emulation and a couple of days later he sent me a picture of him playing Crystal on his iPad.

People are making a big deal about emulation not being approachable when it's anything but.

33 years old? Is he living under a rock? You make it sound like your uncle is older than Stone Age.

RetroNerdGamer · Feb 24, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
It'd be nice if it could be online, yeah. But I can see why Game Freak/TPC might not want to put in the effort to do that for just two games. If we're being honest, though, Fire Emblem 1 will probably be the only time I buy a retro/Virtual Console game digitally on Switch/Switch 2 (and even then, it was only because 1) I was in a Fire Emblem mood when it released on Switch, and 2) it was the only time the original Famicom game was released in the US with official localization - nothing against fan translations, but I only consider those when there's literally no English release).

And speaking of Digimon Story Time Strangers, I've been meaning to give the demo a spin on my Steam Deck. Only things holding me back are other games (been playing more Terraria recently after the 1.4.5 update), and what I've been hearing about the DRM (which is apparently even in the demo version) requiring you to launch the game through Desktop Mode every now and then, meaning I can't just boot it up from Gaming Mode right away like most of my Steam games.

True, with the online. Still would have been nice!
FE1 was nice to get since I really wanted to try the original in an official capacity. Though, Earthbound Beginnings was another Famicom/NES game to get official localization so much later to correct ya there! Wii U then Switch Online now.

Time Strangers sounds like it will be fun, though with DRM on Steam seems Switch/Switch 2 will be my best bet. I've been caught up with Stardew Valley if we're talkin' about indie games, what did they add in the new Terraria update?

ChronosNotashi · Feb 24, 2026

SuffahBish said:
Maybe stop writing essays to argue with me then?

Then let me make it simple for you: I'm not a Pokemon fan. I pick the games I like, and ignore the games I don't like. Same with literally every other series in my growing video game collection.

If you fail to understand even that simplified explanation, I can't help you. I'm not a doctor nor a teacher, and I won't pretend to know what your reading level is.

RetroNerdGamer said:
True, with the online. Still would have been nice!
FE1 was nice to get since I really wanted to try the original in an official capacity. Though, Earthbound Beginnings was another Famicom/NES game to get official localization so much later to correct ya there! Wii U then Switch Online now.

Forgot about Earthbound Beginnings, but I was more referring to Fire Emblem 1 itself releasing for the first time in English.

(Edit: Was thinking Mysterious Murasame Castle beat Earthbound Beginnings to first Famicom game ported in English, but turns out the 3DS Virtual Console release wasn't translated. Not that it's difficult to play or understand once you have the instructions/know what the options do, especially if you're like me and your first time with Murasame Castle was the special mode in Samurai Warriors 3.)

RetroNerdGamer said:
Time Strangers sounds like it will be fun, though with DRM on Steam seems Switch/Switch 2 will be my best bet. I've been caught up with Stardew Valley if we're talkin' about indie games, what did they add in the new Terraria update?

Way more than I can fully list, but to give a few examples:

A new special seed (originally known as "secret seeds") - Skyblock - and secret seeds for world generation, as well as the ability to combine multiple special/secret seeds for various interactions
Dead Cells and PalWorld collab content (finally)
Some new whips for summoners
Updated sprites
Character creation adjustments and additions
Adjustments to the UI (including for crafting)
Various QoL adjustments

Regarding the secret seeds, I'd have to say the Dual Dungeon seed is becoming a favorite of mine. Puts all of the underground biomes within two long Dungeon, which drastically changes how you progress through the game. (Thankfully, don't have to worry about Dungeon Guardians unless you enter the actual Dungeon biome before Skeletron's defeated.)

RetroNerdGamer · Feb 24, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
Forgot about Earthbound Beginnings, but I was more referring to Fire Emblem 1 itself releasing for the first time in English.

Oh yeah, I know that. First time FE1 was officially in English. I'm glad I got it before it was taken down!

ChronosNotashi said:
Way more than I can fully list, but to give a few examples:

A new special seed (originally known as "secret seeds") - Skyblock - and secret seeds for world generation, as well as the ability to combine multiple special/secret seeds for various interactions

Dead Cells and PalWorld collab content (finally)

Some new whips for summoners

Updated sprites

Character creation adjustments and additions

Adjustments to the UI (including for crafting)

Various QoL adjustments

Regarding the secret seeds, I'd have to say the Dual Dungeon seed is becoming a favorite of mine. Puts all of the underground biomes within two long Dungeon, which drastically changes how you progress through the game. (Thankfully, don't have to worry about Dungeon Guardians unless you enter the actual Dungeon biome before Skeletron's defeated.)

