Pokémon Legends: Z-A Release Date, Enhanced Switch 2 Features, and Lumiose City Setting Revealed

Nintendo fans have eagerly awaited news on the next chapter in the renowned Pokémon franchise, and now the wait is over.

During the latest Pokémon Presents announcement, Nintendo confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A, developed by Game Freak, will launch globally on October 16, 2025.

Marking a major milestone for the series, the new title will debut on both the Nintendo Switch and the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2, with exclusive enhancements designed for the newer hardware. Pokémon Legends: Z-A follows in the footsteps of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, acting as a spinoff with innovative gameplay elements while offering a fresh take on beloved mechanics.

This time, the adventure is set entirely in the bustling Lumiose City, the iconic metropolis originally featured in Pokémon X and Y.

Players can expect a rich urban landscape packed with challenges, secrets, and dynamic encounters with other Trainers. In an official statement shared this week, Nintendo confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Nintendo Switch 2 edition will include “improved graphics and frame rates.” This announcement comes after ongoing criticism about performance in recent mainline Pokémon titles on the Switch platform.

Enhanced visuals and smoother gameplay are positioned to make full use of the Switch 2’s hardware capabilities, addressing community hopes for technical improvements.

Nintendo also revealed that both the digital and physical editions of Pokémon Legends: Z-A will support an upgrade path, allowing players to move from the standard Switch version to the Switch 2 edition via a dedicated upgrade pack. Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces a real-time combat system that builds on the foundations set by Pokémon Legends: Arceus but shifts away from turn-based action.

While players will still command their Pokémon’s moves, turn order is no longer the deciding factor—quicker reactions allow Trainers to land multiple attacks, creating a more fluid and strategic battle experience.

The newly unveiled "Battle Zone" district in Lumiose City will let trainers engage in spontaneous nighttime encounters with other Trainers, adding replayability and excitement to urban exploration. Game Freak’s commitment to evolving the core gameplay and harnessing new hardware capabilities aligns with the studio’s reputation for innovation and accessibility.

Past titles from the developer have consistently broken records, with Pokémon Legends: Arceus selling over 14 million copies on Nintendo Switch as of March 2024.

The arrival of Pokémon Legends: Z-A on both current and next-generation platforms signals Nintendo’s dedication to bridging generations while embracing technological advancements. As anticipation builds for the July Pokémon Presents stream—where further gameplay details are expected—fans and industry analysts alike are closely watching for gameplay reveals and additional features.

For now, Pokémon Legends: Z-A stands as one of the most anticipated releases of 2025, offering an enhanced experience for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 owners.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A Lumiose City Game Freak Pokémon Legends Z-A Pokémon Presents