Final week, Nintendo introduced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen might be coming to the Nintendo Change eShop on February 27 to have fun the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary. As a substitute of those traditional Pokémon titles getting added to Nintendo Change On-line as a part of their subscription, FireRed and LeafGreen might 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 dangerous a deal because the group is making it out to be. Not solely have FireRed and LeafGreen by no means been obtainable because the Sport Boy Advance days, however traditional 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 an amazing alternative for Pokémon followers this February.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Out there 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 might be hard-pressed to search out traditional Pokémon titles available. With how fashionable these video games are, it appears 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 acquired Pokémon Crimson, 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 want for the Pokémon Firm to return to its pixel artwork roots. But regardless of their recognition and business success, FireRed and LeafGreen would by no means once more get the chance to be loved on a contemporary Nintendo console. A minimum of, 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 accumulate via official means. Aside from the few exceptions talked about above, you both needed to personal the unique {hardware} or flip to an emulator.
With how fashionable Pokémon is, re-releasing the traditional titles on a contemporary console simply is sensible. I am assured gross sales for FireRed and LeafGreen will rival any trendy Pokémon recreation, and hopefully will probably be an incentive for Nintendo to convey the complete library to Nintendo Change.
Whereas $20 looks as if so much, it is a small worth 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 Sport Boy Advance resale market is just not with out its dangers.
Lots of Us Will Play FireRed & LeafGreen for the First Time
Years in the past, I acquired actually excited on the thought of taking part in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. I had purchased myself a Sport Boy Advance SP and was able to dive into a number of the traditional titles, so I bought a cartridge on eBay, solely to search out that it was pretend and that it was probably my save information would get corrupted.
Emulators had been an possibility, and so far as emulation goes, the Pokémon video games run fairly properly (plus there are a myriad of mods you possibly can add to customise these video games), however I nonetheless wished a real Nintendo expertise on a Nintendo console.
So I’ve by no means performed via FireRed or LeafGreen, and this re-release might 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 fashionable amongst longtime followers. To not point out that having a path to accessing a traditional title like this on a present console is vastly necessary for the video games business 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 Change, a complete new technology 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 another fan.
I needn’t cost up decades-old {hardware} or hope {that a} cartridge will nonetheless operate – revisiting the world of Kanto might be as straightforward as deciding on the sport on my Change residence display. Hopefully if these titles promote properly, extra from the Pokémon catalog will change into obtainable earlier than too lengthy.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen: Enjoyable That is Well worth the Worth
A $20 price ticket to personal these traditional titles appears like a good worth, particularly when the secondhand market is so uncontrolled. Although I personally get pleasure from NSO for its selection, it is laborious 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 value the price of admission.
And should 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 reminiscences of Kanto after we leap again in on February 27.
