Pokémon Legends: Z-A Confirmed for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 with Gaten Matarazzo Fronting New Commercial

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will join the Nintendo Switch and its highly anticipated successor, Switch 2, as a major fall release.

Nintendo has confirmed that the latest Pokémon installment will arrive on both current and next-generation hardware, cementing October 16, 2025 as a crucial date for franchise fans and Switch owners alike. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings the celebrated Pokémon Legends series back into the spotlight.

The game is set to release amid a crowded October lineup, further boosting the Nintendo Switch platform’s momentum as it transitions to the next generation with Switch 2.

In a major marketing move, Nintendo recently unveiled a commercial featuring Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things.

Although there is no official connection between the show and the game, Matarazzo is a well-known Nintendo enthusiast, having previously helped promote major titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Splatoon 3.

In the new commercial, Matarazzo demonstrates the excitement of Mega Evolutions, a signature gameplay feature in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, while showcasing the portability and versatility of the Switch 2 – attributes familiar to fans of the original hybrid platform. Nintendo’s strategy with this campaign is clear: leveraging popular culture and widely recognized personalities to maintain its lead in the hybrid console market as competition heats up.

With the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Nintendo is also launching a special Switch 2 hardware bundle, which will include a copy of the game for new adopters.

This aligns with Nintendo’s ongoing tradition of pairing blockbuster software with hardware rollout, driving interest and early adoption for Switch 2. Notable for fans and industry watchers, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will launch globally through the Nintendo eShop and traditional retail channels.

Game Freak’s commitment to supporting both Switch and Switch 2 platforms ensures that the substantial player base built over the current generation will not be left behind, while also enticing early Switch 2 adopters with a flagship release on day one. Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues Nintendo and Game Freak’s legacy of delivering record-setting titles.

Previous mainline Pokémon releases, such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, reached major sales milestones within weeks of launch.

Expectations remain high for this new entry, given its simultaneous debut on both platforms and the star-studded promotional effort led by Matarazzo. For those awaiting the next big thing in Nintendo’s lineup, all eyes are on October 16, 2025, when Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes center stage for both Switch and Switch 2 players worldwide.

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