‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ Release Date and Pokémon Presents

Pokémon Legends: Z-A was first announced at the 2024 Pokémon Presents. The game debuted with a cinematic trailer teasing a redevelopment project for the Kalos region’s central hub, Lumiose City. One year later, The Pokémon Company released gameplay footage and an extended look for its next mainline game.

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, players return to the region of Kalos, first introduced in 2013’s Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. The game follows the beginnings of the Lumiose City Urban Redevelopment program, a project with the goal of making Lumiose City a place where people and Pokémon can co-exist. When the player isn’t helping the redevelopment, they can find themselves participating in the Z-A Royale, where trainers from across the city are aiming to get their wish granted upon reaching A rank.

When Does Pokémon Legends: Z-A Release?

The game will be released worldwide on October 16th, 2025. The October release window is an interesting departure, as The Pokémon Company has typically dropped their mainline games in November ever since the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire with the exception of Pokémon Legends: Arceus on January 28th, 2022.

This new release window could actually be a reference to the launch date of Pokémon X  and Pokémon Y, which were both released on October 12th in 2013.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will launch on Nintendo Switch as well as feature a Nintendo Switch 2 edition, which promises improved graphics and frame rates. The Nintendo Switch 1 version of the game should retail for $60 USD while the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game should retail for $70 USD. The game will be available to purchase on the Nintendo eShop and anywhere else you buy your games.

Pokémon Presents Slated For July

The announcements didn’t stop there as The Pokémon Company also announced a new Pokémon Presents slated for July 22nd, 2025. While there are no details on what will be showcased at the event, we can assume the Presents will focus on updates for The Pokémon Company’s numerous mobile titles, such as Pokémon Go, Pokémon TCG Pocket, Pokémon Masters Ex, and more. Additionally, we should receive more details on the game, hopefully regarding more gameplay features such as Mega Evolution as well as more details on the competitive-focused game Pokémon Champions.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches worldwide on Nintendo Switch systems later this year including the Nintendo Switch 2.

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