Speculation is mounting among Pokémon fans that ports of the Generation 3 titles, Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, may be coming to the Nintendo Switch and its successor. This renewed hope follows a recent social media post by The Pokémon Company that has been interpreted by some as a subtle tease.
Rumors of these ports first surfaced last month, with claims suggesting a September or October release window. This speculation gained traction when a dataminer discovered that the previously ported Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen titles were programmed to check for the presence of their Generation 3 counterparts. This technical detail lent credence to the possibility of further remakes.
The latest catalyst for fan excitement is a 30-second video shared on X by the Poké Times account, an official Japanese Pokémon channel. The clip features Mr. Briney and his Wingull, Peeko, from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald. Observers noted the unusual vibrancy and high quality of the colors in the video, leading to speculation that it might have been captured from a rumored Switch version of the game. Fans on X expressed their belief, with one user commenting, "The color is way too vibrant. It's the Ruby Sapphire Switch version, no doubt about it." Another added, "The image quality is way too good. So, you must've taken this from the Switch port, huh?"
The Pokémon Company has yet to make any official announcement or provide comment regarding potential Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald ports. However, given that the FireRed and LeafGreen ports were shadow-dropped during the franchise's 30th-anniversary stream, it is plausible that The Pokémon Company might follow a similar release strategy for any forthcoming Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald titles, potentially announcing them only shortly before their immediate availability—if indeed they are planned.