Ethan Crossfield 
Pokémon fans interested in anniversary collectibles have another product to watch: Fender is developing officially licensed guitars inspired by Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. The instruments are not due until 2027, but prospective buyers should expect pre-orders to appear through the Pokémon Center before release.
What Pokémon and Fender have announced
The Pokémon Company has revealed two Fender guitars built around the series' original Red and Green releases. Promotional footage shows instruments with translucent shells and body art that references the first-generation games. Rather than being a simple visual collaboration, the guitars are also set to include a special toggle designed to alter their sound in a way that recalls the 8-bit audio associated with the original Game Boy titles. Pokémon has not announced pricing, exact release timing, or full technical specifications. What is confirmed is a 2027 launch window, with pre-orders planned for the official Pokémon Center website.
Who the release is likely to interest
This is primarily a premium anniversary collectible for players who also play guitar, as well as longtime fans of Pokémon's earliest games. The Red and Green focus gives the collaboration a stronger retro identity than a general Pokémon-branded accessory, while the sound-changing toggle appears intended to make the connection extend beyond the artwork. It also joins a broad range of 30th-anniversary merchandise and partnerships. Pokémon has already rolled out a Target apparel collection, a Game Boy-style music player with classic tracks, and branded food products, while the Trading Card Game's 30th Celebration expansion brought back notable cards from its history.
What comes next for the anniversary
The Fender instruments are one part of a wider campaign that has reached fashion and food partnerships as well. Adidas has released Pokémon-themed footwear and leather jackets featuring characters including Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Charmander's evolutionary family. McDonald's Japan also expanded its Pokémon collaboration in July 2026 with burgers based on the original starter Pokémon. On the game side, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen arrived on Nintendo Switch in February, while Pokémon Pokopia launched in March 2026. The next mainline generation, Pokémon Winds and Waves, has also been confirmed, with a tropical island setting and the starters Growt, Pombon, and Gecqua.
What players should know
- Fender's new Pokémon guitars are themed around Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green.
- The instruments use translucent shells and artwork drawn from the original games.
- A dedicated toggle is intended to evoke the 8-bit sound character of the Game Boy era.
- Release is planned for 2027; Pokémon Center pre-orders are expected beforehand.
- No price, exact launch date, or detailed hardware specifications have been confirmed.
Expert View
The collaboration has a clear audience: collectors, musicians, and first-generation Pokémon fans. The retro-specific design and sound feature make it more distinctive than standard logo merchandise, but the lack of price and technical details means most buyers should wait for the Pokémon Center listing before deciding whether it is a practical instrument or a display-focused collectible.
