Return of the legendary GBA era games
Almost twenty-five years after their original release on the Game Boy Advance, it looks like fans will once again be able to play the classic Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald on a modern Nintendo platform. According to the well-known insider Shpeshal_Nick, who often makes accurate predictions, the release of these retro games could take place as early as September or October 2026.
What indicates the probability of a port?
Although there has been no official announcement yet, there are several strong pieces of indirect evidence supporting these rumors:
- Synchronization with the card game: In November of this year, both the physical Pokémon TCG and Pokémon TCG Pocket will receive a new Delta Reigns set dedicated to Rayquaza. The release of the games where this Pokémon first appeared will be a perfect way to fuel interest.
- Data from FireRed and LeafGreen: In February, dataminers found mentions in the code of the recently released FireRed and LeafGreen on the eShop regarding checks for the presence of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald files.
What to expect from the release?
Considering that FireRed and LeafGreen are sold in the eShop for $19.99, the new ports may also receive a similar affordable price tag. Interestingly, these games are unlikely to become part of the basic Nintendo Classics program. Adding modern features, such as online multiplayer, could disrupt the ecosystem of rare monsters, so a standalone release looks like a more logical step for the company.
Since the release of the tenth generation (Pokémon Winds and Waves) is not expected yet, the classic GBA games will perfectly fill the gap in the release calendar for the fall of 2026.
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