It is officially confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be released on October 16, 2025, for Nintendo Switch. An optimized edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 is also planned. This game spans two generations of consoles and includes an upgrade system. Essentially, players who purchased the standard Switch version can migrate to the Switch 2 version by purchasing a digital upgrade available on the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store. This approach ensures that early buyers are not disadvantaged while accommodating the transition to future hybrid console models. Pre-orders will begin on Thursday, June 5, with the official cover featuring both protagonists in action, facing a Pokémon in mega-evolution within a nighttime reimagined version of the famous city of Illumis. The stylized urban backdrop is bathed in twilight light, marking a departure from the traditional pastoral landscapes of previous episodes.
Reminder: With Pokémon Legends Z-A, Game Freak studio takes a step towards the action RPG genre, introducing real-time battles—a first for the series. This new formula appears to be influenced by the critical success of Pokémon Legends Arceus and aims to further modernize gameplay. The game features an open-world semi-setting with Illumis serving as the primary adventure ground. Enhanced interactions with inhabitants, contextual quests, and more immersive storytelling are promised in this upcoming release for Nintendo Switch, with an optimized version planned for the future Nintendo Switch 2.
This is not all: The Pokémon Company has announced a presentation for franchise fans titled “Pokémon Presents,” scheduled to be broadcast on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, on the official YouTube channel. This event will provide deeper insights into game mechanics, introduce new Pokémon, and may offer an initial glimpse of the technical capabilities of the Switch 2.
