Classic Pokémon Switch Ports Slap Filters on Traditional Naughty Names
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Nintendo's new Switch ports of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen feature a strict profanity filter that blocks players from using classic swear words for trainer and rival names, though some loopholes remain.
Nintendo is celebrating the Pokémon franchise and its monumental thirty-year anniversary by bringing classic Game Boy Advance remakes FireRed and LeafGreen to the Switch. For many players, jumping back into the Kanto region means revisiting a cherished gaming tradition. Generations of players grew up finding endless amusement in naming their rivals and player characters with juvenile profanities, leading to absurdly funny dialogue from Professor Oak and the rest of the in-game cast. Unfortunately, that specific brand of innocent playground rebellion has hit a wall on modern hardware.
According to reports shared on social media and originally highlighted by Kotaku, the new Switch versions feature a strict profanity filter that blocks classic four-letter words. Trying to input terms like the traditional favorite or other standard curse words results in rejection, forcing players to pick something much more mundane. Even milder expressions like crap fail to make the cut, leaving players with fewer options for personalized comedy during their nostalgic playthroughs.
At the same time, the filter is far from airtight, giving resourceful players room to experiment. Testing reveals that while major swears are blocked, words like butt, fart, and hell still slip through the cracks. More creative variations also bypass the system, meaning players can still salvage some chaotic energy for their Kanto journey. Head over to Polygon for the full breakdown of how these classic ports handle modern censorship rules.
Tags: Pokemon, Nintendo Switch, Gaming News, Retro Gaming, Polygon
Original article: Polygon