According to official announcements released on February 27, 2026, and detailed by outlets like NintendoEverything and worldofgeek.fr, trainers completing the Kanto Pokédex in the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 ports of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will receive a free Mythical Celebi via Pokémon HOME in October 2026. This long-awaited event connects classic Game Boy Advance nostalgia directly to modern cloud storage, offering a streamlined path to claim a rare Pokémon just ahead of the planned closure of the Pokémon Bank service.
How to Unlock Free Celebi Through the Kanto Pokédex
To qualify for the event, players must complete the Kanto Pokédex in either Pokémon FireRed Version or Pokémon LeafGreen Version on the Nintendo Switch family of systems, according to official statements cited by NintendoEverything. This requires registering all 151 entries native to the region, including version exclusives that demand trading between games. worldofgeek.fr notes that players will not need to manually deposit every captured monster into online storage boxes. Instead, when the updated software links to Pokémon HOME, the application automatically reads the in-game Pokédex data. The eShop listing specifies that the distribution is restricted to a single Celebi per Pokémon HOME account.
Pokémon HOME Version 4.1.0 Update and One-Way Transfers
Scheduled for October 2026, the Pokémon HOME update to version 4.1.0 officially adds the Switch ports of Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen to the roster of compatible software, as reported by NintendoEverything. As outlined in the documentation, data movement operates strictly as a one-way transfer. Pokémon can travel upward from the Kanto remakes into the cloud storage service, but no return trips or imports from other generations are permitted. Alongside this integration, the Premium Plan storage capacity will expand from the previous limits without any price increase.
Pro Tip: Ensure your Nintendo Switch and mobile device share the exact same Nintendo Account before October 2026. According to official rules, linking the correct profile is required for Pokémon HOME to successfully synchronize your regional Pokédex data and deliver your Mystery Gift.
Recreating the 2006 Japanese Event Profile
The distributed Celebi matches the parameters of the historic 2006 Japanese distribution, according to technical data reported by NintendoEverything. The Mythical Pokémon arrives at level 50, marked as non-shiny, bearing the Original Trainer (OT) name “HOME” in primary documentation and referenced as “Mitsurin” by worldofgeek.fr to highlight its historical roots. It features the ID number 60720, the Natural Cure ability (Natural Healing), a Quirky nature, and a moveset consisting of Leech Seed, Recover, Heal Bell, and Safeguard. Once claimed in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME via the Mystery Gift menu—requiring only an active internet connection rather than a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription—players can move the specimen forward into other compatible Switch titles.
Did you know? While Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen allow players to encounter Legendary Pokémon like Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys within post-game content, Celebi remains entirely absent from the native Kanto software code, making this HOME linkage the only official acquisition method for the ports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription to get the free Celebi?
According to the eShop listing details, a standard internet connection is sufficient to receive the Mystery Gift through the mobile application, and a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not listed as a strict requirement.
Can I send my Pokémon back from Pokémon HOME to FireRed or LeafGreen?
No. As outlined in the official update specifications, transfers from the Kanto remakes to Pokémon HOME are strictly one-way, meaning moved Pokémon cannot return to the original save files.
What happens to my Kanto Pokémon when Pokémon Bank shuts down?
Moving your specimens into Pokémon HOME ahead of these updates ensures your collection remains secured in the modern cloud ecosystem.
Join the Discussion: Are you ready to complete your Kanto Pokédex before the October 2026 update? Share your team strategies in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more retro Pokémon port updates!
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