Pokémon fans who still consider the Hoenn era one of the franchise’s best may have plenty to look forward to in 2027.
Bandai Namco is bringing back three massive Pokémon Scale World figures based on Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza. Meanwhile, rumors surrounding Nintendo Switch versions of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald continue to build.
With Pokémon now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the timing certainly feels appropriate for another trip to Hoenn.
Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza Scale Figures Are Returning
The Legendary trio from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald is returning to the Pokémon Scale World collection.
Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza will once again be available as highly detailed 1/20-scale PVC figures. These are not new designs, as the figures originally appeared in 2021, but collectors who missed them the first time are getting another opportunity.
All three are currently listed for release in May 2027.
Unlike smaller Pokémon figures, the Scale World series attempts to represent Pokémon at a consistent scale alongside trainers and other creatures. That makes particularly large Pokémon such as Groudon and Kyogre considerably more imposing.
The figures are also non-articulated, putting the emphasis on display rather than posing.
These Legendary Pokémon Are Not Cheap
Unsurprisingly, collecting the entire Hoenn Legendary trio will require a fairly serious investment.
Current listings put the figures at:
- Groudon — $164.99
- Kyogre — $129.99
- Rayquaza — $107.99
Groudon is easily the most expensive of the three, while Kyogre comes in roughly $35 cheaper. Rayquaza is another $22 below Kyogre.
Pre-orders also require non-refundable down payments of roughly 10% of the purchase price. Depending on the figure, that means buyers can expect an upfront payment somewhere around $10.80 to $16.50.
U.S. customers should additionally keep tariff surcharges in mind when calculating the final cost.
They certainly aren’t impulse-buy collectibles, but large-scale Pokémon figures can become considerably more expensive on the secondary market once production ends.
2027 Could Become a Big Year for Hoenn Fans
The merchandise arrives while speculation surrounding the original Generation 3 Pokémon games continues to grow.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire originally launched for the Game Boy Advance, followed by Pokémon Emerald. Together, the games introduced the Hoenn region, abilities, double battles and Pokémon including Blaziken, Gardevoir, Metagross and the three Legendaries now returning as Scale World figures.
There are currently widespread rumors that Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald could eventually make their way to Nintendo Switch.
However, that remains unconfirmed.
Recent speculation intensified after Japanese Pokémon social media material appeared to reference Ruby and Sapphire alongside Switch hardware. Separate emulator-related leaks have also suggested that technology being used for Game Boy Advance Pokémon releases could support additional Generation 3 games.
That does not automatically mean Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are coming.
Still, the pieces are becoming increasingly interesting.
FireRed and LeafGreen Could Open the Door
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are already important to the discussion.
The Generation 1 remakes use the same Game Boy Advance generation as Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Reports surrounding their Switch versions have therefore raised obvious questions about how much additional work would be required to bring the rest of the Generation 3 library across.
If the underlying emulator can already handle the games, the technical barrier may be considerably smaller than starting from scratch.
There would still be other considerations, particularly surrounding connectivity features, trading and Pokémon transfers.
For now, fans should treat Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Switch releases as rumors rather than confirmed additions.
Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Keeps Getting Bigger
The wider Pokémon anniversary calendar is already becoming crowded.
Pokémon Pokopia, Switch releases connected to older generations, the Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration products and a growing amount of anniversary merchandise are all putting different eras of the franchise back into the spotlight.
Beyond the anniversary itself, attention is also shifting toward the next generation.
Pokémon Winds and Waves are expected to introduce Generation 10 in late 2027, potentially making 2027 a year that simultaneously looks backward at Pokémon’s history and forward toward its next major chapter.
That would make a Generation 3 revival particularly fitting.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire will be approaching their 25th anniversary by then, while Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza remain among the franchise’s most recognizable Legendary Pokémon.
Whether the Scale World re-releases are simply convenient anniversary merchandise or arrive alongside something bigger for Hoenn remains to be seen.
But if Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald really do reach Switch in 2027, Hoenn fans might want to start preparing for a very expensive year.
