Kyogre and Groudon may be in line for a second life on hardware that isn’t 22 years old.
The claim comes from Shpeshal Nick on Twitter/X, an account that routinely posts updates said to originate from insiders at Nintendo and the companies in its orbit. In a recent post, he stated that Nintendo Switch ports of Pokémon Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire are lined up for late September or October.
That’s all there is to the rumor so far. It’s also more than enough to send one very particular corner of the fanbase spiralling.
The Hoenn games hold up better than most
Across the years the Pokémon series has racked up plenty of high points, and which entry sits on top tends to depend on who you ask — gameplay systems, the creature roster and simple regional loyalty all factor in. Even so, Ruby and Sapphire, plus Emerald, are broadly regarded as sitting among the franchise’s stronger releases.
Kyogre and Groudon remain two of the most recognizable Legendary Pokémon ever made, and the games that introduced them are well-rounded affairs, pairing engaging stories with dependable gameplay.
They are also trapped in their own era. A relic of the time that produced them. And that is precisely the problem a port would solve.
Nintendo is sitting on a lot of unported money
The number of older Pokémon titles still missing a Nintendo Switch port is surprisingly large, especially when you consider the revenue they could generate for the company.
Nothing between the Gen 1 originals and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is currently available. Bringing that catalogue to the platform would matter a great deal to anyone who never got to play them the first time around.
Naturally, playing Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald in 2026 is still possible. But the sheer convenience of the handheld shouldn’t be written off, especially for players who are a little less tech-savvy.
The fans have notes
Fans turned out in numbers to share their thoughts on the games potentially arriving on the platform, and the mood was overwhelmingly positive.
“I knew they’d be released this year. It was only a matter of time. Emerald alone will sell massive numbers,” one comment read.
Others had the price in mind: “Hopefully they stick to the $20 price tag if so I’ll buy all 3 day one.”
Then there are those convinced Game Freak has begun with the wrong generation entirely. “Weird. I feel like they should do HeartGold and SoulSilver. Then OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire later,” one comment put forward.
Something to do until Gen 10
Ultimately, a new Pokémon release is a new Pokémon release. Having something enjoyable to fill the gap is never unwelcome while the wait continues for Winds and Waves, the opening title of Generation 10.
Late September or October, assuming the rumor proves accurate. Twenty dollars each, assuming fans get what they’re asking for.