Kyogre and Groudon might be about to get a second life on a console that isn’t 22 years old.
Over on Twitter/X, Shpeshal Nick, who regularly releases updates purported to be from internal sources at Nintendo and its orbiting companies, shared a post confirming that Nintendo Switch ports of Pokémon Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire are planned for late September or October.
That’s the whole rumor. It’s also enough to send a very specific slice of the fanbase into a spiral.
The Hoenn games hold up better than most
The Pokémon series obviously has a lot of high points over the years, with opinion split on the best based on the gameplay features, roster of collectible creatures and regional preference. But Ruby and Sapphire, along with Emerald, are widely seen as some of the better releases in the history of the franchise.
Kyogre and Groudon still serve as two of the most iconic Legendary Pokémon of all time, and the games that facilitated their arrival are well-rounded, with interesting narratives and solid gameplay.
They’re also stuck in the past. A relic of their own time. Which is exactly the problem a port would fix.
Nintendo is sitting on a lot of unported money
There are a surprising amount of historical Pokémon games that don’t have Nintendo Switch ports, given how much money they could potentially make the company.
Everything from the Gen 1 originals all the way up to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is unavailable right now. Their arrival on the platform would be significant for anyone who missed the experience first time around.
You can still play Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald in 2026, obviously. But the convenience offered by the handheld isn’t to be underestimated, particularly for those who are a little less tech-savvy.
The fans have notes
There were plenty of responses from fans weighing in on the potential of the games releasing onto the platform, and most were delighted at the prospect.
“I knew they’d be released this year. It was only a matter of time. Emerald alone will sell massive numbers,” one comment read.
Another was more concerned with the receipt: “Hopefully they stick to the $20 price tag if so I’ll buy all 3 day one.”
And then there’s the crowd that thinks Game Freak picked the wrong generation to start with. “Weird. I feel like they should do HeartGold and SoulSilver. Then OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire later,” one comment put forward.
Something to do until Gen 10
At the end of the day, new Pokémon releases are new Pokémon releases. It’s always nice to have something fun to do to tide us over while we wait for the first game of Generation 10, Winds and Waves.
Late September or October, if the rumor holds. Twenty bucks a pop, if the fans get their wish.
