Pokémon’s next big adventure has a confirmed release date. “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” will launch worldwide on October 16, 2025, marking the first time a mainline Pokémon game will release simultaneously on two Nintendo console generations.
The game will be available on both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with an upgrade path for players who start on the older hardware.
Dual-Console Strategy Breaks New Ground
Unlike previous Pokémon titles that launched exclusively on a single platform, “Legends: Z-A” offers Nintendo a smoother transition between console generations. Players who purchase the game for Nintendo Switch can later upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version by buying an upgrade pack from the Nintendo eShop or My Nintendo Store.
The Nintendo Switch 2 version promises “improved graphics and higher frame rates,” though specific technical enhancements haven’t been detailed yet.
Digital pre-orders begin June 5, 2025, with physical pre-orders following on July 23. Fans who pre-order from Pokémon Center in the U.S., Canada, or U.K. will receive a random “Sitting Cuties” plush featuring either Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile while supplies last.
Urban Setting Marks Major Shift
Unlike “Pokémon Legends: Arceus” with its sprawling natural landscapes, “Z-A” takes place entirely within Lumiose City from the Kalos region. The game centers on an “urban redevelopment plan” where players’ actions will shape how the city develops.
The official description calls it “a new frontier for the Pokémon video game series, blending an RPG story unfolding in a single city with action elements and a real-time battle system unlike anything seen before in the franchise.”
The cover art, revealed alongside the release date, shows the main characters and their partner Pokémon battling a Mega-Evolved Pokémon at night in Lumiose City.
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Mega Evolution Makes Major Return
Mega Evolution, a fan-favorite feature first introduced in “Pokémon X and Y” but absent from recent games, returns as a central element in “Legends: Z-A.” The Pokémon Company has already begun releasing Mega Evolution-themed merchandise, including giant pins featuring Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y, plus apparel showcasing Mega Venusaur, Mega Gengar, and Mega Lucario.
More Information Coming in July
The Pokémon Company has scheduled a “Pokémon Presents” video presentation for July 22, 2025, promising “the latest news and updates from the world of Pokémon.” While not explicitly confirmed, this presentation will likely showcase more gameplay details for “Legends: Z-A” given its October release date.
The game builds on the real-time battle system introduced in “Legends: Arceus,” moving further away from traditional turn-based combat. It will also feature a “Battle Royale” mode where players progress through ranks (Z to A).
“Pokémon Legends: Z-A” has already won “Most Anticipated Game” at the Famitsu Dengeki 2024 show, highlighting strong public interest even before major gameplay reveals.
As October approaches, the single-city setting and return of Mega Evolution position “Legends: Z-A” as potentially the most distinct entry in the Pokémon series to date, while its dual-platform release strategy offers a glimpse at how Nintendo plans to bridge console generations.