Final week, Nintendo introduced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen can be coming to the Nintendo Swap eShop on February 27 to have fun the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary. As a substitute of those basic Pokémon titles getting added to Nintendo Swap On-line as a part of their subscription, FireRed and LeafGreen can be obtainable to buy for $20 every, inflicting numerous backlash on-line.
The mixed $40 price ticket for 2 22-year-old video games understandably creates some sticker shock, however this isn’t practically as unhealthy a deal because the neighborhood is making it out to be. Not solely have FireRed and LeafGreen by no means been obtainable because the Recreation Boy Advance days, however basic Pokémon titles on the whole have been troublesome to acquire on a reliable Nintendo console with out diving into the costly secondhand market.
Whereas many flip to emulation, there are those that desire to have Nintendo titles authentically obtainable on Nintendo platforms, making this launch a fantastic alternative for Pokémon followers this February.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Accessible for First Time Since 2004
Regardless of Pokémon being probably the most profitable media franchise on the planet, with income surpassing $100 billion since its founding, followers can be hard-pressed to search out basic Pokémon titles available. With how in style these video games are, it looks like a slam dunk to re-release them, however Nintendo and GameFreak have been deliberately withholding.
Again in 2016, earlier than the summer time of Pokémon Go, we bought Pokémon Pink, Blue and Yellow launched on the Nintendo 3DS eShop for simply $10 every, and shortly after, Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, however they stopped there.
In 2018 we did get Kanto remakes with Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s go Eevee!, however so many longtime followers had a need for the Pokémon Firm to return to its pixel artwork roots. But regardless of their reputation and business success, FireRed and LeafGreen would by no means once more get the chance to be loved on a contemporary Nintendo console. No less than, not till now.
Traditional Pokémon Video games Are Few & Far Between On Fashionable Consoles
In 2006 the Wii Digital Console made it simpler for followers to buy Nintendo classics, however mainline Pokémon video games have been troublesome to amass by way of official means. Other than the few exceptions talked about above, you both needed to personal the unique {hardware} or flip to an emulator.
With how in style Pokémon is, re-releasing the basic titles on a contemporary console simply is smart. I am assured gross sales for FireRed and LeafGreen will rival any fashionable Pokémon recreation, and hopefully will probably be an incentive for Nintendo to deliver the complete library to Nintendo Swap.
Whereas $20 looks as if quite a bit, it is a small value to pay to lastly entry these beloved remakes. For many people, will probably be our first time getting our palms on these video games while not having to pay resale costs. Moreover, the Recreation Boy Advance resale market isn’t with out its dangers.
A lot of Us Will Play FireRed & LeafGreen for the First Time
Years in the past, I bought actually excited on the concept of taking part in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. I had purchased myself a Recreation Boy Advance SP and was able to dive into a few of the basic titles, so I bought a cartridge on eBay, solely to search out that it was faux and that it was possible my save knowledge would get corrupted.
Emulators have been an choice, and so far as emulation goes, the Pokémon video games run fairly properly (plus there are a myriad of mods you may add to customise these video games), however I nonetheless needed a real Nintendo expertise on a Nintendo console.
So I’ve by no means performed by way of FireRed or LeafGreen, and this re-release can be my first alternative to take action. I do know I am not alone on this – the FireRed and LeafGreen re-release goes to be extraordinarily in style amongst longtime followers. To not point out that having a path to accessing a basic title like this on a present console is vastly essential for the video games trade at giant.
Online game preservation is such an enormous challenge, one thing that players, content material creators, and even nationwide museums are working towards addressing. With Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen coming to Nintendo Swap, a complete new era of players will get to understand these video games, and never simply the younglings, both. I am in my mid-30s and am wanting ahead to leaping into these video games as a lot as every other fan.
I need not cost up decades-old {hardware} or hope {that a} cartridge will nonetheless operate – revisiting the world of Kanto can be as simple as deciding on the sport on my Swap residence display screen. Hopefully if these titles promote properly, extra from the Pokémon catalog will grow to be obtainable earlier than too lengthy.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Enjoyable That is Definitely worth the Worth
A $20 price ticket to personal these basic titles looks like a good value, particularly when the secondhand market is so uncontrolled. Although I personally get pleasure from NSO for its selection, it is exhausting to exchange the satisfaction of truly proudly owning your video games, even digitally (sure, for the contrarians: I perceive you solely pay for the license). With that in thoughts, having the chance to play FireRed and LeafGreen on a contemporary console is properly price the price of admission.
And in case you disagree? Nobody’s forcing you to purchase it. However for everybody wanting ahead to this launch, I will be proper there with you to share recollections of Kanto after we bounce again in on February 27.
