Fresh speculation surrounding a potential Nintendo Switch re-release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire has emerged following a recent social media post from the official Japanese Pokémon account. The footage, which showcased the Game Boy Advance classics, has led fans to believe it may have been sourced from a new, enhanced version of the games, possibly running on current hardware.
Fans pointed to the crisp and colorful presentation of the footage as evidence, drawing parallels to the improved visuals seen in the Switch releases of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. While Nintendo has not made any official announcements regarding Ruby and Sapphire re-releases, industry observers widely expect new entries for the games on Switch.
This expectation is further supported by datamine discoveries that referenced the games within FireRed and LeafGreen's code. The strong sales performance of FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch, with four million copies sold in their first six weeks, also suggests a significant market for such re-releases. Despite initial controversy over their $20 price point each, the demand for these titles on Switch remained high, even when other Game Boy Advance games were integrated into the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.
The original Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were released in Japan in 2002, marking the third generation of the Pokémon franchise and introducing beloved creatures like Mudkip, Treecko, Torchic, Kyogre, and Groudon. Set in the Hoenn region, these titles were later followed by Pokémon Emerald.
With the holiday season approaching, a timely release of Ruby and Sapphire could bolster The Pokémon Company's profits. This potential launch comes as support for Pokémon Home is expected for FireRed and LeafGreen in October, suggesting a coordinated release strategy might be in play.