Pokémon Legends: Z-A release date announced with Switch 2 upgrades

Nintendo has revealed the release date for the next major Pokémon game, which will be preceded by a Pokémon Presents showcase.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch is just around the corner, but there are several games slated for this year which still don’t have release dates.

Some of these are Switch 2 exclusives, like Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment, but we also don’t have dates for several cross-gen titles, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

While these might be revealed during the rumoured Nintendo Direct for next month, Nintendo has just randomly announced when we can expect to play one upcoming cross-gen game.

After being previously slated for autumn this year, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the sequel to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, will launch on October 16, 2025 across Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Along with sharing the game’s cover art, Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2 Edition will have improved graphics and frame rates. If you purchase the physical or digital version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the original Switch, you can buy an upgrade pack to the Switch 2 Edition.

A price for this upgrade pack is yet to be announced, but it will likely line up with the upgrade price for the Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Switch 2 Editions, which both cost £7.99. There are more expensive £16.99 upgrade packs for Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby And The Forgotten Land, but these come with extra modes.

Along with the release date, a Pokémon Presents showcase has also been announced for July 22, 2025, where we will presumably see more from the sequel, and other upcoming games like Pokémon Champions.

Nintendo traditionally releases a big game in November every year, so this October date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A suggests the company could have a secret game up its sleeve – unless Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or Hyrule Warriors Age Of Imprisonment end up taking the Christmas slot.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place in the Paris-inspired Lumiose City, a setting previously seen in Pokémon X and Y. Along with bringing back mega evolutions, it has a revamped real-time combat system where Pokémon can move around and dodge attacks.

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