Suspiciously Crisp-Looking Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Footage Sparks Fresh Nintendo Switch Port Speculation

Footage shared by the official Japanese Pokémon account has fans speculating that Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire may be re-released for Nintendo Switch. The Game Boy Advance classics are featured in a video posted by The Pokémon Company, showcasing Mr. Briney, also known as Old Man Hagi. However, some fans believe the video displays crisp and vibrant visuals, suggesting the footage could be from a newer version of the game, possibly running on Nintendo Switch.

This speculation is fueled by the fact that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen received similar enhancements when they launched on Switch last year. While Nintendo has not officially commented on the possibility of Ruby and Sapphire re-releases, many expect new releases for the games on the Switch. References to the games were found in datamines of FireRed and LeafGreen's code, and those titles sold impressively, with four million copies sold in just six weeks.

Despite the controversy surrounding their $20 price point at the time of their announcement, FireRed and LeafGreen proved popular, with little effort required from Nintendo to modernize the titles beyond unlocking event tickets and adding a swear filter. With Pokémon Winds and Waves still a year away, releasing Ruby and Sapphire could boost The Pokémon Company's profits in the second half of 2026.

The release of these games around the same time as FireRed and LeafGreen's Pokémon Home support would be ideal. Originally released in Japan in 2002, Ruby and Sapphire were the main titles for the Pokémon franchise's third generation and introduced popular Pokémon such as Mudkip, Treecko, and Torchic, Kyogre, and Groudon. Would you be willing to pay $20 to play one of these again?