RetroSync: a wireless adapter to trade Pokémon between a real Game Boy Advance and the Switch

Trading a Pokémon caught twenty years ago on an old Game Boy Advance cartridge directly with a Switch game: that's the promise behind RetroSync, a small wireless adapter built by independent developer Drewworks. The device goes on sale in early December 2026 at an announced price of £39 / $51 / €46.

The concept is deliberately simple: RetroSync plugs into the link port of a genuine Game Boy Advance loaded with a Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen or Emerald cartridge, draws power over USB-C, and wirelessly talks to a companion app running on Switch. No modification to the console or the cartridge is required, the trading and wireless battle menus already built into these 2004-2005 games are simply redirected to the new hardware instead of the old GBA Wireless Adapter, which is now hard to find and unreliable.

A hardware bridge between two generations of Pokémon

The project follows a long tradition of community hardware hacks aiming to connect classic Pokémon games with modern consoles, but RetroSync stands out by targeting the Switch ecosystem directly rather than an emulator or a PC. Curious fans can follow the project's progress and join the waiting list on the official RetroSync store, where the creator also details how the adapter works and which Switch games are supported.

It remains to be seen whether Nintendo will let this kind of third-party accessory exist long-term, as the company has previously taken legal action against several fan projects touching its licenses.

Source: Time Extension