Is Pokemon Emerald Coming to Nintendo Switch? Don‘t Count On It

The straight answer is no: there has been no announcement of a Pokemon Emerald remake or rerelease for Nintendo Switch. Fans wishing to revisit Hoenn on Switch will have to settle for fan-made ROM hacks.

Nintendo Switch Can Run Game Boy Advance Games

The Switch certainly has the capability to emulate GBA games. Early models in fact contained hidden emulators that hackers later unlocked. The raw computing power far surpasses the GBA. And we‘ve seen the system handle graphics-intensive modern titles.

Supporting emulation are the Switch Online Expansion Pack Virtual Consoles for NES, SNES and Nintendo 64 games. So Nintendo has demonstrated willingness to facilitate older gameplay through digital platforms.

But No Official Game Boy Virtual Console So Far

Disappointingly, beyond the Expansion Pack Nintendo has not provided Virtual Console access to handheld classics. Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance game ROMs cannot be purchased through the eShop.

The September 2022 launch of Selected Games added Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles to Switch Online. But even with an ongoing drip-feed of new additions, the service lacks GBA entries completely.

Modern Pokemon Games on Switch – Current and Upcoming

Switch has seen excellent Pokemon support, including the Let‘s Go spin-offs, Sword and Shield mainline titles, and experimental Legends: Arceus incarnation. Fans also have the hotly anticipated Scarlet and Violet RPG adventures to anticipate for late 2022.

So Switch gamers haven‘t lacked for mainline Pokemon RPG goodness.

History of Pokemon Remakes and Rereleases

Game Boy Advance introduced Generation III titles Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. All three Hoenn adventures have seen enhanced remakes for newer Nintendo handhelds:

And it‘s a tradition dating even earlier that continues today. Updated versions allow new generations of gamers to enjoy older regions.

So could Nintendo follow suit by remaking Emerald for Switch?

Reading the Tea Leaves

Remake speculation arises in part from Nintendo registering a Delta Emerald trademark in Japan during 2014 (later abandoned). Context clues point to ties with Pokemon given capitalization and naming convention.

I do think an Emerald remake likely eventually manifests for Nintendo‘s platforms. But reading between the lines, evidence currently suggests the project has not yet entered full production:

• Lack of rumors or leaks from Nintendo/GameFreak developers
• Focus on Scarlet/Violet as next mainline Pokemon RPG projects
• No GBA Virtual Console infrastructure in place on Switch

So When Could We See Pokemon Emerald Switch?

Here is one projected timeline for a hypothetical Pokemon Emerald remake release:

Of course that speculation should be taken with a grain of salt. But the long gap since prior remakes means an Emerald redo feels overdue.

I anticipate news on an Emerald remake will drop sometime within the next 2-4 years. Modern computing power can build upon those Hoenn foundations in stunning fashion.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Unfortunately wanting something badly doesn‘t will it into existence. Until Nintendo and Game Freak confirm revival plans, Pokemon Emerald remains confined to the Game Boy Advance.

My dream core Pokemon RPG list on Switch would be:

• Diamond and Pearl
• Black and White
• Black 2 and White 2
• Emerald

But even with Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl in the books, the others may be wishful thinking. Still, revisiting Hoenn with updated graphics and mechanics after all these years is an exciting prospect worth longing for.