Nintendo rolled out Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch eShop on February 27, 2026, to mark the series' 30th anniversary. But a quick update soon censored naughty and offensive names players tried to use for their characters and rivals. This change hits the digital remakes of the 2004 Game Boy Advance classics, which let fans revisit the Kanto region.
Key Takeaways
- Switch versions replace words like 'dk,' 'p*y,' 's**t,' and the f-slur with names such as 'Gary' or 'Janne.'
- Players now get Mystic Ticket and Aurora Ticket after beating the Elite Four, unlocking Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys.
- Pokémon Home support comes later, but transfers from these games to modern titles like Scarlet & Violet go one way only.
- Games are digital-only on Switch and Switch 2, with no language switching in-game.
Background
These games first came out in 2004 as remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Green from 1996 in Japan. They expanded the Kanto world with new areas like Sevii Islands. Fans loved the freedom back then. You could name your trainer or rival almost anything. Some picked rude words for laughs. That worked fine on old handhelds. No one shared screenshots everywhere.
Times changed. Social media exploded. Pokémon stayed a game for kids and families. Nintendo kept it clean over years. Think about recent titles. They block bad words in online chats. This Switch release fits that pattern. It dropped right on Pokémon Day. The brand turned 30. Excitement built fast after a Pokémon Presents announcement. Downloads started pouring in.
But players noticed tweaks right away. The eShop pages hinted at Pokémon Home at first. That got pulled. Fans worried. Then confirmation came. Support's on the way. And those name blocks? They sparked talk. Longtime trainers shared stories from GBA days. New ones just wanted to play clean.
The originals had no such filters. This confirms Nintendo edited the ports. Ratings boards like PEGI and ESRB still call it E for everyone or 3+. No big resubmission needed. They grandfathered it in. Smart move. Keeps things simple.
"One of the joys for many trainers during the earlier generations was giving the main character and their rival a rude or downright inappropriate name." – Fan discussion on changes
Japan got a special digital bundle too. Limited edition. No such luck elsewhere. Scalpers chase physical stuff anyway. Digital rules here.
Key Details
The censorship kicks in at the naming screen. Type a bad word. Game overrides it. Kotaku tested several. 'Hell' and 'damn' slipped through. Mild stuff. But the big ones? Gone. Replaced every time. Players tried creative spellings. Game caught most.
Why now? Social media's the guess. Screenshots flood Twitter, TikTok, Instagram. A kid sees 'f**k' on a rival's name. Bad PR. Pokémon's all ages. Family friendly. This stops that cold.
Other changes popped up too. Beat the Elite Four. Hall of Fame time. Check your bag. Mystic Ticket and Aurora Ticket wait there. No Mystery Gift hunt needed. Sail to Naval Rock for Ho-Oh and Lugia. Birth Island for Deoxys. Every player gets them now. Huge for completionists.
Pokémon Home Support
Home connectivity's coming. Not day one. Soon, Nintendo says. Transfer your Kanto team out. To Scarlet & Violet. Legends: Z-A. Even the new Champions game. But one way. Can't bring 'mons back. Classic Nintendo style. Protects modern balance. Old gens had different mechanics.
Listings changed fast. eShop said 'coming soon' at launch. Then vanished. Announcement timing. They'll detail it later. Maybe Pokémon Day follow-up. Fans screenshot the old page. Proof it was there.
Local trades and battles work. No online yet. Languages lock per version. Buy English? Stuck with it. No switch in menus. Check before you click.
Price sits at $20-ish. No Nintendo Switch Online tie-in. Standalone buy. Works on Switch 2 too. Backward magic.
Key Details on Player Reactions
Talk's everywhere. Reddit threads buzz. Some miss the old freedom. 'Part of the fun,' one says. Others shrug. 'It's 2026. Grow up.' Kids love the tickets. Parents thank the filters. Streamers test limits. Videos rack views.
And that Japan bundle. Pokémon Center online only. Digital still. But themed art. Collectors salivate.
Nintendo stayed quiet on censorship. No official word. Just the update. Players dug into files. Confirmed edits from GBA. Not pixel perfect.
What This Means
Families win big. No awkward shares at dinner. Pokémon keeps its rep. Clean. Fun. Safe.
Collectors get more. Tickets for all. No event misses. Home opens doors. Old teams in new games. Link generations.
But purists grumble. Less freedom. Edited history. GBA stays untouched. Switch is the clean cut.
Future ports? Expect this. Filters standard now. Social world demands it. Pokémon grows up. Stays kid friendly.
One link to Mistral AI's enterprise push shows tech firms adapting too. Another on Ultrahuman Ring's market fight hints at gaming tech battles. And check Moon rocks' magnetic secrets for space news tie-in.
Sales look strong. Downloads spike. Anniversary boost. Nintendo smiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I transfer Pokémon from FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch to other games?
A: Yes, Pokémon Home support arrives soon. Transfers go one way to modern Switch games like Scarlet & Violet. No returns.
Q: Do the Switch versions have all the original content?
A: Mostly yes, but with name censorship and added tickets after Elite Four. Edited from GBA for modern play.
Q: Is there a physical version available?
A: No, digital-only on eShop. Japan has a limited digital bundle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Pokémon from FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch to other games?
Yes, Pokémon Home support arrives soon. Transfers go one way to modern Switch games like Scarlet & Violet. No returns.
Do the Switch versions have all the original content?
Mostly yes, but with name censorship and added tickets after Elite Four. Edited from GBA for modern play.
Is there a physical version available?
No, digital-only on eShop. Japan has a limited digital bundle.
