Leaks and rumors
Hoenn video revives Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Switch rumor
An official Hoenn clip has renewed speculation about Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald on Switch. Here is what the footage shows and what remains unconfirmed.
On 21 September 2026, the official Japanese Pokémon account posted a Hoenn video that revived speculation about Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald on Nintendo Switch. It shows a scene from the original games, but announces no new release and does not identify the system used to capture it.
What the official Hoenn video actually shows
In the Pokémon Times post, an elderly man chases his Wingull inside a house while the player character watches. The Japanese caption calls out to the Pokémon and uses hashtags for Respect for the Aged Day and the man from the game. That gives the post an occasion of its own: it includes no release date, Switch logo, purchase link or Emerald announcement.
The clip lasts about 30 seconds. Centro Pokémon and Nintendo Everything have pointed to its sharp image. The length matches some Nintendo Switch captures, but any video can also be edited to that length. Sharpness alone cannot identify the hardware or establish that this is footage from a future commercial release.
Why Emerald and Switch 2 are part of the discussion
The speculation predates this video. In August, Shpeshal Nick claimed that ports of Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald were planned for late September or October. Neither Nintendo nor The Pokémon Company has confirmed that claim. The new clip depicts a scene associated with Ruby and Sapphire; it is no independent evidence that Emerald is ready, and it confirms nothing about a Nintendo Switch 2 release.
The earlier Switch releases of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen help explain the interest: Nintendo already offers those Game Boy Advance games on Switch. That is a commercial precedent, not a roadmap for the remaining games from the generation. It also tells us nothing about the price, purchase format or language support of a possible Hoenn release.
The games involved and what remains unknown
Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire began on Game Boy Advance and took the adventure to Hoenn, with differences in story and available Pokémon between versions. Pokémon Emerald later expanded that era with a story involving both rival teams, Rayquaza and the Battle Frontier. These are the original games. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire were later reinterpretations for Nintendo 3DS. The distinction matters because the video uses Game Boy Advance visuals and does not confirm the return of the remakes.
No date, price or distribution method has been announced for Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald on Switch. A Nintendo eShop listing, possible Nintendo Switch Online inclusion, trading features, Pokémon HOME connectivity, language options and Nintendo Switch 2 support are also unconfirmed. Until Pokémon or Nintendo publishes verifiable details, the video is best read as an official look back at Hoenn and the possible rerelease as a rumor.