Greg Miller

End quote.

Neither of these answers seem to address the question of why the games would not also be part of Switch Online's GBA collection, parentheses, as a nice way for subscribers to access them at no extra cost, or why the games are priced at $20 each, a cost that has raised many fans' eyebrows.

Indeed, the whole Q&A reads as a rather defensive list of answers to questions Nintendo has anticipated from fans, who naturally raise in response to decision-making here.

If these titles are meant to celebrate 30 years of Pokemon, why aren't you releasing the original Pokemon Blue version and Pokemon Red versions of the game that launched 30 years ago, reads another preempted question.

Quote, we thought users will appreciate the ultimate versions of those original adventures, which add various features and upgrades to the contents of Pokemon Red version and Pokemon Blue version, comes the reply.

That's fair enough.

This is Tom again at IGN.

That's fair enough.

But then having to open the red and blue can of worms, Nintendo goes on to preempt another popular question.

Quote, will you add the original Pokemon Red version and Blue version or other Pokemon games to the Nintendo Classics collection available with Nintendo Switch Online?

It's a question Nintendo fans have asked since the Game Boy titles were announced for Nintendo Switch Online years ago.

In response, Nintendo lists a selection of Pokemon spin-off games, which are already available via the service, and then concludes with, quote, we have nothing to announce regarding any other potential titles, end quote.

One notable response suggests that Nintendo sees its launch strategy for fire red and leaf green as likely a one-off quote.

What about other classic games beyond Pokemon titles?

Is this the return to standalone of standalone virtual console type offerings?

The response quote, we remain focused on offering classic games through Nintendo switch online and Nintendo switch online plus expansion packing quote.

But again, other than Nintendo thinking this solution would be fun, there's little reasoning given to why FireRed and LeafGreen will be a costly exception to its usual rule.

Of course, Nintendo is unlikely to turn around and say to fans that really, money is the reason why it's doing this, whether that is the motivating factor here or not.

And of course, despite any complaints online, these relaunches will undoubtedly sell very well.

Other fans have suggested that Nintendo is technically unable to offer FireRed and LeafGreen via its Nintendo Switch Online GBA catalog, which typically allows players to load multiple save states and rewind gameplay.