Macros for a Shiny Starter in FireRed and LeafGreen for Switch - 8Bitdo pro 2

Purpose

Show how to semi-AFK soft-reset for a shiny starter in Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch using an 8BitDo Pro 2 controller macro. The macro runs the soft-reset + starter selection sequence automatically (about 45 seconds per cycle). You must watch the screen and stop the macro immediately when the starter appears shiny.

Controller mapping and setup

• Button mapping used in the video:
  • L2 = Minus
  • L = A
  • Up (D‑pad) = null (used as a deliberate pause / no-input)
  • R2 = Plus
  • R = B
  • P1 = default null
  • P2 = set to Hold
• Macro trigger: assign the macro to Y and start it by pressing Y + P2.

Why the null / pause matters

After pressing the soft-reset buttons you must not hold them — holding causes the game to stay on a black screen. The macro must press-and-release the reset buttons, then include a null/pause (4 seconds in this setup) so the game can proceed normally.

Macro sequence (exact presses and durations)

1. Press L + R + L2 + R2 together (instant press-and-release)
2. Up (null) — 4 seconds
3. A — 3 seconds
4. A — 1 second
5. A — 3 seconds
6. A — 2 seconds
7. B — 3 seconds
8. A — 2 seconds
9. A — 2 seconds
10. A — 2 seconds
11. A — 6 seconds
12. B — 5 seconds
13. A — 4 seconds
14. X — 1 second
15. A — 1 second
16. A — 1 second
17. Final A — adjustable (video recommends ~5 seconds so you have time to check if the starter is shiny; extendable if you want more viewing time)

Note: The final A press length is the main adjustable parameter — increase it to give yourself more time to visually confirm a shiny before the macro continues.

Practical tips and notes

• Full macro cycle: ~45 seconds per reset.
• You still need to look at the screen — stop the macro immediately if you see a shiny.
• Good for semi-AFK play: you don’t need to press buttons repeatedly, but you must monitor visually.
• Adjust the final A duration to give yourself enough time to check the starter’s sprite before the macro resumes the next reset.

Sources / credits

No external gamers or sources were named; the video features the presenter demonstrating the 8BitDo Pro 2 macro.