After 20 Years: FireRed & LeafGreen Join Pokémon HOME
Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Pokémon HOME Updates and FireRed/LeafGreen Surprises!
Hey there, Trainer! Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting your journey, there’s some exciting news coming your way. From legendary encounters in classic games to big storage upgrades and an important goodbye, we’ve got it all covered in simple terms.
Legendary Surprises in Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen
Remember those Game Boy Advance classics? Well, if you’re playing Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version on Nintendo Switch, there’s a special treat waiting after you beat the main story.
What Happens After You Become Champion?
Once you’ve:
- Defeated the Elite Four
- Entered the Hall of Fame
…two mysterious tickets will magically appear in your Bag’s Key Items pocket!
| Ticket | What It Does | Legendary Pokémon You Can Meet |
|---|---|---|
| Mystic Ticket | Takes you to a faraway island | Lugia AND Ho-Oh |
| Aurora Ticket | Unlocks a mysterious location | Deoxys (a Mythical Pokémon!) |
Pro Tip: These encounters were originally only available at real-world events years ago. Now they’re built right into the game — no special event needed!
Pokémon HOME Version 4.1.0 — Big Storage Upgrade Coming October 2026!
What’s Pokémon HOME?
Think of it as your personal Pokémon cloud locker — a place to store, organize, and move Pokémon between different games.
What’s Changing for Premium Plan Members?
| Feature | Before | After (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Pokémon Storage | 6,000 | 9,000 (+3,000!) |
| Price | Same | No change! |
Important: This upgrade is only for paid Premium Plan subscribers. Free Basic Plan users still get 30 Pokémon storage.
Safari Ball Pokémon from Pokémon GO Can Finally Move to HOME!
The Backstory
In Pokémon GO, some Pokémon are caught using Safari Balls (special Poké Balls from Safari Zone events). Until now, these Pokémon couldn’t be transferred to Pokémon HOME.
Starting October 2026:
- You can transfer Safari Ball Pokémon from GO → HOME
- When they arrive, their ball changes to a Strange Ball
- The Pokémon itself stays exactly the same — only the ball looks different!
Wait, what’s a Strange Ball? It’s a special, mysterious-looking Poké Ball that only appears in Pokémon HOME. It doesn’t change how the Pokémon battles — it’s just a cool visual marker!
Pokémon Bank Is Closing Forever — February 25, 2027
What Was Pokémon Bank?
A Nintendo 3DS app that let you store Pokémon from older 3DS games (like X, Y, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon) in online boxes.
Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Service Ends | Thursday, February 25, 2027 at 7:00 PM PST |
| Last Chance to Transfer | Before the date above |
| Can You Still Download It? | No — it’s already unavailable |
CRITICAL CALL OUT: DO THIS NOW IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY!
If you have ANY Pokémon stored in Pokémon Bank, you MUST move them to Pokémon HOME before February 25, 2027. After that, they’ll be gone forever. There’s no way to get them back.
How to Move Pokémon from Bank to HOME (Step-by-Step)
- Open Pokémon Bank on your Nintendo 3DS
- Select "Move Pokémon to Pokémon HOME"
- Open Pokémon HOME on your Switch or mobile device
- Enter the Moving Key shown on your 3DS screen
- Confirm the transfer
- Your Pokémon are now safe in HOME!
Quick Summary
| Topic | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| FireRed/LeafGreen Post-Game | Beat Elite Four → Get Mystic & Aurora Tickets → Catch Lugia, Ho-Oh, Deoxys |
| HOME Storage Upgrade | Premium Plan: 6,000 → 9,000 Pokémon in Oct 2026 (same price) |
| Safari Ball Transfer | GO Safari Ball Pokémon → HOME = Strange Ball (starts Oct 2026) |
| Pokémon Bank Shutdown | Ends Feb 25, 2027, 7 PM PST — Move Pokémon NOW or lose them! |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I need to buy FireRed/LeafGreen again on Switch to get the tickets?
If you already own the Switch versions, just update your game and play through to the Hall of Fame. The tickets appear automatically — no extra purchase needed!
2. I’m on the Free Basic Plan for Pokémon HOME. Do I get more storage too?
Nope! The 9,000 storage is Premium Plan only. Free users stay at 30 Pokémon. But you can still receive transferred Pokémon (like Safari Ball ones) even on the free plan.
3. What happens to my Pokémon in Bank if I miss the deadline?
They will be permanently deleted. Nintendo has confirmed there is no recovery option after February 25, 2027. Please don’t wait!
4. Will my Safari Ball Pokémon keep their special ball in HOME?
No — they’ll turn into Strange Ball Pokémon. The Pokémon’s stats, moves, and everything else stay the same. Only the ball changes.
5. Can I still use Pokémon Bank after the shutdown date?
No. The app will stop working entirely at 7:00 PM PST on February 25, 2027. You won’t be able to open it, view your boxes, or transfer anything.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re reliving Kanto nostalgia with Lugia and Ho-Oh, clearing space for 3,000 more ‘mons in HOME, or rescuing your old 3DS team from Pokémon Bank — now’s the time to act.
Trainer Tip: Set a calendar reminder for February 2027 if you still have Pokémon in Bank. Future you will thank you!
Happy adventuring, and may your Pokédex stay forever full!
Article based on official Pokémon announcements. Dates and features subject to change — always check pokemon.com for the latest info.