Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Home Support Arrives in October

FireRed and LeafGreen are finally joining Pokémon Home

Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen arrived on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 during Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026. Each classic Gen 1 remake costs $19.99, but both launched without support for Pokémon Home.

That omission is scheduled to end in October 2026. Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have not announced a specific day, so players currently have only the October release window to work with.

What the Home connection allows

After linking either game with Pokémon Home, players can move Pokémon from FireRed and LeafGreen into Home and then transfer them to other compatible Pokémon games. Players researching the remakes can also browse this Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen reference.

Transfers are permanent in one important respect: a Pokémon moved from either Switch remake to another game cannot return to its original title. A Charizard taken from FireRed to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, for example, cannot make the trip back. The system also works in only one direction, meaning Pokémon from other games cannot be transferred into FireRed or LeafGreen.

Completing the Pokédex unlocks Celebi

There is an additional reward for players who connect either remake to Home. Anyone who completes the game’s Pokédex will receive the Mythical Pokémon Celebi for free.

You do not need to transfer your FireRed or LeafGreen Pokémon into Home to qualify. Once the game’s Pokédex is complete, the registered Pokémon will be recognised in Home and Celebi will be awarded.

Home storage and Pokémon Go changes

The October update will also expand the deposit limit for Premium Pokémon Home subscribers, increasing it from 6,000 Pokémon to 9,000.

For the first time, Pokémon Go creatures caught in a Safari Ball will be eligible for transfer to Home. However, the ball will change to a Strange Ball during the move.

Pokémon Bank has a firm shutdown date

The broader transfer system is also facing a major deadline. The Nintendo 3DS app Pokémon Bank will close on 25 February 2027 at 10 p.m. EST. After that time, trainers will no longer be able to move Pokémon from Bank into Home.

Players planning a long-term collection should therefore keep the closure date in mind while organising older Pokémon. For more gaming and hardware coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog or explore the latest arcade machines.

Key details at a glance

• Games: Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
• Home support: Planned for October 2026, with no exact date confirmed.
• Celebi reward: Available to players who complete the game’s Pokédex after connecting to Home.
• Premium Home storage: The deposit limit will rise from 6,000 to 9,000 Pokémon.
• Safari Ball transfers: Pokémon Go Pokémon can transfer to Home, but their Safari Ball becomes a Strange Ball.
• Pokémon Bank closure: 25 February 2027 at 10 p.m. EST.

For readers building a dedicated gaming space, the bartop arcade range offers a compact alternative, while RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the key considerations before choosing a cabinet.