Pokémon Legends: Z-A is confirmed for Nintendo Switch, but not until 2025
The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon Legends: Z-A in February 2024 as an upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive. The game will release sometime in 2025, though no specific month has been named yet. This is the sequel to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which came out on Switch in January 2022.
Z-A takes place in the Kalos region — the same setting as Pokémon X and Y from the 3DS era — but with a different story and gameplay style. Like Arceus, it focuses on action-based catching and real-time battles rather than turn-based combat. You will play as a member of a survey corps exploring and documenting Pokémon in an open world.
Key Takeaways
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases on Nintendo Switch in 2025, with no specific date announced yet.
- The game is exclusive to Switch and will not release on other platforms or handheld devices.
- Your current Switch console will run the game — no special hardware or Switch model is required.
- Pre-orders and pricing have not been announced, so check the official Pokémon website closer to release for those details.
What hardware you need to play Z-A
Any Nintendo Switch model — the original, Switch OLED, or Switch Lite — will play Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon Company has not stated different requirements for different models, and Arceus ran on all three versions without issue.
If you own a Switch already, you do not need to buy new hardware. The game will read to your console's storage or to a microSD card. A microSD card is useful if your Switch's built-in storage is full, since Z-A will likely take 5 to 8 gigabytes of space, similar to Arceus.
How Z-A differs from other recent Pokémon games
Z-A plays more like Arceus than like Scarlet and Violet. You throw Poké Balls at Pokémon you see in the world rather than entering turn-based battles first. You can dodge attacks and use items in real time. The camera follows you from behind as you explore, rather than showing a top-down view.
Scarlet and Violet, by contrast, use traditional turn-based battles and let you tackle the story in any order. Z-A appears to have a more linear structure with a specific story path, though the Pokémon Company has not released full gameplay details yet. If you liked Arceus, Z-A will likely feel familiar. If you prefer the Scarlet and Violet style, Z-A may not match what you want.
When to expect more information and pre-orders
The Pokémon Company typically announces pre-order dates and pricing two to four months before a major release. Since Z-A launches in 2025, expect official details sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. You can check the official Pokémon website or Nintendo's eShop for announcements.
Pre-orders for recent Pokémon games have opened on the eShop and at major retailers like GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon. Z-A will almost certainly follow the same pattern. Digital pre-orders on the eShop usually unlock a small bonus, such as in-game items or cosmetics.
Storage and read considerations
Z-A will read as a digital file to your Switch or to a microSD card. If you plan to buy it digitally, make sure you have enough free space. Pokémon Arceus takes up about 6.2 gigabytes; Z-A may be similar or slightly larger.
If your Switch has less than 10 gigabytes free, buy a microSD card before the game releases. Cards rated for at least 90 megabytes per second read speed work well with Switch games. A 128-gigabyte card costs $15 to $25 and gives you room for multiple large games.
You can also buy Z-A as a physical cartridge if you prefer. Physical copies do not require as much internal storage, though the game may still install some data to your console.
Comparing Z-A to Arceus and Scarlet and Violet
| Feature | Legends: Z-A | Legends: Arceus | Scarlet and Violet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle style | Real-time action | Real-time action | Turn-based |
| Catching style | Throw Poké Balls in world | Throw Poké Balls in world | Enter battle first |
| Story structure | Linear (expected) | Linear | Open, any order |
| Release date | 2025 | January 2022 | November 2022 |
| Switch models | All models | All models | All models |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Pokémon Legends: Z-A come to Switch Lite?
Yes. The Pokémon Company has not announced any hardware restrictions, and Arceus runs on Switch Lite without problems. Z-A will work on all three Switch models.
Can I play Z-A if I don't have a microSD card?
Yes, but only if your Switch has enough free storage. The game will install to your console's built-in storage if space is available. A microSD card is optional but useful if you own multiple large games.
Is Z-A the same as Pokémon X and Y?
No. Z-A takes place in the same Kalos region but tells a different story with different gameplay. X and Y used turn-based battles; Z-A uses real-time action like Arceus. You do not need to have played X and Y to understand Z-A.
Can I pre-order Z-A now?
Not yet. Pre-orders typically open two to four months before release. Check the official Pokémon website or Nintendo eShop in late 2024 or early 2025 for pre-order availability and pricing.
Will Z-A be available as a physical cartridge?
The Pokémon Company has not confirmed this yet, but all recent mainline Pokémon games have released in both digital and physical formats. Z-A will almost certainly be available as a cartridge, though you should wait for official confirmation.