Pokémon Sapphire
News, coverage and analysis tracking Pokémon Sapphire across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The Pokemon Bank shutdown will be the end of an era
Pokemon Bank, a crucial tool for transferring Pokemon between Nintendo 3DS titles, will permanently shut down in February 2027. This closure marks the end of an era for many players who relied on the service to maintain continuity and sentimental value in their Pokemon collections across generations. While Pokemon Home offers a modern alternative for transferring creatures to the Nintendo Switch, the loss of Pokemon Bank signifies a break in the long chain of intergenerational transferability.
You have fewer than 200 days to migrate all your old Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon Home, or they're gone forever
The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon Bank, a storage application for the Nintendo 3DS, will cease operations on February 25, 2027. Players have until this date to migrate their Pokémon from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon Home, as any remaining Pokémon will be lost permanently. Compatibility for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen with Pokémon Home is expected in October 2026.
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Update Coming This October, as Ruby and Sapphire Speculation Swirls
Nintendo is releasing an update for Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch this October, adding Pokémon Home support. This update fuels speculation that ports of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald may also be released.
Rumor: Pokemon Winds / Waves to have new directors, Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald on Nintendo Switch this year
Rumors suggest that Hiroyuki Tani and Katsuhiko Ichiraku are co-directing the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 entry, Pokemon Winds and Waves, potentially replacing Shigeru Ohmori. Additionally, there are rumors that Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald will be released on Nintendo Switch later this year, possibly in late September or October.
Report: Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Could Land on Switch This Autumn
A report suggests that Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, and Pokémon Emerald may be released on the Nintendo Switch in late September or October. This rumor originates from an account known for insider information from Nintendo. Fans have expressed positive sentiment towards the potential release, with some hoping for a $20 price point.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire ports coming to Nintendo Switch this year says insider
An insider claims that ports of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are planned for a late September/October release on the Nintendo Switch. This follows the successful release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen ports earlier this year. Dataminers have found evidence in the source code of the existing ports suggesting future compatibility.
Shpeshal Nick: Pokemon Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire ports planned for Switch late September/October
Leaker Shpeshal Nick claims that ports of Pokemon Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire are planned for the Nintendo Switch, with a release window in late September or October. The Pokemon Company has not yet officially confirmed these rumored ports.
Five Game Boy Advance Games That Will Swallow a Month of Your Life
This article highlights five Game Boy Advance games that can consume a significant amount of player time, challenging the notion that handheld titles are merely short diversions. Games like Pokémon Emerald, Fire Emblem: The Blazing Sword, Phantasy Star Collection, Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are discussed for their lengthy playtime, with some completionist runs exceeding 100 hours.
With 58 consoles and a dream, Pokemon Sapphire player chases "1 in 9 million" odds in an attempt to find a very specific shiny duck that he could immediately lose
A dedicated Pokemon player, Professor Rex, is using an elaborate setup of 58 consoles (33 GameCubes and 25 Wiis) to simultaneously hunt for a specific shiny Golduck in Pokemon Sapphire. This particular Golduck has an estimated one in nine million chance of appearing at level 25, and there's a risk it could flee the battle, making the hunt exceptionally challenging.
The Games That Defined Our Childhood: A Generation-by-Generation Guide | TAG
This guide breaks down distinct gaming generations within the millennial demographic, highlighting the defining consoles, cultural moments, and games for those born between 1984 and 1998. It explores the impact of console wars, the rise of online multiplayer, and the unique experiences of growing up with different gaming eras, from the SNES and Genesis to the N64, PlayStation, PS2, and Wii.
Please Give My Decades-Old Pokemon Something Fun To Do
The author expresses disappointment with Pokemon Champions, finding it lacking for long-time collectors who want more interactive experiences for their Pokemon beyond static storage. Despite supporting Pokemon Home transfers, the game's limited roster and storage, coupled with subscription costs, make it unappealing compared to older titles like My Pokemon Ranch and Poke Pelago which offered more engaging ways to interact with collected creatures.
Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen on Switch is the nostalgia hit I needed
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, hold up surprisingly well today, offering a significant dose of nostalgia for players who grew up with them. While the games retain their original charm and gameplay, some dated mechanics and the lack of modern quality-of-life features, such as online trading and a sortable item bag, are noticeable. Despite these drawbacks, the games are considered a worthwhile purchase for fans seeking a trip down memory lane, especially when compared to the cost of original cartridges.
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Switch review - nostalgia is super effective
This review examines the Nintendo Switch re-release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the 2004 Game Boy Advance remakes of the original 1996 games. While the port offers classic gameplay and expanded content like the Sevii Islands, it lacks new features and online functionality at launch, making it a nostalgic trip rather than a modern upgrade.
Feature: "Astonish Is Super Effective!" - How Pokémon Taught Me To Love Words
This article explores how the Pokémon series, particularly through its move names and item descriptions, fostered a love for language and vocabulary in the author from a young age. It highlights how the games introduced complex words and concepts, encouraging curiosity and learning beyond gameplay.
Review: Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen (Switch) - Red-Hot Nostalgia In A So-So Wrapper
This review evaluates the Nintendo Switch re-release of Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen, a 22-year-old Game Boy Advance remake of the original Pokémon Red & Blue. While it offers a convenient and nostalgic way to experience the Kanto region, the $19.99 price point without NSO Expansion Pack benefits and the lack of modern features like online trading are noted as significant drawbacks.
Review: Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2) - One Of The Most Enticing Pokémon Games Ever
Pokémon Pokopia offers a refreshing and charming experience on the Nintendo Switch, blending simulation and crafting elements with exploration. Developed by Koei Tecmo's Omega Force, the game focuses on rebuilding environments to attract Pokémon, providing a cathartic and engaging gameplay loop. Despite some minor progression issues, it stands out as one of the most enticing Pokémon titles in recent years.
Poll: Box Art Brawl: Pokémon 30th Anniversary Edition
This article presents a 'Box Art Brawl' comparing the box art for various generations of mainline Pokémon games to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. It details the evolution of the box art from the original Red, Blue, and Yellow versions through to Scarlet and Violet, highlighting the legendary Pokémon featured on each.
Dataminer scoured code of Pokemon FireRed LeafGreen emulator finds ROMs are new and mention Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald
A dataminer has discovered new information within the code of Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreen, which utilize the same emulator as the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy Advance service. The findings include telemetry data sent to Nintendo and mentions of Pokemon Ruby, Pokemon Sapphire, and Pokemon Emerald within the emulator's code.
Pokémon Winds, Go 'TK' Quest & Day Merch | TAG
This news roundup covers several Pokémon-related announcements, including the confirmation that Pokémon Winds and Waves, launching in 2027 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2, is inspired by Southeast Asia. It also details the Pokémon Go 'TK' Choose a Path quest, new merchandise for the 30th anniversary, and a dataminer's discovery of ROM support for older Pokémon titles in FireRed/LeafGreen Switch files. Additionally, the article touches on The Killing Stone's 'scare system,' Bluepoint Games' rejected Bloodborne remake pitch, Marathon's potential as a 2026 shooter, and Resident Evil Requiem's performance on the Steam Deck.
