Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen HOME Update Leaves National Pokédex Completion Unresolved

The Pokémon Company has introduced Pokémon HOME support for Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch, allowing players to transfer their Pokémon into the storage service. However, the update comes with restrictions that make completing the games' National Pokédex difficult.

The compatibility feature arrived with Pokémon HOME Version 4.1.0 on October 7, 2026. It also introduced a free Celebi reward for completing the Kanto Pokédex. While the Mythical Pokémon can be claimed through HOME, players cannot transfer it back into either game.

The update allows players to move Pokémon caught in Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen into Pokémon HOME. From there, they can send those Pokémon to other compatible titles. However, The Pokémon Company has confirmed that transferred Pokémon cannot return to either game.

The restriction also applies in reverse. Pokémon obtained in other games cannot be transferred into Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen, even when those species originally appeared in the Game Boy Advance titles. This means players cannot use Pokémon HOME to bring missing Pokémon into their existing save files.

The limitation is particularly significant for collectors. Anyone transferring a valuable Pokémon into HOME permanently loses access to that Pokémon in their original game.

The update also introduces a special Celebi distribution for players who complete the Kanto Pokédex. To qualify, players must register the 150 required Kanto Pokémon, excluding Mew. Once a compatible game is connected to Pokémon HOME, its registered Pokédex entries can be synchronized with the service.

Players do not need to transfer their Pokémon out of the game to record that progress. After completing the requirements, they can claim Celebi through the mobile version of Pokémon HOME. However, the reward is delivered directly to HOME rather than the player's Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen save file.

Celebi can be used in other compatible Pokémon games, but it remains unavailable in the two Switch releases through this distribution.

The distinction matters because the original games did not require Celebi to earn the National Pokédex completion certificate. Its absence is disappointing for collectors, but the larger problem involves other Pokémon that cannot currently be transferred into the games.

Completing the National Pokédex in Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen originally required trading with other third-generation games.

Many Pokémon from the Johto and Hoenn regions were unavailable through normal gameplay in Kanto. Players needed access to titles such as Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald to obtain the missing species.

Those games have not been released as compatible standalone Nintendo Switch versions. The Switch releases also retain the originals' local trading restrictions. Nintendo has confirmed that players can trade and battle through local wireless connections, but online multiplayer is not supported.

Although Pokémon HOME offers online trading through its Global Trade System, Pokémon obtained there cannot be moved into Pokémon FireRed or Pokémon LeafGreen. As a result, trading between the two Switch games does not provide access to every Pokémon needed for National Pokédex completion.

Nintendo has not announced plans to release compatible versions of Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, or Pokémon Emerald. It has also not confirmed any changes to the existing HOME transfer restrictions.