Finally, Pokemon fans have gotten more information on the upcoming Legends: Z-A title, including its release date.
2024 broke from series tradition, with no new mainline Pokemon games launching during the calendar year. In fact, the only new game release of any kind was the Pokemon TCG Pocket app. While that was an enormous success for The Pokemon Company and has already spawned multiple expansions, the last Pokemon release on consoles was the largely ignored Detective Pikachu Returns.
But the reveal of Pokemon Legends: Z-A has kept fans excited about the future of the franchise. After a year of silence regarding the game, fans finally got an update. And it’s a big one.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A release date, platforms confirmed
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be released on October 16, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. This was unceremoniously announced on Pokemon’s social media channels on May 28, 2025.
Alongside the confirmed release date, The Pokemon Company also detailed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will receive a cross-generation release on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The Switch 2 version will “offer improved graphics and frame rates.” Those who purchase the Switch 1 version digitally or physically will be able to purchase a next-gen upgrade pack to unlock these features on the Switch 2.
The October 2025 release date for Pokemon Legends: Z-A bucks a recent tradition in the franchise. Dating back to Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, every mainline Pokemon game has had a November release date except for Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A was first revealed on Pokemon Day 2024. Fans were given a teaser that revealed a few details about the game’s setting and Pokemon, confirming that it would take place in an overhauled Lumiose City. Nothing was revealed in the following 12 months, allowing excitement for the game to simmer.
Fans excited over follow-up to Pokemon Legends: Arceus
The reveal of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s release date and gameplay sent fans into a tizzy, following the success of Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus arrived in 2022 and was a smash hit among both new and old fans alike. The game still featured the core mechanics of turn-based combat and collecting Pokemon, but changed almost everything else.
The game folded in elements from open-world RPGs and sandbox survival games. Pokemon visibly roamed around the world and could be caught by hiding in bushes and throwing Poke Balls at them. Pokemon were also able to attack the player and could actually “kill” the trainer, causing them to lose items and reload at a nearby camp.
New battle mechanics of all sorts were added to the game, too. A new turn order system was introduced allowing for Pokemon to use multiple moves in quick succession. Wild Pokemon can jump into an ongoing battle, making for more dynamic battles. There were also “boss fights” against certain Pokemon, where the trainer directly fights the Pokemon using throwable items.
This formula was regarded as a refreshing take on the Pokemon franchise, though Legends: Z-A is set to take it in a different direction. Alongside gameplay changes, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has a completely different setting.
Legends: Arceus took Pokemon in a new direction by sending players thousands of years into the past, to a classical era Sinnoh region. Legends: Z-A will be doing the opposite, with a futuristic version of Lumiose City.
There are still many more details that are yet to be revealed for Pokemon Legends: Z-A but players can expect more to come out as the release date approaches.
