Despite their simple gameplay, many players are still wondering if they can use cheat codes in the Nintendo Switch versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. For this post, we’re going to answer that question, including some other ways of how you can “cheat” your way through the Kanto League.
As part of the Pokemon franchise’s 30th anniversary, Nintendo revisited a classic by re-releasing Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, this time making them available on the Switch 1 and Switch 2.
For those who are used to playing retro games through emulators, playing Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen might feel even weirder and more restrictive, considering that there’s no way they can fast-forward the games and get the version exclusives without trading with another player.
With all the straightforward but time-consuming mechanics of FireRed and LeafGreen, are there any other methods that players can try to make their experience a bit easier? Perhaps by using cheat codes?
Can You Use Cheat Codes in the Switch Versions of FireRed and LeafGreen?
Unlike many GBA emulators, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 don’t have a built-in feature where you can just enter cheat codes in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.
Since these hybrid consoles don’t support entering codes to their games, using cheats isn’t possible for the Gen 3 classics unless you’re on an emulator.
There is, however, a workaround for replicating the effects of cheat codes using a save editing tool called PKHeX. The tool basically allows you to change various things in your game’s save file, including the Pokemon and items you have.
The bad news is, Switch saves are encrypted, so you can’t legitimately use PKHeX unless you’re willing to risk your device getting banned.
If Cheats Don’t Work, Am I Stuck With FR/LG’s Vanilla Gameplay?
The good thing about the Nintendo versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen is that players can still take advantage of all the in-game glitches present in the GBA versions.
These glitches provide the player with an unfair advantage, such as unlocking events, getting multiple Master Balls, and self-trading—all without the need for cheat codes.
However, to trigger some of these glitches, you’ll need a tool called Arbitrary Code Execution or ACE.
ACE works like a code generator, but instead of cheat codes, you’ll get a specific type of code that you need to change a certain PC box’s name or a Pokemon’s nickname.
It’s quite a complicated process, but the gist is that when renamed with the proper code, a PC or a nickname can trigger a glitch where you can access locked events or obtain items.
Most Common Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Glitches
If you’ve been playing Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen for a while, chances are, you’re already familiar with the Nugget Bridge glitch where you can earn as many Pokemon Dollars as you can. We consider the Nugget Bridge glitch to be the easiest one to do since you don’t need an ACE for it.
Glitches that rely on ACE often involve a tedious and highly precise setup, and even a single typo or missed step can cause the game to freeze or crash. Beginners should research thoroughly and follow each step exactly before attempting any method.
Here are some of the other popular glitches that you can give a try when playing FireRed and LeafGreen:
- The Mail Glitch: Duplicates items, which is useful for getting lots of Rare Candies and Master Balls.
- ACE Pokemon Glitch: Creates an edited and EV-trained Pokemon.
- Get Any Item Glitch: Uses ACE to rename PC boxes and obtain any item.
- Complete National Dex Glitch: Uses ACE to rename PC boxes in the Pokemon Center in Viridian City and talks to a nearby NPC to trigger the completion of the National Dex.
- Self-Trade Glitch: Also works in the Pokemon Center in Viridian City, where upon entering the ACE codes and talking to the NPC, it will allow you to trade with yourself.
If you want a well-detailed guide on how to do these glitches, you can watch this YouTube video by Papa Jefé or browse through all this ACE tutorial for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.
Final Thoughts
If you think about it, codes may actually work on FireRed and LeafGreen, but not the conventional cheat codes that emulator players are familiar with. Since ACE produces codes that trigger glitches that are already present in the game itself, we don’t think there are any other risks of using them apart from possible game crashes.
Mastering the usage of ACE takes some time, and new players might lose their patience before they even manage to trigger a single glitch. For starters, we recommend that you start with the Nugget and Mail glitches since you don’t need ACE for them to work.
For those still considering buying Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo eShop, keep in mind that using cheats is not as straightforward as it is on an emulator. If you are looking to go beyond the vanilla experience, playing on an emulator may be the better option.
And once you’re playing on an emulator, be sure to check out PokeCodes for a curated list of cheat codes, including ones that work with ROM hacks.
