A recent update for Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked fresh speculation that Pokémon HOME compatibility may finally be in development.
Although Nintendo has not released official patch notes explaining the changes, the timing of the update has led many fans to believe it could be preparing the classic Generation 3 games for future Pokémon transfers. The speculation was first highlighted by Player.One, citing community discussions following the latest update.
Unexpected Update Fuels Pokémon HOME Rumors
The latest discussion began after Pokémon content creator Light_88 reported that nearly every regional version of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen had received a new update, except the English and Japanese releases.
Since Nintendo has not explained what the update contains, players have started comparing it to previous “shadow updates” that arrived before Pokémon HOME support was introduced for other Pokémon titles.
While there is no official confirmation that HOME integration is on the way, the lack of patch notes has fueled community theories that Nintendo is quietly laying the technical groundwork for the feature.
HOME Support Would Solve a Major Limitation
One of the biggest complaints surrounding the Switch versions of FireRed and LeafGreen is that players cannot complete the National Pokédex. In the original Game Boy Advance releases, completing the Pokédex required connectivity with Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald.
Those games have yet to arrive on Nintendo Switch, leaving several Pokémon unobtainable through legitimate gameplay. Without Pokémon HOME compatibility, trainers are also unable to transfer their Pokémon into modern titles or preserve them for future games.
Adding HOME support would allow players to move Pokémon into the cloud storage service and potentially transfer eligible species into newer games, including Pokémon Champions, which continues to receive updates.
Fans Also Hope More Generation 3 Games Are Coming
The update has also reignited speculation that Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald could eventually join Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance library. Previous rumors and datamines have hinted that Nintendo may continue expanding its classic Pokémon catalog, though no official announcement has been made.
If Nintendo eventually combines Pokémon HOME support with additional Generation 3 releases, players could once again experience the interconnected gameplay that defined the original Game Boy Advance era while finally completing the National Pokédex through legitimate transfers.
For now, however, Nintendo has remained silent, meaning the latest Pokémon HOME speculation should be treated as a rumor until the company provides official details.
