Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch 2 ports are releasing soon to celebrate the Pokémon 30th Anniversary. However, the classic RPGs are missing many modern gameplay features. From Exp. Share to combat mechanics, here are 10 things you need to know about Pokémon FRLG before playing it.
Why Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Feel Different in 2026
Although Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen are technically Kanto remakes, they are still over 22 years old. Yes, you read that right. It’s hard to believe, but FRLG actually launched on the Game Boy Advance way back in 2004. As a result, many of the beloved Pokémon mechanics and quality-of-life improvements fans have come to expect are not in these games.
One of the biggest differences between Pokémon Gen 3 era titles and the modern games is how Physical and Special attacks are handled. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Game Freak had not yet split each move into one of the two categories. Another major difference is Exp. Share, which was infamously more unforgiving in the 2004 RPGs.
Here are 10 things you should know about Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen before diving into it on February 27, 2026.
10 Things to Know Before Playing Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen
1. No Physical/Special Move Split
Physical and Special moves are NOT Split. In FireRed & LeafGreen element type determines whether an attack is Physical or not.
- Physical Types:
- Normal, Flying, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Ground, Rock, Steel, Ghost
- Special Types:
- Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Psychic, Dark, Dragon
2. Exp. Share Is a Held Item
Exp. Share does not work for your entire party. In FRLG Exp. Share is a “held item” that Pokemon must have equipped. Half of the experience points go to the active Pokémon in battle, and the other half goes to the character holding the Exp. Share item.
3. HMs Are Required to Progress
You need to learn HM’s (Hidden Moves) to progress on the map. Cut, Fly, Surf, Strength, Flash, Rock Smash and Waterfall are all HM’s in FRLG.
4. Umbreon & Espeon Cannot Be Obtained
Umbreon & Espeon CAN NOT be obtained in Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen. Because the game lacks an internal clock system, the two Eeveelutions are locked out of the game.
5. Some Evolutions Are Locked Until Post-Game
Certain post Gen 1 Evolutions Are Locked Until you unlock the National PokeDex in the endgame. Golbat for example, won’t evolve into Crobat until the post-game. Even if you meet the conditions, it will fail to evolve until then.
6. Entei & Raikou Can Be Permanently Missed
For some reason there is a glitch where Entei and Raikou delete themselves from the game using ‘Roar’. Strangely, this only impacts players who don’t choose Charmander as a Starter. If you pick Squirtle or Bulbasaur, use a Master Ball to catch the two Legendaries.
7. Only Two Gen 3 Pokémon Appear
FRLG Only has two Gen 3 Pokémon in the game:
- Azurill (Pokémon LeafGreen exclusive)
- Wynaut
8. Moltres Location Has Changed
Moltres is no longer located on Victory Road. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Moltres has been moved to the top of Mt. Ember on One Island.
9. Post-Game Is Massive
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen has an incredible post-game. After unlocking the National Dex, you will actually get to catch all Pokémon Gold and Silver Pokémon as well as Legendaries.
10. Built on the Ruby & Sapphire Engine
FRLG are Kanto Remakes using the Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire engine.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Physical vs Special Attack Split Explained
As I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest changes new players will have to get used to in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen is how attack damage is calculated. In Gen 4 Diamond and Pearl, Game Freak introduced the system where each individual move could be classified as either Physical or Special.
In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, attacks are classified as Physical or Special based on their element type. Fire Punch, for example, would still be considered a Special Attack because of its Fire element. The system has some quirks that are hard to wrap your head around in 2026. Ghost-type moves are all considered Physical for some reason.
Pokémon FireRed vs LeafGreen Version Exclusives (Switch 2)
Just because Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are Gen 1 remakes doesn’t mean their exclusives are the same. When the Game Boy Advance games were released in 2004, Game Freak actually gave this feature a bit of an overhaul. So before you choose which edition, here is a list of the FRLG exclusives:
Pokémon FireRed Exclusive Pokémon
- Arbok
- Arcanine
- Bellossom
- Cloyster
- Delibird
- Deoxys (Attack Forme)
- Ekans
- Electabuzz
- Elekid
- Gloom
- Golduck
- Growlithe
- Murkrow
- Oddish
- Psyduck
- Quagsire
- Qwilfish
- Scizor
- Scyther
- Shellder
- Skarmory
- Vileplume
- Wooper
Pokémon LeafGreen Exclusive Pokémon
- Azumarill
- Azurill
- Bellsprout
- Deoxys (Defense Forme)
- Magby
- Magmar
- Mantine
- Marill
- Misdreavus
- Ninetales
- Octillery
- Pinsir
- Remoraid
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Slowbro
- Slowking
- Slowpoke
- Sneasel
- Starmie
- Staryu
- Victreebel
- Vulpix
- Weepinbell
The Switch 2 Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen release date is February 27, 2026. The Kanto remakes will be released digitally on the eShop immediately after the Pokémon Day 2026 Pokémon Presents livestream ends at 6:30 AM PT / 9:30 AM ET.
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