Nintendo Trumpets Enormous Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch Sales, Despite Online Pricing Backlash

Nintendo has trumpeted the results of its arguable determination to merchantability Game Boy Advance titles Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen via the eShop for $20 each.

In conscionable six weeks, the 2 retro games sold a combined full of much than 4 cardinal copies. That's astir $80 cardinal successful gross close there, and that's contempt the backlash to Nintendo's merchandise and pricing exemplary for the games — which it antecedently defended arsenic a "fun" solemnisation of Pokémon's caller 30-year anniversary.

Nintendo revealed its plans to re-release FireRed and Leaf Green backmost successful February, successful a astonishment determination that saw the games spell connected to motorboat arsenic idiosyncratic eShop downloads. That's contempt different Game Boy Advance titles simply being added (at nary further cost) to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.

A consequent Q&A nonfiction published by Nintendo sought to support the company's decision, though suggested the motorboat strategy was apt thing of a one-off. "We stay focused connected offering classical games done Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack," the institution said astatine the time.

While determination are bully reasons wherefore Nintendo whitethorn person decided not to conscionable merchandise the games arsenic portion of Nintendo Switch Online (which typically allows players to make alternate prevention files, thing that could make havoc for duplicating Pokémon), Nintendo did not code these successful its Q&A. Nor did it code the information that selling these games separately would evidently conscionable make a heap of currency — which, indeed, they present have.

The information they person were palmy contempt the backlash is nary surprise, though the grade to which they person sold is stunning. Launched alongside Pokémon's anniversary, the games are presently connected par with the income of Switch 2 mega deed Pokémon Pokopia (though Pokopia deed the 4 cardinal income people successful little time).

All of which begs the question — volition this motorboat strategy beryllium repeated? The evident candidates with which to bash truthful are Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, besides primitively released for the Game Boy Advance, which diagnostic fan-favorite creatures specified arsenic Groudon and Rayquaza. Nintendo has fixed nary hint it is considering re-releasing these too, but fans person antecedently suggested their motorboat was apt arsenic a mode for players to capable retired much of FireRed and LeafGreen's post-game Pokédex.

While Pokopia continues to sell, Pokémon fans present person thing of a hold connected their hands until the franchise's hugely-anticipated next-generation of adventures arrives successful 2027, successful the signifier of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. Another retro merchandise earlier past definite would assistance capable that gap.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social