Just like how Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version were given a surprise digital release on the Nintendo Switch family of systems on February 27, 2026, more Pokémon news has been revealed out of nowhere.
The Pokémon Company has revealed that Pokémon HOME will finally provide support for both titles in early October 2026. In the English information that was shared, it is stated that Pokémon moved into HOME can be transferred into other games, but once done, they are unable to be moved back. However, Pokémon placed into HOME and not moved elsewhere can still be returned to FireRed and LeafGreen. This differs from the Japanese announcement, which states that any Pokémon moved out of the games cannot be moved back into them.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that there will be a Pokédex completion reward for those who complete the FireRed and LeafGreen Pokédex. Instead of a Shiny Mythical Pokémon as seen previously, the reward is a non-Shiny Celebi.
The Pokémon Company has also revealed that the October update will add additional support for Pokémon GO. With version 4.1.0, any Pokémon caught in a Safari Ball in Pokémon GO will have its ball changed to a Strange Ball when transferred to HOME. Additionally, for those who pay for the Premium Plan, more boxes will be added, expanding storage from 6,000 to 9,000.
But then comes the bad news. The 3DS application Pokémon Bank is set to see its service terminated on February 25, 2027, at 19:00 PST. Once terminated, players will no longer be able to transfer Pokémon from Bank to HOME, so they are being asked to do so now.
For the full announcement from which all this news comes, we have it here:
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version Link with Pokémon HOME This October
Get ready for a sweet Pokédex reward and a few new adventures.
How are your journeys in the Kanto region going, Trainers? Are you ready to take your Pokémon on even more adventures? Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version for Nintendo Switch are set to link with Pokémon HOME beginning October 2026! Once linked, you’ll be able to transfer Pokémon befriended in these titles to Pokémon HOME and bring them to other games in the Pokémon series.
Once a Pokémon from Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version is brought to another game in the Pokémon series, they will be unable to return to Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version. Pokémon from other games in the Pokémon series will be unable to visit Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version.
Get Celebi in Pokémon HOME:
Did you catch them all in Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version? You can now receive the Mythical Pokémon Celebi on the mobile version of Pokémon HOME as a gift for completing the Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version Pokédex.
To complete this Pokédex, you won’t need to transfer Pokémon to Pokémon HOME either. Once Pokémon HOME is connected, if you have registered a Pokémon in your Pokédex in Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version, it will be registered in Pokémon HOME. Don’t forget—you can always trade using Pokémon HOME’s GTS to help fill out your Pokédex too.
Amazing Encounters Await:
Once you’ve completed the main events of Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, there’s still plenty to enjoy. After defeating the Elite Four and entering the Hall of Fame, a Mystic Ticket that allows you to encounter the Legendary Pokémon Lugia and Ho-Oh will be automatically added to your bag’s Key Items pocket, as will an Aurora Ticket that allows you to meet the Mythical Pokémon Deoxys.
Whether you had these encounters in the past or are experiencing them for the first time on Nintendo Switch, we hope you enjoy these unique encounters.
More Pokémon HOME News:
As part of the Version 4.1.0 update coming in October 2026, players enrolled in a Premium Plan (paid) will be able to deposit up to 9,000 Pokémon, increased from the previous 6,000! The price of a Pokémon HOME Premium Plan is not changing.
Following the new update in October, Trainers will also be able to transfer Pokémon caught using a Safari Ball in Pokémon GO for the first time! When these Pokémon are transferred to Pokémon HOME, the Pokémon’s ball will change to a Strange Ball.
Pokémon Bank End of Service:
Pokémon Bank, a Nintendo 3DS application that lets players deposit or withdraw Pokémon they have befriended in Pokémon titles on that system from online Boxes, will be ending service on Thursday, February 25, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. PST.
As a result, transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME will also no longer be possible. If you have Pokémon stored in Pokémon Bank that you wish to carry over, please move them to Pokémon HOME prior to Pokémon Bank’s end of service. Please note Pokémon Bank is not currently available for download.
In 2015, when rumours of the NX and Zelda U were everywhere, my brother and I started Miketendo64 and we've been running it ever since. As the Editor-in-Chief, I have attended video gaming events in three different countries, been to preview events, and penned more than 4,000 articles to date, ranging from news, to features, reviews, interviews and guides. I love gaming and I love all things Nintendo. I also love Networking, so don't be afaid to reach out.
Email: contact@miketendo64.com / jack.lo@miketendo64.com
Website: https://miketendo64.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVMO4QgcniAjhLxoyc9n8Q
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