On February 27^th, 1996, two Game Boy titles — Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green — launched in Japan. Then, two years later, those two titles — rebranded as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue — crossed the ocean and ended up reshaping modern popular culture.

From the original 151 collectible creatures, 30 years of Pokémon have evolved to 1,025 known species spanning all manners of games, movies, tv shows, and merchandising rights led by a small yellow electric-type mouse known the world over.

Often copied, these cuddly critters are pretty much everywhere (virtually and in reality) and Nintendo is going all out to ensure fans young and old get a chance to revisit and reshare their love for Pokémon.

Released a nearly a decade after their predecessors, Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are now digitally available on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems in English, French and Spanish. Improvements offered in these two titles include abilities, natures, changing weather conditions, held items, and player customizations. Trainers can play locally against each other (additional games sold separately) without needing to find a working Game Link Cable.

As part of the 30^th anniversary celebrations, a special Pokémon Presents live-stream was held this morning, pulsing with nostalgia, interviews, and updates. a new game in the franchise was revealed. Unlike the mid-1990s, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will have a global simultaneous launch in 2027 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

As is tradition, three new starters were shown: the grass-type Browt; the fire-type Pombon; and the water-type Gecqua.

Players will get to explore a new region, discover new species and interact with Pokémon in new ways. Of course, trainers can catch some very tropical-themed Pikachus when they visit this lush land.

Sources: Nintendo, YouTube, @Pokemon

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