I don't understand most of this, cuz I haven't played Terraria in literal years but maybe sometime soon I'll try it again.
Though PalWorld collab is fire :grog:

I have to play that game again!

BratwurstCaptain · Feb 25, 2026

Flame said:
33 years old? Is he living under a rock? You make it sound like your uncle is older than Stone Age.

Not so much about his age, moreso the fact he hadn't heard about emulation until now. Doesn't play a lot of games anymore but is still nostalgic towards Pokemon from his childhood.

Pretty much the textbook person people will say these "ports" are made for but was able to figure it out by himself in no time

Moon164 · Feb 26, 2026

ChronosNotashi said:
But...then it'd cost USD $50/$80 a year to play (if you only care about Pokemon, anyway), and there'd be no possibility to send Pokemon to/from HOME. You know, the same complaints people had about Pokemon Stadium 1 and 2's release on N64 NSO. And people would complain again in this scenario you suggested as an alternative to releasing the GBA games as VC releases. And I'd bet money that the exact same complaints will resurface when Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness release on GameCube NSO later in the year (even though I, personally, feel those two games are very solid experiences, even without being able to trade games, and Colosseum in particular can be a challenge for speedrunners and nuzlocke runs.

As far as things go regarding Pokemon games, there's just...no pleasing people sometimes. It's why I shared the paraphrased quote I posted earlier: at this point, Game Freak and TPC just don't care what fans think or say. They're simply following the trail of money to determine what fans truly want, since as far as the free market is concerned, money speaks louder than words.

Many people who own a Switch have an NSO subscription. Heck, I think every Smash, Mario Kart, and especially Splatoon player has an NSO subscription considering how essential online play is in those games.

I think this "whining, then it'd cost USD $50/$80 a year to play" argument is utter nonsense. I'm in a family group using the Expansion Pak, and many times I even forget I'm paying for it because the annual subscription is so cheap.

I really can't believe there are people who prefer the GBA Emulator with one game and no online costing $20 to having it as part of a subscription that many already have anyway.

If it were at least a physical release, I'd understand, but it's digital-only, for God's sake.

M7L7NK7 · Feb 26, 2026

Flame said:
33 years old? Is he living under a rock? You make it sound like your uncle is older than Stone Age.

The average person has no idea what emulation is

DuoForce · Feb 26, 2026

I'll pass, $20 EACH is pretty insane. Especially when I can play them on my phone for free

Post automatically merged: Feb 26, 2026

M7L7NK7 said:
The average person has no idea what emulation is

I'd argue it's a lot more mainstream now thanks to Delta. I still blame Delta for what happened to Vimm's Lair lmao

SuffahBish · Feb 26, 2026

DuoForce said:
I'll pass, $20 EACH is pretty insane. Especially when I can play them on my phone for free

Post automatically merged: Feb 26, 2026

I'd argue it's a lot more mainstream now thanks to Delta. I still blame Delta for what happened to Vimm's Lair lmao

Honestly, I think your average gamer does know what emulation is and has used an emulator at some point. It's not arcane knowledge. Lol. Especially older systems which are mostly just loading the rom. No firmware or keys setup. IDK. It's too prevalent and talked about.

Xzi · Feb 26, 2026

SuffahBish said:
Honestly, I think your average gamer does know what emulation is and has used an emulator at some point. It's not arcane knowledge. Lol. Especially older systems which are mostly just loading the rom. No firmware or keys setup. IDK. It's too prevalent and talked about.

Yeah you see tons of emulators coming up on both Google Play and the iOS store if you just search the name of consoles. Then on the launch screen they say "put roms in [directory]," as simple as instructions can get.

RetroNerdGamer · Feb 26, 2026

SuffahBish said:
Honestly, I think your average gamer does know what emulation is and has used an emulator at some point. It's not arcane knowledge. Lol. Especially older systems which are mostly just loading the rom. No firmware or keys setup. IDK. It's too prevalent and talked about.

I will add a lil defense to the whole "emulation not well known" thing and say I have a friend that does NOT understand the concept no matter how much I explain it.
But that is just 1 person out of what, billions? Still, worth noting I guess.

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