- Primary Subject: Classic Pokemon Re-Releases
- Key Update: Following the surprise premium standalone launch of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch eShop, the gaming community is heavily debating whether future classic Pokemon titles should be sold individually or bundled directly into Nintendo Switch Online.
- Status: Opinion / Community Debate
- Last Verified: June 3, 2026
- Quick Answer: Classic Pokemon games refer to the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS era titles that fans want preserved on modern Nintendo Switch hardware.
After many years, it's clear that fans still love and crave the older generation of Pokemon, even the newer ones. This was proven when Nintendo chose to re-release Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen for both versions of the Nintendo Switch, as many rushed to purchase and play the games that were popular during their time, and enjoyed what they had to offer.
Given the success of the decision, we may see more of the series' older titles make their way onto the modern consoles. While it is definitely a possibility, and an exciting one at that, I believe that if they do arrive on the Switch, it should be because they're part of bonuses that come with having a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
As for the reasoning, we must first learn why it wouldn't be a good idea to have them as separate re-releases. Nintendo's decision to bring back Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen was certainly a bold choice, but one that paid off, given how many chose to purchase them. However, if the company decided to do the same thing with other older entries, it might not do as well.
Why Retro Pokemon Games Belong on NSO
A good reason is that people will not want to pay more money for those games. Again, selling Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen as re-releases was a risky decision, but you could see it as Nintendo testing the waters to see how many would be willing to make the purchase, and the gamble paid off. This is likely because both games are difficult to play today unless you jump through a few hoops to do so, and bringing them back on both Nintendo Switches made them much more accessible.
Newer fans got to experience what they missed out on, and older fans were able to relive treasured memories after so long, which is why many accepted the $20 price for games over two decades old. While they're okay with it the first time, they may not be so keen when it happens again. There are still titles like Pokemon Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, and others that Nintendo could re-release, and they'll likely share the same price tag as the Switch version of FireRed and LeafGreen.
Fans will wise up, knowing that they shouldn't have to pay for all that when they can do something like emulate the older titles if they want to enjoy them. So, if Nintendo wants to ensure that these people play the older entries via their official hardware and keep them around, all the company has to do is re-release them as bonuses for purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
It would be the sensible choice to do so, given that a membership provides you with libraries of retro games from consoles of the past, which older Pokemon titles can easily be a part of. Yes, they will be straight-up ports and will likely miss out on modern benefits, such as granting event items that are no longer accessible or having support for Pokemon Home. Still, that would be a much smaller and better price to pay than having them as separate re-releases.
Having the older games of the series be a part of Nintendo Switch Online would also be a great way to incentivize even more people to get memberships. It's not a surprise that entries from previous generations are still beloved even today, and given how many are willing to pay for more accessible versions of FireRed and LeafGreen, fans will likely be more accepting of spending on them if it means getting even more.
Because if the older Pokemon games are released as separate titles, you only get one game for the cost of $20, and that's it. However, if they were included in a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, not only would you get them, but also a host of other games and additional benefits that will enhance your single and multiplayer experience.
And you can get all that for as low as $4 a month, which, compared to a $20 price tag for a single game with barely any bonuses, is worth more for your money. While doing so does mean that you don't exactly own the games, I don't see that as an issue, as most people will end up playing them once or twice, then never again.
It also doesn't take very long to finish the games, so people won't have to worry about making the most out of them with the limited time that they have with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. With all that said, if Nintendo decides to bring back more of the older Pokemon titles, it's clear that it would be a mistake to have them return as re-releases. Both the company and the fans tend to gain much more if the games were part of the Nintendo Switch's online membership service, so hopefully they will be.
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