TOKYO — Nintendo’s latest financial report has revealed that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Game Boy Advance ports have sold over 4 million units in just six weeks, despite widespread complaints over pricing and alleged censorship.
The numbers, disclosed during a briefing on Thursday, underscore the enduring power of the Pokémon franchise even as the company navigates uncharted waters with its next-generation hardware.
Key Figures
The FireRed and LeafGreen ports—re-released for the GBA in late 2024—achieved 4.2 million combined sales by the end of the fiscal quarter. This represents one of the fastest-selling Pokémon remakes in history.
“The market response has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Dr. Haruki Tanaka, a gaming industry analyst at Tokyo-based consultancy GameScope. “Despite vocal backlash on social media, the install base simply cannot resist a Pokémon product.”
Background
The ports were announced in September 2024 as part of Nintendo’s effort to revitalize its handheld library ahead of the Switch 2 launch. However, they quickly sparked controversy.
Critics pointed to a $59.99 price tag—identical to modern full-game releases—for what many considered a minor graphical update to a 2004 title. Additionally, fans claimed Nintendo removed certain cultural references and adjusted character designs, prompting accusations of censorship.
“Nintendo has a long history of localizing content, but the changes here felt unusually heavy-handed,” noted Mika Yoshida, a video game historian at Kyoto University. “Yet the sales data shows these concerns did little to deter the core audience.”
What This Means
The sales figures suggest that brand loyalty and nostalgia outweigh quality-of-life demands for many Pokémon fans. This could embolden Nintendo to continue repricing older titles at higher margins.
“If a two-decade-old handheld port can move 4 million units at full price, that sends a strong signal to the boardroom,” Tanaka added. “Expect more re-releases with similar pricing strategies in the coming years.”
The performance also provides a revenue cushion as Nintendo faces pressure to increase hardware prices. In the same report, the company revealed that the Switch 2 has sold nearly 20 million units in its first year, but margins remain tight due to rising component costs.
Industry Reaction
Social media remains divided. Hashtags like #BoycottPokemon trended briefly after the announcement, but the sales data suggests limited real-world impact.
“It’s easy to be loud online, but silent majority—or in this case, the silent millions—vote with their wallets,” said Yoshida. “The Pokémon Company is in a unique position where it can weather almost any controversy.”
What Analysts Expect Next
Nintendo is expected to announce additional Pokémon GBA ports in its next investor call, likely including Ruby and Sapphire versions. The company also hinted at a price increase for future hardware, citing inflation and R&D costs.
“The Pokémon franchise is a cash cow that refuses to stop giving milk,” Tanaka concluded. “Anyone betting against it has repeatedly been proven wrong.”