Featured Image Credit: Pokemon/Nintendo
Topics: Pokemon, Nintendo, Retro Gaming
Retro fans rejoice - a new legal filing from Nintendo could accidentally reveal the company's plans to cash in on the nostalgia we have for one of the biggest franchises in the world.
According to reputable leaker 'Necro' Felipe, Nintendo of America has officially filed for the "Nintendo GAME BOY" trademark and logo at Brazil’s INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property).
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While trademark renewals are often routine "IP housekeeping,", which means that nobody else can use the name Nintendo GAME BOY for commercial gain, the timing has got some fans raising their eyebrows.
As we approach Pokémon Day, celebrating the franchise’s 30th Anniversary on 27 February, 2026, fans are wondering if this latest patent could accidentally reveal Nintendo’s upcoming plans that nobody could’ve seen coming.
Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow released in 1996 on the original Game Boy.
The library expanded to the Game Boy Color with Generation 2 - Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal - with the remakes of these classics still being some of my favourite games to this day.
While originally for the Game Boy Advance, we already know that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are finally here - making their way to the Nintendo Switch eShop as standalone games this month, announced ahead of the Pokemon Presents.
I have to say, considering these were some of my favourite childhood games, I’ll be playing, even if the price has me raising my eyebrows a bit
But revealing this before the Pokémon Presents makes me wonder if something even bigger is coming in the 25 minutes of news it will cover.
The Nintendo GAME BOY Real Party-in-Interest patent was filed on 10 February, 2026, which means we probably won’t see anything for a while yet, if it exists at all.
But Nintendo is no stranger to bringing back its retro consoles.
In fact, only this month it released a physical Virtual Boy that pairs with a Nintendo Switch Online update to play games from the 90’s biggest console flop.
Saying that, GAMINGbible’s Kate reckons it could be ‘one of the year’s most sought after gaming accessories’ after going hands-on with it before release.
The appetite is clearly there, only proven by the current state of the retro market. If you want a legitimate copy of Pokémon Red, Blue or Yellow today, you’re looking at triple digit prices.
An official reprint of the GAME BOY Pokémon games for the Pokémon 30th anniversary would nerf the reseller market and make these classics more accessible to all.