The Pokémon Legends Z-A release date is finally here, inviting you to explore the luxurious Lumiose City where Pokémon and people work alongside each other in perfect harmony. In this guide, we dive into the gameplay, starters, characters, and more, so you can work out whether it's worth picking up a copy of your own.
Pokémon Legends Z-A is easily one of the most exciting new Switch games to arrive in 2025, and many of us were eager to snap up Pokémon Legends Z-A pre-orders to get additional goodies in the lead-up to its release. However, if you missed out on these, you can always take a look at our Pokémon Legends Z-A mystery gift codes to grab any fun freebies now that the game is out.
Here's everything we know about a Pokémon Legends Z-A release date:
When is the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date?
The Pokémon Legends: Z-A release date was on October 16, 2025 for both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. That means this new Pokémon game is already here, and you can pick it up right now! If you're unsure whether to take the plunge, be sure to check out our 8/10 Pokémon Legends Z-A review from our hardware editor Connor Christie, or check out his summary in the video below.
What is Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Pokémon Legends Z-A is a brand new title in the Pokémon series, and takes place in Lumiose City, the largest city in the Kalos region. With the stunning Prism Tower at its center, Lumiose City is full of beautiful vistas and stunning architecture, but is currently undergoing a high-tech redevelopment plan to turn it into a place that people and Pokémon truly share.
Lumiose City is a cute, urban setting with architecture that appears to be inspired by Paris, where trainers can enjoy a cup of coffee with their Pokémon before taking on other trainers and even capturing new Poképals among the quaint streets.
To help people and Pokémon coexist, the city has set up 'Wild Zones', which give wild Pokémon habitats where they can thrive. You'll be able to enter these Wild Zones and capture the Pokémon there by tossing your good ol' Pokéballs at them. However, if you're having a hard time catching them, you can use one of your own Pokémon to weaken them before trying again.
The game boasts a fresh style of Pokémon battling not seen in previous titles, with an exciting amount of freedom of movement. Here, moves can have a longer or shorter reach, or different areas of effect, meaning you need to choose your timing and positioning carefully to gain the upper hand in battle.
Pokémon Legends Z-A also features mega evolutions. When your keystone resonates with the mega stone held by your Pokémon, rather than simply changing shape, the Pokémon unlocks a new level of power that allows you to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
At the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, we got another look at the game with a new trailer showing similar things to what we saw during the Pokémon Presents in February. However, it also gave us some information that details the differences in how the city is at night. During the day, it's all about the redevelopment of Lumiose City and working with Pokémon, while nighttime is when all the trainers come out for a battle.
More specifically, trainers come together to take part in a tournament known as the Z-A Royale. You can find them in the various battle zones throughout the city, and you can even get the jump on them. If you spot a trainer and send your 'mon on the attack, they perform a special sneak attack that gives you the advantage.
We got another look at Pokémon Legends Z-A during the July 2025 Pokémon Presents showcase, including the big reveal of Mega Dragonite. The trailer also included some more details on Lumiose City's new NPCs while also revealing a pre-order bonus of Ralts holding a Gardevoirite stone. You can check out the trailer for yourself below.
Finally, as we get closer and closer to October 16, Nintendo released a new trailer during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct. This trailer revealed that new Mega-Evolved Pokémon have appeared in Lumiose City, the place where Pokémon and people live.
What are the starters in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
In Pokémon Legends Z-A, you can choose from the three starters Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig. Each one brings something to the table, so it can be pretty difficult to choose. If you need a helping hand, you can check out our full Pokémon Legends Z-A starters guide, where we dive into each of their stats, weaknesses and strengths, and evolutions to work out which one is best.
You can also pick up Pokémon X and Y's starters Froakie, Chespin, and Fennekin by completing three side missions with the help of our Pokémon Legends: Z-A Kalos starters guide, or grab yourself a Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle with the help of our Pokémon Legends: Z-A Kanto starters guide.
Who are the Pokémon Legends Z-A characters?
In addition to the now-staple of featuring you - yes you! - via a customizable character, Pokémon Legends Z-A also features a new cast of characters to meet.
Here are some notable Pokémon Legends Z-A characters:
- Urbain / Taunie - your new friend and ally in Lumiose City. Which character you meet out of these two depends on the appearance you choose for yourself in the game
- AZ - the man who runs the hotel you'll be staying at
- Eternal Flower Floette - AZ's partner
- Jett - CEO of Quasartico Inc, the company managing Lumiose's redevelopment
- Vinnie - Jett's secretary
Will Pokémon Legends Z-A be on the Switch 2?
Pokémon Legends Z-A will released on the Switch and Switch 2 at the same time. If you buy a copy on the original Switch, you can also purchase an upgrade pack to move your Nintendo Switch save over to the Nintendo Switch 2 for enhanced graphics.
That's all we've got on Pokémon Legends Z-A. In the meantime, if you need help getting back into the battling spirit, brush up on all the electric Pokémon weaknesses, ghost Pokémon weaknesses, and pick some of the best normal Pokémon to try in Pokémon Go.